Closing down

It has been some time since I posted in this space So, for a number of reasons, I have decided to close down this particular blog.  I did intend to use it to participate in various photo memes and carnivals, but I just haven't been able to make the time.  Taking the photo is not the problem - I am never without the camera.  I just found I was using up all my computer time visiting the other participants - an important part of any meme, and i felt I was not giving this the attention is deserved..  I have to say that I have encountered so many lovely people and inspiring blogs through the lens and keyboard  - thank you all for your support and encouragement.
I am very busy right now with - oh - so many things.  I can still be found blogging on family, life and our new croft at:

The Interrupted Gardener.

You are very welcome to join me there.

Skywatch - Coming in

An unusual sight in our skies lately, due to the volcanic ash cloud grounding most of the UK flights. This one did make it into Edinburgh Airport.
See how the skies of the world are looking this week at Skywatch Friday.

One, two, three....

Check out Ruby Tuesday, Wordless Wednesday, and Shadow Shot Sunday for more fun every week.

Wordless Wednesday

Lots more wordless postings at Wordless Wednesday and Sunndaytodaymama.  Ssshhh!

Ruby Tuesday - Leaving Harris.

As we waited for the ferry to take us back over to Skye and then on to the mainland, last week,  I took a couple of snaps around the small harbour.  I liked the splashes of red in these shots (even though the bottom one is a bit squint!), so I thought I would use them for my first Ruby Tuesday post.

Quite a few suits worth piled up in there mind you!  Do visit Ruby Tuesday to see more red.

Today's Flowers - Magnolia

Magnolia Stellata is blooming beautifully in our garden just now.  A treat for the eyes as the daffodils fade and the early summer flowers are yet to show.

Share in this worldwide bouquet at Today's Flowers.  Thank you to the team who bring us this beauty each week.

Shadow Shot Sunday - The Beach

James running down the sand at Horgabost, Isle of Harris.  It was our first beach of the year - can you tell?

See the world's shadows this week with Tracey at Shadow Shot Sunday.

Skywatch Friday - Skye Bridge

The bridge to the Isle of Skye from  Kyle of Lochalsh, with a hazy blue glimpse of the Cuillin mountain range in the background.
Enjoy seeing more skies from this Earth at Skywatch Friday.

Wordless Wednesday

See more unwritten gems at Wordless Wednesday and Sunnydaytodaymama.

Today's Flowers. Spring Bulbs

Flowering in my garden today -  my favourite Spring bulbs - the Grape Hyacinth.
Enjoy more flowers from all around the world at Today's Flowers.

Wordless Wednesday

Visit the silent but effective world of Wordless Wednesday and see how it speaks to you.

Shadow Shot Sunday - Tai-Chi at the market

There was a Taoist Tai Chi demonstration at the Farmers' Market today.  The sun was out too!  I think they've just carried the tiger to the mountain here.

I go to a Tai Chi class every Monday - very good for the body, mind and soul.  Every weekend, I visit Australia for Shadow Shot Sunday - almost the same thing.  Do drop by and play along.

Skywatch Friday - Sheep at sunset

Tuesday evening's sunset was magnificent  here, deepening into such glorious glowing  colours..  This is how it looked in the field across from my house.  The sheep don't seem to bothered about it, mind you.

See more gorgeous sky pictures at Skywatch Friday.

Wordless Wednesday

See more pictures without words by clicking on Wordless Wednesday and Sunnydaytodaymama.  Shhhh!

Today's flowers - Yellow

Coltsfoot  - a wonderful sunny sign of spring.  Collect them now and dry them to make an infusion or tincture for your winter coughs. Also known as Son afore the Father, as the blossoms appear before the leaves.

Check out Today's Flowers for more beautiful blooms.

Shadow Shot Sunday - The Hen Whisperer

Visit Hey Harriet for more worldwide shadows on Shadow Shot Sunday

The Brenda Photo Challenge: Fruit/Macro

Blueberry Pie -

- in around 5 months time!

Do visit The Brenda Photo Challenge to see the other participants.  Thanks so much to Donna for this fum meme.

Wordless Wednesday

Skywatch - March sunset

Driving home West from Edinburgh last week, stuck in rush hour traffic, this sky was a bit of a compensation.

See how the world's skies are looking this week at Skywatch Friday.

Wordless Wednesday - Jes chillin' with my brother, man!

Visit Wordless Wednesday for more silent pictures.

Today's flowers - Springtime

Beautiful orange and purple crocuses growing up among the grass.  Very Springlike. 

See more flowers fromaround the world at Today's Flowers.

