AN ENCHANTED WEDDING (in the Scottish Highlands)

On August 6, 2024 By Annika PerryIn Writing148 Comments

AN ENCHANTED WEDDING (in the Scottish Highlands)

A Lone Bagpiper calls us
Its unique tones 
drifting across the loch
Clambering up the majestic mountain 
Skittering over the manicured lawn.

Gently herded by the music
the wedding guests gulp down
remnants of welcoming champagne,
late-comers gaze longingly 
at the table of filled flutes.

A winding path leads us
down to the loch
onto the lawn.
Nail thin stilettos 
pierce the grass
jammed into the turf.

Traversing a wooden bridge
the rope railings swing
merrily to the steps 
of the hundred people.

Ahead looms a steep woodland path,
the sunlight playing
chase with the shadows
of the conifers.

The Piper urges
us upwards and onwards,
decorative hats
bob up and down
enjoying their rare outing.

Below, stragglers pause 
on the bridge
for photos.

Quiet conversations burst  around me, 
friendships in their infancy.
The tender chit-chat of
‘How wonderfully unusual.’
‘Aren’t they lucky with the weather?’
‘Is it much further, do you think?’

To the last question, it isn't! 

From the soft gloom
the guests step forth,
pausing in awe.

We have entered 
The Land of the Fey!

In the bewitching sunny glade
an officiant dressed in a white robe
stands behind the wildflower-decked table 
patiently waiting for the hoard to settle.

A fiddler stands to her left
the light lilting music
bidding us to our slightly sloping seats,
Bride’s guests to the left, groom’s to the right.

A packet of crushed 
wildflower petals for confetti 
rest on each chair.

Enchantment swirls 
around us all,
hushed whispers of
wonder in this 
haven of natural mystique. 

The guests at this
Inspired church of nature
stand as one.

The most spiritual of ceremonies
Begins.

Holding the hand 
of her chief bridesmaid’s mother
a sprite of a flower girl leads the way.
Not a dry eye
as the father walks his daughter
up towards the front.

In the full traditional Scottish garb
the groom takes the hands
of his soon-to-be wife.

A touch of the Celtic lores 
weaves its magical
influence over the ceremony.

Two tartan bands
are bound across 
the couple’s joined hands.
Literally tying the knot!

In the ancient custom of 
Love, friendship, trust and honesty
A quaich is passed between the two.

The two-handled silver cup
filled with symbolic 
whisky and honey.
They drink, 
their union becoming 
more profound.

Two readings, both from the world 
of literature, resound across the 
gathering, across the trees,
the loch.

‘The Perfect Moment is now.’

It is! All our hearts are full.
The legal marriage vows are exchanged
sealed with a bountiful kiss.

It’s time for celebrations 
in honour of the 
newly married couple
To start with abundance!

©Annika Perry, August 2024

Below is one of the beautiful and inspiring readings from ‘The Thief of Time’ by Terry Pratchett:

‘Wen considered the nature of time and understood that the universe is, instant by instant, re-created anew. Therefore, he understood, there is, in truth, no Past, only a memory of the Past. Blink your eyes, and the world you see next did not exist when you closed them. Therefore, he said, the only appropriate state of the mind is surprise. The only appropriate state of the heart is joy. The sky you see now, you have never seen before. The perfect moment is now. Be glad of it.’

Join me for a quick look at the magical walk to the ceremonial glade.

The Lone Bagpiper leading us down the hill to the loch & lawn

And across the wooden bridge!

Below are photos of some of the local stunning scenery, as well as the rabbits in the Beatrix Potter Garden and image of a quaiche.

For the rest of August I will be in Sweden and as many of you know the holiday homes there, in the midst of the forest, are not connected to wifi. Although I look forward to answering comments on this post via my hotspot connection I will otherwise be taking an extended blogging break until September. Wishing you all a wonderful, peaceful, and healthy August!

The Ultimate Gift

On May 23, 2024April 8, 2024 By Annika PerryIn Quotations139 Comments

*‘The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.’ Helen Keller*

It’s often been said that ‘I think too much’ or ‘overthink’ and to a certain point, I agree! At such times a quote might come to mind, to appeal directly to my subconscious and lead my inner self onto a positive path! The increasing popularity of quotations seems to confirm that many others are seeking out inspirational sayings and taking the thoughtful words to heart.

