I think shades of red and green will be appropriate today - the garden is full of colour at last and from where I am sitting right now I can see sunlight through leaves - that's russet ones (fancy tree, can't remember what, but it was planted in memory of my Dad), scarlet ones (a little acer), dark red ones (a rose), plus honeysuckle, a eucalyptus, a spikey canna thingy, a yellow crab apple and some gaudy yellow and red striped tulips. Hmm, not big on names, am I?
On the naturals theme, here's a pic of some of the wool and bamboo yarns I dyed - had fun with the names, of course - from L to R, Summer Ices, Mint Julep, Apple Blossom and Nougat - all now in t' shop. And the teacosy, of which I am ridiculously proud.
No time for knitting now, too much to do in the garden. We need to simplify the 'pretty' part of it that we have inherited so that it involves as little ongoing work as possible. Fewer plants in pots, unless they are herbs, which earn their keep, and fewer fiddly corners for grass cutting. It's difficult, still, to come to terms with this as it was my mother's pride and joy and I want to keep it looking good too. Meanwhile we've been planting up the polytunnels and I am really hoping for a good tomato crop this year so that I can preserve some. Never had much success with peppers but we're having another shot at these. And only a few million courgettes...well, you see, they always germinate and then I look at these healthy little plants and think that I just have to find a home for them all. Planted lots of salady stuff and sneaked in some spinach (not exactly a favourite with Hugh) so fingers crossed that we can keep the slugs out of it all and have a good harvest all round.
Meanwhile, it's time I told you about Crossing Borders which is a newly constituted association bringing together visual and applied artists living and working in the Border region - that's both sides of the Scottish English border. There are marketing initiatives already planned - the first big one will be an open studios event in the Autumn, reaching from Hawick to Berwick with lots going on everywhere in between. The organisation will also encompass other folk - everyone from galleries and restaurants, accommodation providers to gardens - in short anyone who wants to promote art and design in the area. It's something that many of us have wanted to see happening for a long time although the credit for finally getting us all together must go to Sue Beck, a livewire who got the first meeting off the ground. I will be shouting about it some more as the website gets developed and our publicity material is produced. If anyone would like to know more, please get in touch.
I succumbed to this one, which was ridiculously cheap. I have no intention of wearing it, funnily enough, but it's a sculpture in its own right.
We had only a minor hiccup on the way, a jammed caravan brake which Hugh sorted by means not recorded in any textbook. Arrived at Glenmidge Smithy campsite which has space for only eight tents or 'vans. At its busiest there were four of us and we were outnumbered by the red squirrels in the trees around the site - what a treat!
We did two or three walks from the door in the course of our stay, as well as a good one along seashore and cliffs near Auchencairn (south of Castle Douglas) where Hugh spotted this grass snake enjoying the day.
A good morning was spent exploring the streets and galleries in Kirkcudbright, one of which Hugh is hoping to interest in his work. 
And finally, how could I resist 
