The smell of fresh coffee wakes me, climb out of bed and head for the kitchen.
The smell of fresh coffee wakes me, climb out of bed and head for the kitchen. The phone forecasts the rain to stop in 15 minutes. In fact it already has. As l look out the kitchen window, through the clinging clouds that hover over the water there is a postage stamp size of blue shining through. Could it be the reemergence of summer. No is the answer, not quite.
After weeks of sun, it’s turned wet and chilly. My weather app, of which l have many shows bad weather heading across the Atlantic, pulling cold winds down from Iceland and above.
The unseasonal rain has fallen in bucket loads for what seems like an eternity.
The top deck has become awash as the drainage struggles to cope due to the balls of bamboo leaves blocking the overflow. Another casualty from the force seven winds that pounder our Scottish shores.
It’s two weeks running that we haven’t been able to get out in the kayaks. Well us newbies, who don’t benefit from the snug fitting dry suits that the hardened long timers wear. Yet even the instructors keep sheltered during these conditions.
All work on the greenhouse, come part shed and summer house has stopped. Did manage one day last week. Although the old waterproof jacket and head covering was needed in between the dry bits.
Tomatoes are doing well, flowers forming into fruit. But the main priority is to stop the water poring through the roof.
It’s a bit of a disaster to be honest. Last year l had boarded and covered it with waterproof membrane. Then someone dumped a ton of old hand cut slate roof tiles on the vacant plot next to us. Not fly tipping l hasten to add. It’s to be used for hard core and infill by the new house builder.
Anyway, moving on. Decided it would look quite good to reuse on the shed part of my construction. Looked good. Aesthetics are not everything. One year on, come to realise that you need more than a 5% fall to fit old tiles, otherwise the water is able to pool. It leaked like a sieve through the nail fixings.
So in between the showers l was up on top removing hundreds of tiles. Not a waste. Will use to line the new rill that links the top pond to the smaller one at the bottom.
Fitted another layer of waterproof membrane. Which stopped further internal showers. Then quickly got on the phone and ordered ten sheets of corrugated zinc roofing. Bloody water won’t come through that.
Whilst typing this l lift my head and it’s turned gloriously damp again. In fact it’s a deluge. So will have to postpone the walk to the shop. Which wasn’t going to happen anyway.
Slipped on the wet grass yesterday and buggered my knee. Stiffened up overnight and very sore this morning. Deep heat applied. So will be fit in a few days, by which time can get back to fitting the roof.
But then Judith calls me to arms and we are off in the car to buy last minute supplies for our new Airbnb guests. It’s quiet. Not surprising really. Who would go out in this if they didn’t need to. Didn’t seem to affect the basking seals.
That’s because research suggests blueberries could help reduce the likelihood of suffering a heart attack.
A recent study found that older adults taking a supplemental powder made out of blueberries improved their endothelial health and some measures of cognition. You might not be familiar with endothelial function, but it’s a fancy way of describing how your blood vessels work effectively. Better functioning means improved blood flow, less calcification, and a lower chance of cardiovascular problems.
If that wasn’t enough, the improvements to your brain include better short-term memory, attention, and reaction time. If you want the benefits, you can follow the amount used in the study and use 26 grams of freeze-dried wild blueberry powder, or you can eat your way to better health by having approximately 1.25 cups of wild blueberries per day (which is the equivalent of the freeze-dried powder).
The Bercher muesli recipe is so flexible, it can be adapted to incorporate all manner of goodies.
The basics method is to soak the oats overnight with various flavourings.
My favourite is apple juice, grated apple and honey. Then in the morning you can thin it down and loosen it up with milk and top with berries. For vegans you can substitute coconut milk or any other plant based milk.
Other combinations worth a try are
Peanut butter, milk , oats and chia seeds
Oats, yoghurt, soya milk and flax seeds
Oats, milk, cocoa powder and honey with grated chocolate
Oats, milk, smashed banana and chia seed
I have been reading quite a few articles on how nature-based adventure can foster psychological wellbeing. Fascinating stuff.
Just a walk in the woods or a stroll by the beach on a sunny morning (presently awaiting the emergence out of the clouds and rain) can awaken the innermost feelings of happiness and peace according to one article. Check it out.
The Positive Effects Of Nature On Your Mental Wellbeing
For me, just a walk into our wilderness garden removes any negative thoughts and enlivens my spirits. To listen to the bird song, glimpse the odd deer ( eating my roses), new shoots rising out of the ground and the signs of little creatures. Small burrows through the long grass and buzzing insects in air. It is all encompassing.
Removed some of the algae from the pond the other day, and it was full of squirming little baby newts. Had to keep washing them back into the pond. Also piled the discarded green hair at the side of the pond to give any still remaining time to escape back into the water.
Vibrantly blue dragonflies hovered from stalk to stalk whilst all manner of insects skated across the water.
