Blue Beyond

Gentle and Reflective

As the summer ends I find I am in a gentle and reflective mood. We have had lots of blessings and God has been good to us. The most precious things are those closest to us – our relationships and the places we touch. It has been a particular joy to meet so many lovely people in the gallery this summer - some old friends returning with interesting stories of the winter and some new folk enjoying their first Tiree experience. Friends often call in just for a chat - and I have really come to appreciate these opportunities for gentle reflection.

This mood has been strengthened by the new Jackson Browne album which has just been released – Time the Conqueror – a gentle evocation of time passing and a life being lived. 

Three Islands

Looking back it has been a summer of sun and sea this year. Wonderful weather with lots of long, hot sunny days and clear blue skies. I know for other folk in other parts of the country there has been misery and grief as flood water has swept away their homes, their livelihoods, and in some cases their lives. It has been bizarre to see these events reported on the news whilst sitting overlooking a sun soaked beach with lapping clear turquoise water. There is always pain in any pleasure – your own or someone else’s. Still on this watery theme - Andy and I sailed on a sparkling calm sea over two days and visited three islands – Gunna, Coll and Tiree. The conditions were perfect and we sailed through groups of basking sharks, saw puffins and lots of shags and cormorants. The beaches we landed on were stunningly beautiful and peaceful and deserted. Landing on an unknown beach with the approach uncertain and the outcome of a safe beaching in doubt until the last minute always makes for an explorer experience, and carries a sense of ‘the new world’ discovered. Perhaps the risk of this pioneering activity on water balances the shock of the realisation that water can so easily destroy out settled and safe lives. I always feel that living by the sea I am connected to every part of the world – only a boat journey from almost anywhere - and open to wonder, beauty, excitement and pain. A bit like the journey of life.