Thank you for all your comments on the last post! And especially for the helpful recommendation of water shoes – my dropped foot annoyingly makes many kinds of footwear very tricky to manage (it refuses to walk in any kind of flip-flop or heel-less sandal, for example) so I’d sort of not thought of trying – but the water shoes I’ve seen online since reading your comments seem to grip to the foot, which is completely do-able. I shall give it a go. I feel an inevitable path is opening up towards the acquisition of a wetsuit and swimming in Loch Lomond. How amazing would it be to swim out to Inchcailloch? Something to aim for.
Tom is processing images, and, while I think about it, there’s a nice photograph of Jesus (our cat) who Noemie asked about the other day. Let me assure you the wee man is doing just fine and is now approaching his 17th birthday. Tom took this photograph recently on film.
And here’s another multi-exposure star trail from the West Highland Way last night. Tom says the cloud started rolling in a little earlier than he’d liked, but he was pleased to capture the pole star.
Finally, Bruce says if I’m posting photographs there really should be one of him. Here’s an exuberant shot (taken on film again) during our last Shetland trip. If you look at the horizon, you’ll see Sumburgh Head and Jarlshoff.
Hope you are all having a lovely weekend xx
KDD & Co 
My son was prevented of drop foot with wrestling shoes in while sick to bed, which was preventative..I have an elderly friend that has drop foot and he has a Velcro strap that circles his ankle and ties to the laces of hi shoe..keeping it at a 90 degree angle. You do wear tall boots?
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Beautiful magical photo of the sky. Nice to see your cat. I would like to see more cat photos.He looks good. It’s always interesting to ready your blog. Knitting and swimming are a good combination.
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Jesus looks so Pert, Prim and Proper but knowing cats as I do, it’s just a Pose :) Glad you are finding some ‘water’ shoes.
You might need water Wings if you are going to swim to the Isle of the Cowled Woman!!
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I think there’s nothing better than a cat/dog pair (or combo, as mine are known). Best of both worlds, glad to know you have both! Thanks to Tom for the pics, I second the question about Tom selling prints, I’d love to have one with a pole star.
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Greyt pics! Especially of the night sky, awesome!
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Aw, I didn’t know you had a kitty. I just had to have my little guy put to sleep recently, after 17 wonderful years with him. Be grateful for every day you have with him, as I’m sure you are.
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Spettacolo
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I won’t be joining you to swim in Loch Lomond – I like to swim in warm water, thank you! Bruce looks gorgeous as always!!
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Such lovely photographs!
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Gorgeous content as always, & love Tom’s ‘star-ascope’.
However, a quick word of warning. I have some Keen sandals, they are about 3 years old (I hardly wear them, now – just round the garden or local town in summer when it’s dry). I have no idea if they were originally classed in what they now call the ‘water sandals’ range, but they were sold as being great for wet rocky sea shores etc. which was what I wanted in Greece. They did prove excellent for general sightseeing and light-weight path/trail/gorge walking and gentle scrambling, as well as seeming okay for swimming from shingly beaches where every step would otherwise have been agonising. But … they were lethally skiddy on any smooth, wet / damp surface. I’d been wearing them for a week, solid, in Greece, before I had a serious skid-slide and near-fall on a village road that had been sprayed. The same has happened just on damp pavements here in Devon, as well as a few mishaps on larger boulders in Greece and other walks … and these are all places where my walking boots don’t skid. To be safe, I would get someone who has a pair to trial them for you on your local pool-sides, or approaches to any lochs you may have your eye on. I think pebble and shingle beaches may be okay, but unless the manufacturers have changed the sole material, radically, I would be sure to get someone to ‘test walk’ them on wet, smooth surfaces.
Hope this helps.
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If you do one thing try to get a wetsuit and swim in the sea or outside. It’s one of the loveliest things to do as I’ve discovered this summer. As a middle-aged (and larger) lady I don’t actually swim very far, I ‘bob’ but it’s so exhilarating I would recommend it to anyone.
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Jesus looks so beautiful!
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That star trail photo is truly magical. I am hoping to walk the West Highland Way next summer.
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Such a lovely blog – so glad I found this. Am especially a sucker for black dogs that look like mine :)
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Ahhh … Bruce. That tongue, that tail! Such a handsome boy. Jesus is a beauty too, of course.
Wondering if Tom is considering making prints of his star trail photos available for purchase? I’d love to own one.
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Such inspiration is found here. I now have a renewed interest in getting back to swimming and have been researching water footwear this afternoon. Kate, your abiity to motivate knows no bounds. Swim a few lengths, knit a few rows….
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Hi Kate,
The ripple response to helping you put your “toes into the water” has reminded me of how we can find ways to help each on our challenging journeys. Thank you for sharing and trusting to let the good come through. Thank you Tom for the photos that capture the beauty around us.
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Glad to see a picture of your cat Jesus. And how beautiful he is to look at. A very good picture made by Tom.
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glad some shoes might work! And what a gorgeous old cat. He looks hale and hearty and happy. :-)
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Kate…what a kitty ..Jesus looks like a Maine coon, love him …tell Tom , the tree and the night sky, amazing…what a picture…cheers ..pat j
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I don’t remember seeing any photos of Jesus before. He is quite magnificent.
