From Threipmuir reservoir

A varied day today where we experienced both life's highs and lows. Up and out early(ish) while the sun was shining for a walk around the two reservoirs from which this shot was taken. The quiet and solitude here in stark contrast to the carnage we are commemorating and remembering today on the 100th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme. Those battlefields today have returned to peaceful countryside, not unlike this view across fields of crops and open skies.

A late and leisurely breakfast followed, watching the broadcast from Threipval. A fascinating programme with today's ceremony interspersed with clips from the battle itself and from interviews with soldiers and the families who had been left bereaved as a result of the assault.

By then it was a complete change of direction with a visit to the Almondvale Centre in Livingston for a retail experience and then on to Glasgow to visit Susan's nephew and their family in their new home in Bishopbriggs.

While in Livingston we received the upsetting news that Chris, a very good friend of ours who has appeared in my Blips, has been diagnosed with cancer and now faces a personal battle of his own.

The house in Bishopsbriggs is a detached turn on the 20th C villa, faced with red sandstone on a cul-de-sac. Some lovely period features and plenty of space for a growing family.

The weather on the journey back to Edinburgh ended opposite to the beginning of the day; more heavy showers and low temperatures. One benefit of living this far north is the light evenings. We arrived back at gone 11.00pm and there was still plenty of light in the sky (where you could see it between gashes in the shower clouds)