“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ....Oscar Wilde

Thursday 1 May 2014

Living in a cloud... or should that be cloud cuckoo land?

Sometimes the weekend can just take it out of you...
We've certainly had a busy time and there's no let up on the horizon yet but hey... that's what makes life interesting doesn't it? 
We had visitors come to stay... the first since we've been back here, so it was both lovely and terrifying all at once, especially when the dust was still landing from yet more rubbing down of paintwork the afternoon my guests were due to arrive. 
Seriously, where does that dust come from? I'm sure it's shipped in! 

Not only was the interior of the house covered in white... but also the outside was too due to fog. Or should I say 'Haar' which is a coastal fog that occurs in this part of the country. 
(Haar is typically formed over the sea and is brought to land by wind. This commonly occurs when warmer moist air moves over the relatively cooler North Sea causing the moisture in the air to condense, forming haar. 
Sea breezes and Easterly winds then bring the haar into the East coast of Scotland and North-East England where it can continue for several miles inland. This can be common in summer when heating of the land creates a sea breeze, bringing haar in from the sea and as a result can significantly reduce temperatures compared to those just a few miles inland)
So not only are you visibly impaired by this phenomenon...you're also freezing, whilst just a few miles down the road it can be glorious. 
It is amazing to see the haar come rolling up the hill.
We've been living in a cloud for nearly a week off and on. 
I really thought I'd done so well getting through the winter unscathed. 
I hadn't grumbled too much about the temperature and wet weather (had I?) but when further down the country they have a least 20+ degrees more heat than you...then I'm afraid I'm not such a happy bunny. 
Thankfully, just a few hours before my guests arrived the sky cleared and the sun shone, so at least their welcome was a little more cheery...but then it took a turn for the worst once again. Talk about Scotch Mist!
But it never stopped us doing what we wanted and even managed an afternoon when the thermometer touched 34 degrees Celsius... I kid you not... but then it was in full sun. 
(this photo only shows 30 but believe me it did reach 34 and without a match involved as someone suggested!)
Well that's just typical of our British weather I suppose and it's what keeps us on our toes and constantly talking about it.  
So enough about our weather...

Now this part of the post is where the internet left me last night...it just went phew and disappeared, so this post is a little disjointed plus I've had a humdinger of a day today.
I will spare you all the gory details but one of the main factors is that I put the wrong fuel into my car! Now I wish I could blame someone...anyone...but I can't. I was very skilled and proficient in this action even ignoring the fact that the nozzle didn't fit correctly! 
I KNOW...you can't say anything more than I've said to myself already...plus I know you're possibly doubled up with laughter and at risk from falling off your chair, so I'll move on swiftly! 
I'd just like to say in my defence that apparently it's quite a common occurrence according to the nice chap in the garage... so there you go... I'm not alone. 

I'm being distracted by a tap, tap, tap on my new windows as I type. 
Is there no let up today? I seriously think I need to take myself off into a darkened room. I'm just not safe.
The tapping is from a 'willy wagtail' flinging himself at the window. 

He's working his way around the whole house leaving his little marks behind. 
On my new windows too! (deep breaths...in through the nose...out through the mouth!)
At first I thought he was catching insects but he's wearing himself ragged, so it must be a territorial thing and his reflection is a threat in his eyes.
I remember we used to have a robin constantly flapping and pecking at my wing mirror on my car when we lived here before. He spent days trying to defend his patch and so I decided to intervene in the end to save his sanity by putting some kitchen paper around the wing mirror every time I parked on the drive so he couldn't see his reflection. 
It worked thankfully but I can't do that for the wagtail with all the new windows! 
There's 36 of them for goodness sake! 
We've also had surprise visits from white doves over the last two days. 
Firstly only two arrived but this morning five landed. 
Obviously they've passed the word on that our five star bird feeders are a must! 


(the ladders are from the slater fixing our roof slates...so don't worry if you see a dodgy slate...he hasn't made it to this side yet)

Now what else has been happening...oh yes, we did visit a castle over the weekend, so if you'd like to come on a little tour then come back soon. I'm just editing later today...
In the meantime I'll sign out with yet another sunset... I just can't resist them.
I'm off to go to that darkened room!
At this rate I'll never get to do any artwork which reminds me... the studio is coming along nicely and there's even creative work being produced in there. 
My daughter has settled in well and at least she's creating which makes me very happy. Hopefully I'll be able to join in soon. 

