August Blues

I was hoping for great things in August, weather wise. The garden was looking good (see lilies, above)and just needed thirty-one days of unbroken sunshine to complete the job. Alas, twas not to be. Should have known better, of course, August being Edinburgh Festival month - instead of cloudless skies we had day after day of rain, rain. rain and when it wasn't raining it was blowing a gale! And quite often, both together. Not a great month for growing then; following a disappointing harvest I will not be self sufficient in vegetables this autumn/winter. One carrot, five tatties and a handful of tomatoes just won't do it. You learn from experience though and I will change my methods next Spring - I am thinking of shiftng to livestock and will try to buy some sheep or pigs on Ebay. There were a few nice days in August, though - drove down to Eyemouth (pictured above) one Saturday and had the best fish supper I have ever had (and God knows I've had a few!) And the exhibition of endangered species at the Botanics wasn't completely washed out either - great crowds on the Sunday. Ended the month by chairing the North Edinburgh Fights Back campaign public meeting in North Edinburgh Arts Centre - the event seems to have raised the hackles of Forth Lib-Dem SNP councillor Elaine Morris. Residents having the temerity to hold a meeting to organise and protest about cuts - whatever next? It's anarchy, I tell you, anarchy - where will it all end? They'll be looking for democracy next - maybe even the vote! Outside my own tiny wee world, Gadaffi's reign seems to drawing to an untidy close in Libya, with the unseemly rush of Western governments salivating over all that lovely oil and multi-million pound business deals. Oddly enough the Colonel went from being public enemy Number One to Britain's best buddy for a while under Blair, now he's a tyrant again. Strange world, diplomacy - I think I prefer my own wee world where things are far, far simpler. Still no grand-child yet - she's clearly waiting for the better weather. Could be a long wait ...!