Art capital of Argyll

My brother and sister in law and I (and Meg) arranged to meet in Lochgilphead and view an exhibition of local artists. We also did a second exhibition which opened that morning of new Jolomo paintings entitled Venice Canals-Crinan Canal. Both exhibitions were worth taking in and if I’d had £4k going spare I would have had a Jolomo –Sunset Dunadry such vibrant colours and I now the spot well. We then headed off to the canal for a picnic, bird watching and a walk. Such a lovely day.

Summit to write about!

I had already booked the 8th out as leave but my plans for the day fell through. So when I saw the forecast for the day (brilliant) I finished at lunch time on Wednesday and prepared for a night’s camping. Meg and I popped in past to see mum enroute to Cannich. We had a great spot there – no midges and it was dry! Up early on Thursday to prepare for the Glen Strathfarrar Circuit. While you can walk and cycle there anytime, to take the car up you need to have a permit and this is issued from 9 o’clock with only the first 25 cars each day getting a permit. Meg and I were first in the queue! Even at ground level Glen Strathfarrar is a beauty. From Munro height it is awesome. The walk Meg and I did was along a ridge taking in 4 Munros. En route to our first Munro we watched the wild goats watching us. The whole walk is a long one – very picturesque – and we did it in an anti-clockwise direction. The usual way off the ridge involves walking about 4 miles back along the road but one person I bumped into showed me how to cut this by half. I did however tear my calf muscle as I was coming down towards the road and was delighted when a car stopped and offered Meg and I a hurl back to our car. I drove straight to the shop in Cannich and bought a packet of petit pois which I strapped on to my leg to reduce the inflammation. Few days rest and I’ll be as right as rain. I’m already much better.

Painting is all in the mind

I read an article in the paper about a woman who is totally paralysed and paints with her brain - using special software. Getting to the exhibition involved a beautiful drive and a wee ferry journey to the car free island of Easdale. The paintings are stunning and vibrant. A young man asked if I needed any help - just looking , thanks. But we chatted anyway and turns out it is his mother who is the artist. Chatting further turns out I know his sister who organized this exhibition as she is a locum with the hospital. Small world.

Crinan Bay and Vic 32

Meg and I and our friend M had a lovely drive down to Crinan to take a trip round Crinan Bay on Vic 32 an old Clyde Puffer - think of tales of Para Handy and that's the type of vessel. It might make a lot of smoke but it is very quiet as it chugs along. The lad in the middle of the picture was a sweetie. He carried Meg on to the puffer for me and carries her off again. And Meg made friends with his mum and wee sister. Meg's a sweetie too.

Carn a'Chlamain - Meg in her element

As it turned out Meg and I chose one of the hottest days of the year so far to walk 26 km round trip to summit of Carn a'Chlamain. A fab walk through woodland, beside (and in) rivers, over heather and a sense of wilderness and huge open spaces.

Light

The light has been awesome - here's two sunsets from earlier this month - one 'regular' and one with a haar creeping in.

Strange happenings with photos here

The photos on the last couple of postings don;t look as they should. To get the 'real' photo, double click on it and you will see how the pic is meant to look, not how it appears at first.