Sunday 28 April 2013

One More Sleep

It's 0730 on Sunday morning.  I have one more sleep before I leave for Scotland.  I have just been standing on the deck contemplating with my cup of hot water and lemon as the sun shines over the rim of the geological bowl in which The Cottage is situated and makes its way right into the living room.  In fact it's shining right to far wall of The Study in which I am sitting writing this post.  In the summer it hardly touches the deck it is so high in the sky.  This and the fallen leaves and thinning trees are a stark reminder that autumn has truly set in.

I should have known that it would be a beautiful day today after last night's sunset and the words red sky at night is a shepherd's delight.


Standing on the deck at 0730 I was listening to the myriad of birds all having their say: the Tuis calling to each other and chattering away ten to the dozen; the occasional Blackbird (one was singing away last night more than I can ever recall here before); the little Silvereyes and Sparrows twittering as they flit between the trees in their little flocks; the Fantails chasing flies and each other in astonishing aerial acrobatics; and the occasional screech of the Pukeko.  The countryside may be very peaceful but it is rarely quiet.

What really caught my eye though was a lone Monarch Butterfly.  I thought that it was a bit chilly for a butterfly but at 0730 it was 15℃ on the deck.  It could be another warm day. 

18 comments:

  1. Graham, stay where you are. The highlands are covered in snow and the ski lifts are running. It is still not time for your migration.

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    1. It was in the high 20s today here Adrian and if it wasn't all booked I might be sorely tempted. There are warm clothes waiting for me in Glasgow. I shall just have to be a big brave boy!

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  2. Pouring with rain, blowing a gale and at 22.39, I dread to think what the temperature is. No matter what the weather - you are sure of a very warm welcome when you come home to Tigh na Mara. Have a very safe journey and please make it uneventful this year! All love x

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    1. Thanks Spesh. I'm looking forward to being back....no matter what the weather. Some sun would be very welcome though so that I can get the fences painted!

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  3. Your descriptions of New Zealand make one think that they are really there. You give sights smells and sounds. Have a good trip back to Scotland.

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    1. Thanks Red. I'm glad that you felt things the way I hope that people might.

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  4. It will be lovely to have you back, but you must be mad not to stay! It is COLD! But maybe you will bring the sun with you....

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    1. I shall endeavor to bring the sun with me Frances. As for being mad: I've a degree in it.

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  5. 5 Celsius this morning in the south of Germany... but it should be warming up again next week, and hopefully, some of the sun and warmth will be reaching the Hebrides, too.
    Have a safe flight!

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    1. Thanks Meike. It'll all be good when I get back. I can feel it in my bones.

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  6. Have a good flight GB. Looking forward to seeing you, xx

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    1. Thanks Helen. Me too. Hopefully I'll see you both twice this year because I'm hoping to get to Exeter as well.

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  7. It is always hard to hear you leaving because it means winter for us. I hope your summer up there improves and we will wait patiently for your return, like the Godwits.
    Travel safe
    :)

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    1. Thanks Fiona. Everything's done. 25 minutes and I leave for the airport.

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  8. I still can't believe how your time to leave just sneaked up so quickly. I remember checking the Time to Depart widget, and I saw two weeks, and the next thing I know, it's one more sleep.
    Lovely farewell sunset just for you, that was nice.
    I hope you have a safe journey back "home."

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    1. Thanks Julie. Good to see you here.

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