North East Uncategorised News

Issue 120

Shortly after Christmas, the temperature dropped and dropped. Bitterly cold nights followed by sparkling, frozen days. Finally, the pool in the river, which usually swirls and moves, developed a ‘lid’ of ice, creating a new playground for those of us who regularly immerse ourselves in the chilly water. Out with the axe and the joy of making a space to play in the river which has taken on a whole new personality. One day, I caught a glimpse of something moving quickly on the ice platform on the other side of the river, an otter maybe? No!!! A chocolate brown mink, with a pink nose, showing as much interest in us as we were in him. This can be a tricky time of year. Short days, not much light and since the fox ate all our chickens and ducks, not so many obvious models around for paintings. Fortunately, the remaining…