With autumn fast approaching, I find myself casting my mind back to the last few days of summer – trying to eke out those light-filled days before the really dark days are upon me.

We spent one magical night in a little wooden cabin overlooking a tiny, working harbour on the east coast of Scotland. It’s not far from where I live in Edinburgh, and it was completely idyllic.

I’ve always loved the sea and beaches. But it’s harbours that seem to provide endless inspiration – the old, worn stones, peeling paint, a pop of florescent orange of a buoy, the hard edges of the harbour wall – the list is endless!

Once back home, I was sorting out some paintings to decide on framing options and I began to spot all those elements – the harbour wall, the wooden ladder, the pop of orange – it was all there!

With the October half term holidays almost upon us, we’re heading off to another little harbour, this one on the Northumberland coast, and I cannot wait! I’ll be packing my sketch book and, of course, I’ll be taking lots of photos!

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