Shiny NEW things coming soon...!

Hi folks,


It's been a while but I'm finally emerging from blog hibernation with some lovely exciting new things to tempt you.

The last few months have been a time of reflection and contemplation, and some enforced rest due to the awful weather we've had here in the North East of England! This has given me a little chance to take time out for 'me' and figure out what's next in soap land. That's the thing with working for yourself, there are no rights or wrongs on how and when you work, this is great for flexibility and scope to work however I want, don't get me wrong, but sometimes it can lead to a lack of direction or focus for me, and this is what happened earlier this year. With no clear plan, I was floundering a little. It took me a while but I got there in the end. I have some longer term plans which will unfurl throughout the year, but for now...I have some new things to tell you about.

Spring (now it's finally here) represents new beginnings for me, and after much deliberation and procrastination I've devised a little new capsule collection of products which will be listed very soon over on the website. I've been formulating with some wonderful natural ingredients which are incredibly beneficial to the skin, my top faves being Himalayan pink salt, and Epson salt. They both possess incredible benefits to the skin and the whole system when used in the bath as a soothing soak or as an exfoliating scrub. Read more about the amazing properties of salt baths here on the Naturally Living Ideas blog or check out the quick reference guide to the right.

You'll find Himalayan Pink salt and Epsom salt in our NEW Limited edition Botanical Himalayan Salt Baths. Simply toss a handful of salts, fragrant with pure essential oils and botanicals into your bath and lie back for 20 minutes. Emerge feeling refreshed, relaxed, revived and renewed - all the 'R's :)
Our new Salt Scrubs can be used in the shower or bath, scrubbed over arms and legs, to slough off dead skin and moisturise you from top to toe with skin loving coconut oil, revealing a fresh new glowing you.





Do you love natural skincare too? I do. I believe we can find everything we need to care for our bodies in nature, and this includes our skin. I've been playing with some lovely pure, plant based ingredients and essential oils over the last few months to come up with a simple skincare plan. On the cards are some lovely gentle oatmeal and lavender scrubs, botanical steams, and gentle cleansing oils to compliment our natural clay masks and cleansing bars. I've used our own organically grown botanicals as ground exfoliants, in oil infusions and as whole flowers to create a really pretty little collection, I've been using these myself over the last few weeks and I am delighted with how they are performing. My skin is softer, more hydrated and brighter as a result, hopefully you will see the benefits too, if you try them out.





I've long been a fan of skin brushing too, not heard of this...check it our here on the Wellness Mama blog. Apart from superb for exfoliation, it helps the body detox and prevents dry patches, spots and skin congestion of the skin amongst many other things. I'm delighted to have become a stockist of a range of high quality, sustainable and eco-certified bathing accessories, brushes, pumice and bamboo facial cloths from Hydrea London to compliment my handmade products. and help you get your skin in tip top condition, naturally.

Shop the range over on my website. 

I hope you are enjoying the new beginnings of Spring, and can find a few minutes each day to rest and recharge, watch the birds, observe the fresh green shoots emerging and generally enjoy being present in the now. Time out for you is never wasted.

Shop the new 'Collections' department 

www.oakwoodsoaperie.co.uk

That's about it for now, feel free to follow my blog, Instagram and new Facebook Group to stay up to date with all the NEW goodies in the pipeline this year. Fancy signing up to my newsletter too, for special offers and exclusives? You can do this here. - Newsletter Signup..

TTFN,

Ceri xx

Big announcement inside...HUGE!!

Well hello,

How are we today?

Things have felt a little surreal for me over the last few months, and I've been sitting on my hands trying not to type and tell of my news, but I have just been granted permission to let the cat out of the bag over on my social channels. Ever wondered what it's like to live someone else's life? Well I found out, as for a few weeks my life and world were turned upside down.

Back in September, I was approached by the assistant producer at 'Raise the Roof' Productions who make well know  TV shows. They invited me to apply for the prestigious 'Kirstie's Handmade Christmas' this year, to be aired during December 2017 on Channel 4! If you're not familiar with the show, get a taste for it with some past episodes here...or visit Kirstie Allsopp's website here...

After I'd picked myself up off the floor, and stopped shaking, I decided to just go for it.  I thought 'what's the worst that could happen...??!!'
I have an incurable awkwardness around camera's, not behind them, I love this arrangement, but in front...I just get so nervous, I jibber and feel flustered, so this was a huge thing to come to terms with for me.

