Sunshine

This morning was absolutely wonderful - the sun was out, the leaves are turning and I managed to get a load of work done… and since the weather was playing nicely the edits have been much, much faster than of late too!

I took a slight detour from a job in Auldearn back into Nairn via a back road thought a place called Newmill, and imagine my suprise (or not) when I stumbled upon a pair of MASSIVE mill ponds! I think these may have some potential, although getting access to the waters edge proved a bit tricky and time was not on my side - so I settled for a road view. I like my roads and paths anyway as I feel they are a good metaphor for the journey through life that we all find ourselves on.

I am, of course, thinking about these things a lot at this time of year - it is when I start reflecting on who isn’t here anymore this time around… which all started really when I lost my Mum quite a few years ago now. And then my brother. And then all my Mum’s siblings. And my Dad’s sister this last year. It feels like my past is falling away, my support network is severely diminished and it has all happened over a relatively short space of time - so much so that since I lost my Mum the passing of another lap of the sun seems somewhat less important. So I try and ignore it. So much so that my plans for this year are a tip run, and probably start clearing out the utility room to create a tiny makeshift darkroom space - which, at least, is doing something for me and towards my plans in a roundabout way! I probably should get this month’s invoices out too….

And yes… I know I get a bit grumpy around Christmas and New Year too… but that is a whole different yet very related story that we will no doubt get to as we get into winter. This one is about me and my feelings, the next one is about others… and my simmering anger….

29th September 2026