It's April!

 

Happy April everyone! Today I am 4 months post op and doing really well considering how bad my injury was. Sadly, the weather isn't complying, I don't think it knows we are in Spring!

This is Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea).

Lots Of Ducks!

 

This is an old one from the archives 2021! Lots of Mallard ducks. That summer I went up most days to feed them and they grew to trust me and knew I would feed them! I was rewarded with good photos. 

Black Carrion Beetle

 

This is a little Black Carrion Beetle or Black Snail Beetle (Phosphuga atrata). I made friends with it, as you can see! Lovely little thing.

Bluebell

 

I really liked this bluebell. It's so pretty.

Caturday: Sweet, Sweet Cali

 

This is Cali, isn't she gorgeous.

Don't Be Crabby

 

This crab was very curious when I was taking its picture. This is through glass and I think it turned out really well. Lovely little thing.

Melting Minerals

 

When I was still struggling to walk a few months ago, we visited The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. I was using the wheelchair at this point as I couldn't walk far at all. We managed to see a lot and I got a good few photos. I was drawn to this, I really liked the colours and texture. 

California Sea Lions

 

Two of the Californian Sea Lions playing at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. We went there last year and need to get back again soon.

A Sunny Starling

 

This is a lovely Starling. I've posted this bird before. It's gorgeous and I really think the sun shows off its colours.

The Pond

 

I love ponds. Everying in and around them. They have such wonderful insects, birds, wildlife and plants. Can't wait to get back out there and visit them!

A Purple Flower For A Tribute

 

This is Geranium Rozanne, it's a lovely purple flower. I am posting this as a tribute to my friend's dad who passed away on the 22nd March at 7.15pm. I hadn't blogged last night as I had to run her to the Care Home and it was about a 30 minute drive, which ankle managed to handle okay! We didn't get home until about 1am. RIP.

Caturday: Cali and Stitch

 

This is Cali and Stitch together on our bed. Cali at the top and Stitch at the bottom. Both had just woken up. Those with a keen eye will notice it's a Hallowe'en Duvet....sadly I only own Hallowe'en and Christmas Duvet Covers!!

RIP Chuck Norris. A true legend.

Out In The Woods

 

This is from last year when I was in the woods! I think it looks like Jelly Ear Fungus. I love taking photos of mushrooms.

So after yesterday waiting for them to come to collect the aids, the guy refused to take the wheelchair we bought because it wasn't "official". Oh my! So I'll give it to a charity shop next week. At least I tried!

Colourful Coral

 

I liked this Coral it has nice colours.

Last few days have been decent, well no rain counts as decent in Scotland. Sadly been waiting in for parcels so haven't been out and it's looking like I have to stay in tomorrow too. Today I have them coming to collect my walking aids. Was told to "just bin the boot". I don't understand, they could renew the sock and reuse it. Crazy as these boots are expensive. No wonder the NHS is in crisis!!!

A Loving Parent

 

This is way back in time! 2021!!! It is at the pond and the Coot is feeding its young. A lovely moment.

A Sunny Crow

 

I really like how this one turned out. Absolutely love crows!

Happy St Paddy's Day, it's a big thing in Scotland. But more importantly it's my partner's birthday today, Happy Birthday to him 💓.

Snail Pattern

 

I really like this pattern. Snails are amazing little cute things I think.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day. 

The flower is a Dianthus and thought it was a lovely flower to post today. The other is the gift my daughter got for me today. 

Caturday: Tail Cuddle

 

Here we have Abby the white cat and Jethro the Bengal cat. Jethro's tail is cuddling Abby. I've said before Jethro isn't doing so good and very thin. He is still eating & drinking, using his litter tray, grooming and seeking cuddles. 

I have lost all my family, my last passed in 2011 but I've never lost an animal and I think it will just be as bad or worse. I take comfort in the fact that all 6 are loved and are having good lives with us.

Not Everything Is Black And White

 

This is one of the Zebras from Chessington Zoo. He has a lovely pattern I think and was enjoying the sunshine.

Good news too...had my physio today and he said my ankle is getting stronger and doing well. He said to go down to one crutch for walking outside. Need to keep up with the exercises, been a bit lax though since I started walking without the boot. 

Reaching For The Stars

 

This little slug was in my house and it was reaching for the stars, so I decided to take a photo of it! Slugs often come into my house and I put them back outside again. I know a lot of people don't like slugs but they are so important.

Orange Ladybird

 

This is an orange Ladybird. A bit different from the normal looking Ladybirds. It's lovely I think.

Flying Gull

 

This is a few years old. It's one of the Gulls at the pond. They usually appear when I go as they know I will feed them all! I was happy to capture this one in flight!

A Great Walk For A Monday

 

This is from a walk I'd do often. It's a long walk though so won't be doing it anytime soon! It was lovely yesterday but today it is raining.

I am not sure if it's made the news in your country, but one of the biggest train stations in Scotland in Glasgow has been on fire. Sad times indeed. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c9wne9yxqn8o

A Shy Duck

 

This Male Mallard was at the canal. He was quite shy but wanted some seeds.

