Good times, rolling

After a couple of quiet weeks, I went over the water (this is North Queensferry) to Dundee, to meet up with Mr L's cousin (he has a selection of these) and go to the kimono exhibition at the Dundee Victoria and Albert museum. 

It was very interesting. This kimono was made between 1800 and 1860. The embroidery was amazingly detailed. 

This was made between 1680 and 1705. Isn't it amazing condition, considering its age? It has characters on it which refer to a poem about the mountain rose or yamabuki: 

Were even a single flower

On the double-flowered yamabuki

In my garden

To remain,

It would be reminder of spring. 

(Yes, I know what you mean, poet - and this was from a collection of poems compiled by the Emperor Kazan in about 1005. We don't really change, do we?)

I did wonder why some of the pattern matching on the joins of the beautiful kimonos was slightly wonky, but then it turns out that the pieces are cut, then embroidered, then joined together. As below.

So that's why. In fact, it's a miracle that they match as well as they do, considering that it's all pre-decorated. Wow. 

Then last night I went with Daughter 1 and the Edinburgh Two to the Botanics light show, because we almost always do. It's so nice that the grandchildren still want to go. I savour every moment of their company, because they're growing up, and will soon not need to be taken places. 

Big Grandson is at least a head taller than me now, and has a nice group of school friends with whom he does stuff. I'm sure they're much more interesting to him than his granny, but he still comes round to see us. 

This is what the little greenhouse looked like, lit up. 

It was all very pretty. 

Then today we went back up to Dundee, to spend time with Son and his little Unbloggables. So lovely.

And now I should be getting ready for the arrival of Daughter 2, her husband and Littlest Granddaughter tomorrow, and my brother, sister-in-law and niece on Monday. Let the good times roll!