(Psst...I've not forgotten that I've not got back to your emails and comments...I opened my inbox yesterday and there were 203 unopened waiting for me. 
I've seen everyone of them, but just haven't got to answer them yet...but I WILL!!!!

Have a great week and just a tip from me... take a second look at that petrol/gas gauge before you continue! Eek...
https://secure.quebles.com/content/hotmail/emoticons/1511763.gif xoxo

18 comments:

  1. I like the atmospheric and pretty photos here, you capture the "haar" poetically. Awful to hear you put the wrong fuel in your car, I sometimes have wondered what you do then. It sounds like you drove to a nearby mechanic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Terra,
      Well I didn't exactly drive to a mechanic more like dragged (towed) to a nearby garage. The fuel has been drained out and it's been cleaned up, so I'll be able to collect it in the morning. I felt such a numpty but apparently it's very common!
      I'm sure he was only trying to make me feel better though.
      The motto of the story is only do one thing at a time and live in the moment. I was thinking about so much and rushing from one appointment to another without putting my brain in gear!
      Thanks for stopping by and leaving a lovely comment. I really appreciate it especially the poetic bit ;D
      Have a great calm week whatever you have planned... I hope it all goes smoothly.

      Delete
  2. That's interesting about the fog. I've never heard or seen the word "haar" before. I wonder if it's the same as the fog that comes onto our Pacific Coast and what they call a "marine layer" but just a different name? You sure got a cool picture of it! I know someone that put the wrong fuel in their car last summer. They had to have their car towed and the fuel pumped out so it wouldn't ruin it. Bummer! I hope the rest of your week goes great! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It probably is the same kind of thing but known by a different name...it certainly sounds like the same kind of fog.
      I'm glad you like the photos as I wasn't sure they would turn out well when I took them.
      Tell your friend that I know just how she felt... my car was towed and drained too but I think the worst is the humiliation :(
      The guys mainly find it very amusing for some reason.
      I'm hoping the rest of my week goes smoothly too, other wise I'll not be going over the doorstep!
      I hope your week is a calm, organised and smooth week too.
      Thanks for popping over...it's always great to hear from you

      Delete
  3. It was interesting to learn about the Haar. Don't know about your visitors but if I was the one visiting... I would be visiting to see you and would not care if there was dust or not. I would care if Muffy wasn't around because I'd be visiting her too. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Boo,
      Well thankfully my visitors weren't interested in dust either. It's just me and I wanted to get things sorted as much as possible beforehand so I could concentrate on them.
      Of course Muffy wouldn't be missing if you were coming to visit but she's expect Scooter to be with you.
      Oh the antics... I can imagine it now ^..^
      xoxo

      Delete
  4. When ever I see fog like that I think of The Creature From the Black Lagoon, so I'd keep an eye out if I were you :) I hope your car is happy again now, after your little oops. It's just a blonde thing you know, that's what I blame everytime I do something silly. I've found a simple way to stop the birds banging on my windows, I don't clean them. It saves time and stops the birds, that's my excuse anyway (he he). I think my hubby brought over the heat and came home with your weather. It's freezing cold and raining here, could I have my heat back soon please???? Love your beautiful sunsets.
    Von

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well now here's the thing... I don't look so good first thing in the morning Vonny, so I'd probably frighten the Creature from the Black Lagoon more than he'd frighten me!
      I'm happy to report that my car is indeed happy today and I have apologised profusely to it so that it keeps going.
      I blame it on having my mind at least three destinations away from actually where I am. I really have to try to stay in the moment!

