Saturday, 7 March 2020, 0830, The Lodge above Aberfoyle and I’m surrounded by clouds giving the first photo a Himalayan feel. The statue commemorated the women forestry volunteers who served during the second world war. Whilst the picnic benches were empty awaiting sunnier times, I enjoyed the peace and quiet of the early morning despite the quite heavy and persistent rain; umbrellas are very useful things especially on short walks. The waterfall reminded me that, in the valley below in Aberfoyle, a minister of the kirk and Kirk by name, wrote extensively about fairies in the late 1600s see https://www.eyeofthepsychic.com/kirk_doon/ Needless to say, I saw none. But places with that kind of vibe do make one wonder about energies and forces unseen and yet to be understood. As I downed my coffee in The Lodge’s cafe, the hills emerged from the clouds. I could not help but wonder if the emptiness of the cafe was a sign of the concern over the coronavirus outbreak or maybe it was just too wet and early in the day?
20 July 2021 update.
Little did we know what we were in for in the months ahead way back in those pre lockdown days. The restricted access to loved landscapes, the frustrating but necessary changes to mundane activities, the reassessments of what is important and why we do what we do, the incessant nagging question – when?, and having to settle for Zoom to contact, friends, family and colleagues through our screens both large and small. The “new normal” mantra and quest seems odd in the face of the eternal truth; everything is impermanent. Perhaps we do all need to firmly grip the hope that every cloud does have a silver lining? As for the fairies? I’ll leave that one with you.
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