the running wave

I hate to moan but I don't have much luck when it comes to witnessing exceptional astronomical events.  Specifically, Northern Lights, and now a rather disappointing sighting of the super blue moon.  It is out there, and I have been watching it since 5.30 this afternoon, and now at 6.45 pm the view is far too murky to be remarkable.  My photos are blurred, but quite painterly, so I suppose at best they are atmospheric! Last ditch attempt at 22.05, over the roof of the cottage!  I don't think my camera is quite up to photographing the heavens. Moonshine shone through our windows all night, like daylight.  This morning the moon is disappearing over the horizon, on its way to the southern hemisphere, and directly opposite - the sun is rising. And so are the scaredy cat teal (collective nouns : a diving of teal or a spring of teal, I'll go for spring) rising up and flying off as we come close.  They always do.  Impossible birds to see properly, without binoculars!

A little warmer today, but not by much!  This afternoon, Mr Gaucho dropped us off two or three miles from home, and the dogs and I had a bracing walk back, along the coast path.

I enjoy making jams and jellies, and I especially enjoy marmalade time, because it's specifically a New Year thing.  No shilly shallying about.  If I miss the Seville oranges in the shops, then that's it, until next year.  Unless of course I resort to buying tins of prepared marmalade oranges, and I wouldn't dream of doing that! This year I have been more ambitious than usual and made three different sorts of marmalade. Dundee - as always, three fruit (grapefruit, orange and lemon), and for the second year running, Sarah Raven's dark dark marmalade, made entirely with dark muscovado sugar. It's a bit of a faff but more than worth the effort, producing a deep treacly preserve, with a distinct flavour.  It's really very good, very rich, and worth seeking out the recipe.

For those of you in the sweaty southern hemisphere, here is a little something to cool you down. Later this morning, Ted's first frolic in the snow.  It's not that deep but enough to perplex him, and then enjoy!   Big feet heading off into the water!  A swan I assume!  We have four who come and go.   And the curlew, who take flight the moment the dogs appear on the grass! 

Here's an option for a cold windy Monday afternoon - if you are short of something to do!   Edinburgh Castle in the background Personally, I was quite happy to keep walking and leave them to it!  

7 January 2018 and, at last, some sunshine and powder blue skies.  What a blessed relief.  I have just had a wonderful, gentle stroll with the dogs around the north east edge of the 9 hole golf course, which is adjacent to our cottage, and it was bliss.  No wind.  Gentle warmth on my back from the sun, and hazy views across the Firth of Forth to some snowy peaks on the other side in the Kingdom of Fife.   Crispy crunchy underfoot from last night's freezing temperatures, which had formed spectacular ice patterns in a little stream.   Altogether a lovely little interlude, and it did my soul good.