Since the weather has been ghastly, I’ll post another older photograph in an attempt to cheer us up. Glasgow is renowned for its traffic policeman and obviously someone tried to co-opt this one in. Any time the cone on the head is removed, it mysteriously appears again!

It never ceases to amaze me how, despite our lack of care, this Christmas Cactus always knows when to flower – the buds never appear until second week in December and the flowers start in the week preceding Christmas Day.

According to the information at the link attached, we are doing totally the wrong things in its treatment, but the plant obviously has a strong will to survive.

To one and all, may you have a very merry and blessed Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

The was taken a little earlier this year at Ballantrae.

Ardstinchar Castle, built in 1421 by Hew Kennedy, was visited by Mary, Queen of Scots in 1563 while she was on a pilgrimage.

3 for the price of 1 today. I’ve see others picturing their Christmas decorations, so I thought I’d give it a try.

The looooong wall was built when Rozelle was a private estate, labour was cheap, there was no right-to-roam and people were able to make money with virtually no controls. Well at least we have some right-to-roam now!

Edessa Messiah, one of five sculptures by Ronald Rae exhibited in Rozelle Estate, was influenced by Oceanic Art and shows the monumental head of Christ. The features suggest this could be a black Christ. The idea for the sculpture was also taken from the Turin Shroud that was found at Edessa in Russia.

The set of five, entitled “The Tragic Sacrifice of Christ”, was carved in the 1978-80 period after Ronald Rae had a vision to carve a series of granite sculptures which would express his love and concern for humanity.

Fate played its role providing him with four of the five granite blocks that were once part of the Old Harbour in Ayr. Kyle and Carrick District Council kindly sponsored the project.

Using only a hammer and chisel Ronald worked steadily for two years to complete the project. The sculptures were duly installed in the peaceful setting of Rozelle Park.

Photographs of all five sculptures, with notes, can be found at my Flickr account (see sidebar).

Built over the mouth of the River Doon as a pedestrian bridge and as part of the national and Ayr Coastal cycle route. It took a little getting used to, but I think it’s a graceful structure.

You’ll begin to appreciate that I love Arran! This photo was taken on Sunday – as per the last few.

And following on from yesterday, you can see the sections of trees which have been washed down the River Doon right to the First of Clyde.