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As much as I get the feeling that Bruce is a great furry friend, I really am a cat person. So glad to hear you’ve got a puss cat as well. Jesus is a fab name. Second only to Flearoy! The cat on the clearscore ad.
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Stunning shots!
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I’m so glad to see that Jesus the cat is doing fine. A good age for a cat, he’s looking great!
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I don’t recall seeing your kitty before – such a beautiful sweetheart and wonderful photo! I hope he and Bruce are friends. :-)
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Beautiful fur babies! Love seeing such a handsome kitty and such a happy dog!
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Thank you for the picture of Jesus…great cat name!!!
Julie
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I did not see all the posts about shoes, but I saw the opening content for this post and wondered if you had tried FitFlops… cannot say enough positive about these shoes and what they have done for facilitating my walking….
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Wonderful photos! Especially the stars, and, of course Bruce! I’m so glad you are moving forward with swimming.
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I missed your post about shoes. You might want to try keens or ahnu. They have great support and are very comfortable. Zappo’s I think ships internationally.
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Wonderful pictures. I love the name of your cat!
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Great photos and a very gnomic cat indeed! Spending my weekend sorting the remaining Buachaille and deciding what to knit on the 48 hour journey by night train and overnight ferry to Lerwick for Shetland Wool Week! Maybe find the unfinished lace scarf started two years ago…..
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hehe Look at the real swimmer in the fam—Brucie!
x-x-x-x
love from the land of Jantzen,
teri
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Another one returning to swimming following a long gap and various maladies. Surprised myself by enjoying it! Although I’m completely unable to swim in a straight line., I’m blaming my replacement knee, but I know it’s just that I’m really unfit!
I love your updates, photographs and your patterns (I’m about to cast on my first hap).
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Hello Puss! Nice to meet you at last. I like hearing from Bruce but I’d like to see what you think too. I imagine it might be a study in soft cushions and undergrowth.
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So, may I ask, how did Jesus come by his name? Was it just one too many kitten pranks? I had a friend with a dog named Dammit, because that was how he was addressing him anyway.
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Swimming in Loch Lomond, great idea. Why don’t you start a thread on Ravelry and see how many of us locals can join you, I can see us all wrapped up in handknitted blankets on the shore afterwards, the Swimming Knitters. Something to aim for next summer. We could do a walk up Ben Lomond too, to see the sunrise at midsummer, the Loch Lomond Knitters? who’s up for it? And third idea, a KAL before the swim, blanket in …of course… a wave pattern!
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Good luck on your swimming journey; I can really recommend aqua aerobics if you can find a local class and as good teacher, it’s great fun and can help with core strength and balance.
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Glad Tom is using film – mind you the processing can be a bit of a pain unless you have your own darkroom. I can recommend Fuji Acros, Ilford Delta and Delta Pan. Film seems to be making a bit of a comeback although lots of companies have got rid of their film lines (though I can also recommend Adox Silvermax). Did Tom use film for all of your forthcoming book? I believe that the light can be a bit challenging on Shetland as it is so changeable. Nice to see a picture of your cat. 17 years young – and she looks healthy on it, you must be feeding her well! Well behaved too, mine is not keen on photography to order.
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Wonderful photos.
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Jesus looks so serious. I wonder what a blogpost from him would say? I can truly see you swimming to the island with Tom in a skiff following & Bruce regal in the bow. If you train in a pool this winter, I’m sure you can be ready for the swim next summer. Good luck.
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I think a post from Jesus would be a series of mysterious gnomic utterances. Perhaps I should encourage him to try.
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Do, please!
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Exactly! I imagine him speaking like Yoda.
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Yes, hooray, it is the weekend. I love the great contrast in the black and white photos Tom has taken, Bruce, Jesus, and the starry night and trees. Please keep sharing them!!! And good swimming shoe suggestions for you also. Enjoy the water – must be a bit cold this time of year or forever up there – thus the idea of wearing a wet suit.
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I hope the water shoes work to make your swimming journeys more stable! Baby steps, Kate, you will get there. I loved all the beautiful photos. Tom is quite good with composition! Have a lovely weekend.
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Superb photos, thank you for sharing them. I, too, hankered for news of Jesus, doesn’t he look wonderful, and Bruce as well, of course! I wear socks with individual toes and grippy bobbles on the bottom for yoga, just shows what is available! Take care!
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I love reading your blog. My friend was on Scotland last year and got me your Colours book. Love it. I find my Water shoes from Keen’s are my favorites. They grip for walking and I can swim in them. I have MS and balance is an issue for me but these do work fine.
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Thank you for sharing your swim post – I had shoulder surgery in May after 6 weeks of PT . My surgeon is now recommending aquacise – I am starting today. I related to your comments on “exhaustion”. I led a active life before my fracture – I am struggling to find “balance / energy” in my life after the Fall . I wear water shoes – helps a lot. Keep posting :)
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Oh, your lovely, elegant kitty made me smile! Enjoyed all the photos! Enjoy your weekend!
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PS: Please forgive my very silly sense of humour here, but I feel glad that I got to meet Jesus at last :D I thought I never would! :D
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What a gorgeous cat! Thank you, I’m so pleased that we all get to meet him at last! :D Bruce is gorgeous too, of course, but everyone already know that :) Have you come across the 5 fingers barefoot shoes? (I don’t really want to name the brand here)… they look odd but are suprisingly nice to swim with :)
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