Highlands and Islands of Scotland

Hello friends and family,
Well, it's almost 10 days into my trip and I've only managed to squeeze out this one blog...traveling keeps one very busy, between and betwixt driving here and there and finding accomodations and food. Internet cafes is the next challenge, especially in these tiny towns. Unfortunately there is no way to download pictures from my digital on these public computers, according to our host. Sorry, you won't see my cheerful mug on a windblown misty highland with the horned shaggy cows surrounding me...

Ireland was quite exhilarating. Rain everyday, but the people's hearths and hearts were very warm. They welcomed my friend and I with open arms and lots of information forthcoming about the best sites to see, places to eat and routes to take. This was a good thing because we hit a sturdy stone sheep wall the very first day. The car was towed, we returned straightaway to Dublin and picked up another car. No one was hurt, since we were only traveling about 30 mph ----on the wrong side of the road, of course.
We hadn't had our morning brew yet----black coffee or strong tea, that is. So, I guess the brain cells weren't hooked up.


Next few days were taken up with St Brigid, the goddess who was later subsumed into a real Irish woman, Brigid, who was Abbess of the Kildare church. She became sainted by the Celtic Christians as someone who loved the poor, animals, the earth and was known for hospitality and healing. We went to her well, drank some pure water, visited the ancient cathedral and saw a little garden dedicated to her----and met some real live Brigidine sisters. Lovely people.

Last stop in Ireland was St. Gobnait's sacred well, burial place and pilgrimage site. Whew. She was a keeper of bees, also known for healing----so bee inscriptions were abounding on her pilgrimage statue.

Of course, everywhere we went, there were celtic crosses, the circle meaning the circle of creation, endless regeneration of life.

Ah well, time to go....you can await breathlessly the photos that will be forthcoming for these travels.
Scotland is more of a kick back with Kenneth----less pilgrimage, more sightseeing. But we will be visiting Findhorn, a spiritual off the grid, community in the Scottish Highlands after we hike the Glen Affric tomorrow, a fantastic, wild (for Scotland) part. Hope to take in the Orkney islands instead of the Lewis Isles by the end of the week, before I head off to my final two weeks on Iona and Mull.

Love the pubs---best food in town, and the home of guinness. Lively conversation, and some great music on a few nights!

Love to all,
Anita