Many shades of yellow

The yellow against gray background . The yellow tree has not surrendered yet , keeps the wind off and soak up the sun . Amongst bare branches of other trees , it caught my eye .

The fall

These leaves fell to the river , not willing to float down the stream . The strength  in numbers .

The night

 

During the night the brain seems to work differently than by day .

When I came to the end of the road where mountains meet the Loch , it was shortly before twilight. There was a small car park by the water and a fenced camp site . I decided to stay overnight at this place .I noticed another car , left probably by someone who  had been hiking in the hills , I thought . Or the car belonged to a forestry worker - there was a tree plantation nearby where logging takes place . Anyway , after having eaten something warm ( thanks to a portable cooker ) I set the fire ( partly to repel mosquitoes and midges ) and started pitching my tent. When I sat by the fire , I noticed that somebody had had the same idea - the smoke given out of fire was visible a bit further down the shore , by a small pier . The pier was in use by logging company  I guessed , but  that time of a day the workers must have gone -so it were rather people who had left their vehicle in order to stay overnight . I decided to ignore the fact and stayed by my fire . I felt content that they stayed away of me

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At last the night covered the Glen and the outlines of surrounding mountains disappeared , melting with dark sky . The only sign of life were roars of stags , keeping away potential rivals from females . I was preparing a sleeping mattress when I spotted a flickering torch - somebody was walking toward me . The fire had gone out already , so I wondered if whoever a stranger was - could know about my presence ?. I felt a bit anxious - and having put a small hammer into my pocket , I  chose to show up to the stranger .

" Are you going to camp here ? "  - I asked coming up with a torch . I stood facing a man in his forties , maybe . The weak light of torches couldn't tell much of the guy , his face seemed to be somehow harsh .He was accompanied by a dog , not big one .         

" Yes , I am going to stay here . I was sitting by the fire over there , by the pier " - he replied shortly in confident tone - " I wanted to go further down the shore , but the road is finished here " - he added .

" Yes , it's true " - I confirmed - " There is no passage from here , maybe you could try to get there from the other end of Loch , out of Oban , possibly "  - " Maybe " - he agreed .                                                                                                                  

" I am camping here , I just pitched a tent over here " - I explained , just to say something . He looked at me for a while and then finally said ;

" OK , I am going to sleep now in my car . If you need anything just give me know " - He cut the conversation and walked off to his car .

" I will be fine , bye " - I took my stuff needed for a sleep and headed to my tent .                                        

I couldn't get into sleep , thinking what this man was doing in the Glen , what was his purpose to reach far beyond this point . Was he going to fish or what ? I got out to the car for a bottle of water and as walking back I suddenly saw the gleaming eyes in the darkness . Gradually I noticed four more pairs of eyes glistening in the light of the torch - deers . The animals seemed to be curious of the light , they run away at last as I approached closer . But I still could hear the noise later in the tent - what a strange night it was . 

I woke up early in the morning , took my camera and moved toward the pier to take some pictures of the Loch . An hour later at the camp site I met a stranger again .He had taken a stroll with his dog toward the pier - no wonder - it was a bright morning and pleasure to take a breath of fresh air among such spectacular scenery .He smiled to me when passing by , his face  looked surprisingly friendly . I replied to his greetings with a broad grin .I was glad that somebody else could enjoy the 'great outdoors' in the early morning .

How differently things can be perceived in the full light .    

  

I                                                                                               

 

Indian Summer

Ripen fruits mark the definite end of the Summer and  chilly nights start. But just for now , before rotten berries and leaves fall down , lets enjoy the last warmth and sunshine .So called Indian Summer .

The river knows

I stopped on a bank of the river - to steal its image with my camera . The river looks nice in the low light of the evening . But the river does not care . The river is oblivious actually to the fact , that the surface of its water attracts my attention . In the calm , warm summer evening the river pushes slowly through greenery , ahead . Nearly motionless , it seems .
But the river knows , that no further then a couple stone-throws down the stream , it will blend into salty waters of a shallow bay . And will be taken possibly to the open sea or even the ocean . It's a splendid destination . But for a while the river slows down - so that it can enjoy the warm touch of the sun rays and memorise the gentle sound of leaves , rustling on the branches .
Mesmerized by the silence of the moment and awaiting refreshing coolness of the oncoming night , the river halts loosing its speed clearly . It will be plenty of time yet for pounding seashore's reefs and rolling gently over sandy beaches , yes .
No need to haste now , the river thinks .

