Hi everyone. I’m afraid there won’t be a regular blog this week owing to a family bereavement, which means that we’re away south for a few days.
You’ll see from the photo that I have (just) finished the knitting of the Hebrides cardigan; though all the washing, blocking, un-steekening and zipperydoodahing will also perforce have to wait, pro tem.
Also, Judit has turned up trumps again with another gansey, a really effective combination of different diamond designs shown off to great effect in a light colour.
Finally, I’d like to leave you with one of my favourite poems. I’ve always had a deep love for ancient Chinese verse, in which words are deployed as skilfully as brush strokes, like one of those paintings which seem to come to life as you look at it. This one’s by Li Po, “Taking Leave of a Friend”, freely translated with great skill by Ezra Pound:
Blue mountains to the north of the walls,
White river winding about them;
Here we must make separation
And go out through a thousand miles of dead grass.Mind like a floating wide cloud,
Sunset like the parting of old acquaintances
Who bow over their clasped hands at a distance,
Our horses neigh to each other
as we are departing.
Blue mountains to the north of the walls,