lookdownlookout 25.9.11

My orchid is probably one of my favourite possessions, so I was so pleased during the summer when it transformed itself from being a twig-with-leaves to a super-flowering, purpley pink delight. 


I was given this orchid as a present from a boy in my first class and I especially love the colour. I've been meaning to photograph it for ages (before the flowers disappear again for another year) as a reminder to myself and anyone else with an orchid: don't give up on it when the flowers fade!

lookdownlookout 26.8.11

These photos were taken one day during the festival when I took an unfamiliar turn off the Royal Mile. The writing on the wall pretty much sums up the attitude of most festival-goers I think...

lookdownlookout 17.8.11

August just wouldn't be August without an Edinburgh Festival photograph and I liked this view best - the bar at C Venue looking down from the Bridges. The city has had a real buzz about it all month and I managed to see some amazing things. Highly recommended!

lookdownlookout 25.7.11

After our wee trip to Dublin we went to visit relatives on Aranmore Island off the coast of Donegal. It was an amazing day weather-wise and we had a great time driving round and seeing the sights of the tiny green island where my Nana grew up.

lookdownlookout 23.7.11

Some of the best things we saw on our short trip to Dublin recently: Butlers chocolate shop (probably the best) and the National Museum of Ireland (Decorative Arts and History) which is housed in the old Collins Barracks. The parade ground was really impressive and I especially like the way the measurements were all marked out in 'paces'. 

lookdownlookout 19.7.11

These are photographs of a new Martin Creed artwork that was flagged up to me for my blog by my friend Adam (thanks Adam!). It's called Work No. 1059, 2011. Creed exhibited at the nearby Fruitmarket Gallery in Edinburgh last year and was also commissioned by the gallery to create a piece of public art. What he chose to do was this - resurface the depressing, old (and stinky) stone steps running from the Scotsman Hotel to Market Street with 104 different types and colours of marbles from all over the world. The steps are really striking and I think that Creed's intervention definitely improves the space. If only we could afford to do up lots more public spaces with pretty marble.

lookdownlookout 14.7.11

Some more photos from my week in France. Out and about at the market...

And watching an amazing balloon modeller in the town square...