Monster.

Lovely evening last night with M. Got home from work and it was still sunny and warm, and although it was breezy, our garden is very sheltered. We took out Lars (our reindeer skin) and sat on the lawn with a bottle of red wine. There were loads of the most gigantic, fat bumble-bees buzzing everywhere. Yesterday was literally the first day of 2013 without a chill in the air, and I think they were all out and drunk on pollen. We watched several that were so big that my wee crocuses bent to touch the soil under their weight. I’m not the biggest Harry Potter fan, but I once heard a fact that stuck with me: J.K. Rowling apparently named Dumbledore after the ancient English word for bumble-bee, because she imagined him pottering around his office, busily expending too much energy. I don’t know why I can’t remember my own phone number, but I’m able to remember that. Anyhow, bumble-bees are always Dumbledores to me now.

Today, Mum and Dad were meant to be driving through from a night’s stay with my Aunt in Banff, but their car, Ruby, experienced a massive electrical fault and is now stuck in Elgin until Thursday at least. Rubbish for them, great for me! I get to spend more time with them. Aunt J drove through to Aberdeen and we went out for dinner at Nargile, a Turkish restaurant with a gorgeous menu that has almost too much choice. We ended up choosing a mezze selection to share between us, which was amazing! I ate far too much, and have no idea how I still managed the honey, pistachio and chocolate baklava at the end, but that was pretty much my favourite bit!

Today's Blip is a coaster. I went on a 3-day chemicals course last summer, and the final day was as dry as that fluff you find in the pocket of your winter coat when it's not been worn for 6 months. I made said coaster into a monster. My boss, sitting right beside me, had a giggling fit. When I took out one of the course manuals today (which shows just how well-used they've been!), he fell out, and it made me smile. So there we are. Monster Blip.

I've been taking loads of pictures with the Pentax... But apparently I'll have to send off the film for developing as no-one in Aberdeen will process HP-5 film. Humph. I'll fill the gaps in April with back-blips soon.