What happened next can only be described as a exhilarating whirlwind of phone calls and e-mails to and from the fantastic production teams and casting researchers at 'Raise the Roof Productions'  in relation to my application and 'Handmade Gift' competition entry. All this was happening while I was trying to make Christmas soap stocks in earnest and attending some pretty big events and festivals with my stall. Some of which I simply had to cancel due to filming clashes...but of course I was bound by secrecy so couldn't tell anyone why I was having to cancel...nightmare!

The producer Ali, came to film me in my home for a day and document some processes for my competition entry, we had a hoot. She was so brilliant at putting me at ease, and besides there really wasn't time to think about being nervous. We had lots to cover and had a tight schedule of 4 hours max before Ali's train back to Glasgow.

My home set up for the backstory.

A couple of weeks after filming for the back story, it was competition time...!! Myself and the other 3 entrants made our way, with all our kit and equipment all the way to Honiton in Devon, a mere 7 hours by train  for me (!!) with possibly the BIGGEST bag on record...it was heavier than me! Thank goodness for kindly strangers and strong guardsmen.

We spotted each other at the station as we waited for our driver to take us to the hotel (How the other half live eh?) then met up for tea once we'd settled in, nervously chatting and getting to know each other. Everyone was lovely, excited and really looking forwards to the next day.
Filming was due to start from 10am the next morning, so we were up and at 'em then off to a private residence which was our filming location for the day. The house was simply spectacular, with a room being dedicated to each competition, there were 10 in all, so you can imagine the size of the house! There was no time for exploring, but I'm sure I wouldn't have been found for weeks if I'd found a secret hiding place to sneak into and yes, I was sorely tempted, I can tell you.

The spectacular competition backdrop...so many decs.
Apparently there were rooms full in the attic!!

Trying to concentrate and not being at
 all ready for my close up...crikey!!

My fellow competitors Sammy and Emma...there was one more but he was outside in the workshop.

During the competition, we had 4 hours to make our entry from scratch before it was being judged by some very eminent guests. I was so busy concentrating on my 4 part entry that at times I hardly noticed the high definition film cameras and mic booms looming overhead, but at other times, they were oh sooo close and It was all I could do to focus.

Kirstie was very keen to be involved with us all and tried her hand at everyone's craft which was really lovely. She was just as exuberant and enthusiastic in real life as she is on TV too, such a sweet lady. She put us all at ease and took time to come and talk to us all and even made sure we'd had something to eat mid way through the comp. She was super keen to try my custom soap cutter out...but we just ran out of time.

Although I can't reveal any information about who won...(you'll just have to tune in throughout December on Channel 4) I can say that it was one of the most amazing times I've ever had. Being part of the show has given me a huge confidence boost and pushed me further out of my comfort zone than I ever thought I'd cope with. I felt humbled and a little star struck to be invited to take part in this amazing show, and get to meet and chat to Kirstie and the team,  I've been a huge fan for years.  I've loved every part of being involved in such an amazing adventure, with such fantastic crew and fellow makers, and of course Kirstie herself. It's not over yet, as who knows where this will lead...it's anyone's guess.

In case you didn't know, that's me in the grey dress ;) xx

To stay in touch with all that develops, just click the links below to follow me over on:

 Facebook : @OakwoodSoaperie

 Twitter: @OakwoodSoaperie

 Instagram: @oakwood_soaperie

 Pinterest: Oakwood Soaperie

Until next time...TTFN

Ceri

xx

Autumn's Bounty.

Hello lovelies,

October is here, and with the scent of woodsmoke and damp, moldering leaves in the air...Autumn my favourite season.

At this time of year, I love, love LOVE to forage. September saw a wealth of juicy berry delights from the hedgerows and swollen ruby rosehips from the wild roses down by the river. My garden has been generous with it's bounty too, I've made litres and litres of Cavalo Nero soups and a huge batch of nasturtium pesto which is spectacularly delicious.






I'd like to share some the recipes with you which I came across on Pinterest and saved to my 'Foraging Finds' board, check it out for heaps of wild (and not so wild) foody inspirations. Each year...almost without fail, I make rosehip syrup from foraged hips...the small ones work best for good colour. It's packed with natural vitamin C and is reputed to keep colds and flu at bay, worth a shot if you ask me. 

