I am Home..

Three Sisters -Beinn Fhada, Gearr Aonach, and Aonach Dubh

Sitting in the silence I listen to the echoes of repeated words that bring forth their visions. Which play out the scenes, in the space of the shadows of my eyes.

 

The Kelpies Scotland The history of how they were built and why can be found HERE

 

They are only given form as my intent brings them to life, as they dance to the tune of my mind.

Each thought rushing, colliding, sending chills tingling down my spine. 

Only I give them life. Only I can make them laugh or cry.

The echoes of silence held the drum-beat of my heart as I change the pattern of my thoughts, calming the chaos I’ve created.

Commando Memorial

I listen to its rhythm pounding my ears. I breathe deeper, slowing its pace.

I hear a sound, I feel its vibration.  My voice is its creator, as I chant Omm

The shadows fall away and  a pin-prick of light I see clearly opening wider behind my closed eye lids.

I find myself transported, as I fly through the tunnel at the speed of Light

I am Lighter, no longer of this Material plane, as I step out into a New Earth.

Colours fill my vision like nothing seen or can be described.

Her shimmering waters fill my senses in a musical symphony of tiny bells as each dew-drop holds a note within the frequencies of her vast oceans.

Loch Ness

Mountains of grandeur flank vast lakes. Above me I hear the call of the Eagle, beckoning me to follow her flight path.

I ascend effortlessly in her wake, I glide by her side as she shows me her domains. We turn and soar, dip and dive, swooping close to the water we both touch it, she with wing tip, I with my hand.

Loch Ness

We become One and the same, I am home, One with the Earth, One with the Universe. For inside my BEing I am all and yet I am nothing, I am the BEginning with no end.

For I am Infinity and BEyond

At one within the ocean of consciousness

And the Love I hold explodes from within, like a Galaxy of stars from which I was born.

Now within this moment, I experience a New Birth of what awaits. Where When we let go of old paradigms and let go of fear which has held us trapped within the cycles of time.

So, close your eyes with me

Enter that silent space

And create a New Dream

As we allow it to show us the way Home

© Sue Dreamwalker

Written Between dream time on the 27^th May 2017..

Included are some of the photo’s from our Holiday in Scotland..

Love and Blessings.. 

The Isle of Iona~ Now A Place of Peace..

So the tour continued from the Isle of Mull in to the crossing by ferry from there to the peaceful  Isle of Iona. But this island although it became a training centre for Monks who would in those early years live in beehive shaped stone huts, where they would meditate in solitude within their prayers. It became a major  pilgrimage  centre when the Abbey was built..   Iona is also an Isle situated upon the trading routes between Ireland and Western Scotland.  And many Kings are buried there..  Many scholars believe that The Book of Kells  started its creative life there in the 8th Century.

It also saw its share of violence in many Viking raids as they plundered the riches of the Abbey.  Many  Monks were slaughtered during this time.. More history of these events you can find out by clicking the underlined links .

The Ferry came in as we waited on the shores of Mull, above are the stunning views as we waited for the Ferry.

The Isle of Iona is a serene Isle which only has a population of around 13o people.

Our first glimpse of the Abbey as we approached by Ferry the Isle of Iona you can see the small cottages spead around it. 

It has one of the oldest and most sacred religious places in all of western Europe..  It was founded by St Columba in AD 563, the fully restored Abbey is one of Scotland’s most significant and sacred sites which is reputed to be the burial place of 48 Kings of Scotland, including Macbeth. 

We walked up from being dropped off by the ferry past this row of houses which overlook the shore line

As we walked up the narrow lane we past several small cottages and these were some of their gardens overlooking the shore

This plaque shows how the nunnery once was

The first site to greet us was the ruins of the Old Nunnery,  which was founded in 1200, by Reginald, son of Somerled (Lord of the Isles).  Who installed his sister Beatrice there as prioress  forming the first order of Nuns there. The Nunnery earned the name of The Black Church because of the black habits worn by the nuns 

This part of the Abbey has not been restored and still lays in ruins.

Here you can see the ruins of the Nunnery and the The pink granite walls that remain, are amongst the best examples of a medieval nunnery left in Britain.

