Ellen Willmott has been in my mind lately as I see the architectural wintery silhouettes of the dead (yet still stunningly beautiful) Eryngium giganteum. Yet who is she, you may ask? Well, Miss Willmott (1858-1934) is an absolute gardening icon who I gain a lot of inspiration from and whose gardening journey I find to … Continue reading Ellen Willmott

Recently my world has revolved around the four L's  - Learning, Lectures, Latin and Library. However, I am not certainly not complaining, I am absolutely loving it! One of the joys of my work, is that I am part of (and surrounded by) an institution of learning, study, research and knowledge. A large part of … Continue reading Learning, Lectures, Latin, Library

If you do one thing today I would highly recommend watching this. It will touch your soul, believe me. https://www.facebook.com/334191996715482/posts/2196330503834946?sfns=mo 'I placed him right here *points to décolleté* and I laid down on my bed and I just thanked him for being my friend, letting me help him, for being in my life. I just … Continue reading One flap of a butterfly’s broken wing

One of the joys of my work is coming into contact with the various critters that live there. Last week my favourites were frogs, robins and devilscoachman-horse beetles. It was quite a large devilscoachman I came across, so big in fact that I initially thought it was a scorpion (not even being dramatic haha). Apparently … Continue reading Garden critters, Physic garden and veg patch soups

I have been watching a lot of climbing documentaries this week, which is strange as I've never climbed, yet for some reason I am hooked on them. Today I watched 'Touching the Void' on 4od and was blown away by what one of the survivors said.  This might sound weird but I can't really explain … Continue reading Touching the void

Last Saturday I went surfing for the first time ever and LOVED it. It was a cold, wet, windy and wave-y day but it was sooooo much fun. Although I literally don't think I have ever been so physically tired after any sport in my life!! I met the organiser/surfing instructor and all the other … Continue reading Surfing, salt scrubs and garden time

Last week I had my first parabadminton international tournament in Turkey. It was the first of the qualification tournaments for Tokyo 2020 paralympics and it was an amazing experience. Here is a little article I wrote for Badminton Scotland and some other links written by Badminton Scotland and Scottish Disability Sport about how we (Team … Continue reading Turkish delights

Over the past few days we have had a blanket of snow in the North East. Looking out of the window,  I see my garden covered in the snow's pure whiteness. No signs of life, no colour. In winter I am reminded of the many creative possibilities the garden holds for me for the year … Continue reading The garden is a canvas and the gardener an artist

I don't know about how you feel about being lost? Personally I love it. When I go out walking I am always the person  that never wants to stick to the path.  For me there is no fun or adventure or freedom in taking the path. For me, getting literally lost in nature - and … Continue reading The beauty in being lost and the risk of a risk free life

Happy new year everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful festive period. Can't believe it's now 2019!! Every year is a blessing and I can't wait to see what exciting adventures this year will have in store for me and my friends and family. I've been enjoying some beautiful winter walks lately....here are some photos … Continue reading Cosyness, winter walking and cat flu

A ship sails and I stand watching till she fades on the horizon and someone at my side says 'she is gone' 'Gone where?' Gone from my sight, that is all; She is just as large as when I saw her. The diminished size, and total loss of sight is in me, not in her, … Continue reading What is dying?

I have recently discovered the amazing-ness of felted soap, it's ace. Just choose your favourite bar of soap or make your own and using roving wool and a nylon tight, felt it in layers in a bowl of hot water adding any designs at the end with a felting needle if you so desire. The … Continue reading Felted soap and journal coverings

At this time of year I love, love, love to have warm wintery cinnamon smells in the house.  I'm not overly keen on certain scented candles though as I find  they can be a little over powering, 'chemically' and fake smelling. This year I have had some simmer pots on the go. To make your … Continue reading Simmer pots, savoury scones and learning to play the harp

Well autumn has definitely arrived. October is here - a month of falling leaves, crackling fires, smoky air, wind and rain and nature preparing herself for the big winter sleep. Today I share an autumnal poem to get us in the mood of the season... 'Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers away; Lengthen night and shorten … Continue reading Saying farewell to September and hello to October with a poem and some pumpkin pie making.

'If the stars should appear but one night every thousand years how man would marvel and stare.' - Emerson Two weeks ago I went on a retreat at Pluscarden  Abbey near Elgin. The Abbey is the only Medieval monestary in Britain that is still in use. The monastery is inhabited by Benedictine monks. It is … Continue reading Monasticism and a sky full of stars…

Last week we broke the Banchory beast!! The  10km 25 obstacle mud extravaganza! I was last over the finish line and skipped 1 obstacle but I was so pleased to have completed it. All of team AKR did an amazing job. I was on a high all of last weekend which positively prepared me for … Continue reading Three B’s -Banchory Beast, Brain Biopsy and Baking with Rosehips

This week I was gifted a rare four leaf clover! I've been reading up on the folklore and superstuitions connected to these lucky little rareities.  There are so many beliefs about the power of these exquisite miniature weeds. My favourite belief is a story that dates back to biblical times. Legend has it that when … Continue reading A four leaf clover – a memento of paradise

Today I picked all my beautifully black elderberries and made a delicious yet medicinal syrup to boost my immune system over the winter months and hopefully (fingers crossed) avoid getting too many cold/flu type things. Elderberries are crammed full of immune boosting vitamin A and C - although the stems are pretty toxic if eaten … Continue reading Elderberry syrup and potatoes

So on Sunday I made it to the top of Bennachie - which I haven't managed since before my accident, yay! It was a very different experience walking up it with a prosthetic leg, at parts it was challenging and at points I was scared. My balance is progressing but it is not as good as … Continue reading Bennachie, blueberries and too many plums to count

The path runs straight between the flowering rows, A moonlit path, hemmed in by beds of bloom, Where phlox and marigolds dispute for room With tall, red dahlias and the briar rose. 'T is reckless prodigality which throws Into the night these wafts of rich perfume Which sweep across the garden like a plume. Over … Continue reading The Fruit Garden Path