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. "

Day 7 on Iona

This day filled with sunshine and calm weather. 

After breakfast in the sun room at the hotel, Morning Service at the Abbey.  Followed by cuppas and muffins at St Columba's Hotel. Such rhythm here. 

Fed in the spirit and in the body. 

Then off on the adventure for which I had waited for two years to have once again. North End- of the Isle.  Where I was first Gobsmacked two years ago. 

Once again, Gobsmacked!

To be continued. 

Day 6 on Iona

Awoke this day to a sunrise!!

Breakfast this day included cantelope, although I didn't recognize it as such. I thought it must be some exotic local melon but later was told it was a cantelope.  Growing cantelope on the coast of Scotland is a real challenge. 

Off to Morning service, walking past warmed up sheep

with the Abbey bell tolling, calling us to worship. 

"May God, who is present in sunrise and nightfall, and in the crossing of the sea, guide your feet as you go."

Day 5 continued

The winds did cease. And the rain moved out. 

After cuppas, we headed south to a beach we'd not been to. Sandeels Bay. Eels can be seen at the tide's edge. If you creep up on them. 

We crossed a sheep pasture to get to the beach, then hopped over small tide rivers. 

Such a beautiful spot. 

Next up. We tried to cross the moor to the remains of a place where a monk went to live centuries ago. Alas, a good distance in we found we could not cross a bog.  

Still, it was a beautiful walk. 

 

Back to St. Columba's for scones with clotted cream and jam. Yum!

Dinner at St. Columba's delightful. Locally caught Rainbow trout. Yum!

Ended the day with Evening Prayer, calling us to be mindful of issues of social justice, this night in particular for those in far away countries who labor in poor conditions so that we might be clothed. 

 

"Love and faith come together, justice and peace join hands. "

Day 5 on Iona

Gale force winds through the night. I'm told the winds blew at 65mph. I believe it!

All this continued as we began breakfast.

 

By the end of breakfast, the wind and rain had all but ended. A short burst of heavy rain while walking to the Abbey, 

and "clearing" skies as we walked outside after worship. 

A short puddle-laden walk to St. Columba's Hotel for more cuppas. 

These are the best of the best. 

Even the sheep are less huddled. 

From our worship book this morning:

"This is the day that God has made;

We will rejoice and be glad in it.

We will not offer to God;

Offerings that cost us nothing. 

Go in peace to love and to serve;

We will seek peace and pursue it. 

In the name of the Trinity of Love;

God in community, Holy and One. "