Out of the window .

Every day I see this scenery - the long line of green hills , running from west to east ( or otherwise ) . Mainly without trees , some on the top . And with dry-stone walls rolling down . Typical farmland landscape .
I see this chain of hills through the window , sitting in the canteen during my break from work . That's a precious  half an hour . I can forget for a moment all working routine - swipe your card when starting a shift , charge your I-fob , then log in your accessories , with specific numbers . Start the first assignment by pressing enter ,and again the next assignment . Remember to log off if you need to change battery and log in again when it is done . And so on .
On the break you are shortly out of the system . Looking out of the window towards this greenery makes me relaxed - other people seem to be not interested in outside world - they just talk or sit deep in theirs thoughts . But I always look at this direction . The other day I noticed  a road running on top of the hills and sometimes I could spot the car driving there . Probably the road used by local farmers - who else could use this road high on the hills ?
Not long ago I decided to ride over these hills and having finished my shift one evening I found the way to the hills . In the setting Sun the road winding amongst the fields and grassland led me through idyllic scenery .
Like on this photograph below .

Amongst green leaves I found the gold - the last message of the sinking sun .

Outside

After 9 hrs spent working under the roof , travelling in the car back from work , shopping in the supermarket and preparing evening meal , I felt I need fresh air . So strange to be in different places and not being outside  . Artificial light , sparse air . The world seen through the window .

I found at last a while to have a stroll . Unfortunately , it started raining . Never mind , I stuck by the front doors , leaning against the wall . In such moment you can appreciate to be outside a home . Even though it's raining and the sky looks grayish . It stopped raining for a while - I could move on , strollin to the local park nearby (it's rugby pitch actually ). I spotted the couple playing with a dog , despite the weather . Yes , the dogs need to be walked ,they like run wildly . Why people don't need to unwind in such way ? If somebody wants to , goes to the pub at weekend or for party . Basically , some people benefits from walking only because they are the owners of the dogs .

I stayed short moment watching the green surface of the pitch , my eyes followed the flight of a seagull .  I thought that I would seat probably long time watching birds or sea - waves pounding the rocky shore , somewhere far away . But here just a few steps off the house , I couldn't stay long . Back to the matters which keep mind busy , to carry on .
So I miss the moment which must come up  , when I will be sitting just watching flying bird , smelling the grass and enjoying the song sung by the wind . I need to find right time soon .

Muir's truth .

I have found the quotation of John Muir , which he wrote over a century ago ;

"  Thousand of tired , nerve-shaken , over-civilised people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity  "

I thought when I read it the first time that's the true , and nothing has changed since the time when Muir said so . People still are nerve-shaken and over-civilised . The thing is however , that a few people have understood that fact - that the modern civilisations makes us poorer in fact . Because the lack of contact with the wild nature is simply bad . More stressed and goal orientated . Ready to destroy the rest of wildlife in the name of progress and comfort . The less people visit wild places the more they want to gain the things which in fact are of no use . And the chase for those things makes people more crazy and nerve-shaken .

Possibly there is more and more people who feel like being closer to the nature . But how many people would consider the idea that ' wildness is a necessity ' ? For majority it's probably only a curiosity , attraction memorized by the camera ; I was there once upon a time .

But for me these very words are true .


            
         

Turn the phone on

I survived without the phone around 10 days , after I had lost my mobile somewhere . Surprisingly , I barely noticed the difference . I didn't have any sudden urge to ring . But obviously  I had to come back to the Matrix . I just bought the new on , with android's system . Never had one before , but eventually I decided to follow the spirit of our time . Despite having known the saying  - "We live in the times of smart phones and stupid people" . What may means that using technologically advanced gadgets make you more and more stupid .
In some way I am getting stupid with that phone sometimes . Till now I have used used a simple models , nothing complicated . I am slowly getting to know the new one , though . Today just when standing in a bus stop queue  , I took out my new mobile phone to explore its functions , trying to set up an email account .Without success , I looked over my shoulder , behind me the queue of people awaiting the bus had grown  enormously . Well , people were doing the same ; operating their mobile phones while waiting .

