Memories

Its nice to have things around the house that remind you of places or people.

The mirror was bought in Balmacara Square, from a craft shop selling handmade glass. We have several pieces in the house. We were staying on the Isle of Skye at the time and had been visiting Plockton. Holidays on the Isle of Skye are always relaxing. And of course the scenery is stunning.

The reflection is of a model boat bought in St Monans. We had walked there along the coast from Pittenweem. On the walk you pass a windmill that stands as one of the few reminders of an industry which was once the main source of employment for the whole area.

Salt panning may not be the most glamorous job in the world but for 17th and 18th Century Scotland it was a vital commodity in the burgeoning trade with continental Europe. The extraction of salt as a commercial enterprise began during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, who hit on the idea of raising a salt tax, which turned small scale business into a vast commercial operation.

There are many places around the coast where you can see the old salt pans.

I watched the birds in the garden today eating the fat, the seeds and the nuts. Robins are in theory ground feeders but the one in our garden seems to cope with all of the various feeders, chasing off all of the other birds so that he can dine alone.

And while I was briefly in the garden I stood and listened to the blackbird's song. Such a beautiful sound. Nature is indeed magnificent as the majority of the photos on blipfoto display every day.