Poetry Folder

I rescued this ring binder from the office bin and transformed it into a folder for my poetry with photos from various magazines and Poetry across the corner in letters from magazines. The stone in the hand is tied with a ribbon that says Destiny.

Debris Field - an exhibition of found art and soundscapes

I've just been away for a few days visiting family in Greater Manchester. We went to an excellent exhibition at Bolton Art Gallery - Debris Field - a wonderful combination of sound pieces and intricate sculptures from found items. More information here. It's on until June so if you're in the area between now and then, I would definitely recommend going along.

Soundscapes

Today we walked up Corstorphine Hill in Edinburgh. The weather was warm and clear and the gorse was out, smelling of coconut. These are some of the natural sounds we heard:

The wind
Tree branches creaking in the wind
Leaves rustling in the wind
Birds singing and calling - great tits, blue tits, robins, blackbirds and chaffinches
Our footsteps
Twigs snapping underfoot

Somewhere like Corstorphine Hill it becomes possible to appreciate natural sounds, traffic noises seem to disappear. But for most of us who live in cities, natural noises are increasingly difficult to hear. This month's Ecologist magazine has an excellent article on noise pollution and soundscapes. Find out more from the Institute of Acoustic Ecology and find out what you can do to reduce noise from the Noise Abatement Society.

Ice Blink

Ice Blink is a term describing the white glare that appears on the underside of low clouds in sub-zero sea conditions, indicating the presence of ice beyond the range of vision and warning ships to be on guard.

Ice Blink is also an excellent exhibition of Simon Faithfull's photographs, drawings and films from an expedition to Antarctica. The highlight for me was definitely the video of an abandoned whaling station that has been taken over by seals! Ice Blink is part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival and is on at the Stills Gallery, Cockburn Street, Edinburgh until 14 May 2006. More information at: www.stills.org.