Before we walked the rest of the way up to the Abbey of Iona we went past a small cottage with a sign in its window.. Home Made Soup.. It was well past lunch time so we went in and had a take away bowl of home made broccoli soup and home made bread roll. The occupants were delighted to see so many of our coach party and promptly sent the message back into their kitchen as more soup was put on as we said there were at least 40 more walking up the hill .. It was delicious 

Just a little further along we got to the Abbey of Iona  Gates  If you look you can see a Stone Cross in the middle of the Abbey above the people walking. More photo’s and information can be found  Here about these Crosses which have looked out across this ever changing World for more than 1,200 years.

Walking up the lane to the Abbey

The Graveyard at the side of the Abbey

We went walk about’s in the time allotted to explore a little bit more of this community and passed the local Fire Station

This was the Fires Station on the Island

And this was the only Post Office in this little Hut on the right with the red post office sign..  you may need to click to enlarge

We went exploring some more coming across this memorial cross with the names of those who gave their lives in the 1914-1918 Great War.. And one must wonder what impact losing so many husbands and sons had on this small community..  The names of which and closer pictures of this cross can be found at the sight of The Scottish Military Research Group Here  

Memorial Cross of those lost in the 1914 – 1918 great war.. I hope you use the link above to see clearer photo’s of this Cross. 

And to finish off this beautiful peaceful time spent on the Isle before we caught the next to ferry back to the Isle of Mull I will share these lovely views with you. 

Wishing you ALL a very Peaceful Weekend 

Love and Blessings 

~Sue~ 

The Isle of Mull~Enjoy

After our 45-minute crossing from Oban we re-boarded our bus which came over on the Ferry with us to make our way across the Island. Our driver set the ambiance by playing The Mull Of Kintyre made famous by Paul  McCartney .

Please click onto the gallery pictures this will take you to the enlarged versions with narrative below

We set off to cross the Isle of Mull for we had a date with another ferry to take us to the Isle of Iona.

The countryside so unspoiled dotted around with a few sheep and cattle here and there

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

It was on the waters edge where we saw a sea otter swimming before I could focus my camera it had dived.

Travelling along the cost road from our own mode of transport A bus So if you see shadows in the reflections this is why as I took these photo’s while we traveled along.

Traveling along a the coast of the island these views were gorgeous

Although the island coastline covers some 300 miles there are less than 3,000 people living on Mull, with the island’s capital town of Tobermory accounting for nearly 1,000 of those.

The capital is Tobermory, unfortunately our trip did not include this picturesque colourful place which is featured on the Children’s BBC.. in the fictitious Preschool TV programme of Balamory  A link of Tobermory can be found here with its colourful cottages in another short video.

This was Bunessan Primary School. Here they take pupils from Nursery School to the age of Eleven years old.

We were curious about the schooling on the Isle of Mull. Our Driver guide told us that the Children go to school on the Island until they are 11 yrs old.. After that they have to travel to the mainland on Scotland. He said it is nothing for a child to be travelling 2 hours before starting school and 2 hours back.  Which made my own 5 mile journey from our small village when I was small seem nothing at all.

A small community on the edge of the shore line  which we approached via a small bridge. 

This was the local Bus which traveled from the ferry port throughout the island and back. We were on our own bus following it for a short while until it took a different route

Inlets merging with the coastline. This stream ran under the bridge we just went over.

Travelling along the coastal road on the Island. It was along such a shallow place among the sea weed we saw our first Otter who was swimming along and he dived from view.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The star attractions with many who visit are the with Golden and White Tailed Eagles, dolphins and basking sharks, deer, otters and puffins among other bird wild life. We were hoping perhaps of a sighting of a Dolphin on our crossing, (I think they had all swam out to Ireland!) Big smiles Bela.   But we did spot a sea otter swimming close to the shore line among the sea weed before it dived out of view. Too quick for me and my camera. But it was a joy none the less.

These views just kept getting better and better as we travelled the length of Mull

This spectacular cliff overlooked the other side of the bay from where we were travelling on the Isle of Mull . No wonder this is whole area is a sanctuary to wild life. And why those eco tourists keep on coming. 

