Headed to Iona

Ferry to Isle of Mull soon after breakfast. 

Cappuccino for the 45 minute ride. Began in the rain, arrived in sunlight. 

One for the road as we drive across Mull. 

Iona now just hours and kilometers ahead. 

Arrived Scotland

Mid-morning flight from Amsterdam to Glasgow. Cleared Immigration, picked up a sharp black Volvo and headed west. 

Drove northwest through Loch Lomond  to Kilmartin. Breathtaking drive with vistas too big to begin to take in. 

Prehistoric sites--stone carvings, cairns and standing rocks. Walking thru meadows of sheep to view. 

Arrived Obam for the night. Room #1, Queens Hotel. Beautiful seaside view from the room. 

Off to Iona shortly. 

Traveling mercies. 

Across the Pond

7 1/2 hours from Atlanta to Amsterdam. 

Seated in Economy Comfort, the video screen in front of me tracked our progress. A variety of media-newspapers, magazines, books and movies on my Kindle, music on my iPod and puzzles on my iPhone helped the miles pass by.  Also dinner and breakfast --  on the same flight. 

Four hours in Amsterdam's Schipol airport. I'm headed for a cappuccino first. 

Ah.........

Ah..... again. 

Departure Time

So nice to have a lolling morning, getting packed up and shuttled to International terminal.

Heightened security but TSA PreCheck really helped getting through security. Feels kind of unsettling to be leaving the US borders. 

Bought day passes to Delta Club and first up was first cappuccino of the trip. So grateful I have the resources to make this part of travel a bit easier. 

Several hours. And two mealtimes. And water and snacks. And quiet. And plane watching. Really worth the price of admission. 

From Forward Day By Day today:

Next stop Amsterdam

Begin travel

Travel has begun!

You have to really want to go to Iona to get there. First leg is getting to Atlanta airport to meet my traveling partner who is flying in to Atlanta. We'll stay the night nearby and fly out tomorrow afternoon. 

Good thing I have a chauffeur driving me today. 

I won't be having these "views" for the next couple of weeks. 

Traveling mercies. 

Return to Iona

Soon I shall return to Iona.

Ever since I left Iona in October 2012, I have longed to return.  And so I shall, almost exactly two years later.

I yearn for the natural rhythm of the place- the tides and times of island living, and the routine of daily morning and evening prayer services.

I felt my life, my soul, shift as I passed the days and hours on Iona.  I brought that shift home with me, and I have felt it deep within me as I live my life in a more sure way. Sure that my faith will support me in all times and in all ways.

I caught my breath with this first glimpse of Iona.  Soon I shall catch my breath once again.

Traveling Mercies.

Return from Iona and Holy Island

I have returned from my great Pilgrimage and Play adventure. 

While on the Isle of Iona and Holy Island, I found rhythm.  The rhythm of worship; the rhythm of walking; the rhythm of the tides and the sea; the rhythm of the moon and stars as they alone lit the night. I learned the value of adding rhythm to my life, and how that made my days more even-keeled, and how the moments in those days are meant to mean more than just the passage of hours.  

My intention is to continue this rhythmic walking.  I expect it to serve me well in how I ensure balance in my life.  I believe it will lead me to a deeper spiritual place in my heart and in my soul.

"We walk in the rain

sunshine

and wind"

    Iona Pilgrim