Trossachs

I don't seem to be doing much painting lately which is not really a good thing...since acquiring a digital SLR camera I'm having a hard job leaving it alone...it seems to be part of me whenever I go off on some journey regardless of how far the journey is.Off course the simplicity of removing the SD card and slotting it into a laptop is luxury and a far cry from days gone by of waiting for the lab processing return or home processing monochrome film and prints...

I seem to kid myself that I can use the photos taken as reference for paintings in the future...maybe this just an artists excuse or even an underlying version of artists block...anyway maybe I'm just nurturing my creative consciousness by doing this who knows?

Last weekend my partner Evlar and I headed up towards Aberfoyle and The Queen Elizabeth Forest Park in the Trossachs...we visited members of her family on the banks of Loch Ard and had a stroll around as you do...the weather was typically Scottish which made for some varying light conditions...The forest the Loch and vistas of Ben Lomond emerged through the improving weather conditions as the afternoon went on...A nice run out...

Goatfell and Failed

Well its been a while since I posted on my blog...to those of you who take the time to read my ramblings please accept my apologies...

August flew by and was a busy month for me..with my sister coming up from the south coast of England to Scotland for a much welcomed visit...here at The Bed and Breakfast Ayr we have had alot of guests which has put things on hold art creativity wise more or less...

Anyway last weekend with good weather forecast we decided not to take any B&B bookings and headed across the Firth Of Clyde by ferry to the Isle Of Arran with the sole intention of climbing the highest mountain on the island Goatfell...I've often looked at this mountain in awe during sunsets from Ayr beach...

Artistically thinking the heather is in bloom in August/September so natures palette is always something to behold...Many artists get inspiration from nature and hill walking like landscape artist Keith Salmon who is also based in Ayrshire Scotland...

Unfortunately we never made the summit due to changing weather conditions and being unprepared clothing wise which dictated a hasty retreat back down Goatfell to Brodick to await the ferry...

As the weather turned to rain Goatfell took on an spooky appearance on the return ferry journey a little different from those sunsets from Ayr beach...

Millport Isle Of Cumbrae On Yer Bike

Many times whilst in Largs I've watched the ferries go to and fro across to the Isle of Cumbrae pondering whats on the island...with warm weather during the past week it was time to explore this island with my partner Evlar.


After driving some 30 miles up the coast to Largs the bikes were removed from the rack and we cycled to the ferry terminal on the seafront... tickets purchased we queued for the ferries arrival and duely departed on the 10 minute crossing...

On docking the only two options were left or right...so choosing right we headed to the north of the island with views to Greenock and across the Firth Of Clyde to Helensburgh and the Isle of Bute...

The roads on the Isle Of Cumbrae are narrow and the initial absence of motor vehicles is very noticeable although this absence is intermittently broken with tourists who seem to have an embarrassed look for disturbing such tranquility...Push bikes are in abundance and dictate the speed on the roads...you can even hire them in Millport...

Its not long before you come across Fintry Bay and strategically located across the road from the sea are Fintry Bay tearooms the ideal pit stop for those using a push bike...

Looking seaward from Fintry Bay the bottom peninsula of the Isle Of Bute seems within grasp with Goat Fell on the Isle Of Arran as a backdrop in the distance...

Millport the centre of activity on Cumbrae brings you back gently to the car and modern life although it has not succumbed to full blown commercialism thank goodness...

Cycling down the appropriately named Stuart Street I'm thinking I'm liking this place with its views and pace of life...eventually the road returns to previous calmness...looking back the eileans shelter the boats anchored in the bay from the elements...

Rounding the bay the road turns away from Millport...a roadsign informs you its just four miles to go out of the total ten mile circumference of this island...

After passing the Scottish National Water Sports Centre the return ferry comes into view...We wait to board and head back to Largs...

When in Largs there's one thing you just have to do...thats to sample the ice cream at Nardini's to round off the day...I would like to personally thank whoever or whatever created the weather during my time on Cumbrae it was awesome...

Toronto I Like

In Toronto last week I felt a warmth from this city which lies on the northern shores of Lake Ontario...Its young vibrant and has a buzz..its a place where something is always going on event wise...


I was supposed to have attended the 2011Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition the previous weekend at Nathan Philips Square but a stag night and subsequent wedding and reception left me unable to make the 80 mile trip from St.Catharines...

Situated in the university district is the Ontario College of Art and Design which has a building that is a little different from the norm...underneath is the aboveground art store...

Getting around the city is no problem either with the streetcars that go over and underground...

Niagara River Jetboating

Why is it when your away from home technology lets ya down..So here in Canada for a wedding my laptop charger/adaptor failed..Fortunately Ian the brides brother came to my rescue and helped me get a replacement...thanks Ian...Close by to St.Catharines is Niagara On The Lake so several of us from the wedding party decided on some additional adventure was needed...needless to say we had a blast...

Fish And Chips at the Wee Hurrie

Once in a while I like fish and chips...when living down south in Eastbourne I was partial to plaice and chips from the Sovereign Fish Bar in Beatty Road...the owners family originated from Hong Kong which might have had some influence with the light batter which enhanced the fresh fish...yum...Of course wrapped in paper...

Since being up here in the south west coast of Scotland I have sampled a few establishments...the variety of seafood in these chippies varies immensely from whats merely described as a "fish supper"...which I was informed by a sign within was always haddock unless unavailable to be replaced by whiting...On the other end of the scale I think I've found my favourite place for fish and chips albiet a 20 minute drive to Troon Harbour...

Called the Wee Hurrie...I think I can say this is best fish and chips I've ever had..only cooked to order... in tempura batter...presented in a box with tartar sauce lemon and plastic cutlery...they never make it back home as they cool too quick and are consumed in the adjoining car park whilst looking at the seals in the harbour or out to the Isle Of Arran...

The menu is so varied...so tonight was fish and chips night...I asked what fritto misto on the blackboard menu consisted of and was told a mixture of haddock cod sea bass sole and salmon...mmm maybe next time I thought and had my usual sole goujons chips and tartare sauce...which was naturally consumed in the car park...yummy...

Plein Air Abstract

On the only day of sunshine this week here in Ayrshire I went outside and played with me paints plus a 30in x 30in canvas and created this...entitled " Expression On A Summers Day " ....

Ayrshire Tatties

Amongst other things I like about living north of the border is the quality of the food produce...

Ayrshire folk I am told are often referred to as " Tattie Howkers " this goes back to times when locals and Irish people came to Ayrshire to work at the time of the potato harvest...

I used to love Jersey Royals spuds like most people but over the years I'm not sure they taste as I remember them in my youth...probably something to do with ageing on my part...

So as the rain was down south for a change yesterday a visit to Dowhill Farm at Turnberry was hastely arranged...with an array of food stuff on sale and free samples I returned with some washed small tatties which were delicious...

Gone Local

" Concept Of Joy "

Acrylic On Gallery Wrapped Canvas 75cm x 75cm

SOLD

Off To Feel The Currant Bun And Riding A Virgin Again

Currently I'm onboard a virgin train in a quiet coach heading out of Glasgow bound for London...the stations are beginning to flash past...I'm off to my hometown of Eastbourne on the Sussex Coast to catch up with friends and family for a few days...Seeing the weather forecast on TV this morning makes one wonder if I'm overclothed... I'm not looking forward to lagging all my luggage on the tube during rush hour later...Still needs must...Hope you all have a great easter break...