Saturday Morning Walk...

Too snowy for cycling so I went for a walk instead. For so long the countryside has seemed static, waiting for Spring to start, I have to confess I was getting a little bored with it. However, the transforming effect of a fall of snow is quite magical. Only a couple of inches of snow fell here and the strong winds have blown much it into little drifts. The resulting contrasts of black and white in the landscapes are very effective.

I visited many of the close-by spots where I often take photographs, including the tree at the corner, my favourite fence post(!) and the view from under the arches of the old railway bridge. I ended up walking into a  nearby village to visit the charity shop. Hmmm, what would I like to find today... a dala horse, a nice Russian doll set, lego, this book, some hand thrown pots... you'll need to scroll through all the snowy photos to find out whether I was lucky on not...

I took a different route home, higher and more exposed. The drifting snow here was bad, cars were getting stuck in the snow drifts and it was impossible to see very far. I looked like the abominable snowman once I'd made my way through.

The afternoon took me to the coast for a rehearsal and concert. I managed a few photos of the firth but it was so cold I was worried I'd drop my camera. The seagulls seemed to be enjoying themselves riding the wind. I survived Mozart Requiem and even really enjoyed playing it. During the rehearsal I played the Handel pieces better but actually made a better job of the Mozart come the concert. The church was freezing, I had several layers on but by the end of the Mozart I was wishing I'd taken off my second cardigan - all that playing makes me a bit warm!

Here's a recording of the Lacrimosa from Mozart's Requiem to enjoy while you scroll...

 I was indeed lucky at the charity shop - all this lovely lego was just £1.

I've two more concerts left before the summer, one in May and one in June. After the summer I'll need to give up playing in the orchestra while I'm doing my PGDE as I'll have too much studying/essay writing/ lesson prep etc to do. I'll miss playing in the orchstra but as it'll mean I can leave my bass out the case all the time I may actually do more private practice than I normally do (which wouldn't be difficult as I don't normally do any!) Thank you to all who left a comment about my doing a PGDE by the way, all very much appreciated.

Marching On...

Such a mix of weather so far this month, but that's March for you!

At the beginning of the month it was warm enough for N to think that removing his socks and partaking of some paddling in the sand pit was a good idea.

Picking flowers for Mum was a good idea too, until he switched from buttercups to my just emerging tulip leaves!

 I'd been too engrossed in in photographing skeletal hydrangea petals,

accidental hula hoop artworks,

and crocuses to notice at first.

Then we had Mother's Day. We don't bother with it much, it's really just an ordinary day made special by receiving a nice handmade card from each of the children. A also drew this picture of me on the day, complete with very spotty tablecloth.

By now the weather had turned back to being cold and wintry.

We had several wild and exciting flurries of snow, but only a sprinkling actually lay.

Best pic of the cat yet?

Earlier this week N and I visited the loch.

 It was freezing!

We took some bread to feed the ducks though the seagulls stole more than their fair share...

 ...as did the swans, who are very belligerent. One pecked N's finger (I think I managed to capture the moment above!), he wasn't happy but an ice cream at the cafe soon cheered him up.

More randomness...

Some of the daffodils in the garden are already flowering.

 Pretty late afternoon clouds.

 The fancy crocuses are in flower too now.

I had another concert at the weekend - lots of lovely French music - Poulenc, Debussy, Faure and Bizet. Here's a recording of the Bizet Petit Suite Jeux D'enfants from YouTube, short and sweet - you might like it!

 The sheet music behind the program in the photo is for our next concert; an extra one accompanying a choir in performing Mozart's Requiem. I've not played it before but have been warned it's hard work, especially as we'll be doing it with a very small orchestra and there'll be only one bass (me!).

 Now to the fields behind the school, I liked the clouds.

The tree in the school playground.

While we are around the school it seems apt to mention that I finally got the results of my second interview. Now that I have the decision I am prepared to disclose what it was all about! One of the reasons I have had little blogging time is that since October I have been a parent helper at A's school for two afternoons a week as well as teaching a recorder group at the school. In November I applied to do a primary PGDE. (A PGDE is the Scottish equivalent of the English, Welsh and Northern Irish PGCE. PGDE stands for Professional Graduate Diploma in Education, PGCE stands for PostGraduate Certificate of Education, both are one year university courses which lead to successful students becoming qualified to teach in schools.) I heard earlier this week that I have been successful in obtaining a place; needless to say I am very pleased! So, big changes are ahead, a new chapter begins... I know it will involve lots of work, my spare time will become non-existent and I will be joining those who have to cope with childcare juggling, but I am very much looking forward to it. However, more on this another time, now I have to go and collect N from nursery...