Torridon, Scotland

We'd hiked two Munros' (Sgurr Mhor and Tom an Gruagaich) the day before, in the snow, along ridges 3000 ft high, up steep snowy mountain faces and down them, over ice and along tarns. I was so proud of myself for what I'd done, but a rest day was what I needed. Daniel was going on a solo adventure around a peninsula, some of the group were ice climbing up a gully (cripes!), and some where bouldering else where. I didn't even know what bouldering was! No, for me there was enough adventure in simply walking out of the cottage along the road for a minute and down onto a small, secluded, peaceful beach. Flask of tea in bag, watercolours and papers to hand. And that's what I did and it was oh so beautiful.

The quiet around me.

I was thinking about how I really do find drawing to be a meditative activity at the moment. When I'm drawing, and when I was painting this picture, I go into a zone, thinking, thinking, thinking, but calmly. I imagine the place as I draw it. I can feel the quiet. I can hear the fire crackling. I can see the darkness and the mass of stars above me. As I paint the picture takes me there.

Taking shelter

I arrived in Scotland and wasn't feeling too good.

It was pouring but I went out for a walk along the river anyway.

I stopped and looked up at the huge tree sheltering me.

Nature is a good healer, isn't she?