the running wave

THE LAKE ISLE OF INNISFREE By William Butler Yeats I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,  And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;  Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee,  And live alone in the bee-loud glade. And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,  Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;  There midnight's all a-glimmer, and noon a purple glow,  And evening full of the linnet's wings. I will arise and go now, for always night and day  I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;  While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements gray,  I hear it in the deep heart's core. One of my favourite poems.  I learnt it at school, and it has been with me ever since.  I especially love, and respond to, the first line of the second verse.  Could anything be more soothing, or offer such balm. Yesterday we walked up to Hopes Reservoir,

I've been looking forward to this moment, ever since Ted the pup arrived.  Tilly and her little sidekick had their first race around on the beach together today.  They brought huge smiles to our faces as they tore around the huge empty beach - joy unconfined!  Slightly blurred photos, but they were going at a real lick!

We have had some beautiful sunny weather this week, so Mr Gaucho and I have been out and about a bit, enjoying some of the joys of the Scottish Borders.   Born in the Borders, near Jedburgh, is a place I have wanted to visit for a couple of years,  http://www.bornintheborders.com    In old farm buildings it has its own brewery, a cafe with extremely good cake, and a shop selling local foodstuffs and other nice things.   Across a field there is a grassy walk along the banks of the River Teviot .  Across the field a family of ospreys were calling, and ahead of us children were clutching some fishing nets, heading towards a shallow part of the river, to do a spot of minnow hunting.  Just what children should be doing in the summer holidays. We took a walk along the river bank.  Ted had his first paddle/almost swim in the peaty waters, and I fancy there was a smattering of autumn colour appearing in the trees and plants.  In the hot sunshine, it was a very enjoyable interlude.

The Edinburgh festivals are in full swing.  I went into town yesterday and the place was heaving with visitors, with all sorts of stuff going on.  And that was just along Princes Street and in the gardens.  I had only been there five minutes and couldn't wait to get back to the wood! Here we have two likely lads giving us traditional Scottish tunes on the bagpipes, with the added dimension of percussion.  They were very good.  Next to them were a couple of street performers I saw last year.  They sit balancing, seemingly, in mid air.  The top layer is a dummy which is looking a little weary this year!  The middle layer of the man-sandwich is obviously bored and taking a photo or movie clip of the musicians on his phone, and the lady on the pavement in the background is doing what I did last year - trying figure out how the balancing act works! As you enter Princes Street Gardens, at the bottom of the Mound, you will see a functioning clock, decorated by the Edinburgh parks

We've waited a year to have the opportunity to go back to this place - Allanbank Mill Steading.  It is the home and studios of quiltmaker extraordinaire, Pauline Burbidge, and her sculptor husband, Charlie Poulson.  They throw their property open to visitors on the first weekend of August, every year.  We went there for first time last year, and have been eagerly anticipating our return ever since!   Pauline's work is magical.  Have a look at her website, and see for yourself.   http://www.paulineburbidge-quilts.com/quiltscapes.php   Charlie's work is fascinating too.  It is varied  http://www.charlespoulsen-sculpture.com  He has pieces in lead, and also designs living sculpture, with willow, as well as producing drawings.  I think I enjoy his living pieces most. Clever stuff. The open studio displays Pauline and Charlie's work in the steading buildings, and they also invite a guest artist to exhibit over the weekend.  This year it is Graham Murrell, a photographer,