January was a fast month – a full month of walking, beginning new paintings, (bugs), working on paintings that needed the last layers. In Orkney we’ve been given the gift of some wonderful days, the kind that the light does its special thing. On days like those there is no better place and I just love it.
I’ve walked this walk many times – Yesnaby to Stromness – and every time it gets better and new things can be seen. At this time of year the edges can be precarious, perfectly safe when respected. Changes can appear after big storms, loose stones, areas wiped clean by the waves. The grass is windswept and weathered, it takes on the form of the waves below. Brown and Ochre are the prominent colours with glimpses of green making an appearance when looking inland. The changing colours of the sea and sky move with the light and make everything look just wonderful.
It’s all of these things that are thought of when returning to the studio – the steps walked this time and the times before.
We took the kids on this walk for the first time when they were 4 and 6 (10 years ago). Our son took his hand held remote control car, our daughter had a pink fleecy top on. Piggy backs were essential and the picnic tasted so good. We looked for patterns on the stones and got our feet wet jumping over peedie streams.
This time it was just Keith and I, we only saw two other people and a dog.
One of the conversations was with a woman that I bumped into – pretty much in the same spot – last time I walked the route. She commented that “her heart felt full when walking on days like this”. It was such a lovely thing to hear and I totally get what she meant, a great way to feel in January when the narrative is often ‘January is such a long month’, ‘ can’t wait till January is over’ ‘can’t wait until Summer’. I think she is a kindred spirit and there is a reason I bump into her at the same spot. She feels exactly the same about nature and the landscape. Maybe next time I go, she will be there again, if not, I will stop anyway and take it all in.
When walks are good, it usually means the studio is productive. It’s exciting to see what is appearing from the experience of the walk(s) – the colours, textures, movements. A sense of place.
In a time when the world seems to be going crazy, I hope you have something that makes your heart full.
Laura Drever 
That all sounds lovely Laura. I’m Australian & we visited the Orkneys in early April 2023 & were in awe of the place ( & your beautiful work at the Pier Arts Centre😁). I was raised in the arid (hot & dry) northern area of South Australia & it also has the rugged beauty and the feeling of peace but danger lurking if you are not careful. We are re-visiting the Orkneys this April & so looking forward to it…. Thank you for your descriptive narrative. 🙏 Ros
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HI Ros, thanks for your message. Lovely you are coming back to Orkney for another visit, Spring is a great time to come – everything is starting to come to life again. Have a very lovely time enjoying all that Orkney has to offer. If you like walking the walk described is a great one to go on – that whole coast has a good path and is just wonderful! Best, Laura x
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