Warm for November.

 The weather has been really nice so Jill hAs planted some bulbs done some tidying. We have Paul staying with us at the moment and he very kindly did a brilliant job at setting a post in place ready for a gate in the walled garden. Not an easy job as the first post put in ages ago isn't we quite straight.? He's going to have a look at the wall too. So very grateful.

We found some time to head back for the showy barred warbler as Rob hadn't got a good enough photo yet. It showed well. Although, it's nearly out of berries.

Jill went for a walk and found a really beautiful fungi

We had a bit of an aurora but it was very cloudy.

We had a response from a complaint to the Scottish ombudsman about out solar panels. They have rules with the grant company as apparently only putting them on the roof, and not on the ground is in their terms and conditions, even though they don't publish these as they are too long and complicated to publish. They also refuse to send a paper copy.  Seems the ombudsman allow this. Frustrating but not unexpected.

To cheer ourselves up, we went to see the two Little buntings on Bressay. Very nice.

Still a few birds in the crop field at Melby.

Sadness and loss

 It's funny that a wee black fur ball should become so special to you that when they go, it leaves such a huge hole. Our Pepper was the gentlest and giving pet, no, not just a pet, but family.

We have had several cats over the years but this soul was indeed special. Pepper has been there for us, unconditionally, through some tough years, so the decision to let her go was the toughest ever but her decline was so rapid. 

We will miss our adorable guest meet and greet, always. Safe journey Pepper pot.

So, this means we have had a reflective and obviously difficult week, but our photos have been an inspiration so we now need to get a whole load of red tulips in the garden 

We have had some lovely weather and fab skies and lots of coffee

We did try and cheer ourselves up a bit with a short trip out after a hospital appointment, but we felt a bit flat.

Seal pup!

Great start 

 The first seal pup was a bit early this year, but it's doing well. Several other females in the area about to pop. Jill was accompanied by the lovely Sarah and her daughter.

The crop field at Melby is still busy but bird numbers are dropping. Still a few brambling and chaffinches.

We also watched a redwing being teased by a starling.

Today Rob wasn't feeling great so stayed home while ,Jill went shopping as we have a guest this week.. while I'm n town, need broke of some waxwings and ,Jill loves them so she went to see. Another birdwatcher was there and he had not seen them , but, he had found a really showy barred warbler. Thanks Andy, it was brilliant!

What a showy peerie cracker.

Then to top it off, a lovely sunset