On the Other Hand

Summer wasn’t all drama.  The holiday cottage was lovely, with some bigger and better beasties at the bird-feeder– red squirrel, pine martin.  Visited the glorious Kilmartin Glen standing stones.  Picnicked by the Crinan Canal, watching boats go up and down in the locks.

George MacDonald’s bicentenary celebrations were impressive, the weather baking hot for Huntly Hairst (harvest) market.  Didn’t buy anything at the stalls, between queues, wasps and the sun beating down on the produce, people-watched instead until it was time for the fantasy writing hour-and-a-half workshop.  Which flew in.  The tutor was excellent, using world-building prompts to get us writing.  I didn’t think I could be bothered writing true fantasy, who has the patience to build a whole world?  I’m not a planner, I just sit down and write, I don’t want to figure out what their gods are called.  But got hooked.  Planted the seedlings for two short stories, but focussed on one as had to send drafts by yesterday for the feedback workshop on the 5^th. 

The wood engraving workshop was also a delight, but will use lino-cut carving to practice printing over the winter months. 

Huntly has a lot going on.  The refurbished building, Number 30 The Square, has a wee 60-seat cinema (£5, Monday lunchtimes – definite allowable).  All seats, including their platform, fold up concertina-like in one unit, secured to the rear wall, the room can then be used for functions.  It’s surprisingly comfortable – apart from if one person fidgets, the whole row shoogles. 

Attended the silver clay jewellery workshop, there were only three of us.  It’s a fascinating, alchemical process, and expensive hobby.

After the 5^th feedback, I’m done with workshops or booking classes for this autumn.  I want to get my house, and my act, together. 

And paint that bloody utility room ceiling.

Images for this journal have been posted on Insta @purplehaze_journal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilmartin_Glen

https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/visit/canals/visit-the-crinan-canal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm-FV6fwjLs

https://www.number30.org/book-cinema-tickets