The Joy Of Pottering

Pottering is something old people do, isn't it? It's certainly something my Mum does around her garden on spring days anyway. It's not really something I've ever considered 'getting into'.

But something has happened to me since moving to Argyll.

The property we live on is dilapidated, and carries with it such a long list of things to mend and fix that we'll never complete all tasks set. This has led us to having the mindset of a pottering old retired couple.

Yet it's a world away from the life we're used to, and I'm surprised we've adapted at all.

The main difference is in not having an objective - you just sort of do whatever takes your fancy at any given moment, without care of getting the job completed. The joy comes when you do finish something you never really set out to do it in the first place.

Top 5 potters:

Washing the car:  

Use a bucket of water rather than a hose, not to conserve water, but to waste time. It makes you do a better job, and your toddler can help. Vacuum the inside out at the same time for a true home-style valet. 

Painting: 

Just crack open a tin of the nearest paint, grab a massive brush, and exercise those arms. Don't worry about masking anything off, if you paint the grass just cut it back. Tired old fences or garage doors will look shiny and new in no time, and with little effort.

Feeding the birds:

Either buy a feeder, or make one out if an empty loo roll, covered in peanut butter and bird seed. It makes you feel good that you're helping such tiny creatures, and brings further smiles when you see them scoffing your home made treats without complaint.

Watering the flowers: 

Simply fill up the watering can, and wander around sprinkling randomly. This also encourages the planting of seeds and bulbs, thus creating a spectacular festival of colour in your garden (according to the packet anyway).

Going for a walk:

Walking round the block is something teenagers do to cause mischief, and pensioners do to prevent their joints seizing up. But wandering aimlessly is a great way to get inspired. Use this important time to think about whats really important to you. 

Pottering. Give it a try. 

King Of The Castles

Whilst Campbeltown is possibly the dullest town I've ever visited, let alone lived in, it does offer a great bit of history around every corner. So far, we've visited a couple of pretty old castles...

Skipness Castle dates from the 13th century, and Rhett and I visited on a sunny day a couple of weeks ago. We parked and walked the short distance to the grounds, before being greeted by the domineering stonework of it's outer walls. All around it grew fresh green grass, and whilst we couldn't go inside, it was worth the 45 minute journey to reach it by single track roads.

Unlike Windsor and that castle Snow White lives in, this one is fairly small, but none the less, it is the genuine article. Built by the Clan MacSween, it was garrisoned with royal troops in 1494 before being abandoned in the 17th century.

Saddell Castle is much newer, built by David Hamilton (not Diddy David Hamilton - David Hamilton the Bishop of Argyll) between 1508 and 1512, and features include a rather cool trap door fitted in the main entrance hallway, which drops unwanted visitors into the exit-less dungeon below.

It stars in the Wings music video 'Mull Of Kintyre', and is equally beautiful as Skipness Castle, and best of all, you can actually hire this one from the the Landmark Trust, who bought it in the 1970's to restore. It sleeps 10, and sits right on the beach.

We worked on the beach the day we visited, fine tuning Tara's very cool storybook about dancing.

Biscuit Obsession

One thing with sitting around at home for days on end is the volume of tea one drinks.

Anyone who has worked with me in the past will be all too aware of just how many cups of English Breakfast (known locally as Builders Tea) I can glug, but here in the middle of nowhere, it's just ridiculous. Over half of our electric bill must be generated by our constantly boiling kettle.

The perfect treat for any cup of tea (other than those at breakfast or with Fish and Chips of course) is the good old fashioned cream filled biscuit, and over the past few weeks here in the UK, we've re-ignited our passion for scoffing them.

The only thing better than tea and biscuits is tea and drawing biscuits before eating them. Here's todays 'study'.

Lights Out

Todays illustration is Lights Out. I'll try and get this one listed on Threadless too.