Scotland -- Day Two

Rozelle House for lunch.  Beautiful grounds.  Tree so old and big that the multi-tonned sculptures around it look   merely temporary, a passing fancy in the grand design of things.

Currency exchanges negotiated, reminding me of the money changers in Iraq, so skilled in dealing with the cash economy of their time that you can scarce see the bills flying as they count, scarce hear the numbers as they rattle off, one after the other – they are never wrong.  The rarity of perfection – always amazing to me that I find it in the hands of the bankers.

Dinner with Zara and her friend Catherine, Liz, Idris and Catherine’s parents Anne and Graham.  Good food, good wine, good conversation and the fun of simply being in the presence of two teen-aged girls enjoying each other’s company and laughing at the joy of being alive in this now, right now, here now.

Walking home, Zara promises that I have been such a good guest that I can come along to visit with any of her pals – high praise, indeed – and I find myself laughing with the joy of being alive in this now, right now, here now.

Scotland -- Day One

Plane lands safely 

through the obligatory fog 

and clouds

Glasgow!

Ayr

Scottish breakfast

good friends

laughter

Zara remarkable for her presence

Ruaridh for his absence

Girvan

the waters of the Irish Sea

is that Ireland in the distance?

must be on such a clear evening as this

Walking the beach

and behold --

Ailsa Craig --

how do you explain 

a giant rock of an island 

jumping up

out of the sea?

Or the river?

Or the ocean?

Culzean Castle

Guest house to presidents

and such

The sun sets bright

and gold, 

laying itself down

across the water

day is nearly done

Stop at the Chip Shop

now it’s done

and well done

Scotland – day one