Menondering; Northward Connection

This is a continuation of last Thursday's post, in which I made tracks up country to meet an etherpal for the first time in the flesh. After a day of 'gathering' myself at Munlochy, June 20th dawned bright and promising good things. It was only an hour's (ish) drive to Dornoch from there on the A9. Most of my journey from Edinburgh had been on this major road, and that kind of driving is not my favourite—but it covers territory. I had heard from Arti that their hotel said I could park on their premises... The Royal Golf Dornoch Hotel. This was very convenient! There was plenty of room, and Arti was there to greet me by the door with a big, warm hug. 

Arti Jain and I connected some eight years back online via the annual A-Z challenge. We became solid, albeit intermittent, 'pen' friends. There was an occasion a while back when Arti was over in the UK and sought to meet up. However, at that time, the farthest north she was going to be was Birmingham, and I did not have wheels or timing to arrange it. Arti and her husband, Ashish, have a son in London and a daughter in Birmingham, so they make regular visits. They were also UK-based at one time but are now residents of Doha, Qatar.

That first hug confirmed that our connection was real—like sisters. I knew then that this wouldn't be just an hour of polite talk. I arrived by 10:30h, and we didn't say farewell until after 16:00h—that, too, reluctantly!

After the initial chitter-chatter and exchange of gifts, we first walked into the town centre and into the Cathedral. (It was featured here before on the last family trip with Father. Check the Dornoch Label.) It was a delightful visit, during which we met one of the guides, Mairi, and chatted about the building (celebrating 800 years this year) and the locale. We both got an anniversary pen, and I added to my magnet collection. 

From there, we went over to the museum. What a wee gem that turned out to be! We were met at the door by Keith, who was more than happy to photograph us by the sign (Historylinks is the full name). This is one of those small but perfectly formed establishments in which one can learn much in quick order without getting overwhelmed. 

We both found things to capture our imagination and appreciation. There was an obvious strong connection with the schools and youth of Dornoch, as many of the exhibits' additions were created by smaller hands. There were some exquisite, intricate, and small finds from Iron Age times and lots about recent industry and business—not least the golf! Before we left, we filled out a questionnaire for feedback, and Arti enquired about a piece of artwork on a gift card. The manager and volunteer, both called Lynn, could not have been more helpful or accommodating in tracking down the artist to enquire about producing more of the cards - and discovering there is an original full-size piece from which the cards were printed. Arrangements were made to see whether Arti could make the purchase. The ladies were fascinated, in their turn, with our story of connection.

It is run mainly by volunteers, with only manager Lynn coordinating things, and this was an excellent choice to share with my friend. The entry (as 'seniors) was only £4 each, and the ticket was valid for a week of revisiting. I gave mine to Arti so she could bring one of her travelling companions the next day. 

Did I mention that Arti was in Scotland because Ashish and four other fellows were on a golf pilgrimage? They had all taken up the sport during 2020, so they were relatively 'green'. However, they had decided they were ready for a challenge or more, so this week in the Bonny Land was organised. They went first to Oban, then up via Fort Augustus to Dornoch. They played Golspie on the 19th, and they were on the course in Dornoch on the 20th (and the wives went down to Inverness for shopping, so Arti was glad she had me as an excuse for that!) I believe the last match was played at Brora. A fairly intense introduction to Scottish golfing links!

Anyway, Arti and I had lunch after the museum at Milk and Honey; jolly tasty vege fare it was, too! Then we gently meandered up to the hotel, where the barman kindly arranged some afternoon tea for us and opened the restaurant to sit and watch the firth and golf course. Ashish had finished his round and joined us for a cuppa. Then, the time came for me to make tracks again. Another lovely hug and lingering farewells, and Arti snuck this shot of me plotting the navigator to my next park up...

It was a day of joy, respect, collegiality, and worthy exchange. Arti is a wonderful writer and poet who is interested in many similar things as myself. However, as is healthy, there were also those things in which we could find and compare differences and appreciate that for the colour and depth it lends to a connection.

