Embracing the Grey

With the exception of the lovely mist-strewn hours mentioned in the previous post, the weather has been overwhelmingly grey since I returned from Delhi.  India was sparkling and vibrant and colourful.  England in November is grey and grey and grey.

So, of course, I’ve been doing the usual thing….the thing we British do as automatically as breathe: I’ve been moaning about the weather.  Big time.

But then it occurred to me that - since I can do nothing to change it - it might be more constructive to embrace it….to look for the beauty therein.  After all, a grey landscape can deliver up some meanly moody photos.

So, having revelled in the zinginess of all that Indian colour, I’m learning to savour the contrast.  If Delhi was a man, he’d be extrovert, disorganised, enigmatic and beguiling.  The Pennine Moors, on the other hand, are the strong, silent type.

Winners All

 

Helen’s name was first out of the bag today, so she wins the India give-away.  Congratulations, Helen!

However, since only five people put their names in the ring for this one, I decided they should all share in the Indian bounty.  So….a gorgeous, bejewelled notebook will shortly be flying off to Tracy in Norway; a pretty embroidered bag is wrapped and ready for Chesteraud; and Gail and Jacqueline get to share the stash of beautiful braids I brought back from the bazaars of Old Delhi.

If each of you lovely ladies would send me your address (just click Contact in the navigation bar), these treasures from the east will soon be winging their way to you.

As for the photograph above, it has nothing whatever to do with this post!  For the last two days, ribbons of mist have been lying in the valleys in the most breathtaking way.  And I just wanted to share them with you.  :)

Images from India

Whilst I was on my travels, I didn’t have the facility to upload multiple images to the blog or to create collages.

But, since several of you have asked to see more pictures, I’ve put together a slideshow.  I hope this gives you a tiny flavour of an amazing trip.

Music: Vishwa Mohan Bhatt

Indian Bounty

I could easily have spent my ten days in India shopping!  Is that shameful?

Don’t answer that!  At least the previous post tells you that I didn’t.  Do nothing but shop, that is.

I did, however, manage to pick up a few treasures along the way.  Including a pair of beautiful cushion covers.

One cover is destined to grace the little armchair in my new studio.  Its twin is going to decorate someone else’s space.  And it could be yours!

You’ve guessed it.  The lovely textile pictured above is my India give-away.  Just leave a comment below before midnight (UK time) next Monday (15th); and I’ll announce the happy winner on Tuesday.

In the meantime, if it still hasn’t dawned on you that Dixon Hill has a new web address….it has!  So be sure to update your bookmark or hit the swirly orange symbol in the address bar to subscribe to the new RSS feed.

I'll Be Back

My body landed back in England a few hours ago. My heart and mind are still in India.

I crammed a lot into my short time there. Over the last ten days or so, I've:

• worn a sari


• walked in the foothills of the Himalayas


• taken a yoga class with an amazing Indian yogi


• had a run-in with a group of angry monkeys


• learned my first words of Hindi


• attended a Son et Lumiere performance at the Red Fort in Delhi


• had an Indian head massage


• watched a craftsman maker of traditional knotted rugs demonstrate his art


• experienced an 'Indian-style' toilet


• visited the Taj Mahal and the Qutb Minar


• had my hands painted with intricate henna designs


• shopped in the bazaars of Old Delhi


• met family members I'd only heard of - and others I didn't know existed


• sat in a jacuzzi under a deep blue sky on the edge of a cliff, surrounded by snow-capped peaks that stretched into China

Despite all that, I know I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of this extraordinary country.

Which gives me every reason to return. :)