Buckingham Art For All

Spent a happy hour wondering around artists' studios as part of Buckingham Art For All, a two week celebration of all things arty, locally.

Lovely, lovely work from Paul Bursnall

Tlws Johnson Designs and she does workshops!

It never ceases to amaze me just what's on you doorstep when you choose to look for it. 

Ring of Bright Water

As a sulky twelve year old I did not appreciate the absolute gorgeousness of the holiday getaway my parents had 'dragged' (my words) me to, in the mid 1970's.  With a head full of disco and a suitcase full of cheesecloth, 'middle of nowhere' to me then was, as you can imagine, my idea of 'not much fun.' Try persuading your own children now and see how far you get. "What no WiFi!" But hindsight, retrospect or nostalgia are wonderful things and imagine my delight when I saw that 'Ring of Bright Water' was appearing on TV a few nights ago. I selected the record button hastily, knowing that at some stage I would be able to savour the moment. That moment came last night when I spent a blissful hour or so reminiscing with a tear in my eye and smile on my face.

What is she rambling on about? OK long story short. The cottage in the film is the cottage we stayed in during that holiday. Not quite as dilapidated as it appears in the film I hasten to add.

Skip to about 6:30 to see what talking about

Yes, it is in the most exquisite location on the West coast of Scotland not too far from Oban and at the time was totally unappreciated by me. The wonders of the internet have allowed me to see if it's still there and it certainly is.

Courtesy of Scotland Holiday Cottages

                            


We fished, we swam, watched otters, clambered over rocks and in the end even I had to admit it had been a fantastic holiday. Coupled with the fact that it was the summer of '76, we all went back sporting Mediterranean sun tans, no one would believe that we'd holidayed in Scotland. So there you have it, a trip down memory lane. Which holidays stick in your mind and why?

A picture to make me smile

Do you ever see something that makes you smile? It might be a piece of fabric carelessly draped, a bowl of fruit, .......raindrops on a window....a footprint in the sand, a pair of scattered shoes, the twist in a tree .......... anything. Just something that makes you want to smile and capture the moment.....

Offcuts from my Granny Square blanket

I was in need of this picture the night before last when my youngest son and I had a night away together. Just me and him, the care and attention was amazing , the food adequate, and we had lots of free leisure time.

Unfortunately our place of residence was Milton Keynes General Hospital.

The reason for our visit involved a foreign object, x-rays of a young boys abdomen and the need to exercise precaution in such circumstances. After relaying the full uncensored version of events to my mum she said it sounded like an episode from 'Outnumbered', which actually was very close to the truth.

All is well though and there was a happy ending but the need to refer to a picture like this was over whelming

Hope you're having a good weekend.