I don`t know about you, but I am patiently waiting for summer to begin before it`s too late. It is getting to the stage where I am resigned to the fact that every time I go out it`s layers that are required as a dress code. You literally could have four seasons in one day.
Summers were always a great time as a kid. Off we would go on our holidays to that well known holiday destination of New Pitsligo. The car journey seemed to take forever, but we were armed with our sweets, normally cream line toffees (I think, looking back, that they were designed just to keep us quiet) and a range of DC Thomson`s summer specials. It was an adventure.
A highlight of these holidays were the trips to the outdoor swimming at Tarlair. There was none of this heated water like at Stonehaven. It was truly the coldest water I have ever experienced, I mean ever. But this was where I learned to swim. It was also the time I found out that my sister`s patience with me had its limits. After trying hard to get me into the icy waters of the Moray Firth, which was disguised as a swimming pool, I felt a firm hand on my back as she firmly shoved me in. She was done with cajoling and with my excuses, it was literally sink or swim. So swim I did! After I got over the shock of the water, I swam, it was good – I could do it!
As an aside, these times at the water did not lead to a love of freezing water, but it did develop a love of the shore, sunsets and the soothing sound of the waves (the front cover has a picture of the sun setting over my favourite beach on the Isle of Harris).
I find it truly relaxing and inspiring, and I am reminded that we are part of something much bigger that we are aware of. We are like specks of sand in terms of the size of the universe and all that is in it.
I hope and pray that you have a place, near or far, that brings you peace and reminds you of the wonder of the world we live in.
Your friend and minister.
Alan
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