My Wee Imp and I joined our friends at HANDSS yesterday evening for a story and a craft!
I told the tale of an Armenian woman (a total hero who is a teacher and a weaver) who refuses to marry a prince unless he “gets a real job” – he becomes a weaver and that ends up saving his life. The story was followed up by a wee bit of simple weaving.
Here are some photos courtesy of HANDSS.
Elsie the Fishwife and I had a great visit to Maryfield West Care Home today when pupils from Albyn School were making one of their regular visits!
We heard all about the fish wife whose husband caught a magic fish and the residents and pupils loved hearing about Lazy Jack and his exploits! They clapped and sang the chorus of a couple of songs too. Elsie and I had a lovely day!
I have been totally rubbish at posting since Spectra – probably still coming down after all those Irn Bru Jelly Babies 
But I have been busy!
I’ve had two #LiveLiterature visits from @scottishbooktrust
One at Kemnay Academy – where we spoke about boulder hurling giants and other local myths and legends. Of course I forgot to get a photo!
But I did manage to get a photo at Charleston Library 
Here’s the P6s from the local school (who knew all about Gardieloo!)
Thankyou librarians, teachers and pupils for two fantastic visits!!
I am (as ever!) waaay behind with my posts!
Spectra, Aberdeen’s festival of light, was as amazing as expected. Lindsey Gibb and I wonderful time telling 35 stories over 18 hours (that’s 4 evenings!) to well over 850 people. We were the first to be in the new Burns Pavillion at Union Terrace Gardens – and a great venue it was too – allowing in about 12 adults and their children (and adults that wanted to sit on the floor!) – so usually about 25-30 people. It was officially the cosiest venue at Spectra – and we had some fantastic feedback!
I won’t go on any further, as here’s some photos from Alice Merilees who took photos while we told stories!
It’s been such a busy week I’m just catching up with myself!
First I had a photoshoot with the wonderful Windswept Stories Photography down at Fittie with Elsie the Fishwife. Of course that will need a whole post of its own. I’ve just seen the photos and they’re amazin!! Elsie has instructed me that I should show as many showing her good side as possible.
On Wednesday I had my third visit to Turriff Academy where the S2s looked at Doric and Scots and were subjected to my awful singing – all in the interest of demonstrating how special our local languages and dialects are! (Probably more on that later too!)
And on Thursday I had SO much fun at Bucksburn Academy’s ASN unit. A few puppet pals came with me and each class had a shot at telling a story with me using the animals. Fizzy and Fuzzy took charge at various points and I’m glad to say Fuzzy was allowed some peace from his sister to take the stage and do a song and a poem. Nae bad Fuzzy. Nae bad.
Look at that massive smile… :
Elsie the Fishwife is delighted because she knows she’ll now be travelling to our storytelling sessions in style!
I have been looking for an authentic fishwife’s creel for years, and finally I got one yesterday from Fancy That? in Edzell! (We enjoyed our nosey around at all the other amazing things and will have a nosey at their shop Ivy’s Emporium next time we’re in Banff)
The creel came from Whitehills near Banff and has been well looked after, so it’s perfect for another few decades use. If you would like a fully costumed storytelling fishwife for your event, please don’t hesitate to get in touch
After Mallku’s party it was a quick tidy up and off to Peterhead for the Light Up Peterhead event! There was so much on and I was lucky to be telling Christmas stories in the Muckle Kirk. (Just look at those stained glass windows!!)
Of course this required a quick costume change from Viking to Christmas Tree Fairy. See I’ve got my shiny tinsel crown and aathing!
I had some wonderful audiences throughout the afternoon and had the help of Fizzy the Fairy and my wee Tomte/Nisse pal – who is insisting he is not a gnome or a gonk!
Well WHAT a busy day I had yesterday! In the morning I had the pleasure of telling Viking tales to Mallku and his guests for his 8th birthday out at Haddo House. After the stories they made clay tablets with their names in Norse runes – and what a great job they did!
Here’s a photo of me with my pal Bjarni who needs to be told that Vikings did not wear helmets with horns OR Ikea rugs over their shoulders 
(Also note the amazing birthday cake in the background!)
Pauline Cordiner - Scottish Storyteller 