I’m sitting in the railway station.
Got a ticket to my destination…….
Is there anything more desolate than a deserted, draughty railway platform at dawn? Waiting at Glasgow International Airport for 24 hours for the fog to lift on Benbecula must be the modern equivalent of wallowing in the slough of despond.
Although I am not a nervous flyer landing in dense fog in a small plane on an island airstrip left me wondering whether I was going to experience my final rite of passage. Would purgatory be equivalent to sitting in an airport departure lounge?
I had returned to find that summer had fled, the season had changed and the islands were suffused with autumn magic. The north wind whipped my hair and restored the colour to my cheeks. The rain washed away my world-weariness and the skeins of migrating geese lifted the burden of cares from my shoulders. At last I was home.
According to Eugene O’Neill “obsessed by a fairy tale we spend our lives searching for a magic door and a lost kingdom of peace”. Going home to the island is like opening that magic door.
Ah that’s so lovely 🙂 Glad you made it home safe and sound.
Thank you, it’s joy to be home. the sun is shining this morning, so it’s a gardening day!
As Dorothy said (with her eyes closed, tapping together the heels of her red shoes): “There’s no place like home”.
Most definitely.
Oh Christine, this must have been the last thing you would have chosen, and yet perhaps it was somehow an appropriate end to the recent weeks and all you have been through. I could almost sense the weight of the cloak being lifted from your shoulders as you finally reached the place where you know belong. Welcome back.
Thank you. There is nothing that island life, breakfast in the rocking chair with Bach and a few days in the garden can’t cure.
Welcome home. Love the O’Neill quote. Today has been the first day of autumn here. I hope you still have sun and some quiet days.
The equinox gales are a little early this year, but in between the calm sunny days are glorious.
That’s wonderful to feel that way about your home. I love the imagery of the geese lifting the cares away!
I’ve always loved travel and adventure, but there is nothing better than going home.
Indeed, no matter how far you travel in the world, no matter how difficult the journey, being home is all worth it.
Home is definitely where the heart is.