Note to DonDon: Spider warning (but he’s a cute wee thing).
Thanks to Andi for taking a walk in a Glasgow park and sharing it with us; to Kay for scaring the living daylights out of DonDon, and to John for allowing his lodger to give a good report of the Bulgarian boarding house, and…well
… this literally just arrived from Derek, who also snapped it on a local walk, so thanks to him too:
I cost nothing to run so donate to https://www.broadcastingscotland.scot/donate/
The bilingual blog about all things British
Love, theatre and ideas
British Wildlife & Photography
Why Scotland should be an independent country
Thoughts about Scotland & the world, from a new Scot
Bipartisan dialogue for the politically engaged
Impartial Everytime Always
Exploring Rhymes, Reasons, and Nuances of Our World
Mark Doran's Music Blog
Songwriter / Guitarist
This site supports Scottish Independence
A comic about history and stuff by FT
The embittered mumblings of a serial malcontent.
an irreverent look at UK politics
Exploring the Depths of Curiosity
Nature + Health
http://netbij.com
Movies, politics, comedy and more...
MUNGUIN'S NEW REPUBLIC 
#10: Wiki: The saguaro (/səˈwɑːroʊ/, Spanish pronunciation: [saˈɣwaɾo]) (Carnegiea gigantea) is a tree-like cactus species in the monotypic genus Carnegiea that can grow to be over 12 meters (40 feet) tall. It is native to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, the Mexican state of Sonora, and the Whipple Mountains and Imperial County areas of California. The saguaro blossom is the state wildflower of Arizona. Its scientific name is given in honor of Andrew Carnegie. Saguaros have a relatively long lifespan, often exceeding 150 years. They may grow their first side arm around 75–100 years of age.
State Wildflower of Arizona:
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nice flowers, Danny… and very attractive tenants!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LikeLiked by 2 people
That last one is a beauty…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Tris, and you need someone in the picture to appreciate the size. Probably 200 years old for the tallest ones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
17. “It’s not worth it Steve.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL LOL LOL. I love it.
LikeLike
Rare to see a daddy orangutan but what a fine specimen he is. Who knew owls would like nesting in cactus but beggar’s can’t be choosers!
Anyway my neck’s a bit tight, could really do with a massage.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, high time the dads got a look in.
You’ll need to find a useful hum for the neck massage. The cat obviously has, but they are few and far between, as Munguin will testify, under oath!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My cats love having this done
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t blame them, it looks great! Very relaxing…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the warning, tris. Despite its name, that wasp spider really is much more impressive than its cousin that lives in my bathroom . . .
LikeLiked by 3 people
I thought it only fair, DonDon.
I hope your bathroom spider doesn’t read that. Its feelings are going to be hurt!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pic 17 reminds me how dangerous it is to walk along the rail tracks. I have experienced a few near-accidents, near Dalmally, on Rannoch Muir and another at a level crossing at the Drumochter Pass.
The trains are faster than you think.
I am also reminded of the complexity of the rail routes beyond Fort William. I can never get the routes into my head. The Kyle of Lochalsh lines goes on to Plockton, but where does it terminate? Mallaig?
There is also a line west from Inverness, but where does it go? I don’t remember Ullapool having a station.
The Inverness to Thurso line wanders all over the place. That journey must take ages.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You want a map? You’ve have got this map, of railways old and new. You can spend a whole day clicking on this interactive map. Enjoy.
https://www.railscot.co.uk/_maps/scotland.htm
LikeLiked by 2 people
Brilliant, Marcia.
LikeLike
Thanks, Marcia. All my questions anwered in one go!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A line goes north from Inverness and splits at Dingwall where one branch continues north to Thurso and Wick via Strathnaver and another goes west to Kyle of Lochalsh.
A line goes northwest from Glasgow via Crianlarich where one branch heads west to Oban and the other continues north via Rannoch to Fort William and Mallaig.
That’s is. Not too complicated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All of them sound good.
LikeLike
It’s one I wouldn’t mind taking one day, DonDon. The scenery must be fantastic.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_of_Lochalsh_line
LikeLike
The westward line stops at Achnasheen, I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It stops there then continues on to Kyle (with a few other stops too). And it’s all on the ScotRail website for anyone to see.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When things get back to normal I’m promising myself some of that.
LikeLike
A visit to some of Uganda’s National Parks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow. Some of these waterfalls on the Nile are awesome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Something in my eye.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Goodness, it must be catching…
LikeLike
God not you again! Honestly this picture of mammy sloth and babies deserves a SS slot!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sweet family.
LikeLike
The tale of Tabby the Ludger… he began visiting a few years ago when still a kitten, surprisingly accepted by the residents when they usually chase of any interloper. He seems to be a bonsai model who’s never fully grown up. At one time, he was bigger than Numbi but is now dwarfed – although they are scale models in appearance. At one time, he’d have a feed and a drink and then disappear for days – even weeks – but visiting Kay up the road instead. Of late, he’s become a fixture here again, on the doorstep at dawn when the residents are let out for ablutions.
He’s therefore for first in the kitchen for breakfast, where at one time wasn’t allowed and he would quickly scuttle back outside where he has his own bowls under the sitooterie table. Now, kitchen dining is the order of the day, with impunity, and the residents join in for their share when they come back indoors. Tabby has now taken up permanent residence, just about, other than joining in the indoor sofa cuddling up. He doesn’t lack for attention when the sitooterie is occupied, though. Any knee is fair game for infiltration and starting up the purr machine. He really is a lovely bloke and more than pays for his digs with the laughs he creates and the trusting kindness he gives so generously. Aye, and we’re all just big softies too!
LikeLiked by 2 people
He’s a wee beauty. You’re lucky to have him, although, to be fair, he’s kinda lucky to have you too.
Happily that works out nicely.
LikeLike