This recipe is from River Cottage and works every time :)

- Sterilise a couple of bottles and vinegar-proof screw-tops or stoppers by washing thoroughly in hot soapy water, rinsing well, then putting them on a tray in a low oven (at 120°C/Gas 1⁄2) to dry out and heat up.

- Roughly chop a couple of kilo's of rosehips in a food processor in batches, then transfer to a large saucepan and add 1.25 litres water.

- Bring to the boil, then turn the heat down and simmer for around 15 minutes.

- Strain through a double layer of muslin, letting the pulp sit for a good half hour so that all the juice passes through.

- Wash out the muslin, or cut a fresh piece, fold to double it and pass the strained juice through it again.

- Measure the rosehip juice into a large saucepan.

- For every 500ml, add 325g sugar.

- Heat slowly, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved, then bring to the boil and boil for 3 minutes, skimming off any scum if necessary.

- Decant immediately into the prepared bottles and seal.

- Label when the bottles have cooled completely.

- Use within 4 months and refrigerate once opened.

Hugh's serving suggestions are - Try it for breakfast trickled over porridge, pancakes, drop scones or eggy bread; use it to sweeten plain yoghurt (with some chopped apple if you like); or for a delicious pud, trickle it on to hot or cold rice pudding or good vanilla ice cream.
I also like it just in a glass of hot water to sip, it's addictive!

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Next up, my second favourite...Nasturtium Pesto (found on Foodista blog)...wow this stuff is good and so so easy to make. My garden was bursting with flowers and leaves growing all around the raised beds this year, I've been adding them to salads and soups through the summer, but this is a great way to use a LOT at once, you can even freeze it!

Ingredients:

100g Nasturtium Leaves freshly picked and washed

3 large garlic cloves

70g Parmesan cheese

70g almonds or (I used cashews) – roughly chopped

160ml extra virgin olive oil (I used rapeseed oil)

1tsp salt

Method: - simply blitz everything together in a blender and pop into an airtight jar or kilner type if using fresh, if freezing, put in a tuppaware box and defrost as needed.

I've been scoffing this with pasta, on pizza's and mixed into marinades, it's a little spicy from the leaves, but fresh and delicious, enjoy xx.

I hope you enjoy making these scrummy autumnal treats, feel free to add your favourite recipes in the comments below, I can't wait to try some out.

I hope you'd like to check back with me again soon, I have some VERY exciting news to be announced in the next blog post coming in November...EEeePPP!! Watch this space...why not subscribe so you don't miss it??

But in the meantime, here's to toffee apples, hot chocolate chilly fingers in wooly gloves and frosty walks, a celebration of the coming of winter, wrap up warm peeps, 

TTFN,

Love Ceri

xx

Spring is blossoming ...

Hello lovelies,

Well how did we get past Easter already? I was pretty restrained this year, only 1 chocolate egg...we won't count the handful of mini's snaffled in between digging rows for spuds last weekend.

It's been a busy ole time here at OSHQ, what with feature interviews, awards, new stockists and a heap of events, my head is in a bit of a spin. I have a fresh pot of chocolate tea (courtesy of Rosie Lea Tea) and I have my typing fingers primed to tell you all about it, so here we go...

First up, I was delighted to have a 'Meet The Maker' feature over on the Natural Wedding Company blog last month. read all about it here or click the image below.

If you've not heard of them before, do go and check out their beautiful Wedding Directory of eco-friendly small businesses who can help with all the doings when planning your wedding day., helping to make it extra special with one off pieces, customisable gifts and even bespoke rings, take a peep.

On a 'Meet the Maker' theme, back at the end of March, I attended a Trade Event hosted by Northumberland County Council in Hexham, a beautiful traditional market town here in Northumberland, 'Meet the Maker / Meet the Buyer' is an opportunity to bring together local makers, artists and producers with buyers from gift shops, galleries, local guest houses, hotels and independent retailers with the intention to network and drum up some trade agreements. It's never really my thing putting myself infront of someone and saying 'Here...buy my stuff' but sometimes it just has to be done, so with brave girl pants on, I went, set up stall and pitched my wares...I was absolutely bowled over to have come away with the 'Best Stand' award for the day!! With over 120 stalls, all beautifully presented, I was quite speechless, blushing and wibbly after that! You'll spot me I'm sure...*runs and hides behind a cushion* . See the video of the event below.


