c o l o u r s

Long time, no time. This autumn has been beautiful outside -- one the loveliest in years. Gentle sunshine, blustery skies, great leaf and petal colours. Inside it has been relentlessly busy. Yesterday was another of those perfect autumn days, today it is tipping with rain and the wind is blowing hard. Inside though, it's a hiatus of calm before, well, not a storm. But more busy-ness.

n e e d l e s

The weather has been so beautiful for the last couple of weeks. The sun has been crisp and cool in the morning, and then mellow and warm in the afternoon. It's been at its best. I've been trying to get out in it for a walk or some other activity everyday, fighting off the tiredness and aches and pains. I have a bulging to-do list for work, which is intimidating, and a decreasing ability to restore myself with sleep, which isn't a great combination. As these pictures show, I also have so many things on my knitting needles at present. These give me pleasure rather than stress, knitting and purling has always soothed me. I'm enjoying imagining these things finished, washed, pressed, put in drawers and on tiny hangers, or else wrapped, and given. But still, lots to do.

p r o d u c e

This year's blackberries beginning to ripen. And this might possibly be the only ripened tomato that my gardening efforts produce this year. But it was sweet and tasty and the rest can always go into green tomato chutney.

s e a s i d e

Just back from a lovely week in beautiful weather (amazing) in West Wales. Seaside splashing, morning walks to the beach, castles, quiet tree-lined roads, cawing rooks (one of my favourite sounds) and pub lunches. Very nice indeed, and a quiet repose before getting back to what's proving to be such a busy summer. So much to do...

p e r t h s h i r e

Some details from our trip north for a warm and joy-filled wedding. The countryside around was beautiful.

g a r l i c

Last October I experimented with Autumn planting of garlic, and this weekend we harvested it. The bulbs aren't exactly huge, but I'm happy just to have produced something in the garden. This is not the start of a rash of gardening activity though as I still in general am just not into it. But these tasted mild and fresh in a courgette soup, so that's is good enough for now.

s u n b a t h i n g

I've been pretty hopeless with the camera and a bit over busy. So while I try to get back on track here are just a couple of photos of doglet enjoying the sunshine in the garden yesterday. 

c l o u d s

Stayed for a few days last week in London with a lovely friend in a lovely new flat. Excellent for views. And laughter.

t r a v e l

A beautiful sunny day in Edinburgh when I went to see the Sam Firth short film 'Stay the Same' at the Royal Scottish Academy.

w a r m

Last day of May and the sun came out and was properly warm for the first time this year. All the streets and gardens are full of people... So the mornings are the best time, when it's quiet.

G a r d e n

I did some proper ballet exercises today for the first time in years and feel much better for it. I've been feeling like a lumpen elephant, and haven't been as productive as I would like. But my current research project is focused on nature watching and gardens, so it really is up my street and I'm trying to remember that it is okay simply to be enjoying things. The sun is out today. It's not supposed to last, but it's lovely while it's here.