This has been a week of small pleasures at the same time as rather bigger things happen elsewhere. (Photos from the Belfast Botanic Garden walks and rose garden.) Is it just indulgent to enjoy small pleasures? The news this morning is again of Syria and war. But, this time, almost unbelievably, UK parliament has voted … More Small pleasures – we need them
Northern Ireland Where I was born and brought up – moved away age 22 after graduation from Queens University. I am fortunate with friendships, but like others of a fair age, know that there are now very few people who have known me well for most of my life. When I arrive back here, I … More Ducks, and bricks, at Castle Espie
What a good goodbye. I met Neill at the Canonmills clock – halfway between his and mine – and we went for a stroll . There was haar creeping along as the evening began and the river had splashes of bright colour where some poppies and a sunflower had found their way to bloom. Then … More Farewell
I often feel very grateful that I discovered blogging. Love to talk! Ego gets going yeah yeah, but more and more infinitely important, I find the thoughts of others, their generosity, their difference, their responses, warm my heart. Speccy and Kathryn and Ana and others who liked or responded to my last post thank you for … More Looking with “New Eyes”
Response to this weeks WordPress Photo Challenge “Carefree” At first I just thought Ha Ha that has to be a non-starter, not since childhood have I been carefree, though I am frequently relaxed and content. I like life and what is there to be observed, and that goes right alongside caring about lots of what … More Can ‘goodbye’ be carefree?
Sidey suggests “Nothing Much” as a theme. Edinburgh is full of people – the festivals are happening. I went to the Botanic Gardens on the bicycle and after dodging the multitudes of people who seemed to think it was OK to just step off the pavement arrived safely but stressed. How to cheer up? Nothing … More Nothing Much can be quite a lot
Other Orkney posts are here and here. More days on Orkney – the first few days of August now seem long ago. Click for bigger pictures. Places/stuff I learned something about – to learn more about: http://www.seascape-art-orkney.co.uk http://www.pierartscentre.com/ http://www.yellowbirdgallery.org http://www.orkneywirelessmuseum.org.uk/ http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/maeshowe/ http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/brodgar/ and lots more from orkneyjar.com
Sidey gave us “Women” for this week’s theme because this week is has been Women’s Day in South Africa. Other places have other “Women’s Days”. This week I have been doing more editing work for KK – I have written about this small organisation before – it stands for Khwendo Kor, which means “sisters home“. … More Women, fight for rights
When is a week not a week? Answer, on a visit to Orkney when it feels like a month. Sunday train to Aberdeen, 5 hour boat journey to Kirkwall (the main town of Orkney’s “Mainland” island). Arrived midnight, met by Ella’s Mum, few minutes to their home, off to bed but not before being welcomed … More A visit to Orkney – 1
For more years than I like to remember I have been intending to visit Orkney … sometime. It has happened! There for a week, feels like a month, been back in Edinburgh for a week but still processing the trip. I will get around to some posts – but first – it sounds … More Orkney at last
My World, Your World, One World 