time travel: part two

Better late than never.

So the other Friday while the gang were all sitting around catching up, Karen and I found ourselves both somewhat wistfully talking about being outside. Each of us was missing having a garden a little* and feeling the need for some time in the air, with plants, and probably getting our hands mucky. I'd been playing with the idea of making hanging baskets for the new flat and suggested a trip to a garden centre which Karen seized on and expanded into a day out visiting some place I'd never heard of called Dalkeith Country Park after which we'd find a big garden centre and splurge on plants to play with.

Saturday came, and with it some cracking early spring weather. By early afternoon we'd got our collective acts together and were in the car, roof open to enjoy the sunshine (in spite of the chill) and were headed to the outskirts of the city. The next few hours were spent ambling through an ever changing sequence of landscapes that makes up the old grounds of Dalkeith House.

There's something very odd about the place, which I think comes from it being largely a giant landscape gardening project that is now centuries old. Everything has long since mellowed out and settled and yet none of the various woodlands or pastures feels entirely as if it belongs where (and when) it is. On a sunny day with the right company it makes for a glee inducing afternoon.

I took some pictures and (since I've been threatening for about a year now to overhaul the pics section) uploaded a small selection of them as a trial of the new format photo albums I'm hoping to make a great many more of soon... though the fact that it's taken me over a week to have the time and energy to post this should give you an idea of what to expect in terms of realistic timeframe for that. Anyway here they are, the new album format is still a little rough around the edges but a huge improvement I think. And the photos are nice too :D

* Karen more lastingly than me - I like the idea of a garden but the reality is that I never really devote enough time to it when I have one

time travel: part one

Another proper post coming soon (funnily enough with images) but if you've a few minutes spare in the meantime go and have a look at this excellent Flickr set - I don't know the photographer and only encountered the images via ffffound (Thanks again for putting me on to that Duncan) but they're amazing! My personal favourite is this one

Beautiful.

Must. Not. Click.

I don't know why I want to, but I really really do!



I suspect it just appeals to my sense of the absurd

"privacy"

Here's a thought: if you don't want to be seen doing something then don't do it in a public place.

You wouldn't think that would need spelling out, but apparently it does.

...

I'm also really enjoying the fact that by complaining about the images on Google, the people concerned have made their (very minor, and already completely public) indiscretions national news. Would anyone have noticed (or cared?) if they hadn't? other than the people themselves of course.

fugit

So there have been grumblings from various quarters about the lack of content here of late. I didn't think I'd been all that remiss until I popped onto the page and noticed I'd managed three whole posts in the last quarter. oops. There was at least content in those three though right? um... <hangs head in shame>.

So time for a real post then?

Yes.

...

Spring seems to be here... or to at least have sent an advance guard. I like the seasonal nature of my adoptive home (one of the reasons I choose to live here) so I've been enjoying winter and before that I was enjoying autumn and so on back through the years, but one of the things that really fires me up about living somewhere where the seasons properly change is seeing them... change. Consequently I'm walking to and from work with a big grin on my face of late. Overheating quietly from my superstitious refusal to abandon the winter coat just yet. :D

What else is news? The new flat is all settled and feels like home now... Hame and I will have a housewarming soon, we just have to both be in at the same time (and notice that fact, which isn't a given in our sizeable new empire!) and remember to compare iCals*. Any of you reading this nearby will probably get an invite (unless you're people I don't know I suppose, or reading it after the fact...) but for those of you far away who've not yet been to visit and have been waiting patiently for me to upload photos... I still haven't taken them. Sorry. Google can keep you amused in the meantime though by allowing you to have a virtual wander round my neighbourhood (starting off from outside my front door looking back at the flat) - neat eh? I recommend navigating with the arrow keys... and not clicking that link if you have anything you want to get done in the next few hours: it's very compelling for some reason.

Hobbes news (for those who are interested) is that he's still tucked up sleeping in the garage and awaiting attention from experts but while I was procrastinating the excellent fellows at FCCUK have found a much closer garage to recommend, so instead of Essex I only have to get my poorly car to East Kilbride once I decide to actually do something about his oil habit.

There. That's what's going on with me just now - apologies to all the people who've been checking in and going away disappointed over the past few months. Assuming you're still reading. I was a bit surprised (and gratified) by the number of people who grumbled but I promise not to leave it so long next time.

* confession: he is actually sitting across the room from me as I type but a) we're both busy and b) that is a genuinely rare occurrence

Chris Moyles must die.

That is all.

Proper post to follow soon (promise) when I'm not at work being tormented by this moronic DJ.