The water lilies had also settled in and have started spreading. One beautiful flower appeared. A subtle pink with hints of yellow. A magnificent specimen. Unfortunately as often happens, didn’t have my phone to record the beauty. The following day it was wetter and colder. The beauty had wrapped itself up tightly. If we have another glimpse of the sun, will see if it’s emerged once more and capture the beauty for prosperity.
A rather plump bee hopping from one flower to another during a moment of dryness. Few and far between at the moment.
The Oxford Dictionary defines adventure as an ‘unusual, exciting or daring experience’, and being ‘willing to take risks or to try out new methods, ideas, or experiences’.
Always up for adventure.
This lead me to consider undertaking a long distant walk, the West Highland Way in-fact. 96 miles over 6-8 days. Downside being the backpack, more importantly the weight of all the paraphernalia required to shelter from, rain, wind and those dreaded pesky midges. The days of hiking with 20+lbs on my back have long past.
Then l saw the perfect solution, an organised group. Stay in hotels, bags are transported on ahead. Walk with likeminded people and someone else provides three square meals for you. https://www.wildernessscotland.com/promotion/earlybird/ £2000plus for 8 days.
Not bad at all. But then another email came in. This time from one of our favourite travel companies, Intravel. And they were offering 7 nights in Austria , Lake Achensee & its Mountains for £1325. And Italy, The Secret Apennines 7 nights From £905pp
To be honest, there’s no competition. Austria or Italy for less, no brainier. https://www.inntravel.co.uk/search-results
Yet you have to add transport on top. And for us old farts in Scotland it’s free. No midges in Austria or Italy, then again you have mosquitoes to contend with. At least you can hear and see them. And after reading an article on the subject of mosquito protection, I am all sorted.
Having spent more than a decade studying different types of mosquito repellents, say Immo Hansen and Hailey Luker on The Conversation, we know what works and what doesn’t. Don’t bother with bracelets, coloured lights, ultrasonic devices and dietary supplements like vitamin B and garlic – all totally useless. Your best option, unsurprisingly, is Deet, the active ingredient in most shop-bought repellents. For a plant-based alternative, try oil of lemon eucalyptus, which has repellent properties that can last up to six hours. Other essential oils that work well in low concentrations include clove oil, which offers 90 minutes’ protection, and cinnamon oil, which lasts 60 minutes. Citronella oil is fine, but only works for about half an hour.
Then just when l am settling down for the night, up pops Michael Portillo on channel 5 walking the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.
Takes me back to those trips to Sare, St Larry and Casteras in the Pyrenees, walking with the Chalais walking group and the frequent visits to Espelette with our fiends. Truly magical.
Portillo, approaching his 70th birthday, a former cabinet minister turned tv celebrity has moved from his well documented rail Journeys across the world to shank’s pony. Walking through jagged peaks and lush green valleys, Alpine meadows dotted with patches of snow and giddy heights among the clouds. Albeit via a cable car that whisks him up to the Pic du midi. Another must do if l can overcome my fear of heights and travelling on a cable car that takes 30 minutes to get to the summit.
This series finds him in thoughtful, reflective form as he tramps the peaks and valleys of the mountains. His own father was a Spaniard, and Portillo reveals how the bombing of Guernica during the Spanish civil War bought his parents together.
It’s what you’d expect from a travelogue – beautiful scenery, a bit of local history and culture, and some interesting and quirky encounters with people along the way. Portillo’s a truly gifted presenter, just a pity his wardrobe choices are so off the wall and outlandish. Nevertheless his
thoughtful, intelligent presentation combined with shots of stunning beauty make it a program not to miss.
I long for the hills once again. Unfortunately, most of our French walking leaders are long gone, now roaming the biblical tracks in the sky.
If you are into maps you may like these two web sites.
Map geeks will enjoy comparing maps over the ages
A map of UK train stations + walkable campsites, although with the number of strikes at present, you may never get home.
In the past, we have thoroughly enjoyed our autumnal walks, especially through the forests in the Trossachs. We would often come across a myriad of different mushrooms, most inedible, but a few that looked absolutely delicious. Unfortunately l can only truly recognise a handful. So this new book that has just been published should be a great help.
Frank has published How to Forage Mushrooms Without Dying: An Absolute Beginners Guide. Sent the link over to Judith . A hint for Christmas
Got out of bed and the sun was out, first time in weeks. So quickly dived into porridge, topped with honey and yoghurt, downed a fresh flat white. Then down to the foot passenger ferry. Slight problem, they weren’t running. Once again the state funded ferry company had a problem. This time it was the mechanism at the pier that had given up and required maintenance, so out of order for at least a week.
So off we trundled to Western Ferries at Hunters Quay. The reliable independent company, although prices are rising by an astonishing amount. The regular car plus driver is nearly £42 for a return. And £11 for any passengers. Good job we have a concession for living in Innellan, plus being over 60. Only a little l add. (12years). It only cost us £2 for a return as a foot passenger. There are benefits to being old. Unfortunately there are plenty of disadvantages. Eyesight, hearing, and the regularity of needing to use the little boys room. But that’s another story under a prostate heading. We will gloss over that.
