Columba Bay

EB tonight. This vase is full of little stones which I have carried from Columba Bay on Iona. The bay is at the southernmost tip of the island and is the place where Columba landed when he was exiled from Ireland. The story is that it was the first place from which, when he looked back, he could no longer see Ireland.
It's not a very hospitable bay surrounded as it is by rocks, but the beach is shallow and leads to a grassy area before the hill. The beach is full of pebbles, most are standard round pale coloured stones similar to those found on many Scottish beaches, the rocks in this bay are some of the oldest on earth, 3000 million years old! Amongst the pebbles though you can find tiny examples of green and white Iona marble. You can also find beautiful little examples of the polished green serpentine which is known as St Columba's tears. I have spent hours wandering the shore line gazing at the stones around my feet. My rucksack and pockets always weigh heavier on the way home.
Today was quiet, the weather was good, but I was tired. I went out to return a couple of items to John Lewis and popped into Waitrose for some shopping for Kathryn. I thought I'd pick up some comics for the girls while I was there. I nearly fell over in shock when I discovered the Beano costs (if I remember correctly,) £2. 75, I was so taken aback that I wasn't sure of the price once I got home! There didn't seem to be as many pages in it as I remember and there were at least two full page ads. I bought something else instead. The Christmas annual only cost me £4, a much better deal.
We watched the 3rd episode of the latest Vera, episodes 1 & 2 of this series were shown last year, but filming was interrupted by the pandemic. Thoroughly enjoyed it but it was a marathon sitting.
Keep safe folks, it's good to see the numbers coming down, relaxing all the rules does make me nervous though.