Menordulating; Staging Grief

There are many ways I could have chosen to drive north in this Bonny Land, but I did want to follow a known path. First, I was starting from the east side, out of Edinburgh. Second, it was the first time up this way since January, when I attended the memorial celebration for Gail. As I first drove into Fife and found myself lingering, I also had to acknowledge that there is still some raw feeling about heading past places we would have shared.

I know that many of you are just as sad about the gap that has been left in your comment sections, let alone the few of you who developed pen-friendships with Gail. I had those, but also the great privilege of getting to know her in person and becoming firm friends 'in the flesh'. Hardly a day goes by without my seeing or hearing something that I know she would have enjoyed discussing. 

That said, I was determined that by returning to Hazlehead Park, I would explore it as if she were walking with me. (For a brief moment, I considered Duthie Park, but wasn't quite ready to face that.)

I had the whole afternoon on Thursday, 5th, to explore as much as I could manage. The weather was kind and I did cover this whole entry area, through to the maze...

... which was, frankly, rather unexciting, though I did manage to get to the centre and back without any 'snags'. Then it was down to the two different rose gardens, both of which are memorials. The Queen Mother's Rose Garden and the Piper Alpha Memorial Garden.

It was a tad too early for the majority of the roses, but the Rhododendrons were still in their glory! Those roses that did show have been photographed and will be shared out over the coming weeks of Nature Friday Posts! I intend to return on my way south again - when I hope many more will be through to petal. As it was, there was already a good perfume in the air.

I was glad to see a good flourish of Ivy-leafed Toadflax... this was one of the little wild growers that Gail was rather fond of.

And how about some Bombus Muscorum? Not sure? That's the Moss Carder Bee to you then!

Once I'd spent a good while enjoying these two spaces, it was back toward the entry section and up the hill a wee bit to enter the Pets Corner mini-zoo. Now, I think you can guess that I went a tad overboard with the camera when in there! Shots from all the 'pets' will be shared over the next few Nature Friday posts. They will talk for themselves. As a review, though, let me say that the entry cost was very affordable (£2.60 as a senior), that one is actually able to pet the animals, if they come up to the fence to say hello, that there was a slightly run-down feel, but in no way did I feel the animals were affected by this, all looking in good condition and quite happy. I spent quite a bit of time with the goats and Peafowl, but particularly with the aquarium exhibits. As you will see in due course!

The next day, another long-term friend of Gail's, who had emailed me earlier in the week, agreed to meet me for lunch at the park cafe. It was cathartic for both of us, as we were able to share some reminiscences and download a little about the loss of our mutual friend. We agreed to meet again whenever I pass through. 

On that second day, I concentrated my focus on the monuments/art installations in the park, for which you must return next Thursday!