Tag: wildflowers
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weed watching
There’s been a fine spell of weather in our part of Scotland, and we’ve been doing quite a bit of work in the garden over the past few days. It is wonderful to see things sprouting and growing – especially the resilient blooms of flowers and plants in whose cultivation I’ve had no hand. I…
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in the hills and at home
As anyone round these parts will tell you, it has not (so far) been a vintage Scottish summer. One must make most of the fine weather when it appears, so we headed out for the hills, and enjoyed a lovely day’s walking. A favourite tree Dog on log Falls of Falloch I love the rich…
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Islay snaps
1: Bruce loves the beach 2, 3: Great photoshoots in my favourite locations 4. tasty crabs claws at the Port Charlotte Hotel 5, 6, 7: Discovering Billy’s Bench near Bowmore, and a Scarlet Pimpernel growing through the shingle at Portnahaven 8. Fine weather for walking 9, 10: The first time in four and half years…
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foxglove
One of my great pleasures at the moment is observing, photographing and finding out more about, the wildflowers where I live. I’m surrounded by lots of different kinds of environments – hedgerow, water, woodland, heath, mountain – and these are full of so many wonderful flora, some of which I had never noticed or knew…
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Scottish bluebells
I am currently working on a bluebell-inspired design for my forthcoming YOKES collection. I am certainly not short of inspiration, as you currently can’t move for bluebells round here. Discovering these lovely flowers blooming in the woods and hills around me this Spring has really been an unexpected delight. On every walk, I seem to…
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Summer days
It is a while since I’ve known a spell of weather like it. The verges have bloomed into wildflower meadows. Everything seems sharper, brighter, a dappled world of light and shade. The evening air is soft and fragrant. Folk stroll about, bare-armed, leisurely. Inside, the new rooms are cool and clean and very pretty. Bruce…
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transititions
Winter really felt interminable this year. It seemed that, for weeks I passed the same corner every day looking in vain for the snowdrops that always appear there, heralding Spring. “I don’t know what I’d do if it wasn’t for those” said one of my neighbour-buddies, indicating a single patch of struggling crocuses that provided…
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graft
I am working hard. The designs for my new collection are in all in process, and I have spent the past few weeks writing patterns and knitting . . . lots of pattern writing, and lots and lots of knitting. This sort of work requires the kind of concentrated focus I haven’t felt for quite…
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ordinary day
Tea. A new book. (Thankyou, Nic!) OK, Bruce, enough of the fleece dogs already . . . Work. Walk.
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yellowcraigs
Hiya, remember me? My name is Bruce and I am 18 months old. Today I am telling you about what I think may be the best place in the world. The place called Yellowcraigs. This weekend the Tom-human is away visiting the other human that they call The Mule, although he does not walk on…
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flora
I am increasingly enjoying photographing wild plants and flowers – and spent quite a bit of time doing this while on holiday in Ireland. I particularly like the matt grey-green tones of coastal plants like sea holly (above) or frosted orache (below) I also love the humble sheeps-bit, whose purplish-blues and pinks are really quite…
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mileage
Everything is so very green here at the moment. After some much-needed rain yesterday, my locale seems even more verdant. Some things are already past their best: while others are reaching the height of their powers. Down at the lade today, I saw three spectacularly bright kingfishers flitting in and out of the bank-side —…
