Peaceful

This might seem an odd choice for a blip from Iona where there are so many fabulous photo opportunities.

I could have chosen John Smith’s grave slab, but the inscriptions were sadly weathered since we were last here. The best PM we never had, sadly died on a Munro aged on 58.

Or perhaps a collage of all the interesting ancient grave slabs, featuring crosses, birlins, warriors and even a few women.

A seascape from the north end, a bit of a Peploe moment perhaps? But the light wasn’t good and the cloud was over Ben More. I’d have chosen that one, had the sea been turquoise and purple and the sand pink in the sunshine. The north end did remind me of the north end of Barra.

The wild garden in the nunnery, vowed through a small arched window, could also have been a pretty blip.

I was struck by the ethos of the community with little ribbons for sale to support LBGQT, or victims of abuse, or Aids. Or the poster reminding us that 1 May was international workers’ day and this year they were supporting the National Education Union. Or the Anti Trident poster. Or the Nurses Not Nukes one.

Of course there were lovely views on the way to our wild camp for the night. Or the camping spot itself, somewhere in the hills between the Lochaline Ferry and the Corran one at the foot of the walk up the Corbett Garbh Bheinn.

However, this little colourful calligraphy propped in a window in the Abbey took my eye and apart from reminding me of the poetry of Rumi and Havaz, it symbolises to me something heartening and positive.