Melinda

#3goodthings

1. Power cut planned for tomorrow so we are having lunch out.
2. Exercised in water today. This really helps the lower back.
3. The two cats are peaceful. One is still a bit lame after the hunt incident, but the Vet is happy that his muscle strain will soon clear up.

#3goodthings

1. Had a good night's sleep.
2. It's still raining a little.
3. Working through a few challenges.

#3goodthings

1. Finished a difficult letter that has to be sent, not easy but a good thing that it's done.
2. After the initial nasty shock of a scam email, I managed to recognise it was a scam. I am reporting it to my bank though as it was particularly horrid, and could convince some vulnerable people of its authenticity.
3. Vegan waffle with fresh strawberries, much needed today!

#3goodthings

1. It rained overnight, not much but enough to clear some of the dust from the air.
2. Home grown broad beans. Nothing like shop bought.
3. I found a dahlia plant had survived, hidden in some michaelmas daisies. It should bring some colour mid-August.

#3goodthings

1. Watching a young crow growing up here. He loves to practice flying by bouncing from fence post to fence post. He also likes to loiter in the road much to his crow parents consternation. Corvids are clever but naughty.
2. Watching the tennis.
3. Finding a quirky bear made of plants and bearing a box of flowers. Imaginative and cheering.

#3goodthings

1. A walk to the lighthouse.
2. Being supportive and being supported.
3. Rain was forecast but it stayed mostly sunny today.

#3goodthings

1. Despite being over heated both old van, dog and ourselves arrived happily in Scotland where it's warm but not the 35⁰C that we have had. On board the van we carried lots of water, and Fluffy dog wore her cooling coat and all windows were open (no air conditioning in old VWs).
2. Avoided the dreaded A9 road by using the A90 and A96. A bit further but a lot less bad driving than on the scenic but accident ridden A9.
3. Nice to be back in the cofter's cottage by the woods.

#3goodthings

1. Planet Earth.
2. Water.
3. Clean air.

@PrinceOfDenmark@mas.to Sending good wishes and hope she is soon much better.

#3goodthings

1. Fluffy dog.
2. Sunshine without massive heat.
3. Kindness. It is much needed but often overlooked. Just one extra: 4. Large reptilian fossil footprints have been found in the red sandstone rocks here. It's a fascinating area.

#3goodthings

1. Picked a few damsons. The tree has excelled itself this year.
2. All laundry done today and dried outside.
3. All pets, cats and dog (and chicken), are looking well and happy. Long may this continue!

#3goodthings

1. After two days avoiding us, we managed to catch the grey cat who needed to go to the Vet. While we were away he had an eye problem. It was 3am when he finally came home.
2. Antibiotic eye ointment. The eye already looks less inflamed.
3. All tasks are up to date after the holiday.

#3goodthings

1. Home from hospital.
2. Taking it easy.
3. Fluffy dog checking I'm ok.

#3goodthings

1. Rain is forecast for the end of the week.
2. BBC Proms concerts.
3. Harvested the ripe sweetcorn.

#3goodthings

1. Slowly sorting through problems. One bit at a time is the only way.
2. Lovely day for being out in the woods.
3. The woodland ponds are slowly filling up now.

#3goodthings

1. I noticed that culinary herbs have been planted in many street flower containers here. That seems like a really nice idea.
2. Lovely walk along the shore of isolated Lochindorb high in the Cairngorm range. Lots of greylag geese with their adorable goslings swimming in family groups; supervised swimming lessons for little ones.
3. On an island in the loch is an ancient ruined castle. I just wondered how builders of ancient times got those huge stones across the loch? Impressive.

#3goodthings

1. A friend dropped by unexpectedly.
2. There's a large flock of sparrows visiting the garden. They chatter and bustle around, just so much life in one little bird.
3. Having time to rest.

#3goodthings

1. Patience.
2. Resilience.
3. Enjoyed our visit to a French style château in Scotland. The castles here would not be out of place beside the River Loire. Elegance in stone.