You can see a small community here on the Isle of Mull in the distance. Small cottages were scattered here and there along the coastal road we were following. Many stood isolated miles from others. I wish I had had more time to explore the Isle of Mull, but its memory will remain embedded deep within my heart 

 I hope you enjoyed the Isle of Mull as much as  I did.  

Enjoy your Weekend

~Sue~

PS Thank you all of you for following and for all the new subscribers. Those of us who have been friends for a long time here on WP and understand about Numbers and synchronicity may appreciate that as I scrolled down to proof read my draft in the preview. 

My Followers update said this 

Join 1,111 other followers

Amazing!

THANK YOU ALL OF YOU

🙂 

 

 

Ferry Crossing from Oban to the Isle of Mull

I hope you are all enjoying your week so far? Well here at last I have managed to find time in-between my catch ups here on WP and gardening, plus I started  a knitting project just before I went on holiday which I am now three quarters of the way to finishing.. My hands are rarely still smiles.. 

This photo I did not take.. Photo credit is HERE and more about How one can get across to the Isle of mull and the Isle of Iona is found also at this site. Credit Source:http://www.welcometoiona.com/index.php?id=10

So I hope to tell you this journey in picture format.. So all aboard the Ferry as we set sail from the town of Oban  heading for the Isle of Mull and then later that day to travel to the Isle of Iona.. But today’s post is all about that Ferry ride and the Isle of Mull.

Oban shore line as we set sail on the Ferry. We went to the top deck to get the scenic views as it was such a wonderful morning. So stood in the fresh air with the wind in our faces 

The water was calm as it reflected the blue of the sky, and we could not have picked a better day for our trip to the Isle of Mull and Iona. 

Full Steam ahead as we look back to the mainland of Oban Scotland

Dunollie Castle is built on the headland at the entrance to Oban Bay.
This castle is visible as you sail into or out of Oban Bay, and is shrouded in the trees

Castle Dunollie belonged the MacDougall clan. It was gifted to his Son Dugall when Somerled Lord of the Isle died in the year of  1164.  Its foundations are said to date back to the Iron Age.  Dugall became the first chief of one of the most ancient clans in Scotland. And this small castle is steeped in History more of which can be found at this Link  about the families  eventual down fall to the supremacy of Robert The Bruce. Better known perhaps as Braveheart..

 The History of Wallace and Robert the Bruce can be found at this Link    I hope those who are interested in Scottish History do follow the links, as it makes this journey even more interesting to see the places steeped in so much history. 

We travelled on and I was clicking away at everything that came into view  if you click each photo within the gallery you will find narrative below them. This Light house came into view next 

 

Eilean Musdile Light House becomes visible as you cross from Oban to the Isle of Mull

The beauty of the shoreline and ocean was breath taking.

Eilean Musdile got clearer as I zoomed in on my little camera. Eilean Musdile (Mansedale) is an islet, and lighthouse to the south west of Lismore in the Inner Hebrides.

the Light house in a clearer view as we traveled still closer and past it. Look at the head land behind.. Wonderful..

The views just kept getting better and Better. Had it been misty or raining most of these views would have remained hidden..

This was another Castle which appeared on our left as we traveled to Mull

Another Zoom shot.. This is Duart Castle.. more of which I will explain about the scaffolding below.

 Duart Castle  greets you from the ferry when you sail out of Oban harbour.

When we sailed by we could see as we got closer that scaffolding now encircled this old Castle. I read up on returning home and because of the huge amounts of rain we had in 2013’14 the castle lost four ceilings due to water penetration through the chimneys. There is now an appeal on going for donations to help restore it.. This castle is still open and again more can be found at the link above. 

Astounding views with dwelling dotted around within the trees..

This was the shore line of Mull as we approached ready to dock the Ferry

Every one looked towards the shores of Mull as we got closer to the Ferry Port.

 The Isle of Mull is for next time.. Wishing you All a wonderful week

~Sue~  

 History Source Credits:

http://www.duartcastle.com/visit/duart-castle/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eilean_Musdile

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oban

http://www.dunollie.org/

http://www.dunollie.org/dunollie-castle-conservation/histor/

 

Loch Lomond

Loch Lomand

The second day we set off to explore more of Loch Lomand..  This loch is one of the largest Fresh Water lochs in Scotland and is around 25 miles long  around 39 Km.  There are numerous small islands too within the Loch itself I believe our guide on the boat said around 30 . Loch Lomond and Trossachs area of Scotland was awarded National Park status in July 2002. And you can see why this beautiful land needs to be preserved in its natural state.

