Lost the plot.

A flat day.  I did my pulmonary physio exercises which normally gives me a lift.  The 
Prom after lunch.

Beautiful as ever.

Huge ship on the horizon carrying blades for a wind turbine somewhere.  Which must be equally huge.  Scotland does very well with alternative energy providing.

Lots of Oystercatcher today.  

Skurries (Herring Gulls).

Small boat returning to the Harbour.

Shedudio was a total blank.  I prepped some canvases in the hope that inspiration will return and not everything ends up in the bin.

But I got a new tunic.

Which might brighten my day tomorrow.  If it fits....  

The DP and I got our letters from the DWP today saying our pensions would rise from the 11th April.  They give the weekly amount, but as it is paid four weekly I had to use my non mathematical brain to work out what we will actually get.  We await the Council tax bill and hope it will the match the increase on that, but I doubt it will.  Told you I had lost the plot.

Trying to stay sane....

Today I did not think - much- about the Cooncil.  Or about the fence.  However due to road closures elsewhere in the parish we now have buses detouring around the road closures.  Halting at our junction and then having to get a passenger to tell them which way to go!!  The world has gone mad.

Down at the Prom there was a cold wind and it was cloudy.  I plodded along.

Not too many people, or dogs, or children.  So we had

lots of lovely Oystercatchers.

Then the wind dropped and the sun came out.  So I did a video.

And then I did another one.

It was so pleasant I did not want to go home.  But I did.

Painting a bit.  

Redshank reflections.

What do you think this is?!

Sanity restored.

Some people I like and some I do not.

Still cold.  But the sun was with us.

The DP wrote to the council telling them about the hedge removal.

I refer to your email to my partner Jill dated 20th December 2018.

I have discussed the contents with our neighbour at Lyndorran and he agrees that the changes and improvements you have outlined for his side of the junction should improve matters. 

I also discussed with him the boundary between Cherry Cottage and the highway.  He renovated and lived in Cherry Cottage.  He told me that within the hedge there is his original fence that represents the boundary line.  Taking this on board and you comments about the sight line at the junction I have removed the hedge. (Photo attached).  Your suggestion that the hedge be trimmed was not practical.  Leylandii hedge will not grow back if it is trimmed to the extent that is required.  That has cost me £300.   I am now in the process of getting a quote for the removal of all the fencing and replacing it on the boundary line.  I then intend to replant a hedge on my side of the new fence. 

In all it will cost us around £1000 (this is on top of the £1000+ we have already spent repairing damage to the old fence and hedge) As pensioners it is not a sum I want to spend and then worry that further expense will be needed as vehicles come off your highway and damage the fence and hedge as they have done all too frequently in the recent past. 

I would therefore like you to amend your proposals for the junction by including a kerb and black and white verge marker posts around the radius on the side of Cherry Cottage.  The person who removed the hedge for me returned yesterday to chip the remains of the hedge and he reported to me that he had seen several vehicles cutting the corner and driving over the verge and close to the boundary line.  To be honest I suspect that now the hedge has been removed and the sight line improved it has led to cars going that bit faster round the corner.

On another highway matter can I ask that something is done to improve the road drainage between Cherry cottage and North Lodge.  In heavy rain and snow melt conditions all the water drains onto the Cherry Cottage drive. Our drain is unable to cope with the volume of water that then floods the garage and creates a small burn flowing past our front door.  To stop this I have go out in the deluge and sometimes in the dark and dig out ditches to drain the road before it gets to Cherry Cottage.  My ditches are then destroyed as soon as a heavy vehicle drives over it.  Can you please install at least two kerbed drains that will not be damaged in order to prevent water from the highway flooding my property.

This was the reply,

Morning Mr Chandler.

Firstly may I thank you for taking the time to carry out the visibility improvements at the junction, it's just a shame that the whole hedge had to be removed.

With regards to your requests, I can advise that : 

1. I will arrange for black and white verge marker posts to be erected around both verges as detailed in my sketch sent to you on 20th December 2018.
2. Arrange for the signing alterations to be made as per the above sketch.
3. I will ask our local Roads Inspector to investigate the drainage issue you have raised.
4. At this point in time we have no intention of kerbing the radius, however we will monitor the situation and take appropriate action as and when required.

Can I suggest that, once you have erected your new fenceline, you plant your new hedging in such a manner that, when fully grown, it doesn't grow through the fenceline. 

Now, the DP is the most laid back person I know, but he was fizzing on receiving this reply.

I think he said " Does this p***k do any gardening?"  but I could have misheard him......

Our joiner is coming in the next few days to give us a price for fencing.  I think it may well be for more than the DP predicted.

So guess where I went?  Aye the Prom.

The Golden Horn marking the entrance to the harbour.  Big seas, quite windy, and very cold.

Lots of Oystercatchers.  In the midst of them is a Black Headed Gull.  They are very noisy birds and if you look you can see it is having a shout about something - its beak is open.

More Oystercatchers arrived.

Chose this group of 5.  A possible painting..

Someone has planted an Obelisk!

Lots of kids today.  Mid term break is what it is called here.  I think (hope) it is only a few days.

