Just a thought.....

A place to think

[fionadartisan]

See that rock on the distance? That is my home. The Isle of Arran. What an epic trip but now time to go home.

[fionadartisan]

Tiny libraries and honesty boxes pop up all over the highlands. I think I might have used them all. They have become a bit of an obsession.

[fionadartisan]

When we left for this trip the world was green. As we enter our final stage autumn has appeared. Witnessing a seasonal shift on the road has been magical.

[fionadartisan]

Another west coast sunset. We have arrived in Fort William to do some old favourites walks. Last phase of what has been an epic trip living and working in a van.

[fionadartisan]

Working in the van. I have a whole Substack post coming soon on how I go about working from a van.

[fionadartisan]

A gentle afternoon spent in Plockton. A special place with a micro climate still in summer bloom. Worth a visit.

[fionadartisan]

Cold dips have been a feature on our van travels. A wonderful addition to my day.

[fionadartisan]

Parking up

When you find the perfect spot to park up just outside Torridon and then have to climb a mountain to get a signal. Just loved this wee woodland.

[fionadartisan]

Sculptures in woodlands are always a favourite find. Parked up for the night in a woodland spot. Some gentle wandering is required. 🌿

[fionadartisan]

I may have found ‘my place’ on this journey although I think it might be one of two eventually with Applecross still to meet. Gairloch is a wee bit special especially when you dig down into the community. Also the best coffee stop so far. Expect me to be writing about this place over in my Substack next week.

[fionadartisan]

Three things I have learnt so far working on the road -

1. I can sit and draw for hours without pressure to be doing anything else.

2. I can manage my Etsy orders with a little help from Google maps that find me post offices.

3. Connectivity is generally absolutely fine meaning I can do my work for Patreon and Substack without any bother.

So, yes, I can manage my business from the van except for zooms and even that I could probably manage!

[fionadartisan]

Gairloch is one of those places you feel drawn to understand. I sense quite the community here. So remote.

[fionadartisan]

We retreated to a campsite to sit out the weather but what a night! Don’t much like being in a van when winds are in excess of 40 miles per hour. Did a wee drawing inspired by Culloden Moor to ease the nerves.

[fionadartisan]

Durness watching dolphins 🩵

[fionadartisan]

We discovered that one of the summer isles is for sale. Just imagine!

[fionadartisan]

Always a wee bit sad when I stumble across one of these on the beach. Beautiful markings though.

[fionadartisan]

A day of work today at a campsite overlooking the summer isles. Hubby kindly doing laundry while I work but still time for multiple scrambles on the beach. Structuring our days around the best connectivity so I can continue to work. You might be forgiven for thinking we had done this before! Still waiting for our first real challenge that will come in the form of poor weather. We shall keep you posted. 🙏🏻