Last post 2016

Finally I came to the last post of 2016. I have to say that I felt very blessed to be in Scotland, Aberdeen, but I could´t let of thinking about my country. So Portugal was on my  mind in recollections of  good memories and beautiful people that fulfill my life there in a more present way. But I can also acknowledge that my time in here has made me gain in so  many levels, that would not be possible if I had stay in the comfort of the well know past. I opened myself to the new year with a sense of fascination for the future.

Candles

I put many candles as is my custom.(Acho que a vela que se apagou era do mercado financeiro português).

Me & trees

 

Union Bridge

Union Street (again)

Waterstones bookstore Aberdeen

 

Nestled in the heart of Scotland’s third biggest city, and spanning two floors of the Trinity Centre, Waterstones Aberdeen is host to a vibrant and varied amount of books. Thank goddess I rediscovered the reading pleasure.

Bruce statue & Marischal College

 

Just after paying my Tax Bill I felt so relief!!
I quickly made a draw of Robert the Bruce statue, created by Alan B Herriot (£120,000), outside Marischal College that is (also) amazing.

Ruthrieston West Church

Ruthrieston West Church of Scotland, Broomhill Road, Aberdeen.

Trees IV

On Being Human (C S Lewis)

Angelic minds, they say, by simple intelligence 
Behold the Forms of nature.
 They discern 
Unerringly the Archtypes, all the verities 
Which mortals lack or indirectly learn.
 
Transparent in primordial truth, unvarying, 
Pure Earthness and right Stonehood from their clear, 
High eminence are seen; unveiled, the seminal 
Huge Principles appear.


The Tree-ness of the tree they know-the meaning of 
Arboreal life, how from earth's salty lap 
The solar beam uplifts it; all the holiness 
Enacted by leaves' fall and rising sap;

But never an angel knows the knife-edged severance 
Of sun from shadow where the trees begin, 
The blessed cool at every pore caressing us 
-An angel has no skin.

Trees III

LOVE and Friendship (Emily Bronte)

Love is like the wild rose-briar,
Friendship like the holly-tree --
The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms
But which will bloom most contantly?
The wild-rose briar is sweet in the spring,
Its summer blossoms scent the air;
Yet wait till winter comes again
And who wil call the wild-briar fair?
Then scorn the silly rose-wreath now
And deck thee with the holly's sheen,
That when December blights thy brow
He may still leave thy garland green.

trees II

Song at Sunset (Walt Whitman)

Wonderful how I celebrate you and myself! 
How my thoughts play subtly at the spectacles around! 
How the clouds pass silently overhead! 
How the earth darts on and on! and how the sun, moon, stars, dart on and on! 
How the water sports and sings! (Surely it is alive!)
How the trees rise and stand up—with strong trunks—with branches and leaves! 
(Surely there is something more in each of the tree—some living Soul.

Trees I

Winter brought me the urge to draw trees.

Findhorn Bay

Situated in the beautiful Findhorn Bay of Moray, the eco-village of Findhorn has a magnificent beach, a delightful harbour and a small heritage centre.

Elgin # Pictish Stones # independent museum

I had a great time discovering the archaeological remains of  the Pictish stones into Scotland's oldest independent museum. I also draw myself next to a contemporary stone in the street. By that time I was feeling cold even with a sunny day, perhaps it was because I was wearing a skirt.

A decent meal

With flower, by the way.

Back wind Stairs

St John Church details

The architects were Messrs. Matthew and Mackenzie and the building in the early Decorated Style, prevalent at the beginning of the fourteenth century. The windows have geometrical tracery. When the church was consecrated only the chancel, nave and south aisle had been completed; the north aisle was added in 1898 and the tower was not completed until 1913. The walls are built of hammer-dressed Aberdeen granite but the dressings at the quoins and voids are in freestone from Burntisland. The nave roof is timber and the sedilia, piscina and altar are made from Caen stone (the present altar covers the stone altar), the fine shelly limestone from Normandy, which was often used in mediaeval buildings.

The wonderful font is pre-reformation and came from the ruined church at Kinkell near Inverurie. Alexander Galloway was the Rector of Kinkell from 1516 until his death in 1552 and he was also Rector of Kings College, Aberdeen, several times during this period. He designed and donated many works of art to the Diocese and this font is attributed to him; it bears his initials on the West panel. Other carvings are the five wounds of Christ, the crown of thorns and a rose, the symbol of the Virgin Mary.

Queen´s Cross

The surrounding buildings and their streets are typical of the Victorian period in which they were built. The Queen's Cross area, particularly Queen's Road and Albyn Place, is home to the offices of many finance businesses who have moved into the old Victorian mansion houses. There are also a number of exclusive restaurants and bars in the area.This area is considered by many in the local area as the centre point of the West End of Aberdeen. There are two Church of Scotland churches at the intersection, one is the big building on the left, that is the Rubislaw  Parish Church and in the centre of the roundabout the queen´s statue.

