Thursday, January 19, 2023

A dapper ensemble

 

Another beautiful but cold morning. Sophie is out of the car, over the dunes and onto the beach at a break neck pace. This morning there are crows to chase. Archie the arthritic labrador is greeted like the old friend that he's become. How quickly are new routines formed and old ones forgotten.


There are 'fishy' scents to be found amid the seaweed. After forty minutes Sophie has had a full olfactory workout.  I try to discuss the surprise news that the New Zealand Prime Minister is stepping down but Sophie is entirely focused on a washed up razor clam.


We head back to the car, passing as we go a thorn tree reputed to have been planted by Mary Queen of Scots. Sophie sniffs it but after the scintillating discovery of  razor clams a thorn tree is just a thorn tree.


A detour to the Jaffa Cake cafe. The sound of 'Abide with me' echoing out of the town kirk on the other side of the street. The organist is putting his body and soul into it. As there's no hearse waiting outside I'm guessing it's the choir practising for a funeral. We leave as they get to the line 'Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies' . The ladies of the choir are attempting the 'challenging' descant. The old stone walls of the kirk filter out any imperfections and as we walk by the taxi rank they sound almost angelic.


A formal outfit in the doorway of one of the kilt makers. This dapper ensemble is presumably targeted at a a youthful wedding audience. Perhaps a different tie might be more successful ? Angus approves of the sporran.


So starts another January day with a Polish Lowland Sheepdog lady.


11 comments:

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Ms Ahern will leave big shoes to fill... meanwhile, I could not help but think if the prospective customer were indeed that height, then the length of the kilt may be questioned equally to the lurid tie! YAM xx

Virginia said...

Well Jacinda's resignation did come out of the blue, but we sympathise with her - she's led New Zealand through a perfectly torrid time, the results of Covid, the recovery from the Christchurch Earthquake, and the Christchurch massacre. She has a young child and a partner who have missed out, and it's going to be their time.



Coppa's girl said...

Will catch up with news of Jacinda's resignation later. Who would want to be the leader of any country with things as they are now?
Razor clams to sniff and Jaffa cakes? Another best day ever - almost as many as the PONette had in France.

Travel said...

Distracted by the wind, sand, surf and smells - the political woes of the world seems far far away, to far for are heroine to think about.

Bailey Bob Southern Dog said...

Glorious sunrise photos this morning!!!

Diaday said...

Sophie glows in the sunrise photo. A beautiful start to a glorious day!

Melinda from Ontario said...

Being a gardener, I was compelled to Google Queen Mary's thorn tree. I discovered it was a hawthorn; a 460 year old hawthorn! Apparently, they are hardy little trees. I wonder if people are inclined to snitch a few stray berries for the seed in order to grow one of their own. I'd be tempted.

Gemma's person said...

A dog's life is most appealing to me. I am so pleased she has found a friend she is eager to visit.

Vancouver Babara said...

I think the tie is the perfect colour.

Jake of Florida said...

Sophie's tail, a transparent sunlit fan in the first photo. Lovely.

Gemma's person said...

Are you both kilted/tartaned for the party?
Shall Sophie have the tartan on as well?