All aboard

There was no better way to explore the length of Loch Lomand other than an hour long excursion on a cruise boat.  So off we sailed and below are the views we saw along the way.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

This wonderful house is called Cameron House

In front of it sat a small sea plane, which we saw take off, if you click the link on Cameron House you will find out more about this House which eventually was bought and turned into a luxurious Hotel.

Sea Plane in front of Cameron House Hotel

Sea Plane in flight

Further along in our cruise we passed the Maid of the Loch moored up to the Key-side. 

The Maid of the Loch

This is the last paddle steamer built in Britain. Once upon a time Paddle steamers would be on the loch dating back to 1818.  This one was loving restored. It is now open to the public as a venue in which weddings can take place and a Tea-room where visitors can have refreshments.  She officially was placed on the UK “Designated Vessels List” which recognises vessels of “Substantial Heritage Merit with Local and regional significance.

After our cruise we walked through a large shopping area and walked to the edge of the loch where the Maid of the Loch was moored up.  

Edge of Loch Lomand and the ‘Maid of the Loch’ Paddle Steamer

You can see in the space of that couple of hours how the sky began to clear and it was beautifully Sunny for the rest of the day. This was how each day was while we were in Scotland. Beginning with cloudy mornings which by midday the Sun was shining through. 

Maid of the Loch

We sat here many a while soaking up the Sun and the view.

We watched a family under their own steam row out into the loch on this beautiful day.

And enjoyed watching the gulls enjoying the Sun in the shallows.

I hope you enjoyed this tranquil journey as much as we did. Next time will be the Ferry ride out from Oban to the Isle of Mull and what a beautiful calm day that was , and the views not to be missed. 

Have a wonderful week, I am still in the process of catching up with you all so hope to see you all soon. 

Love and Blessings 

~Sue~ 

Source Credits:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Lomond

http://www.maidoftheloch.org/about/steamship/

Scotland’s Pure Beauty and History

Moody early morning sky that soon cleared to bright sunshine

Scotland has so much history and I soaked it all up along with the amazing views and the fresh clean air of Sunny clear days, not a drop of rain did we have all week. A first for all of our visits to this beautiful part of Scotland.

We obviously picked the right week to visit as this week Scotland has had lots of rain and its first snow shower yesterday on Ben Nevis

This was the Hotel in which we stayed The Ben Doran, in Tyndrum.  photo credit Link HERE 

We were based in the village of Tyndrum in Loch Lomond in the The Trossachs National Park. The village is notable mainly for being at a junction of transport routes. The West Highland Line railway from Glasgow splits approximately 5 miles (8 km) to the south at Crianlarich, with one branch heading to Fort William and the other to Oban. Tyndrum has a station on each end of this small village whose population is less than 200 people .

Tyndrum is also interesting as around 2 miles from the village is a Gold Mine situated upon the hillside of Beinn Chùirn. Although this mine has not been mined to its fullest potential as yet.

Travelling to Inveraray along the shores of Loch Fyne

The first day saw us head out for Inveraray  to which we have visited before, Some of you may have read the post with my pictures inside Inveraray Jail before in May along with poem and pictures entitled Altering The System

Inveraray Jail

Inveraray Castle stands on the shores of Loch Fyne since the 1400s’

This impressive castle  was said to be inspired by a drawing by Vanbrugh, the architect of Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard and started its build in 1746 by the 3rd Duke of Argyll. The castle took 43 years to complete and cost in excess of £300,000. Think of that in today’s money! It must have cost millions of pounds.. Again showing the great divide between rich and poor.. 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

So as you approach,  Inveraray along Loch Fyne on the A83 it actually follows one of Wade’s old military roads; Aray Bridge, just before the castle, dates back to 1775 and is one of wade’s famous military bridges.   This is the bridge..

