Gandalf has come back to (middle) earth!

Hurray - great news for the beginning of the week - Gandalf the vulture that escaped from his handler during a public display , has been re captured.

This must be good news for a number of reasons, not least for the sheep and small animal population of Central Scotland which must have been running for cover the past week every time a cloud passed overhead.
Also airplane travellers have now one less thing to worry about as it was feared that Gandalf could soar to heights of 36,000ft and has a wingspan of over 10 ft. Now , I don't care how nonchalant a flier you are , that would have to give you a start if it looked in the side airplane window wouldn't it???

But most of all, I am pleased for David Ritchie, Director of "World of Wings" (great job title David!), who obviously has a special rapport with Gandalf. Mr Ritchie was interviewed earlier in the week on the radio and was clearly upset that he might never see Gandalf again as it could obviously cover huge distances with its enormous wingspan. However, can you believe it Gandalf was found ,

"sitting on a telegraph pole at the old brickworks at Easter Jawcraig two miles north of Slammanan , near Falkirk. I ran into the field and threw her a dead chick to eat and she came to eat it. We wrapped her in a big duvet and got her back to the van."

Who knew that Gandalf was a girl?? Now it all makes sense - what bird would not respond to a man serving her a (raw!!) meal and an offer of a snuggle up in a duvet. The bird knows when she is well off!!

Redhall Walled Garden - a haven of peace

"I go to nature to be healed and soothed and to have my senses put in order" - John Burroughs

Spent the afternoon with a friend at Redhall Walled Garden in the Colinton area of Edinburgh, a completely hidden garden

accessed off one of the main roads into the city. It is an area of some 6 acres running alongside the water of Leith and what strikes you most is the sense of peace and quiet .

It is a special place where the Scottish Association for Mental Health run courses in horticulture for people who have suffered or are suffering from mental health problems. We met many people working away in the garden today and the range of flowers and vegetables, especially the tomatoes ( sorry, we pinched one!) were very impressive.

People who come to work in the garden have often been in hospital or on large doses of medication which has not always been successful and I find it really interesting that the soothing atmosphere of working in a garden is now being considered a credible alternative treatment with visible results.

Cool cushion

How cool is this cushion??? Made by a very talented designer, creating original , soft furnishings from recycled materials.

I think her work is fabulous and I hope that all my American readers - surely there must be some of you out there?? - will order one to take back to the good old USA.

I can provide contact details on request.