keeping warm and working

 We've been lucky to be able to forage for firewood, getting some beech..from a fallen tree that fell across the road a couple of years ago. All the really good stuff went, but we don't mind using smaller wood. It keeps us warm and doesn't spit like other wood!!  Better that we use it than see it just burnt or chipped by the roadside.

The trip to Ballantrae was worth doing, I've earmarked a couple of images to return to when the weather and light are better! 
You don't have to have bright warm sunshine...I've put some Atmospheric Ayrshire cards in my Etsy shop!

 and also some Spring Flowers to keep us hoping....

Yesterday's local foraging on foot didn't yield much...as after ten minutes of sun, the wind suddenly blew up strong and chucked hailstones then snow at us!
I know you're supposed to do a minimum of twenty minutes walking a day...but I'd rather not do it in these conditions!!   Then five minutes after we got back home,the sun was trying to tempt us out again...ready for the next heavy hailshower!!!

afternoon off, to Ballantrae

 The Pirate said hello to the Boar in Peinnmhor. He likes pears...well they both do!
Then through Poundland...the village that is....to give a friend a bike...and on to Ballantrae through the lanes. A beautiful drive, with snowdrops at the foot of hedges everywhere.
A brief lunch in the garden centre in Ballantrae before spying out the ground for the craft fair in March. Now I know where the village hall can be found!
Looking for good shots that also said "Ballantrae"...and of course the sun hid behind the clouds and the wind blew chill.....

 The castle Ardstinchar, built in 1425 with money earned by fighting in France in the 100 years War.   Visited by Mary Queen of Scots when she was on a pilgrimage...and demolished in the 1700s to build......

 The Bridge over the River Stinchar...two arches over the river, and an extra to cope with floodwaters

 The clouds built up again...

 but lifted enough to show Ailsa Craig from the harbour.

 Where unfortunately the only two boats looked like this one....grass-bound!

Home again through rain and hail, feeling better for being out and away from home too.

keeping going

These jugs were posted for sale individually in my Etsy shop yesterday.
 Over the past couple of days I've had nearly 50 views, one has been favourited and I've gained a follower....fingers crossed for sales...

I've just booked a table in my first craft fair of the year, in Ballantrae Village Hall on March 28th.

The Pirate is slowly recovering from the flu, but we're both stressing too much and raising our blood pressures...not good.  At least we are aware now, so we can do something to be healthier.

Our weather is here and there..two days ago we managed over twenty miles easy riding on the bike...and yesterday...

The view through the kitchen roof window.....Hail!!
 Nothing compared to the Eastern USA, but I'm still glad we hadn't put the washing on the line!!

Today we're back to cold with rain showers, which means finding inspiration for new cards and working more on the linoprinting.

So far I've been using the same technique as brass rubbing to check progress before cutting a little more from the lino, but now is the time to be brave and go for a wet trial with ink...