Aray Bridge, Built by General Wade

At that time Inveraray was isolated and it’s roads were rough tracks. The nearest descent road fit for carriages to travel was over 40 miles away.  So it was that General Wade was sent north to undertake the task, and set about creating a network of roads and bridges which would ensure that troops could be rushed from strategic bases in Fort William, Fort Augustus or Fort George to tackle any insurrection. This was due to the unrest of the Jacobite rebellion of 1745 to control the clans so that troops could move about easier through the Highlands.

Along the road we saw the monument watch tower above the castle  I hope you have enjoyed our first  day as we viewed Nature is in her raw state among the lochs and glens, her beauty is constantly changing as the light shifts throughout her mountains and shorelines. 

If you are interested in the history or need to know more about the places mentioned, I have included many links within this post to seek out further information. 

Have a wonderful Week 

Blessings Sue 

 

Source Credits:

http://www.tarbertlochfyne.com/

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/inveraray/inveraraycastle/

https://en.wikipedia.org

http://www.inveraray-argyll.com/inveraraymobile.html

 

Connecting back with Nature

Travelling through the Trossachs in Scotland

 How quickly a week has flown, and yet so much got packed into one week I am still only just coming down to earth after our much needed break away in Scotland.

This visit we chose to visit the Isles so we travelled out to explore the Isle’s of Mull, Iona and Bute.  Each Isle had its own special surprises and I hope to share a little in the next few posts about each one of them. Lots more photo’s will be posted soon.. 

In the mean time I will leave you with a video I found today, and it explains better than I why all of us should spend more time out in Nature.. Absorbing her beauty and respecting her.. 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and enjoy the words of Gary Turk. 

Love and Blessings

Sue 

Altering The System.

Peep Hole narrow view. Inveraray Jail Scotland.

Each of us as Humans live within our boxes

Looking at a world in which it locks us

Conforming and oppressing, feeling victimized

Not seeing the bigger picture yet to be realised

Court room whispers of judgement. Inveraray Jail~Scotland

So many of us shout about the wrong ‘out there’

While many do not understand or seem to care

That to alter ‘The System’ so many shout is wrong

We need to re-programme our thinking, letting LOVE be our song

Exercise Yards ~ Inveraray Jail Scotland. We need to exercise our Minds.

Two exercise yards, one for female one for male.. Wall divided them.

 

If the system ‘out there’ isn’t working anymore

It’s our job to create a new one, let your Mind be the door

For we ALL hold the keys to turn the ‘Light’ on in our hearts

We just need to reach within as we UNITE to do our part.

Restraints~ we need to let in the Light of Love.

Straight Jackets in which our minds can get encased.

The Birch lash.

 

To break down the barriers of injustice and suppression

We need to go ‘Within’ to look at our own expression

For it’s our limited beliefs which Keep us in those boxes

So let us break old programming which traps and locks us.

The Crank machine..

The Crank Machine

 

Every piece of The System out there which is causing Pain

Was first created ‘within’ by our thoughts within OUR brains.

Creating from ‘within’ to our ‘outward’ reality

When we open our hearts to love we will cease to be causalities

The System.. Putting forward the case.

Inveraray jail.

 

So as we see the breakdowns of systems around our world

It’s because another has awoken allowing love to unfurl

So don’t get stuck within the energy of ‘Fight’

Create a New System- Open your hearts to the Light.

Tried, judged and sentenced.

162,000 prisoners were transported from the UK to Australia and Tasmania

Prisoners put to work mending nets and making rope..

 

If we gave up the internal Battle, of Need, Mine and Want

To embrace a different dialog of UNITY to flaunt

To know we’re not fragmented but are segments of the Whole

As we Remember at Last- We are heavenly celestial Souls.

By  (c) Sue Dreamwalker

The above poem I wrote this last week.. As the Universe thought to teach another lesson in Letting go.. As my computer had to be repaired and was swiped by to factory settings as a new hard drive was installed.. Thankfully I saved my poems elsewhere..  Good to be back within this particular ‘Box’ again on WP..  I had a productive week in my allotments, which will be shared soon..

I thought to add this post to some of the photo’s I took within the old Prison I visited in Scotland at Inveraray Jail

The Jails story can be found HERE

.Love and Blessings to you all.. Sue