In general I can't understand people's urge for using cell phones whenever possible . No doubt this tiny device might provide a lot of fun and much of practical information ,too . But as a traditionalist I prefer traditional things then . When travelling or sitting in the waiting room , I d' rather read a newspaper or the book taken with me . Or simply observe what happens around me ; especially on the bus I enjoy watching other people and some small events like an owner of a dog arguing with another passenger .

Hopefully I won't get hooked on use of mobile phone in the future , there are enough things I am addicted to .  

The end of the world

When I am thinking of what happens around Korean Peninsula , I feel  creeps . What if the barely grown - up boy , who governs the last communist country in the World , will not stop playing ? Does he realise that's not a computer game called  "The Third World War" ?  I tried to imagine what are the feelings of the servismen  on american  warships being sent to the waters of the conflict ? Surely they aren't happy going there , I suppose . Actually , what think all Americans or Korean people ?

I can't imagine what is in the head of Kim . And why anybody around him won't tell him " Stop playing the God , kid " .

Benefits of the morning walk

It's Saturday . Got up early again , quite early . I left home at 9.00 and rushed to Pentlands Hill , nearby . The morning was beautiful , sunny , however still chilly and with snow on the hills . But in the sun everything looks better . A bit wintry , not like last saturday , when I walked in Pentlands too, and there was strange silence - no wind at all . But the wind today wasn't much strong , so I could enjoy . Overhead larks singing - the first signs of spring . I heard even the sound of gaggling wild geese - this is a traditional rout for these birds to the  north where they spend summer time.
I like the snowy scenery and the sun rays sparkling around . Next time when I visit Pentland Hills the snow will probably disapear .

Out of the network

I have lost my mobile phone , not sure where and how . Nothing to regret much , just cheap temporary model .

The only problem is that I lost sim card with it too , obviously . But the first time I am not nervous I am out of phone network . Normally when the battery was flat or I forgot to take the phone leaving home I would feel a bit anxious about it . Somebody would phone , maybe even with something important . I would feel guilty that somebody phoned me and I was nonresponsive . " Where have you been when I phoned you " or " Why don't you answer the call ? " - people tend to ask . I think we have got addicted to the mobile network . Nowadays we are available for other callers practically every time and everywhere . Even on the holiday . The best way to escape is to go to the mountains where often the signal is bad . Or simply turn off the phone .
But this time I don't care much about that . I nearly forgot I don't have my phone . That's fine . There is nobody important now who could phone me . So I don't care about outside world . But not for long . To be a part of this world today , you have to be in contact , available for other mobile users .

The last day

I received a leaflet a couple of days ago from a local Baptist church , starting with words ;
What if tomorrow is the last day of your life ?
I went on and the next question was if I was sure I would go to the heaven ? So I was invited to the Easter celebration at the church to make sure I will make it , getting to the Heaven .
Ridiculous .
Why should I bother in the last day of my life about getting to a place like the Heaven ? Even if exists ,
I would bother rather how I spend this day , whom I meet or if my life was worth living for . That's the questions I would have on my mind .

Rugby dancers

On the pitch last saturday the players were dancing , as usual that time of the year when Six Nations play . On the pitch at Murrayfield the Scotts failed to Wales and the high hopes of fans have diminished . But the crowd moved to the town afterwards , to celebrate the event . So pubs were full - both fans of Scotland and Wales in peaceful dance . Red t-shirts were flashing everywhere , no wonder - their team won . But anyway , what to do on Saturday night visiting this city ....
On the street a Welsh woman apoligised to some guys she passed by " Sorry you lost " . Very curteously indeed . Can't imagine at all if Scotland were to play England .

JONAH'S CASE

Jonah is a well know biblical figure - a prophet sent by God to warn the city of Niniva , who tried to escape to fulfill his mission . Gulped down by a big fish when trvelling on ship, was thrown out of fish's guts after three days. He got to the shore ,where he finally understood his destiny and went to Niniva .
But not everybody is such a lucky one to understand own destiny . Like Jonah , most people are afraid of their true mission in life . Like me . I am totally paralysed sometimes when thinking about that . Maybe because that's something what is pretty different from what I experienced so far . Or maybe I am still unconscious of it .
So called Jonah's syndrom . That's for sure what was Jonah's destiny - make people realize they don't live  life the way they should . And not only in Niniva , I think .