EAFS2

Busy Sunday in Dumfries & Galloway - via Auchencairn, to Carstramon Wood, Anwoth and Gatehouse of Fleet. Headed out from Dumfries early to hunt for ancestors in Auchencairn - rather moved when I found a great-uncle, great-great grandparents and others. Concluded they had found a peaceful & lovely place to rest.

Drove down a scary road to Carstramon Wood, famous for it's bluebells, to find the Dome of Silence. After walking up the hill, it may have been the dome of heavy breathing. Worth the climb though - a beautiful work, a chat the artist - first John Muir International Artist in Residence Ueno Masao and met a couple who have been walking the woods for 50 years! They were intrigued by the structure & ideas behind the festival, and looking forward to seeing how the dome will change through the seasons & years.

Then to Anwoth for Gimme Shelter - I loved this. Inside a roofless church was a tented structure where I lay down and watched a video installation, projected onto the ceiling - the sides of the tent blowing in the breeze. It felt variously like looking up out of your grave or into a grave or like having a massage or meditation, all while listening to heartrendingly beautiful music. I felt very disorientated when I left the tent after the first loop (15 mins). But felt the need to go back & see it again. Moving, mournful, solemn but also joyful & life-affirming. Did I mention I loved this? There was so much more too - do read about it!

Stop off at Mill on the Fleet for coffee, cake and challenging debate, and back to the other Anwoth Church (the one with a roof) to see an EAFS Fringe event from David Ralston which was clever, fun & beautiful.

Headed back to Dumfries (via a less scary route) for curry & a catch up with a colleague - we exchanged breathless stories about what we'd seen and shared our secret love of country music. There was also wine. And sleep!