 

In all the whirlwind of the last month's events ranging from the 'First Friday Steamer' set inside Newcastle Central Station, a regular art based event I'm attending each month, a Beekeeping conference,  2 days Rival Arts Spring Fair at Ushaw College near Durham, 2 days The Designer Maker's Market down in Barnard Castle and coming up this weekend, the Hexham Spring Festival, I've had open studio's too, running over the Easter Holidays, so needless to say I'm looking forwards to a little day or two of rest soon.

If you've not been able to catch me at my events, the website is always open in within easy reach 24 / 7. It's had a little facelift too (a natural one of course), Feel free to take a peek at the new digital products and custom wedding favours query form...oohhh!! 

www.oakwoodsoaperie.co.uk

I'm also really excited to tell you about some new stockists of my soaps and bathtime treats around the North and East too, I was delighted to have a request from the Kagyu Dechon Dzong Buddhist Centre in Harrogate a few weeks ago, so now you can pick up some of my fragrant lovelies if you're there for a drop in meditation class, sounds pretty perfect to me...

From Harrogate in North Yorkshire to Alnwick in the North of Northumberland, I'm also absolutely chuffed to be sending soap to play with George and Piglet who are opening a new vintage venture up there very soon, I can't wait to see what they have in store. I met the two ladies who own George and Piglet last year at an event up in Rothbury, they have a keen eye for the quirky and beautiful, so I think Alnwick will be in for a treat!

And finally..I'm delighted to let you know I'm supplying stock to the Allendale Forge Studios as of next week. I'm coming full circle a little as I used to have soap on their shelves back in 2012. Since then The Forge has undergone a big change and now has lots more options for artists and makers, and I'm delighted to be back on board. I'll have a few shelves in the shop or display space to begin with and hope to introduce more work as time goes on, maybe even some of my original eco - prints and silk scarves at some stage, watch this space.

Well, I think that's it for now, I hope you've enjoyed catching up, I hope you check back with the blog soon, and do feel free to share it amongst friends.

Enjoy the last of the Easter break if you're one of the lucky ones to be off.

TTFN,

Ceri

x

A new place to find my work, and a whole new digital adventure.

Happy February peeps,

I'm staying inside waiting for a courier who's bringing me a big pile of glass ware for my next batch of candles so while I'm waiting ... and in between cuppas, I thought I'd update my blog, it's been an age!

Christmas came and went in a bit of a whirlwind of fairs, orders and whizzing to and fro, but we all made it out the other side safely and more or less in one piece, thank goodness!

January was filled with wonderful orders through the website as I had a bit of a barmy sale on to clear some space and reclaim some studio shelves, mission accomplished!

In between chilly New Year beach walks and 4 days strolling the snowy hills of Hartsop...(ohh, and some orders and studio work of course ;)  I've been planning, learning and catching up with all sorts of things I'd wanted to get going, but never had a moment in the autumn, I feel I'm almost getting there, so wanted to share them with you too.

If you've followed my blog or found me on social media, you may know I also like to create Eco prints on fabric and paper and have also been learning to make cyanotype prints too, these are delicate prints using only sunlight to develop the images. I've finally got them out into the ether, and you can now buy them online, as well as from me at events and at my studio. Feel free to have a wander in my new Etsy shop, which I've called 'Ghosts of Nature' I'll be adding more one of a kind prints and originals soon. Simply click the image below to enter my shop.

I've been learning all about how I can offer digital products as part of my business too. These will be downloadable PDF files that contain ... I'm thinking...product making recipes, essential oil information sheets, planning templates and useful lists for whoever might like them, be they, customers who fancy a go at making, fellow crafters and small business owners or even Jim from the farm shop...who knows!!  I can't offer them for free, but they will all to be a very reasonable non bank breaking sum. I'll be gradually making them and adding them to my website and they will also be introduced on my facebook page, take a look at the one I've done already. 

...

In other news too, I'm delighted to be stocking into a new retail outlet in North Northumberland. As from Sunday, my soaps will be available from the Heatherslaw Gift Shop within Ford & Etal Estates. I can't wait to see what it's like as I've only passed by on my way to the Scottish Borders, I'll be sure to take my camera! I'm also chuffed to bits to be supplying guest soaps to a lovely new and very luxurious holiday company called 'Hang my Hat'. They have a growing selection of beautiful cottages to hire in and around the Tyne Valley (my home) on the books, so do check them out if you're heading to Northumberland, they look absolutely gorgeous, I could move in tomorrow!

