Silt & Bone

2 Months Already

Gillian — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 18:20:56 +0000

I’ve been a bit lacking in the blog posting. I guess that’s the result of doing something with my time and no wi-fi throughout the accommodation. Overall, it’s all good. I’ve been in the Highlands for almost 2 months now and am loving every minute. It feels like home, and I cannot imagine moving back down to Dundee. I’m loving what I’m doing and am so glad to have been given the opportunity to do it. This year is going to be a good year.

What am I doing, I hear you ask? I don’t believe I’ve actually mentioned it here. I’m currently a Volunteer Officer at BTCV Inverness. Most days involve some form of being outside doing conservation work. I’m loving it so much I can’t wait until the weekend are over! (Almost!) It’s a residential post so I get free accommodation, it’s also a voluntary post, so I don’t get a wage. I’m hoping to stay for the year and am already dreading the time when I will have to leave as I’m becoming attached to all our volunteer groups – so many lovely, friendly, dedicated volunteers are involved with the projects, it’s great working with them. To see what we’re getting up to you can visit our flickr page.

Mid Jan Update!

Gillian — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:48:10 +0000

I’m not one for titles on blog entries when I’ve no set purpose to a post. Anyhow, I’m now in the Highlands, settling in reasonably well. Although there is only a wee Spar, post office and cafe in the place, they are nearer than any shop has been when living in the city so in terms of the assumption of people not being able to cope not having everything at their fingertips – all I would need on a day to day basis is within a minutes walk. And Inverness is a short bus ride, exactly the same as getting into the center of Dundee, albeit a slightly longer journey and slightly dearer.

This is the view from my room, which is making every morning rather nice. The sunrises and sunsets have so far have been fab, and so different every day. And just waking up to sun shining in my room is lovely. Previously my bedroom window faced west and so mornings were always a dark affair.

Passed By

Gillian — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 22:24:01 +0000

A few quick shots taken with my new compact camera. It seems weird to take photographs with something I can curl my fingers around in the palm of my hand! It also seems strange to take photos at a place I never really visit, even although I was brought up there.

I’ve never been inside Broughty Ferry Castle. And I have no reason as to why. We’ve just never gone. I remembering visiting the playpark at the nearby Castle Green as a child. The castle was just always there, as one of the areas stalwarts, visual focal point, etc.

It’s not until you are due to leave that you suddenly see something. The complacency stops, and the realisation that this isn’t going to be your doorstep for much longer sinks in.

Two Thousand & Twelve

Gillian — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:50:30 +0000

I thought I’d update with some resolutions for 2012, although I’m not really one for such. I tend not to keep them, or just forget about them come February. But I like mulling things over and sorting thoughts out in my head. You could argue that one of my resolutions should be to stop thinking about things so much, but ach well, we can leave that one for another year. So here we go;

As with every year, when I have had some sort of website/blog, resolution one is always to update it more. This will apply to all my websites, and blog, this year.
Invest more time and practice in my spiritual side. This proves tricky in that I don’t follow a particular “faith”. I’m a little bit Pagan, and essentially everything regarding my spiritual side is nature based. So I think reading a bit more on earth based spirituality (not necessarily for practicing, just for the knowledge) and dedicating some time too that side of me will be of benefit to my own positivity and calmness.
Be more positive and optimistic.
Up my creativity a bit more; many things due to happen this year should make this a really productive year for me in terms of my inspiration and allow me to focus more, so I’m quite excited!
Become Pescetarian; with an aim to becoming vegetarian.
Keep a written journal.

Think that’s about it. Pretty standard, typical resolutions. I might do one of those lists with specific things/activities/ect I’d like to do, but I’ll need to think that one over first!

Wooden Brooches of Bats & Puffins

Gillian — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:48:06 +0000

I was sorting through some of my jewellery today and came across these two wee wooden brooches. I’ve had them for years now and can’t exactly recall where I got them. I think the bat one was a present from an aunt & uncle. And the puffin I bought myself. Even although I don’t wear them, or even have them on display, they make me smile when I find them again.