Beaches and picnics

Saturday 25th July, 2020

Of late there hasn't been much sunshine in my part of Scotland. When it does come it is like a bonus, a special gift. So one has to make decisions based on the uncertainty of the weather or on the fallible weather channel on some technological app. Thursday afternoon and evening were gorgeous and the resulting drama of the sunset spectacular. It was like a light show, a 'son et lumiere' of God's paint pallet with clouds, sun rays and refractions. One can sit and watch it and every moment brings another brilliant twist of the drama.

Whatever the forecasts I decided to meet a friend yesterday. We had an alternative of venues: either the beach on the Tay or a recently reopened restaurant overlooking the Tay. For the former my friend would provide a picnic, for the latter I would be responsible for the bill.

It turned out to be dry and cloudy with a few bursts of warm sunshine. We met at 2pm. We decamped all the picnic equipment from her car. Two light folding chairs, an ice box, a basket of smoked salmon sandwiches, cheeses and chocolate puddings. Also a bottle of non alcoholic wine and a carton of cream!

The tide was out. We walked about a mile passed a funeral party scattering the ashes of their beloved Grand Father. Dog walkers veered off over the coastal path route. We moved on to the beach and found a rock outcrop and some trees behind which we could both shelter and hide. A semi derelict bothie was nearby adding an air of mystery. A heron was in the water, stock still, wading birds dug the vast mud flat revealed by a low tide, a few oyster catchers moved as a phalanx and gulls were riding the ripples.

It was pure heaven to be out, to be out in the company of a friend I'd not seen for a few months, to be out in the breeze and silence apart from the calls and noises of nature, to be out with fine views of the Tay and Perthshire hills, to be out with a delicious picnic and the opportunity of catch up conversation and mutual respectful stillness, to be out with an alfresco picnic, to be out watching the incoming tide and the covering of the sandbanks, to be out of the house and routine and isolation of home. As the mud flats were being covered and the sun was slowly falling so we moved.

Talking face to face, to hear of family and friends and of the ups and downs, the fears and joys of someone one trusts and is dear to one and to be able to be honest with a trust worthy, wise, kind, concerned and listening friend....nothing beats it.

It was two carefree, timeless hours. As we left a party of four youths with barbecue set and baskets of goodies and wines arrived. They looked as I felt: relaxed, peaceful and prepared to dump the troubles of the world for a while. And the sun shone on them too.