Unveiled only last weekend we set out early to Braidburn Valley to see Chris Rutterford's latest mural, designed to brighten up the unassuming electricity sub-station, on the western hillside, close to Fly Walk. He was commissioned by the Friends of  Braidburn Valley Park and was assisted by sixth-year pupils at Firrhill School, creating images of the creatures relevant to the park, for example otters, which have been seen here. The detail, especially of the fish, is delightful. 
There is a photo of the other, shaded, end as an extra; foxes are regular visitors at home and badgers are seen occasionally on our trail camera, however, we saw one nearby on Thursday as we returned from the RIE. Blips of the front and back will await a further visit.

The day was sunny, birds were singing, the wild garlic(few-flowered leek) were blooming and giving off their pungent odour. Also the celandines were out, a single lady's smock, tree blossom; on our way we passed a glorious show of hellebores in a front garden and followed a tortoiseshell butterfly onto a house wall - these in the second extra. I note the white flowers of  butterburr near the burn.

After a quick coffee we went to Miss Flum's house where she and Mr Flum investigated a problem with her motorbike while I caught up on paperwork, sitting in her garden and we spent the rest of the day and evening there, so an other late blip, I'll catch up with you all tomorrow..