      Hey, I can't believe you don't clean your windows! I'm shocked Vonny and I may have to end this friendship due to that revelation Emoji
      Oops...yeah the weather has improved. The sun is shining and the blue sky is back YAY!
      I'm afraid I've lost your address so can't send the heat back...sorry...oh I think we're losing our connection...hello...hello....
      xoxo

      Delete
  5. Cool pics of the 'Haar'. I've read about it and wondered if you were close enough to the sea to be affected by it. Cool to watch it roll in, I bet. Ah I see McMuffin is in her favorite spot. ;) shiny new windows and birdies...not a good match. We're getting a ton of rain and it's driving all of the snails out of the grass up the side of the house and onto my screens. The birds are having a feast! Which means the Girls are all a twitter and beside themselves...oh where to attack. :) Now about the fuel........smirk....enough said. ;) Remember, deep slow breaths whilst in the darkened room and you'll emerge ready for the next round of craziness. Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm close enough to the sea to see it out of three of our windows Nan, so when the haar is on it's way we have a little warning...and grab some warmer gear and light the fire!
      Eew...snails on the move. Not my favourite. Something seems to be enjoying ours as there's a tree on our boundary and underneath it it has a mass of empty shells.
      I was thinking of putting all our broken slates from the roof around certain plants in my boarders to stop them visiting. Seems cruel but it would stop them in their tracks.
      Hmm...the fuel...the darkened room worked because I'm having such a better day today.
      I hope your weekend is wonderful too Nan ;D
      xoxo

      Delete
  6. Lovely, lovely photos of the haar, Neesie. At least it's photogenic even if it is a pain in the neck to live through. I'd not heard of it before. We've had a spot of fog down here in London this week too. I've made the same mistake filling my car as well. I've cheerfully ignored the large 'diesel' label on the fuel cap and filled up with unleaded. My only excuse was that our other car uses unleaded, and I got "confused", but that really did sound a bit weak - even to my own ears as I said it! Have a great weekend, and hope the mists stay at bay, Bonny

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww thanks Bonny,
      I'm happy to say it's all disappeared today and it's lovely with sun and blue sky ;D
      Apparently if I'd had a diesel car and put petrol in it wouldn't have been so bad but that's just typical in the life of Neesie!
      Thankfully that too is sorted today. In my defence we've had a few hired cars since we moved back and my last one was a diesel...well that's my story and I'm sticking to it! ;D
      I hope you have a wonderful weekend too ~ enjoy!

      Delete
  7. Haar? That sounds so exotic! I think I'd be praying for it to roll in if it was in the 90s F!!

    That crazy, tapping bird would drive one nuts, I think. Was he doing that when you had your company there? I bet they thought that was something to write home about--LOL!

    I do hope you can get into your art room soon. I'm glad you got the car straightened out...and that the guy at the station was a decent fellow about it. ;)

    Hope you are having a great weekend--with no tapping! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tap tap tap...yep he's still on the go although he seems to be doing it less today...or maybe I'm just getting used to it!
      My windows are a mess though so I'm not going to wash them until he's finished. Hopefully he'll get distracted soon and move onto some other activity.
      He started tapping the day after my visitor left, so that was a good thing.

      Yeah it will be good to get into the art room although my daughter is using it so at least it's in use. It's calling me so I feel that I will be able to get back to being creative soon.
      Have a wonderful weekend too Rita...give Karma a cuddle from me
      xoxo

      Delete
  8. Lovely post as always, when I see weather like that it reminds of Alfred Hitchcock his movies always had weather like that...(lol) Yikes with car...One of my friends has done this 3 Times...and she's not Blonde!! Love the pic of little Muffy she's made my day....Have a garage free weekend.... he he ... Hugs May x x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well we've not only got the Hitchcock mist but we have the birds too! Eek!
      I can't believe that your friend did the petrol/diesel thing three times...oh poor thing I think she may need help! She's obviously got a lot on her plate.
      Little Miss Muffy was absolutely pooped but the photo doesn't really show that. She just kept coming to me and gruffing until I picked her up. She couldn't settle anywhere and was trying to keep up but couldn't.
      I could have done with a papoose to carry her around (LOL)
      Have a wonderful weekend May and thanks for stopping by
      xoxo

      Delete
  9. Hi! Your photos are very beautiful. I like the first photo and the last one very much. It looks very hot weather, Wishing you a nice sunday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Minoru,
      Thanks for popping by and I apologise for taking so long to reply.
      Unfortunately we aren't experiencing 'hot' weather just yet but I live in hope.
      There's a rumour that we may have two weeks of mid 20's degrees celcius soon.
      I'll keep my fingers crossed that it actually arrives!
      Have a great day ;D

      Delete

I get so excited to see you here and love to read your thoughts and comments.
I always try to answer each one personally (I think it's only polite)
...♥...I truly appreciate your precious time here so thank you ...♥...

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...