Flitting to t'other blog...

... but just for a month. Posts here will be sporadic but please do take a look at my India blog while I am away. I hope to be posting up lots of pics.

Just checked the forecast there for Sunday. 60% chance of thunder and 32 degrees. I will have melted into a puddle just stepping off the plane!

Northern travels

Back from a very fine week in Sutherland. Walked across heathery moors, down wooded hillsides and along (very) blustery beaches, ate rather too well, caught up with brother and his new dog, and with good friends too.

We visited Timespan in Helmsdale and were lucky to catch an exhibition of impressive, understated and very covetable slate sculpture by Mary Bourne.

Although sunny it was blooming chilly so we settled for a swift walk along to the quay and back again.

Dornoch beach was where I found these shells (I think they are tellins) So many colours, and just crying out to be 'kaleidoscoped' on the ipad!

On the last day we made it to Dunrobin Castle, and in between the showers it was quite magical, if a little surreal,to be looking at the immaculate garden modelled on Versailles.

We saw round probably twenty rooms and passages and nooks and crannies in this castle which is an amalgam of 14th Century 'keep' and several additions over the centuries (and now has 189 rooms...)

Time to hit the trail

Art Trail East kicks off tomorrow and there's lots to whet your appetite  - jewellery, glass, textiles, paintings, wood and more. Hugh and I are planning a wee sortie to see some Crossing Borders friends and enjoy the glorious landscape on the way.

We were delighted to see so many new faces as well as welcoming old friends last weekend. Tart HQ attracted a good few admirers so perhaps I could set up a sideline in revamped old caravans...

The Stitched Sheep was much worked upon by visitors and went from nude to decorated over the three days

 Here's the talented Katie from MAKE launching into bunting-mode on Day One

 By the end of Day Two sheepie's modelling a top hat and tail and has acquired a second ear

And by Sunday night she's looking pretty fine, the garden has blossomed and there's wildlife including a butterfly and a caterpillar, Oh and the ear has an earring. We are blessed with many creative types in this neck of the woods!