Windswept

This outside the Stables, created by one of the Cromarty Arts Trust's artists in residence. There's such movement in it, such a forward stride and the wind catching the kilt.

Feeling pretty windswept ourselves tonight. I rang George, one of our oldest friends, to thank him for my birthday present; only to find he's in hospital, dying. After years of dialysis following kidney cancer, suddenly he has multiple organ failure, total system collapse.

A lovely man, George. Grew up on his dad's Kentish farm. Learned to read and write in his twenties. Met us as a porter at the local auction house. Became a competent and trusted general builder, and lent invaluable help with our own self-build in Sutherland in 2004. Such a good, kind friend. We feel crushed.