Helsinki

I was glad to spend the fourth of July mostly in Helsinki having lunch with a friend and buying gifts at the Moomin shop. The ferry over from Tallinn is a smooth trip across the gulf in the early hours. I dozed and watched the waves. Helsinki seemed so cacophonous after a few days in…

Medieval Tallinn

Owls, amber (a green man!), cobblestones, a well, a dragon, a composer, towers, walls, gardens, monks, and Alexander Nevsky’s church! Many more photos to come! Click to embiggen any individual image.

Birmingham Beauties

More anon, but some snaps to see the lovely sights in central Birmingham. Yes, I will give you a lot more on the Victorian Radicals! In fact I will make a reel, I think, And of course more on the Magickal Women Conference — so full of ideas and sparks. And yes, I was on…

V&A Dundee: Kimono

I endeavoured to not take eleventy billion photos and mostly managed. The V&A exhibit is fascinating and overwhelming and gives both the history of the kimono and how it continues to be inovated both within and without Japan — yes, including that Sparks LP, Freddie Mercury, Star Wars, Björk and Alexander McQueen. I am endeavouring…

Chicago & PCA

I am woefully behind on news. I blame losing my job, way of life and all, but at least I am not under literal siege, so there’s that. PCA is always a much anticipated because there are so many people I only see there these days, including the always delightful Miss Wendy, my roommate in…

Bluebells

I’m always happy when I get back to Scotland in time for the bluebells. These flowers have their own stories and it’s not for me to tell them — at least not right now, as I have deadlines — but they turn my mind to so many other stories. Many of them deal with the…

Around the Toon

Things have been so busy: they will not get less so. Making the most of sabbatical; making plans for the post-academic possibilities. Endings are beginnings: beginnings are also endings. We closed on the house: Bertie has made the last long journey for all the necessaries. Change is the only constant. Dundee is a lovely town…

Nacreous Clouds

We were treated to nacreous clouds in Dundee after the solstice. I was mesmerised and took far too many photos of the rainbow-coloured clouds that formed before the sun rose, reflecting its light. There are always wonders to come.

Round the Howff

I bestirred myself to actually leave the house and have a wander in town despite the fact that it was hot and there is a bus driver strike on (also fire fighters). As always the Howff proved a cool respite from the heat and a peaceful place to sit for a while and just be….