Bletherin

This image sums up the first day of my return to Scotland.

The 520 mile drive was relaxed and easy. I stopped off for a rest at my favourite spot, Westmorland, told the staff I was going to kip and felt safe to have a good sleep in the back of the car. My Fiat Multipla may be an eyesore but it's magic to travel in. It was a cold night and I was glad of the Spaniels to keep me warm. The coldest August night on record, the radio informed me as I completed the journey in the early hours.

Despite the almost daily phone calls, there was so much to catch up with MamaFi. Mother appeared for lunch and was eager to come with us to walk the dogs over in Fife. She is incredible considering she is in her eighties and fractured her femur earlier in the year!

We first headed for Balmullo, where the woods provided us with enough delicious Chantrelles for a couple of family meals, and the dogs with enough mud to regret taking them there!
From there we went over to Falkland where my sister was eager to introduce me to the delights of the organic farm 'Pillars of Hercules'. Organic always seems to come with a hefty price tag, but the place is outstanding and well worth a visit if you're in the area.

We left Mum at a table with a cup of tea and went off with the dogs for another ramble in the woods to look for the Talking Wall. A group were building fascinating carved, painted and bent installations amongst the gale felled trees and I believe they will remain in place for a couple of months.

The Talking Wall is a dry stone dyke that runs along a path that leads to Falkland House. At intervals, carved in the old stones, in broad Scots, are words describing actions that passers by may be doing along the path. This stone is Bletherin... endless chatting or gossiping to those not familiar with the Scots word. Some of the inscriptions are carved to give the effect of the word, Dreamin written as a wave, Stravaigin almost sauntering across the stone; sauntering being the nearest equivalent I can think of in English. There are also the words Yirdin and Unyirdin which mean to walk to and to walk back from a burial. Burlin, which means to hurry along and Freein which probably means courting. Danderin, Ponderin, Feelin, Stridin, Speirin, Stumblin, Skitin and Plowterin.
I've probably not mentioned them all but, again, the old wall is a great place for a lovely woodland walk and for contemplation.

Back at the house, I was ready for bed and a well earned sleep!

More Talking Wall and installation images here.