#3goodthings

1. Hoping to get away on holiday tomorrow, weather permitting. Heavy thunderstorms are forecast, it's hot and the old van doesn't have air conditioning. Nor does the fridge work at this moment in time. Other than that we are looking forward to the trip to Scotland!
2. All packing completed.
3. All plants watered and cat carer will also water the plants while we are away. She is a star. The cats are on their best behaviour when she comes 🤞.

#3goodthings

1. Fluffy dog. She has behaved like a little princess this holiday, and it's not been easy for her (or us) as the van broke down.
2. I have a recovery lorry lined up if the third mechanic's attempts to repair the fault fails!
3. We have a hire car now. We saw the world's prettiest lighthouse today.

#3goodthings

1. Saw a spotted flycatcher in this lovely garden.
2. Enjoyed a vegan meal in the garden.
3. Bought more plants to take home than I should have done. The bees will like them, and that's my excuse!

#3goodthings

1. Theatre in the garden at Gordon Castle. Romeo and Juliet. This time I was awake and not sickening for the 'bug', so I was able to fully enjoy the performance.
2. The gardens at Gordon Castle are gorgeous.
3. Nearly packed for the 600 mile journey home.

#3goodthings

1. Autumn flowers like autumn crocus and cyclamen. They are a lovely contrast to the oranges and reds of the season.
2. The van is at last repaired, just in time to go home tomorrow.
3. The hire car that saved the day. Chance to have a few trips outside the village.

#3goodthings

1. I have written a letter that I've been putting off for ages.
2. Low fat dog treats. Fluffy dog's games all require treats to encourage her to pull drawers open, spin turntables etc. She has a games half hour every night and with full fat treats she had to have less games. Now happy dog and happy owner.
3. Cool morning air.

#3goodthings #butterflies

1. At last I managed to photo the #cloudedyellow butterfly! It is so elusive and only stays still for a second. Sorry about the quality of the photo.
2. These butterflies have been so rare but this year there seem to be quite a few about. It's good to see a comeback of the species in this drought.
3. Exercised in water today.

#3goodthings

1. Fluffy dog's cool coat. I keep it wet and evaporation cools her down. Even better when a fan is switched on.
2. Harvested a pea crop. Fresh peas are lovely.
3. All vegetable beds are watered. There are good crops of runner beans, broad beans, peas, kale, leeks and sweetcorn.

#3goodthings

1. Here, we are well north of the next heat wave.
2. A beautiful new bridge that allows people to access a long and lovely beach.
3. Tea

#3goodthings

1. Quiet, restful places. This is Dulsie Bridge near Grantham on Spey. Burns refers to it using the words: 'mist and darkness', but it looked benign enough today.
2. The way plants, when given the chance, can grow in the most inhospitable of environments like the trees clinging to the sides of this gorge.
3. Feeling a bit better, the legs are doing their job with a bit more strength than last weekend when it was all a bit wobbly walking. So can visit a few more places.

#3goodthings

1. Two buzzards calling as they circled over the valley. They sound just like flying cats.
2. Made a fruit cake for tea tomorrow as two friends are calling round.
3. Fluffy dog has eaten her meal at last. I think the heat just got to her today, but she is much more her normal self this evening.

#3goodthings

1. Clean water.
2. Unpolluted air.
3. Soil free of PCBs.

#3goodthings

1. Just picked the last of the tomatoes. These are the green ones so I've frozen them to make green tomato chutney in a week or two.
2. My neighbour who has let us park in her drive when workmen and tractors have been here, there, and everywhere.
3. A quiet day today, the workmen didn't turn up at all.

#3goodthings

1. Medical science.
2. Vaccinations.
3. The RNLI.

#3goodthings

1. Definitely feeling better today. Watched Wimbledon with understanding, and stayed awake.
2. Hoping to resume near normal activity tomorrow.
3. Antibìotics and a Fluffy dog.

#3goodthings

1. I had the 'flu vaccination today.
2. Covid vaccination is booked for next week.
3. Short but sunny and enjoyable walk in the hills with Fluffy dog. Even heard a skylark singing.

#3goodthings

1. Blue sky and a cool breeze here at Burghead. At home it's 30⁰, just glad to be on holiday in the north of Scotland.
2. Quiet woodland walk then came back along the beach. Fluffy dog loves wave dodging and finding salty sticks to carry.
3. The floral decorations in Burghead are gorgeous. I particularly liked the use of old boats as planters.

