Out of the Sheiling

I sit here, listening to the gale blowing outside, and hearing the occasional rattle of hailstones on the window pane.  The morning sky has been punctuated with rainbows as the clouds have raced across the sky, reminding me that I do, in fact, live on an island in the North Atlantic, and not the Carribean.

Indeed, the Summer here has been glorious - warm and dry - hot even! For weeks on end, we listened to the despair of those on the mainland, as the torrential rain poured down on them, while we basked in the much coveted rays. Fires raged for several days in the Castle grounds, we were advised to 'use water wisely". On a visit to family in Edinburgh, James and I sat with our suntanned faces glowing among the pale skins of the others! We had to spend time watering our crops - not a chore we are accustomed to here. We often forgot to take coats and jackets with us when we went out. The sunshine seemed endless and every day was a bonus. It was all rather surreal and astonishing.

But now it is over, and  the Summer has finally given way to Autumn. The wind has a chill to it, and the evenings darken earlier.  Time to drawn in - to begin to harvest the work of those balmy Summer days.  I had a wonderful time in my "Shieling"- productive, fulfilling and refreshing.  I have indeed, made cheese, listened to stories, sang songs, knitted and spun, but I have also reconnected with myself, found new interests and friends, and learned - oh so much.  I hope to share some of this with you as we begin the long exhale towards Midwinter. ♥