Shadow Shot Sunday - City walls

Climbing the steep steps up the Vennel from Edinburgh's Grassmarket on Thursday, I had to stop for a breather.  It must have been fate that stopped me there, rather than being unfit, because right in front of me was this wonderful lamp post shadow, against the city walls.  I think this part is the Flodden wall, built in 1560 - how many shadows have passed by these stones, I wonder?
Check out lots of great shadows around the world with Tracy at Shadow Shot Sunday.

Skywatch - Views from the river

We've had a few beautiful sparkling sunny days here this week, still with a fair bit of snow lying around.  I came out of my Tai-chi class on Monday to this view of the Fife hills from the south side of the River Forth.

Looking  west here towards the Ochil Hills.

Then further west, you can just see the what I consider the beginnings of the Highlands - the mountains of The Trossachs. Pity about  the coal fired Longannet power station right in front.  Apparently it is capable of firing biomass though...
Please visit Skywatch and see how the planet's skies are looking this week.

Closing it down

I've decided to do a bit of downsizing in my bloggy world.  So - with the exception of a couple of photographic memes, I will no longer be blogging in this space. Most of my day to day happenings are around the home and garden, and concern children and family - so I will be posting about these issues on my other  blog - The Interrupted Gardener.  This was my first blog, and I started off keeping it strictly as a gardening blog.  I have found, however, that the garden is a big part of my life, and so are the 'interruptions' to it, and it was becoming more difficult to decide what post should be on what blog.  Enough, already! For the sake of simplicity,I will blog about family, gardening, food, creativity and general reflections on The Interrupted Gardener from now on.
I know there are some followers who also follow IG - bless you.  But if not, I invite you to join me over there.  Thank you all anyway -  I am constantly amazed that people take time out of their busy, creative lives to read what I have I have to say. xxx

Shadow Shot Sunday - A boy and his dog

James and Robbie the dog, enjoying some late winter (or early spring?) sunshine.  But - where has my grass gone?!

See more shadow play at Shadow Shot Sunday.

Skywatch - shining through

The pale sun this morning, seen from our driveway, looked almost pear-shaped as it squeezed through this narrow cloud band.

Pushing itself upwards

easy does it,

almost there now,

Yay!  Brilliant!

See more skies at the excellent Skywatch blog every Friday.

Shadow Shot Sunday - Homemade paper lanterns

It is the Chinese New Year  tomorrow, so we made paper lanterns to celebrate. 
It is also Sunday in Australia now - visit Tracy for Shadow Shot Sunday.  Happy New Year!

Skywatch - Rosslyn Castle

Another wee day out on Wednesday, this time for a walk in Rosslyn Glen.  We had visited the (in)famous Rosslyn Chapel before, but had never made it any further.  This time, we passed on the chance to fight our way through the hordes of visitors vying to stand in the place that Tom Hanks stood in the DaVinci Code film, and headed off down the glen, eventually finding our way to Rosslyn Castle .  It was a lovely late winter day, with just a faint hint that warmer weather could be on its way back.
See what other skies around the world look like at Skywatch Friday - join in!.

Shadow Shot Sunday - Ancestral shadows

I make no apologies for posting more images of the 5000 year old Callanish Stones.  They were so stunningly beautiful and special. 

 

The first day of our visit was bright, sunny and cold - perfect conditions for finding shadows.

 

Maybe they are the shadows of the people who built this sacred place.

Scroll down for more photographs of our trip to the Outer Hebrides last week. And visit Tracy, at the other side of the world to see more Shadow Shots.

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Sacred Space

 

We travelled up to the Hebridean Isle of Lewis on Brigid's eve - an auspicious coincidence, we thought. And so it proved.  During our 2.5 days on the island, we visited the stones at Calanais 3 times.  It sounds so cliched, but there is a magic within that sacred circle that kept drawing us back. The weather was perfect - cold, sunny and the lightest of snowfalls on the Wednesday - no other tourists either, so we had the place deliciously to ourselves.

 

. Each stone has it's own unique personality.  Kristine commented on my skywatch post how they looked like old men.  They really do have a human quality, and I wonder if those ancient ancestors who first erected these stones were portraying their own community. This chap was a formidable guardian at the end of one of the long avenues

The colours are amazing.  The stones actually glow with the shades and hues of the land.  Pinks, oranges, whites, green and greys.  I love in these two shots how they seem to merge into the winter landscape.

 

To me, the inner circle looked like a group of strong ancient matriarchs.

While the men spread around in a protective outer ring. 

  

It is a special place.

Another special place was Breanish over on the far West side of the island.

  

So far on the edge, you can see St Kilda, hazy on the horizon.

An if you look really hard - maybe you can see America!

If not - there are always other delights to behold closer to the shore.

And, of course, there are always the stones.