We may have no money, A return visit, delighted the book of yet we feel so rich poems is still here and a new as we look around at Mother notebook! Despite horrendous rain Nature’s pitch. and wind we battled on to have lunch “Everything I see, I give to you all. at Tayvallich tearoom and are now Be it spring, summer, winter and enjoying a dry sunny spell at Taynish. even the fall.” Very special for Dave’s birthday. This The falling leaves, is such a special place to be on a the babbling brook, special day. Hope everyone enjoys it stand still for a moment and take a as much as we do. good look. Love this place of peace and tranquillity. Always have to visit when in these parts and Mac the dog likes the walk too. The slow flowing sound of the river between banks, Gives us plenty of reason to rejoice and say thanks, The sun is now out which for Scotland Nice walk in the Scottish is great, countryside. And this beautiful place keeps my head screwed on straight. Food for the eyes, and drink for the soul. Can’t stop for too long, Never noticed this book before. Too brisk for a song Love Taynish and its sense of But lovely to sing in the storm. isolation. Laughed loudly at the poem Beautiful and enchanting with a Blackberrying on p165. fascinating view. I shall return for the hope I see more beautiful wildlife. Saw an otter with a fish, what a peaceful day. Autumn colours, Like a feather on the wind, Gurgling brook, On nature’s whim A moment captured, we’ll gang like sparras in the trees, Time to look, It’s natures song we sang At the bigger picture, But noo oor time is passin’ Set before my eyes, And we’ll soon be the last yins A quiet reflection, dancin’ as we a’ once danced I realise, In time wi nature’s tune. That my troubles are momentary, In the scheme of things, No need to worry, Many blessings to you all. About what life brings, For my Creator, He loves me so, This place is very beautiful, ancient. Despite my doubts, There is a passion in the running water In my heart I know, and the interesting blue sky and the It will all be well with my soul. stretching rocky hills, laid out far into the earth and water in majestic repose. Windy and wet but still had a good We haven't been very far have we—into walk evolution. By coming out to a place like this I feel as though I can journey It’s the Crinan Canal for me further into myself. Hills laid out bare I I don’t like the wild raging sea write this now for you. The The big roaming breakers would anonymous readers who represent give you the shakers all of humanity. What have you come The Crinan Canal for me here thinking. “Has it changed?” “What is important to you?” What is im- The wind, the wind, the wind portant to you in the hurried streets, blows free, right up my knee! Love and in it here. contrast what is important to you here? Close your eyes and breathe in deeply. Feel the fresh air which was given to none of us and all of us. What you feel is your soul. The sound of the running water, Things have been difficult for me lately but the shining sun and peaceful, finding these books and reading them untouched ambience—a place to sitting here in the sun with the water sit for hours on end, relaxing, being rushing by, has made me so happy, so I in the now and part of nature. just wanted to say a big thank you to Bliss, love it here. everyone involved as it means so much. Loving the cold Feb walk, best pal Tracey, oh we can talk! Sitting quietly doing nothing , spring comes and the grass grows by itself. 2 boys, Ali B, Euan and Emily too, we are having a great time, even though we are blue! The view so good for the soul, even when life takes its toll. I love Tavy. They say still waters run deep, It must be true in Taynish, The lochside so quiet and calm, Belies nature’s war beneath Wild beasts’ fight for survival Whilst we marvel at the view, Sit in calm contemplation, Admiring nature anew. My Dad looking out to sea, This is the life for me. Beautiful idea! The wind in his hair, If there was any there, And the waves reaching up to his knees. Reuben fell into the stream, I think Taynish is magical. I like to climb on And he gave a little scream, the rocks. My dog Pepper likes to swim in Solly laughed to see so much fun the rocks, she chases after a bit but she And Reuben kicked him up the didn't come out. She likes to get sticks. bum! Today me and mum had a picnic. We watched an otter fishing here for half an hour. It was magical. Taynish sparkly Taynish, Thank you Taynish. Singing water, mosaic fish, We sat on the bench To leave was a wrench, We took off our shoes and socks, Oh Taynish it’s you that we’ll miss. and paddled among the rocks. The wind had a tear in its eye, and the clouds puffed along in the sky. David, Dexter, Cameron and Heather, Never going to be scared of the weather. I huddled here and skimmed We have come all the way from Cornwall to through these pages see this magical place and we are in awe of And the stream sang its song for its beauty, and that’s all we have to say ages, and ages, and ages, and right now. ages…….. Peace and tranquillity We scooted down here on the path, Hey , the sun is shining—even more We made all the otters laugh. beautiful. We paddled up to our knees And skipped stones into the sea. Beautiful place, been coming here I think our boat is high and dry, since I was a child and now I have We’ve paddled, nowhere near the introduced my friends to this Isle of Skye. beautiful part of the world. Life is Our feet and fingers, cold and wet, amazing! Our route ahead, not yet set. We stopped right here on naught I liked the rocks in the water because but a hunch, they were fun! Quite rightly decided to have our lunch. And now replete we take our This walk changes every time we leave, visit. Magical maze! Off once more to huff and heave. Our canoes fully laden, off we paddle Lovely walk with our dog Flint and Not too far from being pack horse lovely couple we met on the way. and saddle. We enjoyed our visit with new Peace and tranquillity—such a friends. beautiful place. What a beautiful place to be The poet’s chair with a view of the sea. Oystercatchers “peep” and “squawk” A babbling brook at the end of the walk I like the seal! Could sit here all day, and never leave here But its off to Tayvallich, Beautiful place, makes me feel happy I'm gagging for a beer! 31.5.16 One month and one day before the Lovely place to stop for a rest when first day of the Battle of the Somme. kayaking back to Tayvallich against the One hundred years ago. wind and tide. War and Peace. When I next stand at Thiepval or the A beautiful place to relax and collect Menin Gate I will remember, I will one’s thoughts. Such lovely scenery remember peace in this corner of and so nice to have a place unspoilt. Scotland, peace so dearly bought in the corner of a foreign field. I sat here wondering what to write, When I next read “Discord in Child- and then I thought I had no right, so hood” by DH Lawrence, I will then, chose to script a rap, and then I remember. I will remember “Ash realised it would be crap! Boughs” by Gerard Manley Hopkins “new nestled at heaven most high” I was looking for the right time to When next I hear of the plight and breathe, to think, to find myself flight of refugees on the unforgiving again. Thanks Taynish I will learn how Mediterranean, I will remember. I to draw better. Next time I will do it will remember where the forest better. meets the sea and beauty and peace are incarnate. And next time I find myself far away from Taynish, I will remember. I will remember an hour on the Poet’s seat and an hour’s grace granted to few. Oh my! I just walked by, How magical, How mystical From sun to mist To rain To sun How typical! Lucy’s legs don’t touch the ground How spectacular I found a pound How lucky am I? on the ground I can’t write poems! Beautiful day, Beautiful place Have we no time to stand and stare….. Full of interesting things to see and Someone else wrote that. do Argyll’s paradise. Love, love, love the dragonflies. Sitting in the sun, Staring at the swans, A few thousand miles from home It’s a beautiful moment The scenery couldn't be any more Can’t it go on and on and on….