New Beginnings

We had a day to recover from our travels before we were off again...meeting the Pirate's younger daughter and her new (to us!) man . 
They came to stay for a weekend before going to the Nederlands to do on the ground research for their new life together and joint project...it sounds good and we're wishing them success.

We had a cultural weekend as fortunately their visit co-incided with the Spring Fling in Dumfries and Galloway.

We practiced before they came....by going to a photographic gallery opening in Lauriston. A lovely village, but without a shop atall.

After collecting them from Glasgow Airport, The Pirate suggested something new to us all..The Burrell Collection in Pollockshaws...marvelous!!

 A marvellous building from natural materials.They've been having some leak problems...but not surprising,the rain they've been having in Glasgow!!

 dutch brushwork...

 on this painting.....

 slip!!!....they have a Toft plate there too,  "The Pelican in her Piety"....

 Beautiful....

 This looks very much like the handles and shape I like making.....but with one difference...

 It is considerably older!!....

 He enjoyed himself....

 and so did they!

The next day we headed South, away from the rain....first stop Hannah and Doug to say hello and see the kiln in action. 
Then another first for us all,a visit to Kirkcudbright.

Couldn't resist snapping that one....we found a good cafe and saw a print shop and workshop.

Onwards and upwards,along new roads to me,to Newton Stewart and then to Wigton....Scotland's Booktown.

 Thinking of Dan Finnegan....just needs a bird each side of the door....

We can recommend the Old Bank Bookshop...most welcoming and helpful, and not just because they sold us a book on printing!!

Being a booktown has brought some hope to the town, but it still leaves a few very thin months in the year.

We were sad to wave them off to the plane on the Monday morning...but it had been a happy weekend.