Well, I think that's about it for now, Stay warm and embrace the days stretching that little bit longer into Spring.

TTFN,

Ceri

x

Christmas Soaps launch

Well a happy autumnal season to you,

Here I am, sitting in the cosy studio with a pot of tea, surrounded by box upon box and shelf upon shelf of handmade festive treats such as newly poured soy woodwick candles in festive fragrances, glinting corked bottles of bath oils, dinky little pots filled with luscious rich butters ans waxes as lip balms and perfume balms, tubs of rich creamy body butters and exfoliating sugars scrubs - "Just right for 'chicken legs'" (as the local WI exclaimed at a talk I gave earlier this year). I've been making and wrapping in a frenzy over the last couple of months, so I thought it high time I told you about them.

But first of all, I just had to give you a little peep into my day...my morning started like this...not bad eh? I LOVE Autumn in the UK. I can't wait to break out the woolly scarf and fingerless gloves in a week or two - a winter event essential teamed with hand warmers, stout boots (pictured) and a good flask, yes sireee!!

So, without further ado, may I introduce the featured special guests, my festive soaps.....these have been challenging to make as I've employed newly learned pouring techniques, new essential oil blends and a whole streamlined method of production, meaning I can make my soap twice as fast as before!! Oh, and I recorded video's as I made them too! I always like to make things complicated for myself it seems!!

First up, 'Snow Drift soap' - Imagine rough woollen socks stuffed into warm leather boots, crisp bright mornings and tramping along a forest path strewn with fallen leaves beneath sparkling frosted pines and the earthy scent of the springy forest floor.

Beautifully yet delicately fragranced with a fresh, crisp scent with top notes of mild menthol with a hint of pine giving way to middle notes of spruce and eucalyptus and grounding cedarwood to complete the blend. 

Snow Drift soap

'We Three Kings' handmade soap - Crowned in gold and bronze micas, and sprinkled with real gold dusted Frankincense resin, this truly is a festive treat. Pure, smokey and resinous Oman frankincense essential oils give a beautifully haunting and ancient scent. Each bar is enriched with pure plant oils and butters to soften and feed the skin and lashings of fresh dairy cream for added moisture. Real tussah silk adds an extra luxurious lather and silky feel on the skin.

We Three Kings soap

'Winter Cabin' handmade soap is woodsy, earthy and smokey. Blended with warming Cedarwood, comforting Clary Sage, spicy Clove and meditational yet smokey Vetiver oils.

Imagine a special escape in the forests, it's dusk, a glowing fire built with seasoned pine and dried cones is roaring in the grate, the wind lifts a spray of sparks, an owl hoots from the distant branches. As the sun slips below, a frost decends and glitters on the roof, a warming hot toddy in your hands, a hug from your favourite special one ...bliss! I can't think of a better winter escape!

Winter Spice soap

'Winter Spice' handmade soap is what Christmas is all about. Spiced steam curls over the lip of a sparkling goblet of amber mulled cider, the glint of candle light on the dampened eastern spices bobbing on the surface, notes of dusty cinnamon, sharp clove and rich sweet blood oranges fill the air.

Winter Spice soap

Well there they are, I hope you like them. These little lovelies and oodles more are all available to buy from my website, Folksy and Etsy shops online and will be available direct from me at the studio or from my events in the big run up to the big day. Numbers are however limited and once they're gone, they're gone so be quick if you want one (or two, or a bundle!!). 

See my EVENTS page over on the website too, for a full rundown of my Christmas events in the North East, I'll have OPEN STUDIO days throughout November and December so keep an eye out for these as well, I'll announce them over on my Facebook Page each week, so be sure to 'find and follow' me over there too if you're not already. 

If you want to see how they were done, pop over to my You Tube channel for a gander, here's one to tempt you in...enjoy xx

If you're a fan of a flash sale...be sure to sign up to my NEWSLETTER too, I'll be releasing the odd special reward to subscribers as the days get darker and the nights get chillier.

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I can't quite believe I've been this organised and finally feel I'm ready for the big push towards my busiest time of year. I really hope to make a few blog posts before the BIG DAY, but if I get swept up in the whirlwind that is the Christmas countdown, I wish you all the very best for a fantastic Christmas and relaxing New Year ahead. 

