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. "

Day 4 continued

And the winds continue. 40 mph with  higher gusts. Constant. Quite a walk home this afternoon after venturing out to walk and get more steps. 

Tonight at dinner we were joined by Gretchen, who is rector of a parish in the Boston area. She's on sabbatical for three months. Conversation was lively and very interesting!

After dinner we headed off to Evening service, this night a service of silence. 

Following the short quiet service, we stayed for the Taize service.  Filled with candlelight and Taize music, it was a beautiful way to end this Sabbath day. 

Then we blew home. Literally. 

"Peace attend thee, all through the night."

Day 4 on Iona

Awoke this day to the return of the clouds and blustery winds. 

The hotel offers a full breakfast on Sundays, and since church is not until 10:30 today, it was a delicious and leisurely start to the day. 

Church was off-the-chart worship. Led by the Iona Community, worship is always done so well. The prayers are beautiful whether heard or spoken. 

Joanna+ was preacher and celebrant. Bread and wine were passed person to person with words of invitation offered in different traditions and accents. 

The offer for all to share the table was so profound and made with such intent, even the birds were soaring past the windows behind the altar. 

I was Gobsmacked. 

Opening the door to leave the Abbey, we were met with strong winds. Even the sheep were huddled together. 

Time to duck into the St. Columba's Hotel for a cappuccino and a couple of espressos. The bonus was real cream!

This afternoon was a high-wind, rain-blasting walking  adventure. Most shops closed, but after getting over 20,000 steps yesterday, 3500 seemed kind of puny. Time to walk, rain or shine. 

Day 3 on Iona

Awoke this day to brightness. The sun!!

Today turned out to be mostly sunny - a very good day to tackle the trek to Columba's Bay. 

After breakfast it was time for Morning service at the Abbey. Worship is done so well, and the music is wonderful. Such joy to worship here, twice daily. 

Cuppas for the road, and we were off. 

The trek there and back was 5 1/2 hours. Over 20,000 steps. A new Fitbit record!

To get to Columba's Bay:

Walk a long road past sheep to the golf course. 

Traverse the course. 

Slog up a steep hill. 

Then down a steeper hill. 

Across a bog to the bay. At last!!

Breathtaking. 

A lovely picnic of Mull cheddar, bread and chocolate, seated on a found crate. 

A labyrinth to walk. 

And then the long trek back past lounging cows. Wish I could have joined them. 

A most excellent day.  

"They pulled the boats up on the beach, left everything and followed Jesus. " 

Luke 5:11