It may take some time, but I know that we will meet again. Golly, I have been so fortunate with all my blogpals. Everyone I have met has proved to be all I hoped for, just as I had perceived them from their blogs.

Let me close this part of the northern trip with a selfie of me wearing the beautiful pashmina Arti gifted me. It's a timely offering, as that night got quite chilly after the 27-degree day!

Me-Now-Views; the Northern Explorer Round-up

"Good morning weathercock, how'd ya fare last night?

Did the cold wind bite you, did you face up to the fright, when the leaves spin from October and whip around your tail?

Did you shake from the blast, did you shiver through the gale?

Give us direction; the best of goodwill,
Put us in touch with fair winds.
Sing to us softly, hum evening's song.Tell us what the blacksmith has done for you."

...Jethro Tull...

Menootanabootagain - the Norther Explorer

The penultimate day up at Skelbo found the Macs wishing to linger in or near to the cottage. It had been such a peaceful and pleasant stay, there was the need to drink in as much as possible of the surroundings. That said, I did wish to take one last trip into Dornoch to take a proper look at the cathedral (hadn't taken the Fudge along on the Tuesday evening) and the general surrounds. So late-arvo I announced I was off, at which point Mac1 said she'd string along with me.

Dornoch Cathedral was built in the thirteenth century, but has of course been much restored over the years. It is held by the Church of Scotland, is the smallest cathedral in the country, and the minister, Susan Brown, is one of the Queen's Chaplains in Scotland; she officiated at the wedding of Madonna and Guy Ritchie... I can also reveal, having had the great favour of meeting and sharing a few moments with Rev Susan at the Tuesday recital, that there is a woman in this world upon whom I can look down! Yup, she's a full three inches lower than my own 4'11".

The town appears to be thriving and there is a real sense of welcome and community there. History is felt on every corner, yet is not all that easy to track. There was not time for us to visit the museum or many of the other points of interest. It just begs for another stay up there!!!

Apart from the leftovers coming tomorrow, that's it from this trip... that evening we packed up and in the morning cleaned up and were on the road to Edinburgh by 10am. Mac2 travelled with me, father with Mac3 and Mac1 on her own as she had to meet up with a friend en route.

Four and a half hours later we were drinking tea at the father's place and reminiscing about the beauty and the surprising hold Dornoch, Skelbo, Embo and surrounds had exerted upon us.

Menootanabootagain - the Northern Explorer

On the Thursday, Mac1 and I piled into Little Ren and set off on a full-day outing. Some 90 minutes drive South and then East to the pretty town of Nairn, where we were to rendezvous with Bertie Boffin and his Gail!, Such was our timing, we were within ten minutes of each other and barely 50 yards apart in parking. What a joy to meet up with them again. We explored the long beach, then back by the promenade to have lunch at the restaurant in the caravan park.

Bertie had a great time meeting little Mabel, who could run, and run...and run...

At the far end of the beach, we furless ones had our own fun...

After a lengthy lunch (the order got lost in the system - but there was a round of free drinks to com- pensate... and when it came the food was excellent), we wandered up into the town's main street for a wee 'gander'... and we happened upon an amazing mural

It was all hand-made by one of the members of the amateur theatre group, using all sorts of broken china, glass and other found items. There is so much to see in this wonderful piece it kept us enthralled for a good fifteen minutes! It is a work of art and Mac1 enquired inside as to our photographing, with which they had no problem... and surprisingly they had no postcards of it. They're missing a trick!

Mac1 and I then drove the long-route back to Skelbo, hoping to catch the Nigg ferry - but we missed it quite literally by two minutes, which meant coming back round the other side of the Black Isle and across the Cromarty bridge anyway ... never mind; it was a most scenic and pleasant drive; and I got to see some industrial stuff. Me likes industrial stuff...

Me-Now-Views; the Northern Explorer Explores More