Looking in on eternity

[anteros_lmc]

I got back from a lovely break in the Western Isles last weekend and promptly came down with the cold from hell. It's ages since I've had a bad cold and I'd forgotten just how much they can flatten you. I had hoped to post some pics and other bits and pieces but my head is full of cotton wool, so in the meantime here's one picture of a nice view and the island poet Derick Thomson describing summer on Lewis better than I ever could.

Lewis in Summer The atmosphere clear and transparent as though the veil had been rent and the Creator were sitting in full view of His people eating potatoes and herring, with no man to whom He can say grace. Probably there’s no other sky in the world that makes it so easy for people to look in on eternity; you don’t need philosophy where you can make do with binoculars.

Leodhas as t-Samhradh An iarmailt cho soilleir tana mar gum biodh am brat-sgàile air a reubadh ‘s an Cruthadhear ‘na shuidhe am fianuis a shluaigh aig a’bhuntat ‘s a sgadan, gun duine ris an dean E altachadh. ‘S iongantach gu bheil iarmailt air an t-saoghal tha cur cho beag a bhacadh air daoine sealltainn a-steach dha’n an t-sìorruidheachd; chan eil feum air feallsanachd far an dean thu chùis le do phrosbaig.

~ Derick Thomson

PS katriona_s Thank you so much for my beautiful gift which was waiting for me when I got back. It's perfect! I love it :) Pics to follow.

Comments

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

That poet has said it so well-- clear and spare and perfect. Picture is stunning.

I especially like the way you can see the shadow of the cloud, just at the edge there. I used to watch the cloud shadows in the Berkshires.

I am sorry you have a cold. I think getting them less often is one of the consolations of the passing years. Of course now when I get one I feel even more outraged and betrayed!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

There really is something about the clarity of the light in the Hebrides that is just breathtaking. Lewis has produced many well known Gaelic and English poets but for me it's Thomson who really captures the island as I see it.

[shepet.livejournal.com]

It is absolutely wonderful to look into eternity by using only binoculars :)
Magnificent photo!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Sometimes the light is so clear that you don't even need binoculars to see eternity!

[nodbear.livejournal.com]

Wonderful photo, it makes me - as usual -look forward to all your returns from the Islands as there are always such beautiful pictures to look forward to

sorry about the cold - they are horrible especially in the Summer

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

I've just posted a new batch of island beach pics for you to enjoy :)

[katriona-s.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry about the cold, hope you'll feel better soon.
But your photo is wonderful, as always!
And I'm glad my parcel arrived safely :)

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Thankfully my cold, though nasty, was very short lived so I can't complain!

[stevie-carroll.livejournal.com]

Lovely!

Hope you're feeling better now.

[aletheiafelinea.livejournal.com]

Oh. The. Colours.

Really, the sky and sea there are beyond words.
(Though I love those last two lines!)