Back to the Mill

Back to Dalgarven Mill today for a coffee and a photo session with my friend Karon.  Both of us have new cameras so we are keen to try them out as much as possible.  The Mill museum never fails to intrigue me and the walk down by the river is so relaxing although it was amazing just how much growth there had been since our last trip.

Busy bees gathering their nectar always draw me close and this little one was no exception - its wings are beautiful and remind me of leaded glass and the fat furry body is almost toylike.  It is even possible to see the tiny grains of pollen on the hairs of the head.

Despite the inclement weather we managed to return home dry - it was a peaceful interlude sharing creative chat and friendship.

The change of seasons

It is only July and already I felt the slight suggestion in the air of Autumn.  How can this be?  The weather has been terrible; the deluge of rain neverending but since we seem to be stuck with this  the only thing to do is to go out and find something that brings a little colour to a grey dull day.

Armed with my new camera I managed to dodge rain showers and walk down to the railway bridge near our home.  I enjoy the growth of the tangled undergrowth there in the hedges; the wild roses, hawthorns and meadowsweet.  Although I cant see them I know there must be communities of mice and hedgehogs rummaging through this part.

This berry is the first glimpse for me of the season of ripe red fruit in the wild.  Not yet fully mature but brimming with promising colour.  I love the berry season.  It cheers my heart and I think of all the wild things which will benefit from their growth.

Down at the Mill

Even though it was raining and the day somewhat chilly for June, my friend Karon and I visited Dalgarven Mill to rummage through the Antique Byre and have a coffee and cake before exploring the museum.  Old Mills have a fascination for me and this one is no exception and I was delighted to see the old wheel turning smoothly with the accompanying swish of water.

Sorting out the photos

Sorting out the old photographs of which there are so many pre-digital, I enjoyed browsing through the many we have of our son Roger who is now 33 and over 6ft in height!  This picture was taken in 1981 before he was two years of age and although not clear it is one of my favourites.  We were on holiday in Arran, staying in a little pine chalet.  After many hours being pushed in his baby buggy along Arrans pathways he was exhausted and peaceful at night after his bedtime story!

It was a lovely holiday and we have some good memories both of Arran and our blonde haired little boy.

The Riverside

A few savoured moments of relaxation by the River Avon at the weekend - watching coots and swans protect and nurture their young.  I had never before seen a tiny coot and was amazed by its colourful  feathers and bright red bald head.  For such a tiny thing it used so much energy rushing after its mother who was continually diving down and bringing up weed presumably full of edible titbits!

Down the cycle path

We had had a wonderful weekend in Stratford upon avon but as is always the case after a fair, today I was completely exhausted mentally and physically and did not even wake up until after 1 in the afternoon!  Even then I found it hard to wake up so after I had put away most of the contents of my weekend case, I went for a walk down the cycle path with my camera in hand.  It was dry and cool and just the thing to help me unwind and think about the weeks ahead and the fairs to prepare for.

I was relieved to see that the orchid is still growing undisturbed just before the railway cutting area and I always enjoy seeing the wild strawberry plants busy preparing their new fruit.  It never ceases to be a delight to follow the chit chat and busy performance of a tiny wren admidst the bushes and I carefully pushed aside leaves here and there to reveal the nodding heads of other flowers.  Many years have passed since this path was a railway line - and despite the fact that it had to be hacked away to use as a cycle path, it is the home of so many species of flowers and birds.  Although it is good to be alone sometimes, the occasional cyclist passing by with a cheery hello can be welcome too.

Away from my studio but not so far!

Sometimes it is so hard to seperate different aspects of ones life.  I work hard in my Paisley studio where I design and make my bears and other animals but I found that I still wanted to create something when I returned home at night.  

At last I have managed to create a wonderful space in our small home were I am free to explore other mediums of art and design or just to sit and ponder where it is quiet.  There are so many drawers - units chosen with care to house all my different treasures. My antique dolls can sit and look on whilst I paint, snip paper, mould silver clay or simply admire my massive collection of seldom used but beautiful coloured pencils.

Amber my Bengal cat is welcome to come to join me; either on the adjacent stool or high on top of one of the book cases where she looks down to where I work.  The corner light sheds incredible light if required and is great for photography. Oh yes, this is one of the places for that secret part of me.