Queen Victoria at Queens Cross

Queen's Victoria statue is an area in the West End of Aberdeen. the bronze statue from C. B. Birch, of Queen Victoria was produced for the Maharajah of Oodypore. The statue faces west, looking up Queen's Road towards Balmoral, the Queen's summer residence.

Aberdeen Big Cats

Let´s talk about big cats, but also about symbolic ones.  Cats, and leopards in particular, are

an important part of the iconography of Aberdeen. Just over a hundred years ago, Aberdeen’s leopards took shape in the form of what are now fondly known as “Kelly’s cats”.  The architect William Kelly was commissioned to decorate the newly-widened Union Street Bridge in 1908, and he chose to do so with the leopards that I draw in 3 views on the left.

Also the version of the "coat of arms" of the city consist of three towers within a border decorated with fleur-de-lis and the supporters of the shield are two leopards. Apparently, James I of Scotland granted the (symbolic) leopards to the city of Aberdeen because the city underwrote his expenses while he was in exile in England in the early 15th century.

The local history magazine is called The Leopard, and the shopper’s creche is called “Leaping Leopards”.

Coincidentally, a cover of one of my poetry book has one of my paintings with a leopard, https://www.chiadoeditora.com/livraria/a-intensidade-do-tigre. 

Old Aberdeen Town House

The Town House, is located in Old Aberdeen. Once a separate burgh, Old Aberdeen was incorporated into the city in 1891. The town House was the centre of the governance for the town. Since then it has been a police station, a library, and a masonic lodge. It is now in the Care of the University.

Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen

Located on Rosemount Viaduct is the Central Library, the main library for the city, and His Majesty’s Theatre Which is is one of only two so named in the world. It’s an opulent, awe-inspiring building. Enjoy a beautiful pre-theatre meal in the 1906 Restaurant at His Majesty’s Theatre. Serving a delicious contemporary menu, featuring locally-sourced produce, a reservation at 1906 will enhance your theatre-going experience. The restaurant is open from 10.30am every day, with a pre-theatre menu from 5pm – 7.30pm; then à la carte menu available after 7.30pm.

Canoeing on Dee

In Aberdeen is easily found at the University Boathouse on the south bank of the river. This is a funny looking triangular building usually guarded by a few not too vicious swans and geese. Not quite straightforward as the Boathouse area is not the nicest in the city. The river is canoeable all year through as there are numerous tributaries throughout its length which help to keep it flowing even in the height of summer. However, given its size, it is surprisingly susceptible to heavy rainfall, which can bring the river into spate conditions overnight. The best times to paddle it I feel would be from mid summer to late Autumn. September and October, the surrounding countryside becomes a myriad of brown, red and green as the trees change colour.  Late February to April usually sees the best water levels with melting snow and our usual springtime deluges bringing the river up to quite exciting levels. November and December are often very cold with a biting North wind, which for some reason often seems to blow directly up the river. 

Salmon fishing on the river Dee

The Dee is renowned as one of the great salmon rivers of the world. Anyone who has ever cast a fly for Atlantic salmon will know the allure of this wonderful river. Although one of Scotland's shallower salmon fishing rivers the River Dee has a history of producing heavyweight salmon and 20lbs fish are common. The River Dee salmon fishing season commences on the 1st of February and finishes on the 15th of October each year. The Dee is very much a fly fishing river with beautiful boulder strewn attractive clear water pools that ebb & flow down through various glides and fast water rapids throughout it's entire length. The River Dee is a Scottish river that will work her magic on you and memories attained while breathing in her salmon fishing beauty will permanently remain in your mind tempting you to return year after year as the vast majority of her salmon fishers do.

Powis Gate

Powis Gate is a Category B Listed building forming the gatehouse entrance to Powis House (1802). The structure was erected between 1833 and 1834 by John Leslie of Powis and comprises two minarets and centre arch. The distinctive ‘pepper pot’ minarets are a distinctive feature to Old Aberdeen, forming a unique landmark and monument to the University complex.

St Nicholas Kirk

Entrance to the St Nicholas Kirk, from Union Street. The Kirk is also known as "The Mither Kirk" (mother church) of the city.  Despite the many alterations to the fabric of the Kirk over the year's, St Nicholas retains a larger number of medieval effigies than any other Scottish parish church, though none of these are in their original positions. The Vault or Chapel of Our Lady of Pity survives under the east end of the Kirk. It has been refaced externally, but retains its medieval vaults within. 

