Looking Up

Tom over at https://backroadstraveller.blogspot.com/ is always telling us to keep looking up! 

This little Tamarin clearly got the memo! This is from a recent trip to Amazonia. 

RIP Jackie

 

I wasn't about yesterday and only found out today that my new friend Jackie has passed away. She ran 2 blogs: https://twodevoncats.blogspot.com/ and https://allatseawithme.blogspot.com/. The first about her cats and the second was her photo blog. 

I had joined a Christmas Card exchange list before I broke my ankle. After Christmas I emailed everyone on list explainging about my ankle and Jackie emailed me back telling me all about her experience with a broken ankle. We emailed back and forth and commented on our blogs. This is the Christmas Card she sent me.

She really was a lovely person and will be missed. Sending love and hugs to Ivor <3 RIP Jackie.

It's A Maze!

 

Can you spot the squirrel? These trees were like a maze for it!

Caturday: Cali On The Bear

 

This is Cali. We have a big teddy bear that we bought for my daughter years ago. It sits in the living room next to the radiator, so as you can imagine the cats have claimed it! Cali was having a lot of fun playing with me that day!

It's May

 

May already! Jeez oh where did the time go? This is Anthurium also know as Flamingo Flower. It looks like a heart and it beautiful. I really like this one.

Forever Autumn

I took this photo when we were away at the start of April down in England. It reminded me of one of my favourite songs called Forever Autumn by Justin Hayward.

Signs 29th April 2026

Linking to Tom's Signs: https://backroadstraveller.blogspot.com/

Tam Shepherds was a very famous shop in Glasgow. It was a trick and joke shop. I used to go there a lot in the 80s and 90s. It sadly shut down a few years ago but they still have an online shop. Here's the Wiki link about it: Tam Shepherds. Anyone of a certain age from Central Scotland will remember this shop!! 

Not Quite Hallowe'en

 

I've had this Glow in the Dark Skeleton hanging up in the hall for a while now and it was only a few weeks ago I noticed how well it glowed! I think it's really cool!

The Pond On A Sunny Day

 

This is the pond I visit, on a sunny day last year. I still haven't been up but hoping to go this week at some point and see the old gang...the crows, ducks, coots and other birds and insects.

Insect Houses

 

I was shopping at a Retail Park and saw these insect hotels or insect houses. I thought it was a nice thing, to encourage insects. A Retail Park is a place with many shops in the same area outdoors.

Caturday: A Jethro Sandwich

 

These are my 3 older cats. Abby at the front, Jethro in the middle and Chiana at the top. I spoke to Jethro and he looked up at me.

Saving It

 

This little woodlouse was scuttling about on the floor. The cats were showing too much interest in it so decided to lift it up and put it outside. Got a photo before I did that of course! They are amazing little things I think.

Holly-leaved Hellebore

 

This is Holly-leaved Hellebore (Helleborus argutifolius). I really liked the water droplets on it.

Signs 22 April 2026 And Update

Linking to Tom's Signs: https://backroadstraveller.blogspot.com/

I saw this sign when I was last at the physio and I really liked it. Very apt!! 

I had my hospital appointment today and got discharged. He was happy with my progress and was amazed at how well I am doing after 4.5 months and considering how serious the injury was. He was impressed I was walking unaided too! He said to continue with the physio for the next few months at least. He said whatever I am doing to keep doing it as I am doing so well and regaining movement in the ankle! He did say, though, it'll never be back to 100% but we are aiming for 70% or 80%. I said to him I am walking and driving and happy to be able to do this. So all in all a good report. 

A Witch's Hat

 

I spotted this flower in a recent Garden Centre visit and thought it looked like a Witch's Hat. I didn't see her nearby though! It's a Purple and White Viola.

The Hielanman's Umbrella

 

This is the Hielanman's Umbrella in Glasgow. You can read about it HERE. It's part of Glasgow Central Station. It was a sunny and rainy day in Glasgow when I took these back in March. I hadn't spotted the gull in the second photo until I was cropping it!

First Butterfly Of 2026

 

This is the first Butterfly of the year. I saw it a few weeks ago when I was on the school run. It was a rather nice day and I saw it flying about then it rested near my car and got a good photo. It's a Peacock Butterfly.

Caturday: Cleo's Close Up

 

This is Cleo, my wee black cat with the white bib. She was happy for me to take this close up photo of her. She really is the most photogenic cat in our house!

A Happy Pigeon

 

We spotted this Pigeon on a short walk recently. I had taken seeds with me and fed it. I tried to capture the lovely colours on its neck.

Ikea Glasgow View

 

Click to enlarge!

We were in Ikea recently and grabbed lunch. They do nice Plant Based Meatballs and unlimited coffees, so I'm in lol. I was looking out the window and really liked the view of the hills in the background. 

Pinky

 

This is a Pink Daisy (Bellis perennis). I spotted it in a garden centre and really liked the texture and colour.

They Are Everywhere

 

You know Spring is here when you see the Crocuses. What is the plural of Crocus? Crocuses or Croci? These are the purple and white ones.

A Grand View

 

Another photo from The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. I really liked the inside of the building, very grand indeed. 

A Sunny Hoverfly

 

This is an oldie! This hoverfly was enjoying the sunshine!

Caturday: Cali Up The Tree

 

Cali was happy to be at the top of the cat tree. The human kitten was annoying her so she went up high! Trying to teach the human kitten how to be around cats. She gets super excited around them!

One Happy Crow

 

This crow was happy to see me. When I visit the pond I always put seeds down for the crows. I also put the duck food pellets at the edge of the water for them too. Crows are awesome.

A Wee Weevil

 

Isn't this little weevil lovely? Check out the colours! Stunning.

Scarlet Elf Cup

 

Scarlet Elf Cups here. I have posted a few of these over the years. I sadly missed them this year due to my injury. They are lovely bold red mushrooms and edible too!

Ready To Jump

 

This Ringed Teal was ready to jump back into the water, though there is something he isn't sure about. Maybe waiting for me to take the photo?

Oystercatcher

 

This is an Oystercatcher. The name would imply they are found near the water and not inland. I live in Central Scotland nowhere near the coast but we have plenty Oystercatchers here. I remember talking to another walker and he commented on this fact too! I love seeing them and really must get more photos.

Interesting Texture

 

I really liked the texture and pattern on this tree. I am not entirely sure what type of tree is it, anyone know?

Caturday: Cleo On The Fridge

 

Part of the Cats On The Fridge Series. Stitch appeared in January HERE! Cleo decided to go up on the fridge too. Isn't she just a little cutie pie!

Patterns In The Sky

 

Click to enlarge!

A lovely pattern of clouds and can you spot the moon too?

A Happy Couple

 

One from last summer. A pair of Damselflies mating! A happy couple indeed!!

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.