As per usual, the price hadn’t put any drivers off, they were overflowing. In fact they had to leave half a dozen cars on the quayside to await the next ferry. But they don’t have too long to wait, they run every 20 minutes.
Had a pleasant 5mile stroll along the coast from the ferry terminal at McInroys Point to Greenock. Stopping off for coffee, at a friendly little place on the front. Watched a mirad of fishermen trying to catch lunch, mainly immigrants from the languages being spoken. A sweeping statement, but Brits don’t normally take dustbins along for the catch, or start a fire to cook some of the mackerel on the quayside for a mid morning bite. Roughly eight or ten of the individuals squatted around the fire in a typical Middle Eastern manner, jabbering away at the top of their voices. Yet they had competition today. A couple of seals were hanging around for their share of the catch. The fishermen were not happy.
All the dog walkers, swinging their little blue bags, joggers and crinklies driving their mobility scooters had followed our lead and vied for space on the front under the morning sun. Fortunately our pace helped us weave a path around the slower more relaxed pedestrians.
Need to get up a good pace, according to our medical guru, Dr Michael Mosley if you want to stay fit and healthy. Judith has me doing press-ups each morning after reading an article on muscle wastage. God it’s hard to begin with. Yet after a week l can actually do it.
I have progressed to ten at each session in the traditional manner on my tip toes. I try to do three sessions a day, but often enjoyable things get in the way.
The secret to doing press-ups is to start gradually and build up slowly. To ensure you have the right technique. There are simpler methods as shown on Google ‘NHS press-ups’. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/strength-and-flexibility-exercises/strength-exercises/
Back to the walk. The esplanade was even busier, this time with groups of walkers, mainly retirees. They must have also read the same article in the Saturday Mail. As we walked the esplanade, each seat had been decorated with some amazing creatures. Either knitted or crocheted, in aid of the local charities.
Some very talented people. Absolutely amazing. This is just a few of the numerous creations exhibited. There must have been at least twenty in total. They definitely made me smile.
Another storm approaching
The weather around the world at present, a clip showing various cities.
Out in the new greenhouse the tomatoes are growing at a rapid rate. Keep feeding them with my special food. A mixture of nettles and seaweed, soaked for a month or three and strained. Stinks to high heaven, but it seems to be doing the trick.
I was worried that the plants, stuck in the greenhouse might not be pollinated, so l started reading up on it, specifically relating to setting the tomatoes. Seems that you have to vibrate/shake them around midday. Tried one of the methods suggested. Rub the back of my electric toothbrush at the back of the stem, just below each group of flowers.
Seems to have worked. Minute little green tomatoes are forming.
Not sure if they will grow big enough and ripen before winter appears, but we wait and see.
Some snippets from the daily knowledge
Heroes and villains
Villain
The Wagner Group, which is tarnishing the reputation of its namesake. The great granddaughter of 19th-century German composer Richard Wagner told Die Welt that her “breath is taken away” seeing her ancestor’s name written on the mercenary group’s “bloody banners”.
Heroes
A group of lads who came up with an ingenious gag for a stag-do: taking the groom-to-be to the British Grand Prix and forcing him to wear a bright orange Just Stop Oil t-shirt. He apparently spent the whole day being stopped and questioned by police officers.
Villain
The US Postal Service, which has 452 packages filled with cremated remains of people it can’t identify. Because of illegible writing or incorrect delivery addresses, hundreds of the sensitive parcels have ended up at the service’s lost property centre. The usual protocol is to auction off undeliverable items, says Vice. “However, this procedure does not appear to apply to cremated remains.”
Villain
Chinese authorities have been forced to adopt a pretty ghoulish measure to help people through its record-breaking heatwave, says Vice: re-opening bomb shelters. The underground hideaways, constructed in the run-up to World War II, are some of the only places to escape the 40C temperatures above ground. They’re rather more comfortable than they would have been back then; regional officials have kitted them out with Wi-Fi, restaurants and air con. But it still feels like an insight into “humanity’s uncertain future”: living underground in “climate controlled spaces” originally meant to keep us safe from nuclear devastation.
You need to try the latest sleep technique that’s trending on TikTok. The “finger breathing method” has received 5.2 million views on the platform, with users sharing how to execute the technique that quickly lulls the body and mind into sleep.
You hold one hand in front of you, and use the other hand to trace your fingers. Start where your thumb meets your wrist, then slowly move round, letting your breath rise and fall as you go up and down each digit. Once you reach the bottom of your pinky, simply reverse direction and do the same again. This “multi-sensory effect” should ease your brain into a “deep state of relaxation”, alleviating stress and helping you drift off.
If you are not already asleep , l finish this months diary with a quote.
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
Thomas Edison
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