Is there any better view than the train from Glasgow to Lochgliphead, as I was inching my way closer to the bothy? I'd stayed overnight in Edinburgh and caught an early train west, last Thursday week.
Charlie met me at Arrochar and we headed on that familar road, home. The bothies were sparkling in hot sunshine when we arrived. 
Someone needed to cut the verge, after our long absence. The problem is, we are so tied to Dorset in high summer, the veg garden doesn't grow itself, as Charlie often says.
A walk that afternoon.
The glow of the little timber-lined cottage makes me so happy in the evenings. 
Early to bed. The next day, the air was soft and completely still - not a breath of wind. 
We had the laziest day, lunch in Crinan, home, nap, early supper. 
All of a sudden, the soft grey clouds parted, and the evening was golden.
A magical sunset. 
The following morning was fresh and fair. 
Looking over to the paps of Jura. 
Nothing nicer that our little bothy. So simple, it's so good. 
Lunch outside. 
Another long nap then a swim for the dogs. 
And drinks with our neighbours, Ross and Mo, and the happiest night, and on Sunday, in the rain, we said goodbye to the cottage for a week or two and headed south. 
I was stopping in Cumbria, Charlie back to Dorset. We broke our journey with a little visit, and a walk for the dogs - we went to the remarkably remote church of St. Ninian's, Brougham, just to the east of Penrith. A magical place. 
We arrived as one of the rare services was finishing. This beautiful building, utterly unspoiled, is cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust. 
I was very into the altar jug. 
Look at this so sad tablet on the wall. 
And, a good long day in Cumbria, and a good but very busy week in London, and home, on Saturday, to an autumnal garden bursting with dahlias and pumpkins. 
It has been our Harvest lunch in the village. A lovely, simple service in the church, complete with beautiful decorations, followed by lunch which rolled in to the early evening, in the walled garden barn. I took these photos on my way home. 
Flowers in the gloaming. 
And the harvest is safely gathered for another year. The days suddenly grow shorter, the weather stormy. There is nothing more magical than this gentle turn of the season, as the earth rests, autumn settles in, and the turn of the year moves forward. Today, in church, we sang a hymn by Joseph the Hymnographer, who, according to our hymn books, died in the year 883 - 1,140 years ago. Just when we are worrying about what's happening next week, or next month, or next year - it can be good to bear this in mind - life has its ups and downs, but the ancient rhythm of the seasons has its gentle heartbeat, year in, year out, unchanging, for longer than we can imagine - stretching far into the distant past, and far into the distant future. That is the power of the Harvest Song.
9 comments
A perfectly lovely few minutes spent with your glorious pictures and reassuring words. Thank you Ben, for giving so many such pleasure.
Thanks so much for this respite from the worries of the world. :) You and your posts are a great comfort!
So beautiful seeing the Bothy’s again and how picturesque it is there. The dogs sure were also enjoying themselves swimming. Love how cozy you have decorated them. What a wonderful place to have to go and relax in nature and have lovely food out on your lawn in that scenery and then spend time with friends. Your church was so nicely decorated this year for the Harvest. I love when the fall comes and we start seeing different fall flower colours and the pumpkins and the wonderful food. That chicken you cooked looked fantastic. I was a guest at a home this evening for dinner for Chicken and the root fall vegetables and we sat on their terrace, as our weather in Canada is 25 degrees this weekend, with cool evenings. But fall is in the air for sure and a beautiful full moon. Their terrace at their home faces the entrance to our church and they installed a new bell, so had a bell ringer ceremony this evening and the street all went and attended whereby we sat outside on the church law to listen. It was wonderful. All the best for your fall harvest season. Your dahlias are magnificent.. I usually come to London to attend the Decorative and Antique sale at Battersea, but will attend in January instead.
Ben…..you always share the “most comforting” of posts.
A simple thank you from here.
Jo
I agree with Barbara Wallace this is one of the best!
Your last paragraph Ben is just so moving.