Photographic beauty is in the eyes of two beholders

Fiona’s contributions to helping her husband choose photos for an important exhibition lead to a bit of a visual culture clash

The chief has another photographic exhibition coming up. But on this occasion, it is not one with a Scottish theme. Over the years my husband has amassed an amazing collection of Highland and Lowland images. There are his coffee table books on west coast islands. And there are the numerous magazine commissions of keeps and castles.

Above all, there are the landscapes. A misty morn in a distant glen. The waves drumming on coastal cliffs. The cloud lifting off a lofty peak.

Scotland is his first love when it comes to photography. But this time the project has a rather more exotic feel to it.

These photos are to be shown in an arty English gallery – and the theme is the Namibian desert.

You may recall we went to Africa earlier this year. Ostensibly for a holiday.

But the MacGregor took his camera – and the results are spectacular. Now he has been asked to submit 14 of his finest shots.

Which is not that easy when you have several hundred sitting on your computer.

After days agonising, he needs a second opinion. So, we sit and pore over pictures – and try not to fall out.

For, yet again, it is like Jack Spratt and his wife. He likes surreal. Something different. Something you have to guess at.

I, meanwhile, am one of those who prefers to know what I am looking at.

He goes for muted colours. For him, beige, grey and browns are comfortable shades.

For my part, the brighter the sand or sunset, the bluer the sky – the happier it makes me feel.

Taste is a funny old thing, isn’t it? What is music to one person’s ear can be a dismal din to another.

What floats my boat may leave yours sitting in the harbour. Beauty is most surely in the eye of the beholder.

As the very twee Miss Jean Brodie famously said when in her prime: “For those that like that kind of thing, that is the sort of thing they like.”

What is for sure is that you are never too old to learn something new.

This week someone gives me a useful little book. And it is all about vinegar.

For this simple solution is not just something you put on your chips. White vinegar can be used for a million and one things.

What floats my boat may leave yours sitting in the harbour

Used carefully it will clean the computer keyboard. It will even wash your hair.

Vinegar will leave your windows sparkling. It will kill your weeds and could keep your flowers fresh.

And it is very good for dealing with smelly dogs.

This week the MacNaughties come in after rolling in something nasty.

The book tells me to dilute some of this magic liquid and dab it on the offending part.

And it works. All is fine again. Except the spaniel and the terrier now smell of vinegar.

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