There are not many posts in this category (as I have said before we were taught to be modest about them).

I went out for a walk at dusk and found the road like a river although it had not rained very  much, so i investigated and found the ditch which runs along the roadside blocked. Although by this time it was getting dark I couldn't resist going back to the shed for a rake and clearing  the leaves and mud that were blocking it - the satisfaction of hearing the water gurgling along again was worth it!

And I got a nice photograph of the house from a different angle as I walked back home almost an hour later..

Don't be shy and tell us of your latest good deed!


NB  I'm sorry that sometimes my replies to your comments do not appear directly below  but get mixed up and appear in the wrong order. So confusing Weebly!

The good news is that we have raised £1669.60 in our Swim a Mile for Barry fundraiser for Ardgowan Hospice. To the swimmers and to all those who donated so very generously - THANK YOU, YOU ARE A WONDERFUL FORCE FOR GOOD IN THIS WORLD!

The sad news is that Cath, who many of you will know has been a regular commenter on this blog for years now, has had an accident which means she cannot write at present, and needs a lot of rest and care to start on what may be a tough road to recovery. I miss her thoughtful comments, links to new (to me) poets, interesting questions and gentle humour, as I am sure you do, and I know you will join me in wishing her well - it may take patience, strength and  determination  - but we know you have those qualities in spades Cath!

Know that we are thinking of you and look forward to you coming back to join us here.

On the ferry home tonight.

Wonderful colours, patterns and textures at Scalpsie Bay on the Island of Bute.

I helped with the local beach clean this morning where we collected a lot less litter than in previous years. It could be because there have been fewer big storms this winter, though I like to think it may be because people are becoming more aware and careful....

Have you noticed a difference on a beach or in the countryside near you?

Have you heard of a reverse advent calendar?

Every day you put something in a box and on Christmas Eve you give it to a food bank or similar..

Nice idea for the children and not too late to start?

This outrageously over-the-top escapist gorgeousness is one of my favourite film clips.

What is yours?

I'll start with why shall I?

When I lived in Oxfordshire we spent every weekend from April to October of our first year there visiting gardens open under the Yellow Book scheme. It's a marvellous way to get to know a new area. We had a wonderful time! There were so many to choose from (we often managed several in one day), they were varied and fabulous -  grand country estates to tiny back yards in the city and we were struck by the generosity of the gardeners. If it was sunny people would put out rugs and cushions and encourage you to stay a while, the cream teas were to die for, the plant sales were irresistible. I do think gardeners on the whole are very sharing people.

When I came here to the shores of Loch Long on the west coast of Scotland and developed the garden, I realised how many good gardens there are tucked away and decided it was pay back time, so I invited some gardeners to apply to the Scottish Gardens Scheme with me. (This is our fourth time opening.) 

I do it to raise money for causes I believe in and in gratitude for all those visits we made.

And I do it because it's the best possible incentive to getting all those projects done!!


I'd love to hear from anyone who has opened their garden (or is thinking about it!)

You will find more posts about opening the garden under Simply Grow June 2012 and June 2010 if you have time for a browse.

I'm enjoying this book by Susannah Conway

'What's the kindest thing I can do for myself right now' is a question she suggests we ask when stressed.

'I can take each day as it comes, and if it's a day that needs a little extra sugar sprinkled on it then so be it.'

More about this intruiging book anon but here is some heartwarming news: Fifty four boxes have arrived at the Syrian refugee camp in Bulgaria and the warm clothes were distributed today. Gil Clasby sends a big thank you on behalf of her Syrian friends. See here and here for the story..

All this talk of treasured objects makes the plight of those who have lost theirs all the more harrowing. Whether in floods here in UK or because as refugees people have had to walk away from all their belongings, it's hard to really comprehend what that means. I look around and try to imagine having had to walk out of the door, away from my lovely home, my job, my country, carrying my children and little else.

My youngest daughter was so moved by an interview on radio (also see here in the text) with a British woman Gil Clasby, who lives in Bulgaria and volunteers every day at a refugee camp for Syrians, that she persuaded her work to pay for the transport of a palette of urgently needed warm clothes. What are needed most right now are men's jackets and coats, men's trousers, men's shoes size 8 + and women's jackets and coats. If you live near me and have any of these to spare, do drop them off or call us and we'll collect them this week.

We recently had our annual beach clean and collected 20 bin bags of litter!

Cath commented that this seems a lot.

It is a lot.
 
Our village has almost a mile of beach to clean, strung out as it is along the shores of the loch, from the houses on the far left of the photograph to where I am standing at the sandy beach, and because it is a sea loch litter gets washed in with the tides. (Some of it also gets washed out again..to land on some other beach, or to come back to ours another day!)
 
Winter storms are particulary bad for depositing rubbish on the shore paths as well as the shore itself.

It's a horrible job.

But if we don't do it, who will?
 
I hate litter.

20 bin bags of rubbish were collected from the beach and the shore path today - exhausting but satisfying for the 15 or so volunteers, some from other villages, who came to help.

As the first flowers come out in Coronation Wood (click top right for more photographs) we had another bonfire and a barbecue, and made a start on a natural sculpture inspired by the wonderful work of Andy Goldsworthy.

Tired but happy tonight....

We'll be taking our coffee down to the CLEAN beach today - lovely!

                                                                We put up signs on the road today:

                                                                                    SLOW!

                                                                                    BABY

                                                                                SQUIRRELS

                                                                                CROSSING

                                                Most people have slowed right down!  People do care..
                                 (At least three red squirrels have been killed outside our houses this year)