I did go to the Shedudio but for a short while as I had my foot lady visit.  After she had done her clipping etc., I was about to return to the shedudio when she came back and announced she had put all her stuff into the car boot and shut it.  Including her car keys and phone.  

After calming her down, I think she is still jet lagged after returning from a month long holiday in New Zealand!  I sorted her - the DP took her into Fraserburgh to her in laws who had a spare house key, then he took her to her house to get the spare car key then brought her back here.  Sorted.  I told you he was laid back, he is also a star.

Ups and Downs.

Today was one of the DPs bird watching jaunts.  Not far today just to Peterhead.  Regular outings organised by our local branch of the RSPB.

There were 22 birdwatchers today.  Here are some of them, photo taken by the DP, along with lots of bird photos.

Meanwhile back at the ranch.

The Shredder arrived and went into action.

Fed this by pile.

At this point I decided to make a swift exit.  Lots of bits and dust in the air.

So - some deep sea air breathing.  A very short walk.  The morning had been fine, sunny, no wind.  Suddenly no sun, back came the wind and it was cold.

Being a Sunday people and dogs abounded so there was  little else to see other than a few Oystercatchers.

Back home.

We can spread this now.  Apparently what it does, the mulch in this state, is remove the nitrogen in the soil, then it replaces it.  So we could leave it there to do all that or spread it about a bit.  Thats up to the DP!  We also got lots of sticks and trunks/logs to dry out for eventual use in wood burning stoves.

I have been in touch with the joiner to come and quote for a replacement fence. He will be here in the next few days.  The DP is to contact the council to say where we are at and ask for a kerb to be put round the corner as already we have vehicles speeding past and driving over the verge.....

Apart from my Prom visits here is another wee view of my other sanity space.

I would like to say thank you to you all for the supportive comments.  It means a lot.  

Bureaucracy gone mad but when threatened with court action for encroaching on the highway what can you do.  Anyone with a brain would know making the junction easier to speed round is not necessarily a good idea.  I am also taking bets as to how long the new fence lasts even if it is a few inches in.  The rocks we were told to remove will be replaced within our boundary which is legal.  I shall take great satisfaction for the first person coming through the fence when they damage their vehicle....

Ups and Downs.

Destruction.

Today was hedge removal day.

Started.

This was a surprise.  Never noticed any nesting in the hedge.

Mounding up the bits to be shredded.  This will turn into a mulch in a few months which can then go onto the garden.  All the sticks that are burnable have gone into large sacks.

As have the now removed trunks.

Last bit down the side.

The mound to be shredded.  It was too windy today to do the shredding.  We would not have much left to make mulch of as it would have blown away!

The remains of the boundary fence, white, have to be removed.  As has the random posts which no-one is sure what they were put there for.

Now open to who knows what.

Next job is to remove the fence at the side and then new fence the whole boundary.  Waiting for the quote......

Storm Erik still with us.  I made it to the Prom.  I needed to escape from the sight of my garden...

Largest fishing boat heads for the harbour.

As the tide goes out in come the Oystercatchers.

A full and tiring day for us all!

Storm Erik

Must be bad if we have a named storm.  Tho Erik spelt that way, not Eric with a c, had me wondering where it came from.

30 mph and gusting to a lot more.  So I managed to get me and the chariot to the railings.  Forgot to both brakes on so the chariot kept doing wheelies and bashing into my leg.

Waves having fun by the rocks.  Not quite swamping the Golden Horn which would indicate a proper big wind.  Erik you failed.

Tide heading in.  This blue sky rapidly became black.

Not very happy bunch of Oystercatchers.  I dared not move to get any closer.  Just managed to get back to the car before the rain returned.

Shedudio nice and cosy.

Sanderlings progressing.

Brief glimpse of part of the Shedudio.  At the end, if you have the sound on, you will hear Sith Cat demanding I return to the house and feed him.

Eventually I did.

Storm Erik beginning to calm down a bit.

The Prom.

My daily visit to the Esplanade, it's proper name, is my sanity saver.  No matter the weather.  I breathe in the clean sea air.  Look at the state of the tide.  See what birds are around.  Chat occasionally, always say hello to others there, including the woman who cleans the toilets!  Her visits to work coincide with my visits to relax.

The tide was almost fully in.

Surging up the Kessock Burn.

The Oystercatchers were all dozing on the bit of sand left.

I focussed on some groups, odd numbers of course!  Future paintings possibly.

Small fishing boat heading out to fish.  From Ullapool I think. UL.

A Stonechat.  Another bird I was pleased to capture as they flit about.  You can tell how small it is as it is perched on a stalk of dune grass.

Back home and the Shedudio more on the Redshank reflections.

Started another - of Sanderlings - also paddling in water.  Started with pen and ink.

While I was out the DP and his bird watching mate saw a Brambling outside the Shedudio.  So they were well pleased.

I tried to use the syringe thing pilling the cat.  No way.  So back to manually and got both pills down him.

Sith Cat being naughty.

His chair is opposite with a blanket.....  I ignored him.

Wind and rain forecast tomorrow.  But I have some new warm leggings from Seasalt, so should be easier to put my windproof waterproof over trousers on.  I will be there.  At the Prom.