Ryvoan

A beautiful thank you card arrived from a friend who stayed with us recently.

We'd been chatting about Ryvoan Bothy in the Caringorms, near where she lives now, and a very special place.

The card shows the Bothy and is by artist Ann Vastano. I think it captures the autumn colours and place brilliantly.

Ryvoan is famous for the anonymous poem on the door:

I shall leave tonight from Euston by the seven-thirty train, 
And from Perth in the early morning I shall see the hills again.
From the top of Ben Macdhui I shall watch the gathering storm, 
And see the crisp snow lying at the back of Cairngorm. 
I shall feel the mist from Bhrotain and the pass by Lairig Ghru 
To look on dark Loch Einich from the heights of Sgoran Dubh.
From the broken Barns of Bynack I shall see the sunrise gleam
On the forehead of Ben Rinnes and Strathspey awake from dream.
And again in the dusk of evening I shall find once more alone 
The dark water of the Green Loch, and the pass beyond Ryvoan. 
For tonight I leave from Euston and leave the world behind; 
Who has the hills as a lover, will find them wondrous kind.