DUSTY'S SPACE

We have returned to one of our favourite places - on the coast in Dumfries and Galloway - 12 days away with the van.  We had beautiful weather and I feel so much better for it..... we are very lucky.

I have shown you most of the wonderful views before.  I love exploring the coast line and always return with 'treasures' - stones and shells, or sometimes the odd plant cutting to try out at home.

We didn't walk as far as usual - Gillydog is having trouble with a back leg (cruciate ligament) - she is supposed to be resting!  It is impossible to make a Jack Russell rest.  She seems happy enough though.  Here she is meeting an old friend, rather reluctantly I think.   He seems much more keen.

Now we are back home catching up with jobs as we hope to go away again very soon.  It is a great life being retired.

Love

Dusty

x

Sorry it has taken so long BUT here at last is my avenue in full 'green'

This shows the lime trees - and here they are through the bluebells in May

We have had a couple of trips off with the van so far this year - I will try to get some photos on soon.

'till then

love

DUSTY

x

Thank you to the friends who have asked about my painting.

I think I have now finished with pansies - (have done them to death!). At least this has made me look at them hard.  It is good to REALLY notice the things around you more.

Here are a couple of my efforts:-

This next one I did differently - painted each petal separately and cut them out, then stuck them to card.  It gives a bit more depth I think - just an idea I had.

Now I am moving on to other things.

Dusty

My regular visitors will be familiar with 'The Avenue' - here it is today and as it looked a hundred years ago (from an old postcard in Mike's collection):-

You could then see the castle over the wall, but now trees obscure the view.  This is the castle as it is now, famous for its connections with Catherine Parr who once lived there:-

We will all be pleased to see the lime trees in leaf - they are certainly getting lots of rain to bring them on, but not enough warmth.  Watch this space!

Love

Dusty

x

Hi friends.

Suki was saying it is time I shared some more of my pictures with you so here goes.

This is a photo I took in the garden this weekend showing that the weather was not as bad as expected.  It is a damson tree you can see in blossom.

Some of you will know that I have been dabbling at painting again, mostly the flowers in my garden.  Here is a hellebore one which links nicely with the photo above..

Keeps me out of mischief I suppose!

Nice to be back.

Love

Dusty

x

Here is The Avenue a month on from my last picture.  The snowdrops have gone and the daffodils are coming into bloom.  No buds opening on the lime trees yet though.

Nearby is our local Arboretum - Thorp Perrow - check out www.thorpperrow.com

The daffodils there will be at their best for Easter and there will be lots of visitors.

Still a nip in the air but I feel it is almost Spring now.

Dusty x

I reached the grand old age of 62 this week - wow!  Here I am proudly showing off the lovely flowers from Mike.

He took me out for a wonderful meal too.

Thank you Suki for the beautiful hand-crafted birthday card, much appreciated.   I received some great cards and presents - I am so lucky.

The flowers look even better now they have opened out.

Another good thing about birthdays - with so many cards about, I find it impossible to dust - fab - I shall leave them up for a long time.........LOL.

One of my presents was some Chinese brushes, so I will be having a go at painting with them soon, probably very badly! - watch this space.

Dusty x