El Scorchio

If you live in Scotland and indeed the UK, it could not have escaped your attention that the weather has been very, very hot over the last week. Unprecedented blue skies and temperatures in the high 20˚C's.

Quite unbelievable considering the previous week I was dodging hail stones and snow showers. No acclimatising to this weeks hot weather at all. It seems to only be hot or cold, no mild temps at all. It has been fabulous to see the plants and trees just flourish after all last months rain. The country side is beautifully green and yellow with small flourishes of purple. Gorgeous.

Lazy Daisy Shoes.

As I spend much of the week by myself, thoughts creep into my mind about life, love and the universe. A couple of this weeks thoughts include; 

1) The stupidity of the Scottish Government if they really think that raising the minimum price of alcohol will in any way shape or form stop the Scottish people from being a nation of alcoholics and drunkards. I don't know how they can spout facts and figures of how many lives will be saved and how much money the NHS will save by this price hike at the lower end of booze buying sales. Call me a cynic if you like but I don't think that this move will make one jot of a difference to our health. If I know my Nation then I think people will beg, borrow, steal and possibly even give up food before they give up their booze. They have already taken away our happy hours and moved the alcohol away from the front of super markets, has that made any difference to the binge drinking and fights? I doubt it, because the one thing the Government can't control is people stupidity.

North Berwick

2) On a less political note I have been bemused as to why anyone would buy a Nissan Cube. I have seen 2 this week and think that it is one of the ugliest cars that I have ever seen. It looks like a very young child designed it with their eyes shut. I think even Postman Pat would find it hard to find any aesthetic value in this cubic wonder.

St Andrews.

Lets hope the good weather continues for a while. It has been so wonderful to get out and about on Dolly and not get frost bite on my extremities.

Peace x

All photographs by Caroline Harvey

Green and Maroon

Another week with not much to report. Lots of rain. Lots of miles. Lots of thoughts.

The one thing that has been talked about constantly is the Scottish Cup Final between Hearts and Hibs. The first apparently since 1896!

I am not really a huge fan of football or the overrated and overpaid players, but it has been hard to get away from the general buzz surrounding the game.

If I were to choose a team, I think I would choose Hearts just because my Grandad would have wanted them to win.

In homage to both teams the Jelly babies this week were going to have a wee 5 a-side game but sadly the pitch was too waterlogged so the game was abandoned.

Warehouse decoration.

Maroon and Green 5 a-side.

Peace x

All photographs by Caroline Harvey.

Scottish Summertime

There are 2 types of Summer in Scotland.

 Type A, often referred to as a "Good Summer" is where the sun breaks through the clouds and is sometimes accompanied by a blue sky. We experienced this for a few days back in March if I remember correctly. Type A can also happen for one day possibly mid July where temperatures sore and break records, but usually not for more than 24 hours and definitely not on a weekend.

The tanning procedure of a Scottish person in a Type A Summer is as below. Although in real life the tan/burn generally is not full body (thankfully) and is generally only seen on the coupons, baldy heids and shoulders of men. On women, it is the chest area, shoulders and the front of legs.

Scottish Type A Summer.

Type B, often referred to as "Where is the f***ing Summer?" or "Winter" is when the sun never appears due to the thick gray mass of rain clouds that obscure it. On the odd occasion that it does break the chains that hold it firmly in place behind the clouds, it is clearly too tired to try and produce any heat.

The tanning procedure of a Scottish person in a Type B Summer is as below. Although there is usually more of a blue hue to the skin in this type of Summer as it has been preceded by at least 6 months of Winter (very similar to a Type B Summer, just darker).

Scottish Type B Summer.

Peace x

All photographs by Caroline Harvey.

Life is.....

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you have got to keep moving."

Albert Einstein

But sometimes you just run out of energy and have to wobble for a while!

Stone circle.

Peace x

All photographs by Caroline Harvey.

Humdrum.

Nothing much going on this week, just general humdrumness. The sun did come out to play for a while, all be it a bit on the baltic side still. Took a few snaps to keep me amused.

Callander car park. Empty, but probably not for long.

My break spot on Inverness route.

The things people store!

Peace x

All photographs by Caroline Harvey.