Aberdeen shoreline

Aberdeen Beach is a well-loved and extremely popular recreational area of the city. Only a short distance from the city centre, the award winning beach is visited by holiday makers and city residents all year round. The area is well provided with sporting and recreational facilities, including the Beach Leisure Centre and the Linx Ice Arena, cafes, restaurants and a fun fair. 

On the beach

Even though it is very cold the beach is always a good choice. A child played in front of me with joy.

St Machar's Cathedral with fog

According to legend, St Machar founded a site of worship in Old Aberdeen in about 580. Since then many transformations took place and the Cathedral is a fine example of a fortified kirk. With twin towers built in the fashion of fourteenth-century tower houses. Their walls have the strength to hold spiral staircases to the upper floors and battlements. The spires which presently crown the towers were added in the 15th century. There has been considerable investment in recent years in restoration work and the improvement of the display of historic artefacts at the Cathedral. this image depicts the cathedral in a foggy morning.

Masonic Temple 85 Crown Street, Aberdeen

Masonic temple in Aberdeen - The lodge of Aberdeen is one of our oldest lodges in Scotland and has made a distinctive contribution to the history of Freemasonry, in its long association with operative masonry, far exceeding 300 years, and in it’s possession of the celebrated ‘Mark Book’ of 1670, the Laws and Statues contained therein, and also of one of the copies of the ‘Old Charges’. In 1753 the Lodge of St. Machar was formed and the lodge of Aberdeen no longer stood alone as representing masonry in the town. 

Knowing as the 3 Secrtes (AUDI.VIDE.TACE) is engraved under a centered (I offered myself the luxury of write Centre in American) window.  

Dr Noodles & Javier Marías

I was taking by a friend out for lunch for her birthday and she wanna a place where we could get a low ish calorie meal so she was considering going to Dr Noodles (Union Street, Aberdeen). And there we where just wondering if anyone has been there (I have but never counting calories) and know what even their straight up small stir fry and noodle box is? Anyway I convinced her to loose the head on that matter and just enjoying.
As topic of conversation we dwell attention on the designation of the shop, and how a doctorate in prioritize your needs, is something that probably a University can not offer.  At that point I remind another friend that I had in Portugal that used to say that he knew the UK universities just by reading Javier Marias books. 

Appearances can deceive & Stephen King

The image is serene and simple, but for me this was a moment that marked a change. 

I first read SK  All was peace around but that created such an immersive experience that was like having an intense affair.  

Looking to Aberdeen Harbor - NORTHLINK

This is the view of one of the streets of Aberdeen that lead down to the pier. One can see part of a large boat with a viking illustration. That is the North link, the ferry that goes from Aberdeen to Orkney and Shetland. I was ferociously encouraged to engage in taking it and discover the Up Helly Aa.
(I put some information down below from the web)

The annual Up Helly Aa festival celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in Shetland and culminates with the setting on fire of their galley in the evening.

The Guizer Jarl is the main character in the celebration, and the Jarl Squad comprises supporters.

A replica galley – a type of ship – is built every year for the festival.

The squad stand on the galley after the march.

Torchbearers are all the various squads’ members, and are led by the Jarl Squadwhich is when the galley is dragged through the streets

Following the procession, the torchbearers form a circle around the galley and sing a traditional song

before throwing their torches on to the replica ship

The burning of the galley marks the end of the celebration ...

... but the festivities continue long in to the nightok

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Scottish Dancing

Written material on Scottish dancing dates back to the 1700s. Over time, particular styles have evolved and many geographical areas of Scotland have their own unique dance variations. It is commonly accepted that the Reel is the only truly indigenous dance to Scotland. This was a dance for three or more people where steps were danced on the spot alternating with everyone doing usually the same travelling step around in a circle or in a figure of eight. Partly due to their location, The Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland all danced their own reels late into the 1800s before the introduction of more modern dances. Shetland has particularly invested in keeping their traditional Reels alive and many are danced today. Start tapping your toe to the sound of the pipes or fiddle and you are on the way to Scottish dancing.

For ease of description, Scottish traditional dance can broadly be described as four different styles, with certain techniques, moves, footwork, patterns common to all. Dances of the same name, for example Reel of Tulloch, can be performed in a different style, changing the feel and the look of the dance. Whether it’s ceilidh dancing, highland dancing, scottish-country dancing or step-dance Scottish music on the pipes, fiddle, accordion and Gaelic song joins and celebrates it all.

