Going, Round -
I had been walking for the better part of the week, around the Island, Up and down Dun I, over to the white sand beaches and azure blue waters of the north side, the rocky shore south, the machair of the west, going round and round to and from the village, taking the short cuts through fields of sheep and highland cows (they don’t really seem to mind.)
The Hebridean Gale has set in – yesterday it was raining sideways. My new friend Da and I ran about the island for hours like schoolchildren who got a weather day and were looking for mischief. First, we bought some goodies at the Low Door (and I do mean this door is low – you have to duck and squat a wee bit as well to avoid knocking your head… apparently people were really small back in the day). This shop has a plethora of local homemade items – I picked up some raspberry and violet jam, Da bought their wild garlic pesto. We remarked to the man behind the counter how bright and well he looked. A conversation ensued. Then we snuck into the Argyll Hotel (It was closed for a wedding), drenched, went to find our friend Wendy to see if she could come out to play and if we could pinch some of her divine coconut cake with chocolate mouse and roasted almonds on top. After catching the eye of the very busy and annoyed chef, we went round the back and threw pebbles at the office window to get Wendy’s attention. She said we were like two baby birds, chirping for their mother to come and feed them. We stole into the pantry of the kitchen where she delivered the wondrous cake, wrapped a couple of pieces up in foil for us and sent us on our merry way, quick as a flash so as to avoid any more wrath of the resident cheffy. Next we set out over to the Village Craft Shop (they have an espresso machine – best coffee in the village and the owners are so friendly,) ordered up a couple of double shot Americanos and plowed through their back storage room, clearing off a spot to sit. There we unwrapped our cake and gobbled it down, washing it back with our black coffees. There is nothing like a dreich day on Iona to make you really appreciate cake and a warm beverage (if you didn’t already). There is a joke I heard that goes something like this: “After all this time I am finally getting into shape, unfortunately, that shape is round.”
The forecast for tomorrow is more rain, more cake!