‘Saltwater & Stone’ - Jo Philby
‘Saltwater & Stone’ - Jo Philby (Debut Release)
Hi all,
Just to let you all know I have just released my debut album at last weeks Orkney Folk Festival! It is a mix of traditional & contemporary songs I have been singing over the last 13 years. I am accompanied by an ecclectic mix of some of Orkney’s finest musicians. My Cd finally arrived the day before my launch gig - Phew! It was an enjoyable, exhilarating, sometimes stressful 6 months but above all it was a very rewarding experience.
Read more and purchase at www.jophilby.co.uk or contact me here.
Spring has Sprung!
Farm & Wildlife News
The island is now alive with the singing of Larks, the bubbling of the Curlews & Oyster Catchers! One morning early spring I was joined on an early morning walk with Selkie (our dog) along the cliff by first one Skylark then another until there were 6 above me! The sound as you can imagine was glorious. I smiled to myself feeling, that I was pleased to be living in such an unspoilt environment . I also saw my first bumble bee early March which is also a sure sign that things are preparing for the season ahead. The weather was quite settled at this time & I was often greeted either end of the day to the happy song of the blackbird. For a while now we have had a wren flitting & hopping about the garden. It has now been joined by its partner. One has taken to singing at the top of its little/big voice on the top of our weather vain on the greenhouse, wonderful. There are plenty of hares around & we enjoy seeing the tips of the black of their ears in the surrounding fields. Many groups have been seen dashing about in the fields around our house in the spring sunshine. There are far too many rabbits this year. A bit too close to the garden, so we will keep them under control before I start on the veg garden!!
We are hoping that ‘Olive’ our sow will soon be ‘in pig’ so we can enjoy seeing the piglets rooting about the fields.
Craiglands
I am glad I spent the time in the autumn planting lots of early tulips, crocus, sea squill, grape hyacinths etc as we have enjoyed the first bursts of colour around the house & gallery. I have finally sown some veg seeds a little later this year due to our holiday. However, Roger has rotavated the veg garden & used our pig manure so I should be able to plant the early tatties this week. This is always a great job because I love new tatties the best!! My poor greenhouse is on its last legs but I can still use it but no tomatoes this year, shame. Roger is going to at some point, in between making jewellery etc build me a new one, wow! Watch this space..
Fluke News
So we have started preparing for the season ahead. Roger has been busy through the winter working on various pieces. He has also worked on a few commissions which has been very exciting & rewarding for him. Our newest collection ‘Fire & Ice’ should be available online from mid May but in the mean time you can view the collection on our Flickr page.
Next month will be the time when we start seeing more visitors to the island so we hope to see some of you again this year. Please come & say hello as it is always good to see some familiar faces throughout the season. We are hoping that we see more cetaceans this year, so fingers crossed…
So until next time, enjoy the anticipation of the coming months.
Keep well & see you soon
Jo & Roger
A Hearty guid NEW YEAR!
Hope you all enjoyed your Christmas & New Year? To those of you who received our jewellery we hope you were pleased with your gifts.
We had lovely still, sunny days over christmas & were able to enjoy walks most days. It was especially nice after the severe gales we had the weekend before! Orkney looks so beautiful in the sunshine. We enjoyed one of our tasty hams & a local free range turkey for christmas dinner. Very rewarding…
So now it is time to get back to normal & think about the year ahead. Roger has a mind full of inspiration, I will be recording my debut CD & there are always the many jobs around our place to keep us busy!
Wishing you all the best for a healthy & happy 2009. Until next time….
Jo & Roger
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Christmas at our gallery..
“ A very Merry Christmas & A Happy & Healthy New Year !!”
Thankyou for your custom in 2008 & we look forward to seeing & meeting some of you again next year!
Enjoy your celebrations.
Roger & Jo