On Sunday, the longest day of the year, the sun rose from behind a low cloud lying on the horizon at 4.43 a.m. Even though it wasn't a true dawn because it had needed to clear the band of cloud I still love that split second when the sun appears. It is a special moment. Another day has dawned.
When is a weed not a weed? When, even though it wasn't planted, it is so good-looking that one cannot root it out. This Sweet Rocket is one of a couple that have grown up in GB's garden but who could mind a flower as beautiful as this.
There wasn't much wind first thing on Sunday so these pesky blighters were about in huge numbers. As Carol asked the other day - "Why did God make midges? What earthly purpose do they serve?"
I mentioned the banknotes the other day as being a reminder that I'm in a country with a different culture, customs and laws. Another reminder is that the bookshops have books in Gaelic as well as English.
Living somewhere like the Isle of Lewis with its one town, a local cannot walk the streets of Stornoway without meeting people they know. It's a lovely friendly atmosphere and what I especially love about it is how hospitable it is to off-comers. There is none of that 'Let's-speak-Gaelic-to-exclude-the-Englishman' feeling that you can get in parts of Wales. Never, in all my visits to Lewis have I felt at any stage that I was anything but welcome. Thank you, one and all.
