Natural highs and lows

Since our house move, there's not been too much time for dedicated nature watching, as we instead navigate the peaks and valleys of cardboard boxes which seemingly fill every available space in home and garage.  Blogging has taken a bit of a back seat, so best I publish a 'catch-up' post to cover the days and weeks either side of the move. Immediately prior to completing the purchase (or settlement, as it's called up here), I was working in Shetland for a day. With a bit of time to kill before the ferry back to Orkney, I opted for a short wander in the hills near my last customer, rather than head into Lerwick and do battle with the hordes of cruise ship passengers from two huge vessels in the harbour. A once typical and increasingly rare Shetland scene because of the Viking Wind Farm project Bog Asphodel, a Sundew, Selfheal and Tormentil Sheep's-bit A species of Ragwort Possibly the warmest hour I have ever spent in Shetland, it was idyllic What I was unaware of, h

The past two weeks have been a bit fraught. Rather than risk losing the house we want, we have taken the scary step of buying without yet selling, but at least things are now moving. On the allotted day, the 13th of the month, just as the removal guys arrived, the heavens opened. And don't even look at the lorry registration number. Before lunch time, the contents of Megan's wee house were loaded up, ready for the short 15 minute trip to the sprawling megatropolis of Stromness. First pole and curtains up... and the weather's improved The cats are busy exploring every nook and cranny of their new home, but are somewhat miffed at having to remain indoors for the immediate future. Currently, they have an access all areas pass, not like in the old house, so they're taking full advantage of the privilege.  On the first night in the new property, both Cookie and Mocha were quite restless, pacing the corridor and rooms. Cookie, in particular, was very talkative, not whiny, jus

One morning in the week, I walked into the garden to hang out some washing, but just stood staring at this view for ages. With the morning sun behind me, the geraniums in the tiny wildflower meadow were at their optimal zingiest and nicely framed by a couple of fuchsias. The distant pastures were aglow with the yellow of buttercups, a sliver of sea in the bay - just observable - was reflecting the azure blue of the heavens, a few clouds added to the skyscape and some tall grass stems wafted gently to and fro in the breeze. Laundry temporarily forgotten, I nipped back indoors for a camera to capture the scene, as surely, surely, someone will purchase this garden house soon and this is how I want to remember it. It turned out to be the last of the summery days of June as, after that, the winds went around to the west, bringing more unsettled weather with showers and general breeziness. And by evening, the local farmer had cut and baled the buttercup meadows for hay and silage, so the ti