Mark's Journal

Yesterday it felt warm (double figures Celsius). So we opened up the Summer House. Inside we had a balmy 11°C, which even Ann felt was warm as it's been so cold outside this Spring. We had a lovely half hour or so, enjoying the visiting bird and animal life and the sunshine and scudding clouds. Then the clouds stopped scudding and started gathering. We went inside again and left the world to the rain and wind. It's raining again today but we still have hope. 😁

Tonight we had our last storytelling session of the winter. Once a month we gathered around Simon, our seanchaidh, to hear ancient stories from around the world. Tales of the Celts and the Norse, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. And where else would you tell such stories but in a mead hall or a pub? After the summer break we will gather again in the Riverside Tap and share tales of entertainment and meaning. This time we had the tale of the Dog-headed Warrior of Canaan and two tales of the Feanna of Ireland. The tales of Fionn MacCumhaill and his warrior friends were especially apt as we had our Hebridean friend Mairi with us. She can remember that, in her grandfather's time, the storyteller would come to visit the neighbourhood and tell those same stories, but in Gàidhlig. We can keep the stories over the spring and summer by visiting Simon's digital storybook. He has put a number of great tales on his Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/thefloatingmonastery . So

fèorag ghlas Tha e Seachdain na Gàidhlig. An seachdain seo tha tachartais timcheall Alba a' comharrachadh uile rudan Gàidhlig. Tha tachartais air loidhne. Gabh beachd air iadsan. Seachdain na Gàidhlig air Loidhne Dè Chanas Sibhse? le Linda NicLeòid sneachd It is Gaelic Week, This week there are events around Scotland celebrating all things Gaelic. There are events online. Take a look at them. Gaelic Week Online What Do You Call It? with Linda NicLeòid

 We're just into February and the forest is deep in the slumber of winter, or is it? As I take my weekly walk, I can see little buds on the branches. These will be the new leaves of the spring, very slowly building their strength. There are little surprises too as snowdrops and what looks like out of season harebells blossom among the bare dark trees. I've no idea what these magenta berries are but they stand out glowing against the winter forest.

  After our brief winter wonderland of last week, we are back to the globally warmed version of winter that's become normal over the past decade. We had to turn back from a visit to Penrith today as the rain closed in on us around Carlisle. With stormy winds to add to the picture later this afternoon, it was a prudent decision as the journey back would have become very dangerous. So, as we look forward to Jocelyn, our tenth named storm of this season, we hunker down by the window and watch it pour. Pour the hot drinks, please!

  We saw the first snow of the year in Dumfries on Tuesday. A good couple of inches to convince us that our Scottish winter hasn’t totally succumbed to global warming just yet. Then, on Wednesday, we awoke to a world where the snow had melted away and been replaced with ice. However both days were a gift to the photographer. The sun was low but bright and the golden hour lasted all day. Photos ©2024 Mark Toner. They may be reproduced without alteration if attribution is made.