Balmoral Castle

Balmoral Castle has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852, so we can not expect less then excellent. The Castle is an example of Scots Baronial architecture and is classified by Historic Scotland.
In 1931, the castle gardens were opened to the public for the first time and they now are open daily between April and the end of July, after which Queen Elizabeth arrives for her annual stay. The  ballroom is the only room in the castle that may be viewed by the public. Also interesting is that since 1987 an illustration of the castle has been featured on the reverse side of 100 pounds notes issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Stone Circles & Cows

This was an amazing day! I was so excited! As I´m archaeologist I was uncover one of the many stone circle, in this case was the Cullerlie Stone Circle. The access follow the B9119 road from Aberdeen in direction of Banchory. We found the circle just about half a mile farther, to the left of the road. Probably from Bronze Age, about 3500 years old, it consist of eight evenly spaced granite boulders and within them, eight small cairns for cremated burials. I will not depict it here "cose" I´m working this in another way. 

But I thought perhaps I could use the inspirations of that surroundings, it was there lots of cows. thus I was seriously considering using another approach to landscape painting with cows,

Although not sure that it will avenge.

Braemar & 'Royal Warrant'

It was a lovely day, heading to Balmoral we´v stopped at Braema. Situated in the spectacular mountain scenery at the eastern gateway to the highest mountains of the Cairngorms National Park. A quarter of a mile east of the town stands Braemar Castle, a 17th century castle with a colourful past. Built by the Earl of Mar in 1628, it has been a hunting lodge, fortress, garrison and family home. 

But I decided to draw one street in the centre, with local shops as they  exhibit  a 'Royal Warrant', which means that the warrants where awarded by members of the Royal Family to businesses that have repeatedly provided services of a sufficiently high standard. 

Gordon Highlanders statue

The Castlegate in Aberdeen was chosen as the site for this beautiful Gordon Highlanders statue because this was the site of their original 1700s barracks before moving to the Bridge of Don. Castlegate Barracks was located at the end of Union Street and Castle Street, affording views over the harbour. 

The bronze sculpture monument shows two soldiers, one in the early kilted uniform and musket rifle and the other with combats and SLR weapon prior to amalgamation to the Royal Regiment of Scotland. Others amalgamated were the Royal Scots, Kings Own Scottish Borderers, Highland Light Infantry, Royal Scots Fusiliers, Royal Highland Fusiliers, Black Watch, Seaforth Highlanders, Cameron Highlanders, Queens Own Highlanders and Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. The Gordons became The Highlanders 4th Battalion. 

Craigievar Castle

If you don´t believe in fairy tails you have to travel to Scotland and have a twist on your thoughts. Discover the beautiful pink castle said to be the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle. There are plenty in here, anyway, but in this you can Admire an impressive collection of artefacts and art, including Raeburns, armour and weapons. No matter if you are a really Cinderella or if you are a men, you certainly harvest the benefits, if you know what I mean. 

Whisky bottles & Thistle

In there I draw attention to the whisky bottles, as whisky been one of the most famous products of Scotland, it will be almost Incontrovertible. So I did "The Famous Grouse" and "Glenfiddich" which appears to be the most awarded single malt Scotch whisky, as one of the last family distilleries. Certainly it deserved some color, but I was not in the mood, further more, I´m afraid that I have to state, that I never learn to like this drink, as I came from the south of Europe I rather go into wine. Also,the thistle is a very important symbol as the highest honour in Scotland is to be installed as a Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle.

Hazlehead Park

Drawing could be a great tool to clean our mind as it could help to recall details that are precious gifts of certain moments in time. Like most of the things that we can reach, we should use with care. 

Don mouth

This is one of my favorite spots on Aberdeen, river Don, cose I privilege open-spaces, filled with wildlife and where we can feel a deep connection with the Earth. I have to say that I spent here good times, writing, drawing or just being.

Discover Half of the Apple

The New Kings building, at the University, in Old Aberdeen is a very nice place, with typical Scottish architectural features. It also benefits from having a front part shrouded by shrubs that change color, green to red, throughout the year and give it a special charm. If you have time and curiosity you can find among other things that the lawns around are very sweet and that the statue is kept in one hand (I´m not here to reveal which ...) half of the apple.

Union Terrace Gardens

An oasis for relaxation in the city centre. On the north side is a magnificent floral crest depicting the city's coat of arms. Above that are three beds that change each year and depict local and national groups or topical events. Situated just off the city's main thoroughfare of Union Street, the park was built in the valley of the Denburn and the amphitheatre formed over the remains of the flattened Denburn Terrace. Union Terrace Gardens is used for occasional concerts and leisure.

Queen's Cross Church

One of the aspects I find very interesting in the churches I have known in Scotland is the apparent lightness of the interior that contrasts with the robustness of the exterior. I know better the architecture of the Portuguese or even Italian churches and despite their particularities they are more homogeneous. Here the exterior is austere and the worked stone presents the same characteristics of some of the great European cathedrals, but generally the interior is made of wood, as is also the case with this beautiful church.