Awa' up north - Scotland

We are up in Scotland for a week or so at Whindley. As always, we had to spend the first few days wrestling the garden into submission - strimmer, spade and gardening gloves. It may require the chain saw too this time. The thing about gardening up here is that when you have to stop and straighten your aching back, the view is so amazing that you don't feel you have been working. I also have a theory that the air is better and has more oxygen in it too.

After 3 days of mixed sun and showers, the low out in the Atlantic has taken over and we have high winds and rain now. It will be like this for 3 days they say so, time to get the paints out. 

The picture above was the sunset a couple of nights ago. You can see why we want to live up here can't you.

Capital cities

Continuing the Scottish theme - here's Edinburgh Castle.This was a reference photo for a Wet Canvas forum challenge.

Watercolour and ink 10" x 8"

Although we go to Scotland approximately 6 times a year, I have never been into it's capital city. I guess that, coming from England's capital, the idea of seeing another cityscape does not appeal. I feel the same way about Paris. However, if I was going to break the habit of avoiding built-up areas, this would be the one I would visit first. I'm told it's the friendliest city in Britain.

Heelan' Coo

I have recently re-established my habit of visiting the Wet Canvas website. I love the feel of the whole site. It is great to get challenges, ideas and advice on all aspects of art.

We often see these when we are in Wester Ross and I have intended doing one for years. The problem with this kind of thing is, that you also see them on tartan tins of shortbread all the time so it seems like painting a bit of a cliche.

Anyway.... here he is!! (Acrylic on board 8" x 6")

OK, OK.... I'm slow at this blogging business..  Haven't managed to get back to it this week at all after setting it up.

What have I done instead? Well, it has been a tricky week.  My mother, who is 87 and amazingly fit as far as the arthritis allows, had a mini stroke. We went to hospital by ambulance and she spent the day being tested and observed carefully. The good news was that she recovered quite quickly and has been left just a little weaker and lacking confidence as a result, which is a relief.

The whole experience was an education however. I learned more about the effects of stroke and how they deal with it. Aparently, if the patient recovers use of muscles and function within 24 hours then it is deemed to be a mini stroke or TIA - Transient Ischemic Attack.

It was also amazing to see my mother, who was weak and confused when I found her in the morning, slowly return to strength and regain her feisty nature as the day progressed.

Perhaps, the most interesting thing I learned more about was the working of the NHS (bless it and long may it continue). Some things were extremely good and some were downright stupid and annoying.  The people who work in it are superb.... the systems are crazy and not always good for patients.

So, I will probably to have a bit of a hospital theme to my postings this week.

Now this was supposed to be an art blog so..... I had some free time yesterday and did a quick acrylic as a response to the monthly challenge on the Wet Canvas Acrylics forum. I have had a  couple of these this week, I can tell you.

The first day

This is the first time I have written a blog. Been meaning to do something like this for ages and now...... I've started.

The main aim is to give me a focus for doing something creative - however small - every day. So.......

Watch this space.