Saturday 15/04/06

Weather appears to be in a routine of sunny mornings, followed by showers later in the day. Go to the shops during the afternoon with mrs B, for the weekend shopping. It's pretty busy in Somerfields, in anticipation of Easter. I think the supermarket will be open on Monday, but am not sure. At 5pm, I accompany mrs B to An Lanntair for the opening of an exhibition of local artworks, Grinnean nan Eilean (The Beauty of the Isles). It was open to members of An Lanntair only; I was invited by mrs B, a member herself. The main body is paintings, which are nearly all for sale. Prices vary between £23 and £3900. Some of it is good - others I struggle to recognise the object. In the foyer, photographs are hung. Other forms of art include a 4 foot cup & saucer (see entry for 18 April) made out of papier maché; the paper consisting of ordering slips from the restaurant. The chairman and the former chairman hold a speech. A gull strides over the skylight overhead as they blah blah. Standing about is not my favourite passtime. At 6.30, a fingerbuffet opens. The Woodlands Band strikes up at 7, but nobody sees fit to applaud. Stuck-up bunch. Watch the ferry arrive at 8. Leave for Newton at 8.30. Half an hour later, at dusk, Muirneag departs for her refit. The Isle of Arran is waiting outside the harbour to take over from her. The pictures in the gallery are not terribly good; it's nearly dark, and the lengthy exposure times resulted in a degree of blurring.