Bartimaeus

I had planned to go North for a concert and had been thinking of meeting at the V and A but my friend’s eye appointment clashed with the original plan so I was going the day after, straight to Aberdeen. Heading into town to go to the station in Livingston the sky looked like this.

Walking to the bus stop at the west end it was grey and mizzle and the forecast was far from pleasant so it felt like I was getting off lightly. Some people at the bus stop were waiting for a bus to take them to The Park Run. I already knew that the Aberdeen Park Run had been cancelled. I had packed lots of warm clothes, spare socks and a bottle of prosecco. I intended to have a good time whatever the weather.

I caught the bus with slight rain starting. I received messages from people asking if the journey was okay. It was still very much a grey day but seemed better than expected. The bus didn’t feel like it was being battered by wind. 

Mind you slightly dulled windows didn’t help. Inside the bus it was warm and comfortable. There were few stops and they didn’t divert into towns so we sped along. In Dundee we went past some notable monuments.

We turned from the coast towards Forfar and rushed past an impressive school building.

It became wetter from Dundee onwards. I was keeping in touch with my friend Margaret. She had a busy morning and wasn’t sure when she would get there. I was happy to browse in the shopping centre until she arrived but she managed to get her jobs done quickly as usual. I was sharing my progress through Aberdeen.

Though it was raining it was not as cold as the last time I had been to Aberdeen in December in the snow. The shopping centre was right at the station and all indoors so we had a successful bit of shopping and I sampled some gin liqueurs. Was the sun even past the yard arm?

It was an excellent day to be indoors and the worst of the weather was in the southwest so north east was the right way to go. The next day we had a good walk into town and went to see an exhibition of textiles designed by some famous artists: Pablo Picasso, Zandra Rhodes and Salvador Dali to name a few. I was taken straight away with the ones that seemed inspired by S American designs.

The artwork and actual garments were interspersed. Some looked more like a painting but were in fact silk headscarves. Others were in different dresses.

Some designs were based on more Scottish themes and the staff had told us to look out for those from Orkney. Skara Brae was the inspiration in this one.

Luckily Margaret had invested in a repeat visit ticket and did indeed see new aspects this time round, the Orkney inspiration was one such new observation.

The clothes brought the designs to life and the staff had also said how each visit could bring out something new. Different colours and contrasts completely change a design too.

We lunched at the gallery then headed back for our own preferred craft, knitting, before heading out again for another art experience in another place. Out in Haddo House we enjoyed a high quality carol concert. My sister Mary was in the choir so I might be biased but their performances often sell out so I am not the only one to rate them highly. I had a great view of Mary from my seat, an added bonus!

Additional attractions were some community carols when we all got to sing along and meeting a school friend there. Afterwards there were warm mince pies and shortbread and a choice of coffee or sherry. I wasn’t driving so was free to take a tipple. Then I was whisked away by Mary to somewhere else. That’s another story.

Another bonus of leaving with Mary was that we got a sneak peak at other unseen parts of the building. I want to come back to see more of Haddo House and it’s gardens. We had seen the chapel and some non public rooms where the choir kept their coats. We passed these fine birds on our way out.