Leaves beside the Massan

The sky had remained threatening right through till late afternoon, though the rain had stopped in the morning. We were late getting out, and later getting started to walk because of meeting a newly-retired former colleague, full of the joys of freedom. By the time we came back down Glen Massan there was even a patch of blue sky, which is why the glimpse of the full River Massan looks blue in the background of these horse chestnut leaves. I always feel much more positive when we make the effort to get out into the countryside - memo to self:try to avoid walks of desperation round the town ...

My extra photo is of a corner of our living room, where we hung a new picture today. The top picture in the photo is of a watercolour of gean blossom done in exquisite detail by a talented friend who has been taking a course in botanical drawing and painting. We bought it at a preview for Cowal Open Studios, and took it home today. It's always hard to know where to accommodate a new piece of art; I felt it was at home here beside these other smaller watercolours - two of Scottish landscape views, and one of Kizhi Pogost which we bought from the artist when we returned to our boat on Lake Lagoda several years ago. 

And sitting now in my study, I think I see where we could put the print of The Annunciation that the new painting has displaced ...