Tuesday 19 February 2008

Kneeling Goats and Mossy Kettles


THESE BRIGHT DAYS have called us outdoors into the hills ... We have walked lots of miles carrying just a camera and a bag of raisins, and not met a soul ... and we have looked in the sunny haze across these beautiful hills. I take this scenery a little for granted nowadays, but remember happily my openmouthed delight at this landscape when I arrived here from London nearly a year ago. I longed then for this kind of wild and find now it is strange how accustomed I have become to it. Nevertheless we do live in a wonderful corner of Scotland don't we?

So we walked and we walked and one day we found a old kettle full of moss, and we wondered how it got there and who the people were who last made tea in it. Perhaps they were lead mining up in these hills and had stopped for some lunch?
Today we came across some kneeling goats and they let me draw them for a while. I don't know why they were kneeling, but it meant they stayed nicely in the same position for some time. I am out of practice and the results aren't great, despite the muddy addition of pawprints placed there by a wagging rabbit-chasing little dog on his way past, but I spent a lovely while with the goats who nibbled me and chewed their cud, blinking at each other in the evening sun.





13 comments:

The Feathered Nest said...

Oh my. It is so very beautiful where you are!! I'm so glad I found your blog ~ your goat sketches are beautiful too! xxoo, Dawn

tlchang said...

I love that late-afternoon sun shining on those goat beards (and your continuing blue skies!!)

What part of Scotland is this? (It sounds absolutely heavenly. We live in such a densely populated area that wide open, people-less spaces kind of make me salivate)...

Rima Staines said...

Hello Dawn and Tara :) Thanks :) Yes it is a lovely place isn't it.. Tara - we are in South Lanarkshire which is in the bottom left corner of Scotland :)

Lady Em said...

It's so beautiful!! I love your sketches too!! I think goats can be rather silly! I love the tea kettle, I wonder who used it to? What a neat thing to stumble on. Scotland is beautiful, I love it!!

Tess Kincaid said...

You were the only other blogger who likes Russian Icons and that is how I stumbled onto your wonderful blog. I will have to stop in often!!

Lesley-Ann said...

Oh your blog is too beautiful! And where you live WOW! Scotland is so beautiful....really want to go there soon... One of the biggest reasons would be that I love the scottish language :)!

Tess Kincaid said...

Rima...I am back visiting you again...and it will take a few more visits to see all your fascinating things! Had never heard of Shaun Tan and must get myself a copy of The Arrival right now! Absolutely loving your fabulous blog! :)

Rima Staines said...

Thank you Lady Em Lesley Ann and Willowmanor :) thanks so much for your lovely words :) It's always lovely to meet new folks around the world here.... :)

G said...

What a haven your blog is. I will be checking back regularly. Thank you for sharing your life and thoughts with us.

Anonymous said...

Lovely sketches Rima, and what an interesting find! To think that the kettle's been left there untouched for such a long time, it must be food for the soul living there :)

Joanna said...

The goats are lovely, its great to see your sketches of them, I just visiting your blog briefly to get your url to add to my links, hope that is ok. I will come back and catch up on your other posts. Jo
x

Lady Lavona said...

Hello!
I'm so glad you found me! I have your Etsy shop saved in my favorites. I didn't know you had a blog! I had such a wonderful time visiting here. It makes me love your artwork even more! I'll add a link to you for sure!

xo
Lavona

Sarah Ogren said...

Those goat sketches are wonderful!I just wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog. I love the history and folklore that share behind each piece of art you make....a very interesting read!