This summer has literally been a wash-out. The rain has poured down from a metallic grey sky since the beginning of June. Occasionally, there have been intermittent sunny days when the outside world has smelled fragrantly beautiful after the continuous rain. Moray is the most clement county in Scotland in which to live. Sheltered by the headland of the Northern and Western Highlands, it has been known to indigenes as "Scotland's Riviera," with its golden beaches and mild climate. Here, it is expected to be warm during the summer and cold during the winter. Just as it should be - an equilibrium. In this county can be found thick forestry and woodland, dramatic open moor, ranges of hills and mountains and the calm call of the seashore. The native flora and fauna is wide and diverse.
A fine day after days of rain brings out the best in nature with sights, sounds and smells to be celebrated.
The Lands Near the Monastery
The country garden from where all the following observations were found was originally church land. In the near vicinity to this upland garden is the last medieval working monastery in the whole of the UK. Here its encumbents can be seen taking the air as they walk down single track roads in quiet contemplation, conspicuous in their white habits and very much part of the environs of this part of Moray. From the garden, the roof of the monastery can be seen through the trees. The garden, the monastery and the surrounding land nestle in a green and beautiful valley, the hills on either side topped with proud conifers. The views are spectacular and humbling as low cloud caresses the trees like will o' the wisp.
Observations While Pegging Out the Washing
The garden is sparse. The grass has been tidily cut and the two trees within the fence are now fully grown and in leaf, excusing the lack of blossom and cultivation. These are silver birch, whose tiny leaves appear to tinkle in the wind like faeries flitting to and fro. Separating the garden from wilderness is a broken-down ancient wooden fence, which needs mending or replacing. It will eventually become firewood. On the other side of the fence is a whole line of beech trees, whose rustling leaves whisper to the next as momentum gathers with the wind. This is a strip of wild organic countryside, viewed by most as being knee-deep in weeds, but a paradise in natural ecology for birds and insects. Bursting with long nettles, cow parsley, different grasses, sticky burrs, bristly oxtongue, bracken and dock, this green, busy wilderness is exacerbated by this week's grass clippings. Soon, the natural sounds of summer are joined by the sound of the monastery bells, calling the monks to worship.
Beyond the Green Wilderness
From the confines of the garden, there is a vista of hill and forest, lines of trees dwarfing lines of trees in perfect symmetry, on a skyline that seems very high in the distance. Nearer to the garden boundary lies a deliciously inviting harvested field, used by dog walkers and children, now that the grass has been cut and baled. As these observations are being made, tree sparrows skit in and out of the branches of the beech trees. Wood pigeons call hauntingly, unseen from the verdant density of the close-growing trees. Kestrels target fat pigeons, but are easily frightened by a human presence standing still in the garden, watching. Butterflies and bees flit from flower to flower, their stillness and buzzing heightening the senses of a beautiful, plain, ordinary summer's day when the rain didn't fall and the washing could be pegged out. This was a morning long awaited and appreciated. Nature's gallery - meat and drink for the soul.
Doreen Taylor - Conscientious and committed to good writing, I will endeavour to do my best for all my writers. I adore reading and learning new things ...