Caturday: Sweet Chi

 

This is Chiana. I got her when she was 6 weeks old and she is now 15 and a half. She was my first baby! She loves giving head bumps on my forehead and is so very sweet.

Mating Green Dock Beetles

 

This is a few years ago. Two Green Dock Beetles mating. They are usually very active in May!

A Few Geese And A Mallard

 

Two Canada Geese and a Male Mallard are here. The goose at the front it giving me that "I want food stare"! I gave them seeds and more Mallards appeared so this guy wasn't lonely!

A Coot In The Bushes

 

This is from a few years. It's one of the Coots up at the pond, looking for the seeds I put down. Coots are wonderful birds with amazing feet!

A Frosty Morning

 

This is from last year. This morning was frosty and when I was out on the school run, my leg wasn't liking the cold! I am told with plates and screws in the cold weather is not your friend!

A Nice Walk

 

This is a lovely path to walk along. All the trees and greenery make it peaceful.

Waiting For Food

 

This crow was waiting for me to feed it. I think you all know I love crows, they are wonderful and highly intelligent birds.

AND it's March already. Happy March everyone and let's hope it does stop raining in Scotland for just a wee bit! 

RIP to Neil Sedaka, who passed away, a great song writer.

Caturday: Stitch Gets Up Close And Personal

 

This is Stitch. I was sitting on the couch and he was on the armrest. He really poses well and is gorgeous.

A Thoughtful Gull

 

This is from a few years back. It's a Gull on top of a car at Edinburgh Zoo. I really thought it had a lovely and thoughtful face. I've spoken several times on here about my love for Gulls. They are hated by so many people. I have never had a bad experience with a Gull and been around plenty!

Small But Mighty

 

Check out this little weevil on the leaf! I love weevils and their lovely patterns and colours. This is from May last year. There is a part of the canal not far from where I am, about 15 minutes in the car, and in May there are loads of weevils, damselflies and other wonderful insects. I have been going there for a good few years now for photos. There is also a nice restaurant near where I park the car that do a nice coffee. So I am hoping to get there in May.

Ankle Update

 

Cleo photobombed the photo on the right! 

I had my big appointment at the hospital yesterday. They x-rayed my ankle and then had my appointment with the surgeon. It was good news. The breaks are healing really well and I don't need the moonboot or zimmer frame anymore. He said I need to start walking properly now and I don't really need to use the crutches in the house but must use them outside. He also advised not to wear any ankle supports or the likes. Keep it moving and work with the physio. He did say I'd have the pins and plates in for life, unless they cause me any issues down the line. I see him again in aboout 8 weeks and that might be my last appointment.

This next bit caused me some grief though and I am glad my friend was there to offer his support. The surgeon went through all the x-rays from day one when it happened and explained it all. Oh my goodness, it was a really, really bad one. I had broken bones in 3 parts and a segmented break in the fibula, that's why I have that big plate holding it together. The tibia was also badly damaged and the ankle ball was fully out of the socket. My foot was basically hanging off. No wonder my main operation lasted so long. Now all that said, I think I've come a long way in the 12 weeks to be able to walk again.

It's just a case of keep it moving and get out walking short distances at first and build up to long distances and to be extra careful. I really hope muscle memory kicks in as I used to do a lot of walking.

Thanks again to everyone for your lovely and positive comments, it really did mean a lot to me and kept me going.

Birds At The Feeding Post

 

At the feeding post we have a Male Chaffinch on the left and a Great Tit on the right.

Monday Morning

I was listening to the Fleetwood Mac song Monday Morning and I cannot get it out my head now! So I picked it as the title! I do like Fleetwood Mac a lot, both their early blues stuff with Peter Green to their 70s stuff with Stevie and Lindsey.

I took this last year at the local garden centre. I love going around the garden centres for photos. It's a Rhododendron Pushy Purple. It's very lovely.

 

The Squirrel Up On The Fence

Another from the archives.

I saw this squirrel on the grass and I watched him jump up and walk along the fence. They are very agile!

Caturday: The 3 Cats

 

These are my senior cats. Jethro, Chiana and Abby. They took ownership of the blankie fort my daughter made!

Happy Gotcha Day Cali and Cleo - 1 Year

It was one year ago today that Cali and Cleo arrived to their forever home with us. See the post HERE I made about them. 

This is Cali, she is so chatty and friendly. She loves coming into the toilet. She is definitely a toilet cat haha. She likes to wake me up at 3 in the morning for cuddles! She has settled in well and is very happy.

This is Cleo. She is pure black with a little white bib. She doesn't really talk, once in a while, and had formed a wonderful bond with Stitch. They sleep together, play together and fight together! Out of all my 6 cats, Cleo has the softest and loveliest coat. 

I don't know the background to their names as they came with them. I didn't change their names as they responded to them when they first arrived. 

Happy Gotcha Day girls.

Earthworm

 

I took this a few years ago. I saw something wriggling in these leaves and upon closer inspection saw this Earthworm. Worms are interesting little things and great for the soil.

Got a good report from the physio today. Ankle is moving and now time to strengthen the muscles. He also said I can walk in the house with my trainers again and to stop using the crutches so much and keep the bad ankle moving. So all good and happy with this.