By the water of Leith

An irresistible map of paint.

A parking bollard I assume concrete crunched by Lady Haig's Poppy Factory and not far from the old dog track site of many a monster truck extravanza.

Almost lichen-like when viewed from further away.

Happy holidays

Very glad to say the taught part of my cyber course is over. Just the dissertation to do now and that is due in December.

Holidays are here.

walking the water

Doing the monthly BTO survey on "my stretch" of the river Tweed is a very good opportunity for wandering through some ideas too. Even while counting mallards (including 24 ducklings in various stages of growth), grey heron, black-headed gull, mute swan, oystercatcher (my birds as they are the helpers of Bridget in Gaelic - gille-brìghde), dipper and goosander.

Onto the cauld which stretches across the river to create the pool you just saw and has these metallic edges as it scatters down onto the rocky section below.

Finally to a lower pool and its weedfilled cobbles.

Later I made a long audio recording where I get a bit distracted by a grey wagtail which flies over my head towards the end. But unfortunately blogger doesn't seem to like that. Still I enjoyed myself and got some good birds too. Creativity and wellbeing mix well with science and nature.

Sudden cold

It is spring but unseasonly cold - the topic of my poem Blizzard on the hills in Spring that appeared in the very wonderful Algebra of Owls in March .

My starting point was this photograph:

Sometimes a phone is as useful as carrying a notepad.

You can read my poem and the whole issue here https://algebraofowls.com/2019/03/08/blizzard-on-the-hills-in-spring-by-bridget-khursheed/

RIP Lyra McKee

RIP Lyra McKee - so very sad.

Read Lyra here http://www.thepensivequill.com/2014/08/letter-to-my-14-year-old-self.html

International Women's Day 2019 event, Hawick, Scotland

It would be great to see you at the International Women's Day 2019 event in Hawick at the Cornucopia Room along with excellent local writers Zozan Yasar, Dorothy Alexander, Honor Donahoe, Jules Horne, Anita John, Margaret Skea and myself. We will be talking about our practice and there will be readings too plus a chance for some chat.

Tickets are available here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/women-writers-tickets-56654448982. Free event but you need to register.

Seeking poetry, poets & spoken word

Early call for a performance opportunity in the Scottish Borders. Interested - ideas - ready to slam?

Get in touch in the usual way and let's talk; and we can also add you to the mailing list for more information about this event.

Picture is a view from the San Cipriano mirador in Zamora and yes it doesn't really have a lot to do with anything but laundry drying