Until next time, TTFN

Ceri xx

Eco Printing, campfires and stars...

Hello hello my lovelies,

It's been one busy summer and now, as the season turns it's face towards Autumn, all thoughts here at OSHQ start to revolve around Christmas preparations.

The festive soaps are well underway already and I'll do a separate post about these soon, but today I'd like to tell you a little about my other product stream, my Eco Printed range of silks and original art pieces. Eco printing is a technique to create a print from plants, leaves and flowers. Each one is unique and original, the colours and patterns cannot be replicated as the print is created from the pigments inside the plant materials themselves.

Laying out gathered Meadowsweet,
Copper Beech and Blackberry leaves onto the silks.

I've been extremely lucky to have just completed an artists residency up on the Northumberland fells at a beautiful spot in the remote region of Tarset, near Bellingham. 'Wild Northumbrian' are an eco friendly site providing very comfortable, off grid, luxurious camping accommodation in traditional yurts, tipi's and a handmade shepherd's hut. It's based inside the Northumberland Dark Sky park too, so the night skies were blimmin awsome!!

The View over the Northumbrian Fells.

My husband Phil from Scapeography was also resident and working on an ancient woodland photography project during our stay. It involved a lot of pre-dawn starts and tromping in the woods, then late night finishes gazing at the glorious plethora of visible stars in one of the darkest skies in the country...no bad way to spend your days eh? Check out his facebook page or Twitter account (@Scapeograph) for more details of his work and a peek behind the scenes at his current projects.

Our Sweet little Bothy through the Apple trees

During our stay, we had full run of the sweet handmade Polebarn Bothy, with a gorgeous log burner and fire pit to 'cook' my eco-prints over. I spent my days gathering local plant materials, attempting new dyeing techniques with plant materials I'd never used before and using off grid methods of heating so I had my work cut out.

Lichen can also be used as a dye,
I might have to try this one day too.

We were there for 4 days and I had quite a crowd at some times with lots of interest about how each print is made, what plants I've used and how each print is created, it was a learning curve for me as well as my visitors too as I don't tend to offer workshops or talks about my work (that's what comes of being a bit of a shy bird with a fear of crowds), but the wonderful feedback I received made me think I managed it quite well...PHEW!!

My kind of neighbors.

I'm delighted to say the dying and prints worked out well and I'm extra delighted with the (some surprisingly bright) results, see some of them below, what do you think?

These are both from Madder root,
such amazing colours!!

Silk bundles cooking on the stove.

Madder root in the pot, Wild Blackberry,
Copper Beech and Sycamore leaves leaving their
 ghosts on the silk.

Eucalyptus and Oak leaves give a strong
and colourful print.

This little guy kept a close eye on the activities.

Finished Scarves, cushions and mounted prints
 displayed in our Polebarn Bothy during our stay.

 As I type I'm soaking the 30+ prints I made during our stay, so I'll add more images once they are fully finished, dried and pressed. The scarves etc will be available to buy direct from my events, my studio and if I get a chance...from the website too...watch this space.

Huge thanks to the fantastic Rob and Vicky at 'Wild Northumbrian Tipi's and Yurts' for the use of their beautiful site for this project during our stay. The Yurts, Tipi's and Shepherd's huts are available to book via their website www.wildnorthumbrian.co.uk, so if you fancy a taste of off grid, luxury camping, go check them out and book a stay, you'll want to move in...we did :)))

I'd love to hear what you think about the scarves and eco printing as I love to make them, feel free to leave a comment below.


TTFN and until next time xx

Love,
Ceri x

The Skye's the limit!

Hello lovely people, how are you today?

The sun is almost shining here in Northern England and things are good in the studio so I'm one happy bunny.
If you remember back in May I promised not to leave it so long before I updated you on what's been happening in soap land, so here we are...

I hope you are all avoiding the horrible bug that's been going around, it presented itself as flu for me and pretty much flattened me for over a week, I've never had so many hours sleep in a row in my life!, or felt quite so rotten! I'm glad to say I'm 100% better now and glad to be rid of it.

Only a week after the bug departed, we were driving all the way up to the Isle of Skye, just off Scotland's North West coast so I'm glad it went when it did!! It was a long drive over 2 days stopping off at Ballachulish on the way up, and Invercoe on the way back down to break up the journey.
I've been to the Highlands and Islands a good few times now but not as an adult, driving...and it was the first time the Hubbs had been at all, we were blown away by the drama of the place, the scenery and the weather, it was glorious!




