Fused glass irises

 Back from the kiln...some deep purple irises to add into the flower bed ....

Prior to firing ...

Castlerigg stone circle

It's been day of snow showers and snow dumps. As Molly had an important evening meeting - I went down to Grasmere to pick Rowan, her puppy,  up for an overnight stay and the following day with me. The roads were ok, although there was lying snow on the way back, but the views were stunning and we managed a quick trip to Castlerigg stone circle on the way back (I'd bottled out - quite sensibly - of the road up there, during the snow last week). We did though make a hasty retreat from Castlerigg as the prolonged hail showers were quite harsh!

The Helvellyn range ...

Classic Lakeland.

Castlerigg...

Molly's Aussie Shepherd 4 month pup. 

Panorama - so it's slightly distorted. 

Just before the hail! 

Gilcrux woods

It was a fairly grim morning, but we took the opportunity to explore a new area - on the way to pick up my fused glass. A pleasant walk down and by the river; with some nice fungi and signs of spring. Off the path was damp and brambly - so no photographs of the solitary primrose or celandine! What we did find though, was a tributary of the river that appears to be actively depositing tufa where calcium carbonate is being deposited to form barrages. The calcium carbonate comes from the local glacial till and supports its own unique habitat which can include rare liverworts and mosses...an area requiring more research! The bottom photograph shows the site. 

Saxifrage sp in flower - opposite leaved or alternate leaved ...I forgot to look! 

Scarlet elf cups.

Jelly Ear fungus. 

After lastnight's rain the river was in full flow. 

Tufa barrages in the stream. 

 

Friar's Crag, Keswick (II)

As I said in the previous blog, snow fell on Thursday night leading to some spectacular views on Friday. 

Same view - different day - looking down Derwentwater to Castle Crag. 

View from Friar's Crag.

Catbells.

Causey Pike.

Causey Pike...close up. 

Friar's Crag, Keswick (I)

I've been in Keswick these past few days trying to sell some of my paintings and cards. On the Thursday morning I took time to walk down to Friar's Crag, before the hall opened. It was beautifully tranquil and being as no one was around I did take time to 'stand and stare'. Everything was calm,  the views fabulous and there was an abundance of birds twittering in the hedges/trees.

Looking up the lake to Castle Crag. 

..and zooming in ...

Ruskin's stone. 

The calm before the storm.

Snow high up....

Signs of spring about to be buried by incoming snow! 

Friday morning was a different story - Keswick had had about eight inches of snow and it was an 'iffy' drive in from home, where we too had snow. It was a beautiful day, so with Keswick devoid of visitors (until the roads cleared) I repeated the previous day's walk....So two contrasting sets of photos 24 hours apart but I'll leave Friday's photos for the next blog. 

Print Fest Rheged

After visiting Appleby Art Shop - see previous blog, I popped in to Rheged to look at the print exhibition. So a few snaps for my records of prints to inspire or inform me. 

Work by Adele Burdon:

..and Hesta Cox: 

and Susan Dobson:

and Grace Edkins.

 

Appleby - Castle Fine Art Pigments

 What a gem of an art shop! I couldn't resist taking photogrpahs of the sumptuous natural and local pigments on sale that you can use in making your own paints - click here for more information and meanwhile enjoy the colours!