Squalls and the Squidgy Tube of Life

As we wait for Spring to be kind to us, it’s easy to forget that she has been kind in moments - which have got lost in the driving rain, the grey clag, the sleet, the dog walks huddled up against the wet wind - the drama of starting a walk in the dry and watching it close in all around you, knowing you are inadequately dressed and will not be able to outrun the next squall.

It’s in front of you…..

And it’s behind you. And it’s moving fast. This squall was 5 minutes away.

Glimpses of promise.

She brought drama even after nightfall.

And then she was benevolent in the morning.

My daughter gave me long lasting flowers for my birthday and I caught their last rays…

30 years ago, Spook and I sealed the deal on the 4th of April. We’d been together for 5 years and didn’t want any fuss so didn’t tell anyone except the parents. But we forgot it was Easter and the whole family descended upon Inveroy. I was reduced to whispering in Spooks ear “we’re getting married in the morning. Ding dong.” Meg was 9 months old and came with us. Finn was not yet born. This led to later arguments around the tea table where she would tell Finn he wasn’t really part of the family because he wasn’t there. And he’d remind her of her illegitimacy. He did suggest that we might need to renew our vows in order to get him fully installed - just in case. We didn’t. But rather than a string of pearls, Spook gave me a night out at the Railway Club. Where we had excellent company and soaked up the youthful atmosphere from the followers of Heron Valley. https://www.heronvalleyband.com/the-band

Back in the day circa mid 90’s, I used to watch the old-time dancers float around the room to Tony MacCuish, as if they weren’t old at all, light on their feet and dancing in a way we no longer know how to.

Now WE are the old-timers. And we didn’t dance. Shame on us.

Storm Dave was not quite reaching us despite the threat, but icy rain was battering the streets of The Fort. It’s good we managed to get off the sofa and get out!!!! Wonder if we can squeeze another 30 years out the tube. It’s all curled up, wrinkled and twisted, and there’s those wee leaky bits at the side, but it’s amazing how much you can still get if you squeeze hard enough.