Whooo thought it was all over. But today we have had strong winds back and deluge of rain, although it was not as cold.
I was the only car on the car park. I didnt get out. 36 mph winds. Gusting. No chance.
So, consoling myself that I had done the pulmonary physio exercises, I went for a ramble round Lidl. I had intended to visit one of the bigger supermarkets with clothes as I am desperate for a new dressing gown. But Lidl has the most sheltered car park.
I was fortunate to see some canvases on offer and some perfectly adequate painting brushes, for applying ground and varnish, so spent not a lot but on useful purchases.
Now, this may sound really ungrateful! The DP's relatives have yet again surpassed themselves with their Christmas gifts. He had a long conversation with his sister making it quite clear we did not want a Juicer as a gift. So what did we get today? Aye a Juicer. In a box shouting Juicer from Amazon.
His brother knows we do not drink Ale. But we got a gift box of Ale. Do you think it's me?
I hope they have wall space for the fantastic canvas of line dancing Oystercatchers we sent.
Hey ho. Back home, while the DP was away posting the canvases, Sith and I sat in a very dark Shedudio. 3 p.m. dusk. Roll on Friday the shortest day. After that things can only get better.
Wind and rain lashing the windows.
Nice bit of colour. I got the Geraniums through last winter and hoping to repeat this year. I like Geraniums.
I am going to have to get a hearth rug for Sithcat.
Tomorrow the weather forecast is good. Whoopee.
Not feeling too good today. So missed out on the Pulmonary exercises. Instead I made myself walk a bit further on the Prom as there was no wind. Tomorrow is to be totally foul with wind speed up again and heavy rain, so that maybe a walk round a shop, I am now desperate for a new dressing gown as both of mine have no 'pile' on the bum area whatsoever. At least ten years old. Too bad to even charity shop, so maybe an animal rescue place.
The Kessock Burn enters the North Sea. Its source is in the country side and it enters the beach under the road.
Flowing fast, where it enters the beach. Sadly always rubbish around. Discarded fishing nets on the right, a fender tyre on the other side. And other odds and sods.
It literally carves its way down to the sea.
Beyond is Tiger Hill, our biggest sand dune. No one is sure why it is called Tiger Hill. Possibly at one time it resembled a sleeping tiger. But dunes change shape over the years.
Small Lobster boat on its way into the harbour.
Last Thursday evening was the Fraserburgh Photographic Society meeting which took place at the harbour where there was a joint exercise with the lifeboat, fire service and ambulance. A training session centred on a pretend fire on a fishing boat and subsequent rescue of casualties and putting out the fire. This did happen recently. So now everyone knows what to do but they dealt with it before anyway.
This picture shows the DP in the middle and two others, some wearing festive hats, as you do.
All very exciting, nice to see the teams bonding, and a good exercise for all.
A much better day. The wind wound down at 5 a.m. as forecast. And the sun came out.
I usually get to the beach just after 1 p.m. This time of year the sun is already on a downward track as you can tell from the shadows.
There was still wind, but nothing like yesterday. A cold wind and it still whipped up the surf.
Oystercatchers and Redshank snooze in the sun.
More Oystercatchers.
Blackheaded Gulls.
Both levels of the Prom have a covering of sand from the strong winds of yesterday.
Progress on 'my Oystercatchers.'
As I left the Shedudio I took photographs of the fantastic sunset.
Never will I be as good at painting as Mother Nature.
Its been a while since we lit the woodburner and did not turn off the central heating! Wind rattling around the house. 60 mph plus and rain I hear too.
It was decided it would be 'better' for me to go out. As usual. So I made it to the car. The DP loaded up the chariot and off I went.
I did not get out of the car. I thought about it but then another gust and the car started to rock so I sat tight. Opened the window. Breathed in and out. Took some photos from the car.
Both sea and sky were boiling.
I decided, as I wasn't getting out, to go and see what was happening in the Harbour.
It was packed. No-one was going out today.
One of the big boats was being pushed by the wind onto a slant.
Within the shelter of the Harbour all was calm.
Although crammed!
You can see this is a working Harbour.
Medium size and one of the ones I mostly see heading out or heading in. The stacked wood behind is a regular feature of something being shipped out. Lots of it.
Back home I had a scary stagger to the Shedudio. The bird feeders were swinging and some had emptied their contents on to the ground beneath.
Hope this Cordyline survives.
Doing battle with reflections. Looks a right mess! But wait.....
Then I had to summon the DP to walk in front of me back up to the house so I was not blown over! It is much worse now. 60 mph plus wind and noisy. Hitting the front of the house. Also rain.
Tomorrow 5 a.m. the wind drops. Later my trip to the prom will be walkable, doable. Sun ! and only 16 mph. I can cope with that. On your way Deirdre.
Well that phrase really hit home. Thankyou K.J.Sutcliffe aka Hawthorn Spellweaver. Most of my life I have been kind to everyone else. But me.
So - today I have been kind to myself. First I was washed, moisturised and dressed by my lovely personal carer, who also makes me laugh. Most important. Hair washed too.
Then I spent some time sorting the internet banking out, bills.
Christmas payments to children, tis a lot easier than buying them stuff they dont want, Grandkids too.
My youngest child who does not have kids has purchased stuff for the 4 grandchildren in Edinburgh. Enjoyed by my child doing the shopping and something that they will like. S looks after them often so knows.
That sorting gave me peace of mind.
Then, after lunch, the Prom.
Weather foul. Heavy rain in the morning, winds increasing. But I went.
Looks good doesn't it.
Always looks good - but look at the sky.
As the whole sky darkened I took a quick picture of the Gull Gang,
Then it rained - heavily. Now I cannot run. Well I could but I wouldn't get far! I survived.
Back home and in the Shedudio.
A new male pheasant. He has the head colour of Dyson. But not the silver back.
I then started to paint - again.
Rectangular canvas already prepared for watercolour. Thought I would ease myself into it again by starting in my comfort zone - Oystercatchers!
It was lovely to be back into what I love doing without any worries nagging.
So I was being kind to myself!
The only mouse painting I have at the moment BethBfromIndiana. Harvest Mouse in a Tulip. Small canvas. You can message me on the FB page if you are interested.
Sunset.
Tomorrow, more of the same. Bursting with painting plans. All good.
Being kind to myself.
