Dreich!

1   You may remember that we had pigeon parents moved in close to the back door.   Sad to report that the crows have been conducting an aggressive and sustained campaign, and today that resulted in two tiny pigeon corpses on the ground below.    By the time I went to collect the needful to remove them and returned, the bodies had gone - off to provide crow supper I guess.

2   I should have been heading off to a Farewell Reception for a favourite former colleague  (the Presbytery Clerk of Edinburgh) who is moving to a quite elevated position where he will do a wonderful job.   It will be an excellent evening.   Sadly, I'm not feeling great with gastric cramps and extreme tiredness.    Given the kind of weather, and that the trip would involve a 50 mile round trip, best to stay here and look out.

3  You may notice that our lovely young neighbours, A and S, have acquired a trampoline!   They are exceptionally nice kids, but I think that the bush will be allowed to grow a little taller.... which will avoid having conversations that take place every three seconds and last for one second!

4 There are one or two Scots words that are universally known.  "Dreich" is one of them - but just in case you don't know - dreary; bleak is a true definition.