Olympics Fever?

Not so warm this morning, and lots of cloud - but no rain. After breakfast we went over to Dick Willows to price loads of logs and for a coffee. One of the Olympic torch bearers, Keith, was there raising money on behalf of a children's charity. So I found myself doing something I'd never imagined - holding the Olympic torch! After last night's surreal opening ceremonial extravaganza I'm clearly in the mood - not enough to watch any of the sporting events yet, mind you! Maybe I should enter, given my athletic pose?:-)

Out and about in Larkhall later on, spotted this pair of walking boots on display.

It turned into too nice a day to stay indoors and do all the things that should be done, so we took ourselves off to Whiteways Garden Centre. Saw this essential accessory there - the Union Jack wing mirror cover.

After another coffee, had a look at the flowers on sale. Liked these scabious.

These violas/pansies looked like they were painted but they were real!

Came home eventually and enjoyed the sunny afternoon while I cleaned out the van ready for Ben and Lena to tootle off tomorrow.

Van spruced up a bit, I took Bella off for her afternoon walk, spotting this enormous clump of ragwort on some waste ground. If each plant can produce 750,000 seeds, there are many millions of potential plants here.

Saw the first hazel nuts of the year fallen from the tree.

A breezy bright sunny afternoon. Warmer than the weather forecast had suggested, which was much appreciated!  

This ladybird hung determinedly on to its grass seed head as it swayed about in the breeze.

Bella had a happy time jumping in and out of the stream, and looking for sticks under the water.

The sky cleared and was almost Symi-like in its depth of blueness.

A record for the bike collection - one chain and seven complete bicycles!

This day a year ago,  I had spent a lot of the previous two days sorting out a family's Apple computers, iPads and iPhones and so celebrated time away from the screen. I featured the star of our show again - a vignette of Bella.