Getting back in the groove

 We have pretty much finished the chores we set ourselves to do this trip - the painting, the pointing and the planting - so we have been able to grab  few moments here and there to think about, and make, some things artistic.

Whilst this photo looks like I have a fur hat on; it is actually the reflection of the hay bale in the field beside us! It took me a while to work out what was going on.

This is me hard at work in my workshop. Also known as the garden shed behind the cottage.

When next we are here, we are planning another pop up art show and I thought to myself I should get down and start making some jewellery.  It seemed like if I could grab an hour here, and maybe an hour there, I could cut some silver wire and solder some forms.

Nothing too fine or too tricky or too elegant; just get down and get the basics underway. I think am snipping solder here, ready to make a few more pebble forms. It was about 6 degrees outside with a sharpish wind, so I am pretty rugged up. My hands really felt it tho!

It was a good productive hour!

All these forms need to be cleaned, and to have the lumps and bumps filed down, but I am well on the way to having a bunch of pebble forms to play with to make some new jewellery.

And a few photos from around the cottage. Out the bedroom window as we headed to bed one night.

Our apple tree is in full bloom.

And the lambs are being cute.

As we round the corners to home...

Turn left into Armadale...

Some moments from here and there...

We have had some lovely blue sky days, and some soft grey days.

On the blue sky days we try hard to get as much washing done as possible, and here is my Dad and me soaking up the sun after a marathon waking effort!

Not sure if it is the same seagull, bt it is the same roof on two different days!

 

A dazzling shimmering sunshiny moment on our morning walk.

Looking across the road to the fields with some lambs and the gorse in bloom.

A grey day was the day for a drive to talking and tongue and there is beauty in the softness of grey as well.

And Spring is making an appearance...

A visit to the Melness cemetery showed me a memorial with a list of heroes; and one heroine, from WWI. I have never seen a nurse recognised on a Memorial before and thought it was truly marvellous!

Arrival...

 We have landed safely at the cottage and are settling into our rhythms and routines. Spring is being tempestuous and still hasn't settled into a reliable sense of warmth or steadiness, but we are enjoying the moments in all weathers.

Here is a compilation of our first week - some of the things we love and enjoy.

As we drove North.

The cottage.

The daffodils - one (or more) of every sort that is flowering at the moment.

The first of the lambs are arriving...

Hanging with our friends...

A drive along past Ben Hope.

And as ever, the light, the light! 

Morning walk sun showers...

'tis good to be back...

Cottage arrival and welcome

We arrived at the cottage through the week and were welcomed by big blue skies and the mildest of weathers. Of course this changed to quite chilly weather as well; but no rain and not too much wind means it has been a mild re-entry...

Here are some of ht moments from the first week. I hope to get my hands into some arty things in the next few days, but for now I am adjusting to the beauty of this place and falling in love with it all over again.

The cove with lots of different colours happening.

Morning light on the crofts - so many lovely dividing lines of fences..

Waiting at the old school gate...

One of my favourites - our neighbour's sheep along the top of our stone dyke and some of our sculptures and daffodils.

Speaking of which, I brought a real variety inside to enjoy.

But there were plenty of lovely ones outside to be enjoyed as well.

And the cottage looking gorgeous in the sunlight with the blue sky and daffs in front.

One of Barry's peace doves still flying, in the plum tree, which very happily is flowering!

And then a different bird on a sunrise wire...

A truly lovely return and much beauty around us.

Lots of this way and that

 We are looking at a Cyclone crossing the Coast near us in the next few days so we are a little bit into preparing - moving outdoor furniture, filling up water containers, charging everything, getting our documents together, helping out neighbours, making plans, tuning in to all the services etc. Nothing major, just ready in case we lose power for a few days or the water supply gets interrupted. We have enough food to see us through for more than one would expect to be needed!

And so our minds are a bit jumpy and I have been doing this and that with not very much to show for it.

This is me planning to make a pouch for my Red Card book. Trying to work out which red crochet thread might best match the red sewing machine thread. I  think the lucky answer was pretty much any of them so that was good news.

Nevertheless, I have found moments to stop and look at the beauty of life...

Evening light.

And I love how this one just blurred. I would love to be able to paint this!

And flowers. Always flowers.

I spent a few days in Sydney last week and on one of our wanders, my friend showed me this. I like to think Resistance is yellow!