#3goodthings

1. A better day yesterday, but I still feel very shaken.
2. All necessary emails and phone calls made to follow up this illegal invasion of our property. Done all we can, my neighbour had the same and was also upset. We support each other which is good.
3. Tucked cats up safely yesterday afternoon, in their cat room, and headed for our nearest beach to regain some peace of mind. We were rewarded by the sight of an osprey flying past with a fish in its beak.

#3goodthings

1. Floral displays that brighten the everyday world.
2. Gardening.
3. Wildflowers.

#3goodthings

1. The NHS.
2. The 111 number for triage and referral to an out of hours doctor.
3. Antibiotics. I am not feeling too good, but a lot better than yesterday thanks to the above. Our NHS is precious. Having a 'feet up' day today and hope to be fit enough to get out and about again tomorrow. Fluffy dog was most concerned, she recognises 'Vets for humans' surgeries, so I've had lots of doggy kisses and lots of attention from her.

#3goodthings

1. We had a good view of an osprey hunting at the mouth of the Spey. Made up for the lack of birds yesterday.
2. Found delicious dairy free ice cream in Fochabers. My husband liked the dairy version too.
3. The men's final at Wimbledon on TV.

#3goodthings

1. Bird watching.
2. It was good to see a variety of species around the Spey estuary. Shelducks, mute swan, mallard ducks, sand martens and various gull species.
3. The weather was ideal, comfortably warm and sunny.

#3goodthings

1. Trees provide cool shady places to rest.
2. Trees are in themselves amazing ecosystems providing home for fauna of all varieties.
3. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. We need more trees.

#3goodthings

1. The sound of oyster catchers.
2. The sea rolling over pebbles. Mesmerising.
3. Unexpected windmills on cliff edges. The one in the photo was involved in salt production, pumping up sea water for evaporation.

#3goodthings

1. A walk in the woods.
2. Visited a charity shop and found just the present for 4 year old son of godson. He loves drawing and painting, and this is a book with real water colour paints to use on each page. The pages have lovely pictures of wildlife to colour in.
3. Enjoyed seeing friends who came yesterday and impressed by their accounts of river swimming.

#3goodthings

1. A walk by the Montgomery Canal (which is under restoration).
2. We saw dragonflies, butterflies, moorhen, herons, buzzard, and a red kite. This canal is a real wildlife haven.
3. Visited St John's Church by the canal towpath. A lovely building that is obviously well cared for. Beautiful stained glass.

#3goodthings

1. Treated myself to three heather plants. Red, pink, and a silvery white.
2. Husband completed his Park Run despite the rain, or because of the rain! At home it's mid 30⁰ Celsius here it was more like 18⁰.
3. Loch Garton where we went to look for eagles. No eagles but still a lovely place to visit.

#3goodthings

1. Outdoor workmen worked over the weekend which was good, they are trying hard and doing a good job. Sadly they're still not finished.
2. Enjoyed a short visit to a gardening event today.
3. The son of a friend is doing very well after a recent kidney transplant. He is making good progress.

#3goodthings

1. The outside workmen were still working in the dark at 7.30pm last night. Hoping they finish today. They missed 3 days this week so they are trying to make up time.
2. No complaints (yet) from the neighbours about the workmen's loud bumping noises.
3. The cats like their tractor. Great for hide and seek and ambushes.

#3goodthings

1. Camelot reconstructed in the gardens at Gordon Castle.
2. We enjoyed the outdoor play. The enthusiastic young cast created a new vision of Camelot! Sir Arthur found the holy grail, and was crowned king after many weird and wonderful adventures.
3. Travel rugs. These were needed as there was a cold wind from the north.

#3goodthings

1. Objects from the past that give an understanding of our forebears' social history.
2. Protecting these artifacts so future generations can learn from them.
3. Having time to appreciate these 'time capsules' of knowledge. This particular object is to be found in Forres:'Sueno's Stone'

#3goodthings

1. Places that provide fun activities for children.
2. Helping children to learn about growing plants.
3. This wellie boot garden that reuses old wellies for fun gardening.