An odd surreal day

A few weeks ago I received this invitation. Somewhat of a surprise, I mean I know you won't believe this of me but it isn't every day I get a letter like this. As I opened the envelope it did cross my mind that this was a "very nice" envelope, very thick and juicy, in terms of envelopes. As much as I will happily blog away to my hearts content I'm old fashioned at heart and I do love to send and receive nice things through the post and I do like stationary and I can appreciate a good quality envelope. It came with a list of what one may wear, "lounge dress" was the dress code, though I still haven't worked out what that really means. I was relieved to learn that two other people I know had been invited so we went together which was great and made the whole day a bit less fraught.

Cameras were not allowed in the venue but I did get this quick snap of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth as she was leaving Castle Douglas this afternoon. There weren't many of us in the reception, I'd imagined a few hundred but not so, only about one hundred I'd say. We were arranged in groups of relevant people. I was with Natalie in the creative section. It was lovely to be asked, there were 7 of us in our group, someone from the Screen Commission, a film maker, silversmith, dancer and sculptor, a poet, Natalie Vardey chair of Spring Fling Open Studio Association and little old me. I must say it was very lovely to have been asked and a surprise as if it were me picking who from the region to represent the arts community there would be many far stronger names in the offing than mine.

We didn't actually speak to the Queen which was a little disappointing but she smiled and waved and seemed very bright and jolly and she looked a treat in her turquoise outfit. The Queen and Prince Philip met and greeted half of the room each and so our half met and briefly spoke to the Queen's husband HRH Prince Philip.