Our first day was spent exploring on foot as I really did not want to drive ...again! We strolled along to the local village of Sconser, just about 3 miles along the rugged coastline from our sweet little croft house right on the coast. We were amazed at the views and the heat! Seriously, it was about 28 degrees C. We explored to Sligahan a beautiful alpine plateau behind the Black Cuillin mountains that evening as the sun was lowering in the sky, Hubbs accidentally took a dunk in the peat bog behind the mountains too...his camera had a bit of a drink as well, fortunately they both survived to photograph another day (!!). That evening, we sat out and enjoyed watching 2 Ospreys and a family of Otters playing and feeding right outside the cottage - our first spotting of both.

The Black Cuillin Mountains from Sligahan.

Reflected Black and light 

Muddy pup!!

The next day we decided to take a trip up to Dunvegan and Colbost beach on the North West peninsular, it was so clear and sunny, and today the car told me it got to 34 degrees!! We had a fab day exploring the coral beach overlooking Harris and North Uist, saw grey seals in the bay and lots of seabirds. On the way back to the cottage, we called into a couple of artists studios, the amazingly talented resident photographers Phil Gordon, and Russell Sherwood (part of 'Art Skye', a collaboration of resident artists and makers) who open their doors to passing visitors in the summer season. Both myself and the Hubby were very impressed indeed!

Coral Beach nr Dunvegan

Looking West to North Uist and Harris in the Outer Hebrides.

Tuesday was our Wedding anniversary, so after a day of beach scrambling at Tallisker bay, a visit to the Tallisker Distillery (be rude not to) and an encounter with a hungry peacock, we headed off for tea, we had booked a special meal at Sconser Lodge Hotel. A local fisherman dives for scallops in the bay, right outside, so we knew it was going to be good...and it WAS!!  The seafood was the best I've ever tasted!

Aging Barrels at Talisker Whisky Distillery

Talisker Bay looking towards South Uist

Hand dived, local Scallops, Langoustines and Oysters for our special tea...OH MY!!!

Next, we headed off to The Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing (a huge landslip and part of the Trotternish Ridge) on the most northerly peninsular, which was absolutely mind blowing! The dramatic slopes and ridges were just incredible, you could see for MILES! We also called in at Kilt Rock - a pleated looking cliff face with a waterfall into the sea, on the way back and saw 3 pods of dolphins from the top of the cliffs!

The Needle at Storr

Looking South over the Quiraing

On Thursday we decided to explore along the John Muir Trust path from Elgol to Loch Coruisk, it was very dramatic, but quite steep and a bit treacherous for two amateurs with a bit of a wibble with heights and steep steep drops! We made it about half way along before turning back where the path was broken down and dropped away to a rocky beach about 50m below, we didn't fancy a trip in an air ambulance! In the afternoon we went by boat over to Lock Coruisk and the Black Cuillin mountains and saw some beautiful (and very pregnant) common seals, basking on the rocks. I'd wanted to go back to this spot ever since my first visit at 14, where we camped in a storm, I still have the scars on my ankle from that first trip, where I fell and skinned it to the bone! It was exactly as I remembered, if not even more beautiful, I'm so glad we made the trip.

The Black Cuillins from Elgol beach

Boat Trip!!! with the islands of Eigg and Muck in the background

They looked like they were going to pop!! So full of pups...bless x

The Black Cuillins from Lock Coruisk.

Our last day was spent scrambling around the Fairy Pools and Glen Brittle beach in the rain...our only wet day!

The Fairy Pools, usually a lot fuller, but there had been no rain for 3 weeks!

Such gorgeous colours in the water!

Wherever I go, I find textures, I can't resist, I think it's the textile fanatic in me...I have a growing collection of images that might become inspirations for things sometime...here are a few more I gathered while we were away....

I really hope we can go back there again someday soon, I'm sure I have iron filings in my blood, lining up to steer me northwards...it's like a tug, pulling me back already...sigh...one day...

Sunset over Raasay island...our cottage view.

http://www.wildernesscottages.co.uk/property.php?id=345

I hope you've enjoyed our adventure, let's hope there are many more to come...

TTFN, Love Ceri xx