Approaching the end

Friday started out grey and drizzly, but by mid-morning the sun was in evidence. Our morning study was led by Steve W. and covered Celtic Mysticism. Steve did a wonderful job of describing mysticism, engaging us in thinking about "thin places" and how we might experience them, and sharing, from J. Philip Newell, a lament for the effects of the Synod of Whitby whereby the Celtic church and the Roman church parted ways. A rich experience that left us with much to ponder.

During the week, we've been exploring lunch options on the island. Today all twelve of us ate at The Argyll Hotel, where we had a wonderful light meal followed by a truly divine apple-rhubarb pie garnished with strawberries fresh from the Argyll's organic garden.

Afternoon pastimes included shopping, napping, and a trek by Doug and Steve H. to Dun Bhuirg, Iona's second-highest peak (at 225 feet), located near the western shore just north of the Beach at the Back of the Ocean. The views were spectacular. Of interest on Dun Bhuirg is the remains of an Iron-Age fort ("dun" means "fort") used from about 200 BCE to 200 CE, well before the arrival of Columba in 563 CE.

Coming down from the mountain, Doug and Steve walked south to Columba's Bay in hopes of finding Mermaid's Tears. Doug thought he was successful; Steve knew he was not!

Meanwhile, the shopping was evidently quite successful, as Pat arrived for dinner wearing a beautiful new necklace and earrings. We heard no report on the naps!

After supper, we attended evening worship at the Abbey Church. When we returned, we heard a sound from the meadow below the hotel garden. The sound resembles one of those twirly party noisemakers -- others have likened it to a frog's croaking. A couple from near London, also guests in the hotel, told us it was the call of a corncrake, an endangered species in the UK. It migrates here from West Africa. We learned that the bird is almost impossible to spot, though its sound is unmistakable. Through protection of its habitat on Iona (crofters are evidently paid not to cut the grass in which the bird nests), there are now six mating pairs on Iona.

At supper, talk frequently turned to the fact that tomorrow is our last day on Iona. It's been a wonderful time, and we are all reluctant to depart. We certainly hope to make the most of tomorrow!