Blue Skye Gallery 17th Feb

My dermatitis is playing up badly so last night I had to take 2 Phenergan, which completely bomb me out. In Australia Telfast and Phenergan are over the counter medications, not so in Scotland. I have also run out of my topical steroid creams so I need scripts for those in any case. So it was off to see a Doctor in Portree and they offer on-the-day appointments so we had to get in there early as it’s an hours drive away.

So the dreaded alarm was set and I was like the walking dead coming down the stairs at Willie McLeod’s. My kids used to call Phenergan “THE ANGRY PILLS” because they made me so tired and grumpy the next day. So Vince had been well warned!

He made me some tea and I manage to pop a couple of crumpets through the toaster for breaky before we were out the door.

We took our cameras but the drive down the East Coast was really just a bit of a dark blur and when we arrived we still had a 20 minute wait until they opened at 8.00am. I managed to get an appointment with a different Dr than I’ve previously seen, as to see the other one (who was there but is now on emergency only duty) was not until 17th March - FFS I’d be in hospital with wet dressings before then!

As it was bitterly cold, and nowhere was open, we just went back to the car to wait and I had a lay down on the back seat.

We had a bit of a wait until 9.40am as the Dr was running behind, she apologised and told us she only arrived from Inverness yesterday after 18 months away, having to move house to come back to Skye and the computer system is all different than the hospital one.

She was very nice and accommodating and got most of my scripts sorted and one she will have to check on and get back to me, as its a dermatological specialist script. Luckily I had my Dr in Australia sign a letter listing all my medications which helped.

Then it was off to Boots, who had some of it but not all until tomorrow. So we had a drink and bacon and egg roll in the Granary whilst we waited. We popped into the Charity shop and got 3 DVDs for a pound and then picked up what medications, Alistair, the pharmacist, had ready for me. It’s so weird not paying for scripts here - not that we are complaining!

We planned to just go home and let me rest, but as we passed the Blue Skye Gallery, near Kilt Rock, I saw it was open for a change. We have wanted to go there for ages but whenever we passed it always seemed to be closed. So Vince double backed and we went inside, greeted by a White West Highland Terrier at the window.

Inside we could smell delicious scents from the small cafe and Lynne Douglas, the owner welcomed us into the warmth. We had seen some of her work on her website at https://skyebluegallery.com but to see it in person was fantastic - she is so talented.

We got chatting and whilst we had only just eaten, we partook of hot chocolate and a danish/muffin. We shared about photography and our ambitions to build a business when we get back home, and Lynne was full of advice and wisdom of lessons learnt which she generously shared with us - so kind.

We admired her work and I asked for clarification about some of them as to the medium and techniques, and we had a lot in common over acrylic colour pouring as well as photography as an art form. I was in my element and was just like a sponge taking it all in.

Lynne shared with us that she has a current exhibition with the Museum of Colour in Korea, where her work forms the Blue Room, and they bought about 16 pieces from her just from seeing her work on Instagram - its the first I’ve heard of any money coming in from instagram! WOW!

When I was choosing some prints, I had chosen two that had been included as her best work in a publication. She explained that she had been asked to write an article in Amateur Photographer Magazine, and showed it to me. As it is from an old issue (1st Dec 2018), she generously photocopied it for me on her intention camera movement techniques. So I’m very inspired and encouraged to give that a go for myself. She has encouraged us to stay in touch whilst we are here and let her know how we get on.

We also met her husband Steven, who is doing the building extensions. He is into motorbikes and is originally from Glasgow, so we also had much in common with him to talk about. He shared his side of starting up a business on Skye and the trials and tribulations that can go with it - they have only had the gallery open for about 18 months but have lived here for 8 years.

It was such a privilege to meet them and they were so open and generous in sharing their knowledge and insights - how lucky are we?

We ended up buying an infinity scarf printed with one of Lynne’s blue seascapes for 35 GBP and took advantage of her “buy two get one free” mounted print offers usually 12.50 GBP each. I choose from a similar colour palette (it was hard though as I liked so many of her pieces) as I want to make a triptych for our home. I chose….

In and Out of Time, Waternish

Cuillin Storm, Isle of Skye

Island Home, Isle of Raasay

After saying our good-byes to our new chums, we headed home to Willie McLeod’s House. Vince put the fire on and I pottered on the laptop and Vince watched drone videos on his phone for a while, after which we both ended up having an afternoon “kindy nap”. I came across this pic on the internet and thought it was sooooo funny!

I cooked Eye Fillet Steak with Greek Yoghurt and Pomegranate Sauce, mashed potatoes, carrots, peas, cauliflower and broccoli for dinner.

After my shower, Vince helped me apply my creams to my back, as I can’t reach there, and we settled back down on the lounges in front of the fire to watch The Queen, DVD.

All is right with the world!