Glen Massan, flat evening light…
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Category Archives: photography
London…
Emily, Will and I are just back from a few days in London- the first time I have been there since around 1987. We all had a great time.
We were staying with Malcolm and Alison, who looked after us brilliantly. Thanks to both of you! Alison officiated (if that is the right word) at her first communion service (she is an ordained Anglican minister) whist we were there and it was great to share this with her. Malcolm was Emily’s guide for three full days work experience in a big city hospital- she was able to be in the operating theatre for brain surgery, the removal of tumours from tiny babies and all sorts of extreme events.
William and I became tourists. We rode impossibly crowded underground trains, walked miles and miles and miles, gawped at the houses of parliament, Buckingham Palace and all sorts of other landmarks.
We went in loads of wonderful free museums- the British, the Natural History, the Science.
We watched a play (The Tempest) at the Globe theatre.
We tried to watch a 20/20 cricket match at the Oval, but it was abandoned because of rain after only two balls being bowled.
We spent an hour or two wandering the wonderful wackyness of the Tate Modern (more on this later.)
We all missed Michaela, who has had other things on up in Dunoon (including entertaining the Princess Royal!) and it is good to be home…
But it has been a great time, thanks to the generosity of friends. May they be blessed.
The next generation of garden grazers…
…and try as I might, I can not resent them for the plants that I know they will destroy.
I looked out of the front door a few minutes ago and there were two tiny fauns on the driveway, still covered in their lines of camouflage spots and speckles to hide them from the wolves and lions that no longer frequent these parts.
They are young Roe deer, around 2 or 3 weeks old.
One was shy and skipped through the hedge almost immediately. The other one lingered, perhaps curious about whose garden this was that provided such good eating.
Even when she wandered through the gap in the hedge she did not go far- watching me as I watched her. Here she is;
Spring at last…
It is here…
At least 3 weeks behind normal, if the bluebells are any guide. Here are a few at the bottom of our garden.
But how lovely they are.
Smiles…
Smile
There is no muscle wasted
In your wrinkled face
No line uncurled
There is no shadow cast by
Tomorrows waiting growth
Each hair a whisker, quivered
No sharp fang
In your pearly-whites
Lit up by our laughter
There is no moment
More than this
When here we are, smiling
Aoradh wilderness retreat, 2013…
I am back!
Sadly, we did not manage to get on to Eileach an Naoimh, our planned retreat venue this year- the weather made a landing (via small inflatable from larger boat) rather dicey. Lindsay, the skipper of Sea Leopard II (highly recommended if you are in the need of a boat charter in these parts) had a good try, from a couple of different points, but a storm was approaching, leaving only one sensible choice.
We had the choice of loads of other venues in the area, but opted for the northern end of Scarba- offering shelter from the approaching south west storm in the old birch trees in the hollow of big hills.
It was stunning, despite the weather being a challenge- made all the more special by two sea eagles who were our constant companions- huge birds, with 9 foot wingspans riding the winds over the raging tides of the Grey Dogs.
This year there were 11 of us who traveled in the end- a really great bunch of blokes from all parts of the country and many different walks of life. We had lots and lots of laughter, times of deep silence, prayer, fireside conversations and experienced the close camaraderie of sheltering in a rudimentary shelter rigged expertly by Sam and Neil.
There is so much I could say (and probably will) about our days together, but for now here are a few photos;
Forth Rail Bridge pics…
Today we took a trip to North Queensferry, home to the famous Forth Bridge. William had a day at the Sea Life Centre, feeding fish and getting close to the huge sharks in their tanks.
I took lots of photos…
The road ahead…
It is Michaela’s birthday today.
We took a day out to go over to Bute, just the 4 of us, in the crisp spring sunshine. We went to visit the Marquis of Bute at his magnificent pile, Mount Stuart.
His house was lovely.
It is unlikely to be affected by the bedroom tax.
The Garden, in the cool of the morning…
May this Easter morning bring renewal
May your cross be empty and the stone rolled from your tomb
May every broken egg loose tiny chicks of hope
Though there are teeth in this morning air, the ground beneath is stirring
When we thought it all ended
Perhaps it just began….
For life is no leaky barrel
It is no unwinding spring
Life is no baton to hold a while then drop into another hand
It is a well within me
It is song
It is moment and forever
It is here
Searching for spring…
The weather up here has been wild- not the weight of snow that has fallen in other parts of the UK (my mother had to dig herself out of the front door in Nottinghamshire) but we have had a cold east wind that has whipped the Clyde to white, stopped all the ferries, and made our house so cold that we have sat huddled under blankets. Old houses in high elevation tend towards the drafty in these conditions!
Michaela and I decided to go and look for spring- we took a walk through Benmore Gardens, searching for the lovely almost-completed Bhutanese pavilion.
We found that Spring was poised in the form of flower buds and the odd green leaf, but that it had regretted its early boldness and was in full retreat.
So we went for a hot chocolate.
this fragile tent 