Embracing the ordinary

I know that house sparrows are in decline but we have a good flock around here. They're vocal birds! This is a female I think - fewer markings than the male. The green slope is the roof of the potting shed and the red splodges behind her are the flowers on my next door neighbour's fuchsia. 

I popped up to Dunblane on the train this morning - a seven minute journey (with a wee walk at either end) compared to an at least twenty minute drive. I wanted to give my friend her birthday present before a few of us meet up to celebrate with her tomorrow. After I left her I took Flora for a walk and she had not quite a swim but more than a paddle in the Allan Water. 

Once home I tried to plant out some cosmos but the ground is rock hard. I managed a few but the rest can wait till the rain arrives at the weekend. Of course when that happens the slugs will have a wonderful time so the cosmos might meet a horrible end. 

Now I'm sitting in the shade looking at the garden but soon I'll be off to meet the girls from school and spend a couple of hours with them. It's a really warm sunny day again.