Return

This day began at 3:30 am Glasgow time - 10:30 pm Lakemont time. It's a traveling day as I return to my Georgia mountains, 19 hours and 5 time zones later. 

Travel is made easier because I'm fortunate to have the resources to afford better seating on the flights. And because I have airline priority status that moves me through airport queues easily.   I'm so grateful. 

I'm thoughtful about how far I traveled, and how many forms of transportation it took, for me to reach Iona. 

I'm thoughtful about how weary I was when I left. Weary of tasks, weary of stress and strain in my work and worship worlds. 

Driving on the "wrong" side of the road will take one's mind off anything but oncoming traffic!

Getting out of the car to walk across a field will clear the mind and remind one to be present in the moment. 

Riding a ferry across the sea to an island blows out cobwebs and stale ideas. 

Walking into a space devoted to worshiping God and whose members teach about serving the least among us, reminded me to set my face and my life toward God and the rest would fall in place. 

On the Isle of Iona I settled into daily rhythms which soothed my soul and slowed me down. I return with intention to continue these habits as I'm certain they will serve me well as I go about the busyness of my life, refreshed beyond words. 

Taking leave of Isle of Skye

Time to move on down the road. 

Morning cuppas, then a quick shopping walk around the village, packed up the car and drove south. 

It wasn't long before it was time to pullover for the views. 

On down the road we pulled off the road so as to enjoy the view of the Sky Bridge while walking along the water. 

Stopped for a picnic and a woodland walk. 

More gorgeous vistas. 

Then a stop for espresso in a local bar. 

Then a long slog to Glasgow. 

Turned in our most excellent Volvo from Hertz. 

A quick bite at the airport and we were off to finish packing and catch a quick 3 hours of sleep before returning to the airport for our flight. 

Day 2 on Isle of Skye

This second day brought more glorious adventures. 

A drive up the west side of Skye, took us to the Fairy Glen. The way the land has formed is unique to this locale. You feel like you have entered another world. 

Three labyrinths were found. Walking on a slope provided a new labyrinth walking experience. 

Next we crossed over to the Waternish Peninsula for more amazing vistas. 

We found a charming restaurant serving delicious tomato, carrot and orange soup. 

After lunch we walked the Trail of Two Churches. It took about 90 minutes and we traversed woodlands, bogs, and moss covered woods. 

The reward for the slog was a cuppa. 

On the drive back we took a back road. What's called a single track. You share one lane with cars going both directions, sheep grazing alongside the edges, and cows walking down the middle. 

The day ended with a delicious meal at The Granary. Abundance. 

Day 1 Continued

All the views and vistas, the colors and the shapes, the smells and the sounds... All were monumental and majestic. Breath taking. Awe inspiring. 

We walked to waterfalls, and to the vista viewpoints. We walked across the hills on a scale not experienced before. 

It felt so high up it might be possible to touch the sky, the clouds, the heavens. 

Sheep accompanied the experience. They are everywhere!

We descended down to the sea, stopping to walk often. 

After a day that was so huge, it was good to be back in town.

Take-away fish and chips for dinner, then a walk around the waterfront.

A beautiful day. 

Day 1 on Isle of Skye

Awoke to dazzling sunlight. Streaming across the water outside Cafe Arriba. 

Cuppas for the big day ahead. 

And, oh my, what a big day it was!

We drove north out of Portree, up the Trotternish part of the Isle of Skye. 

Clearly I was to be Gobsmacked once again. 

To be continued. 

Taking leave of Iona, traveling to Isle of Skye

I was surprised by how hard it was to leave Iona. This place gets in my heart, and it touches my soul. It changes me. I know I shall return. 

There's a rhythm here that puts one in a right way. 

The rhythm of daily morning and evening worship. 

The rhythm of the tides.  Of the sea. 

The rhythm of lives who intersect for just a short time, but are profound in ways yet to be felt completely. 

But now it was time to depart and travel on. 

Travel to the Isle of Skye takes three ferries, and a drive across two islands. It took most of the day. 

I love to ride ferries. 

The third ferry deposited us on the Isle of Skye. Heading north to Portree, amazing vistas came into view. 

It was obvious this was to be a ginormous adventure. 

Day 7 continued

The rest of the North Beach adventure:

Picnic on the beach.  Travel sit-upons make for comfortable rock sitting. 

Even found a labyrinth, obviously built some time ago and now being reclaimed by the beach. 

One last look until I return.

On the return walk, whilst resting on a bench...,

The Evening Service Wednesday night was a healing service, with prayers for those named, those who presented themselves for laying on of hands healing prayers, and for our hurting world. 

Hymn 759, Scottish Hymnary

"Come to me, come to me,

weak and heavy laden;

trust in me, lean on me. 

I will give you rest. "