St Georges Day

I'm not one for patriotism, but in celebration of my Grandfather George, my brother Ady who always sends me a happy St Georges day message and in recognition of a poet I really admire, this is to celebrate St Georges day.

The True Dragon
by Brian Patten

St George was out walking
He met a dragon on a hill,
It was wise and wonderful
Too glorious to kill

It slept amongst the wild thyme
Where the oxlips and violets grow
Its skin was a luminous fire
That made the English landscape glow

Its tears were England’s crystal rivers
Its breath the mist on England’s moors
Its larder was England’s orchards,
Its house was without doors

St George was in awe of it
It was a thing apart
He hid the sleeping dragon
Inside every English heart

So on this day let’s celebrate
England’s valleys full of light,
The green fire of the landscape
Lakes shivering with delight

Let’s celebrate St George’s Day,
The dragon in repose;
The brilliant lark ascending,
The yew, the oak, the rose

Back from Skye

Had a great week with my brother Sam and Debbie at their home (and excellent holiday retreat http://www.melrosehouseskye.co.uk near Dunvegan (and niece Holly briefly). They have guests booked until August but it was great to spend some time with them and we have been thoroughly spoiled. Our birthday treat of vouchers for dinner at the Three Chimneys were traded for the full taster menu on Thursday which was an unforgettable experience. We have been trawling around all the little lanes since it was Rob's first trip up to visit and visited Marcella and Ian at their home as well as going out to Talisker bay out in the sunshine rather than early twilight as on a previous visit. Strangely enough I have heard skylarks twice this week, once at the fascinating coral bay with the sound of the loch against the shore and once when we arrived back at Luton airport in the car park with the sound of planes coming in to land. Now having incredible withdrawal symptoms.

Talisker bay







The curious Giant Angus MacAskill museum at Dunvegan



Hello Kitty, enjoying a breakfast egg laid by ....



One of the girls.



Wish this was at the bottom of our garden - it is actually at the bottom of Marcella and Ian's garden. Check out their B&B
http://www.wilmarbedandbreakfast.com/