My Blog

Category: Arts

  • Glasgow style

    As part of the on-going (and why not?) celebrations of our advanced old age, the 59ers hied to the fair environs of Glasgow on Monday, there to partake in an ethical jewellery making session, using reclaimed materials.  Led by Stefanie Cheong,  we spent a hugely enjoyable day learning how to choose, shape, solder and fashion…

  • Random

    So, à propos of nothing, here is a picture of Barbie as Darth Vader.                   Sold by a firm in Dalgety Bay called darksidetoys, found when looking for something completely different.  That might be serendipitous. A conversation with my cousins recalled this song. it’s great when a…

  • Tunes

    A fair raft of tunes is rattling around my head just now, for many reasons. This is on the radio a lot, and on my stereo.  Karine Polwart and her fellow musicians play Dignity.  And this, for good measure.  Chance. One I haven’t thought of in years, from Everything but the Girl .    

  • Play well

    The word “lego” is derived from the Danish words “leg godt”, meaning “play well”.  Really enjoyed seeing these Lego sculptures at Edinburgh Zoo, on a rather close and muggy summer’s day. All the models were of sea creatures, which brought this tune to mind.  Stick with it for the chorus harmonies.  

  • Confluence

    For some reason I have been singing this in my head for the past few days.  I happen to think that the Blue Nile were peerless in their heyday,  I even managed to see them perform live once.  Inadvertently they were the reason why we went to hear Karen Matheson last  month,  and when Paul…

  • Over the rivers

    North of the Tay and south of the Forth,  the weekend saw us in cahoots with Rieko as we visited some old and new haunts.  First to Dundee, there to see the V&A, designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. The exterior is a delight to photograph, especially now that the gardens are flourishing.   Next…

  • Kenning Yew

    Up in Kenmore with the folk club, A8M, celebrations, music and jaunts.  For some reflection we visited the Fortingall Yew; debate rages, quietly, about its age but it’s definitely very old*. It felt pretty humbling and impressive to be in its company.  I note from Wiki that part of it has changed gender.  Mum always…

  • Back on the road

    Last  week found us in Montrose, to visit the Basin and its wintering residents.   Timing was either spot on or spot off; coinciding as we did with that time in late winter when there is enough daylight to evince notions of venturing further afield, only to find out that most places of interest are still shut.…

  • Land o’ the Peh

    To Dundee, thence to meet up with Philip and Jacqui,  and to assess at first hand the V&A museum which opened its doors recently, after the usual amount of controversy associated with any groundbreaking arts-led enterprise. It’s a bold building, with excellent views along the Tay and over to Fife.  The Scottish design gallery had…

  • Diverted

    I would most likely break my website were I to upload all my pictures from our visit to Jupiter Artland yesterday.  Typically we started off going some where else entirely, but a golfing extravaganza in Gullane changed our minds for us*. So here are just a few pictures of the works there.  From the entrance…