Savoring Fair Weather Days

Being so far north, we’re in the season of long days, really long days, as we approach the Summer Solstice. The extended daylight beguiles me into thinking that I can keep going, long after the time I would normally go to bed.

Last night, for example, I looked out the window around 10:30pm to find that it was probably still bright enough outside to read a book. I had a restless night and found it was still surprisingly light around 11:30pm and then, again, already around 3:00am. By 4:00, daylight streamed in strongly between the blinds.

This year, the impact seems even more pronounced as we’ve had a long stretch of warm, sunny weather. We’ve not had a real shower in about a month and the meterologists say that we’re currently in a heatwave – with temps around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. I know some will laugh at that as a heat wave, but with strong sun, lack of a/c and fans, it can feel pretty warm. (My body must be acclimating to Glaswegian weather.) Some Scots we met recently said it’s the longest period of warm, sunny weather they remember since the early 1970s.

We haven’t made any other weekend getaways since Arran, but I thought I would share some photos from recent day trips. Even though these were places I visited before, there were still wonderful discoveries to unfold.

A Return to Pollok Country Park

We returned to the beautiful, large park that sits within Glasgow city borders. To our delight, the young Highland calves, and their parents, were there to greet us. We also visited the Burrell Collection, a museum comprised of items donated by art collector and shipping magnate, William Burrell, to the city of Glasgow. I love how the light filters through these ancient stained glass windows. (see previous blog on Pollok Country Park for more background)

Return to West Kilbride

On a beautiful sunny and breezy day, we headed to West Kilbride, a small coastal town I had visited once before. (see my previous blog on Craft Town, Scotland) This time, we walked from the town center to Portencross Castle, a castle going back to the 1300s lovingly maintained by volunteers who were very happy to share its history.

From there, we walked along the coast to get back to town. We met a number of kind locals, in some cases stopping to chat along the way.

One person we met was Bill Borland, an environmental artist who makes beach sculptures out of marine waste. Above, you’ll see his rendition of the Edward Lear poem “Owl and the Pussy-cat”. Bill was a very affable and outgoing person. He told us how, since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, he has been weaving rings (like those in the sail of the ship above) out of waste marine twine in memory of each child who has died in the conflict, then integrates them into his sculptures.

It was a delightful time to recharge on sun, sea views, kind strangers, and cute dogs galore.

Wishing you fair weather days of the heart.