Walks for the soul

Wednesday 17th March, 2021

It has been the most marvellous day. First I noted it was the Feast Day of St Patrick. Immediately the image of a shamrock came before my eyes and then all the happy, wonderful memories I have had in Ireland. My late brother married in Dublin and I tasted my first Guinness then. It was a magical celebration and we spent quite a few days in County Meath with 'the in laws'. They had a superb Georgian House near Hill Of Down and it was in the midst of glorious rolling countryside. The wedding was celebrated at the Dublin Horse Show mansion. Dublin itself was magnificent and various tours were held.

I spent many months at Gorey with the late Abbot Sigebert Trafford when I was a young cleric. That too was pure magic, utterly beautiful and filled with memories of kind, gentle real people. I have such a regard for all the Irish I have met. I love their take on life, what was a solid real faith, their gentle attitude and pace of life...well those are my memories.

Also Kilbaha in County Clare...a very special place, truly special. It is the closest to heaven on earth that I can claim.

Back in Scotland I walked to the Community Centre re the bread and help. It had not arrived so I went on a short walk along the sea wall in Newport. The sun glistened on the Tay. Then after 20 minutes I returned to the Centre and helped with the bread..always the best if a little close to the 'use by' date. As I hate waste and as I like firm bread I am not duly concerned.

After finishing a letter I then walked my favourite walk down the Fife Coastal path along the Tay to Tayport. It was sublime...warm and alive with Spring. A boat was being launched at the harbour and all sorts of instructions being shouted and people sitting and watching, a great pastime. Flowers, birds and people simply seemed to be filled with zest. My litter grabber caused some comment and I met again the Grand Mother collector of litter I had met three days ago.

I walked down by the coast and along the Forth of Tay sitting quite often on benches to soak up the sun. My face glows even now. I watched many birds on the beach at Tayport, a whole variety I could not identify. Many had dull plumage but bright red and orange legs. The scream of the oyster catchers I knew, the leisurely flight of the heron, the cries of varieties of gulls and terns but others I just watched. Dogs frolicked in the sea and elderly people like me and a few tiny children were about. Just fabulous.

I returned exhausted and found the most delicious Easter bun waiting for me.

Now I am watching the sun set. I have had the example of the fishermen sitting silently and still by the Tay....one did catch something but threw it back in. I love that patient waiting. It truly makes me feel it is the spiritual way for us: " I waited, I waited for the Lord ". Or 'be still and know that I am God' and ' stay awake, you know not the day nor the hour'. So a feast of a great saint and a feast of a day of Spring warmth.