Combined with beautiful images the two elements become a real tonic for the soul!

Please enjoy these final four quotes coupled with photos taken by myself. May the sage sayings and beautiful pictures give a boost to your spirit.

The small boat here is heading out across the archipelago on the west coast of Gothenburg at sunset. In all twenty islands are inhabited here with many more smaller uninhabited islands among them.

*‘If the only prayer you say your whole life is ‘thank you’ that would suffice.’ Meister Eckhart*

It is mesmerising to walk through a fully grown wheat field here at home in the South East of England, caressing the top of the stalks, the sharp leaves lightly scratching my bare legs. Ever since seeing ‘Gladiator’ however, the emotions of such a walk have become slightly tainted and tempered with tragedy and bloodshed following the haunting beginning of the film.

*‘An artist is not only one who is inspired but also is one who inspires others.’ Salvador Dali*

Cressing Temple in Essex is the site of the two astonishing barns on land which was given to the Knights Templar in 1137. They are the oldest and finest 13th-century barns in the country. The Tudor Garden at Cressing Temple is a haven whatever the season, the tranquillity of its symmetrical and balanced design and planting a delight. It hosts a large collection of plants that were typical for the 1600s.

*‘In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.’ John Muir*

My final photo is a celebration of autumn colours from one of the 18,000+ trees at the National Arboretum of Westonbirt. To read more about this amazing place and see many more photos please click here. One cannot help but think of John Muir and his incredible words inspired by nature!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this short series of posts and thank you for following along with the posts. By now I will just have returned from my break in Sweden and I look forward to catching up with your posts as well as your thoughts on the series. I would especially love to hear one (or more!) of your favourite quotation(s)!

The Light of Life

On May 9, 2024April 8, 2024 By Annika PerryIn Quotations, Writing

*‘It is a serious thing/just to be alive/on this fresh morning/in this broken world.’ Mary Oliver*

My second of three photo and quote posts begins with another perspective of looking up, this time into the loft canopy of the giant pine trees on the land in Sweden. The sun becomes a beacon through the needles, the sky seeming to stretch into space, into infinity!

*‘The words that enlighten the soul are more precious than jewels.’ Hazrat Inayat Khan*

Meeting friends, picnicking by a lake and exploring a national heritage castle is a perfect way to spend a Saturday! It was wonderful to catch up with university friends at Hever Castle, Kent one warm summer’s day last year. Hever Castle was originally built in 1383. However, it was modernised in the 15th and 16th centuries and became home to powerful families, including the Boleyn’s (Ann Boleyn was the second wife to Henry VIII). The castle provided a stunning foreground to our lazy picnic meal.

*‘Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.’ Maya Angelou*

The cool mystery of the sunset against the Swedish forest captures one’s imagination, the play of colours tantalising, the dark horizon of the serrated edge of tree tops a stark contrast to the play of blues and pinks!

*‘May you arise in the morning, think what precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.’ Marcus Aurelius*

Finally, one of my favourite places in Sweden is Fjällbacka and its captivating view from the top of its famous rock. The Vetteberget reaches 74 metres high and the islands of the archipelago stretch out as far as the eye can see. Returning to the small town nestled between the rock and the sea one must first brave and walk beneath the three giant rocks in the King’s Cleft! Read more here!

Thank you for reading this second of three posts featuring photos and quotations as I am away in Sweden for the next few weeks. Although comments are turned off for this post they will be on for the final one in this series. Plenty of time for you to think of one or more of your favourite quotes and I look forward to reading your thoughts upon my return!

Perspective

On April 23, 2024April 8, 2024 By Annika PerryIn Quotations, Writing

Sometimes we all need a new perspective; be it in our lives, our art, our writing or even a photograph.

In the first photo I bobbed down to the ground, keen to look up at the bench in the gravel garden at home. What is it the birds see when I look down at them peeking cautiously up at me? Oh, an oasis of tranquility and I appreciate it more than ever this corner of the morning sun!

*‘Being loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.’ Lao-Tzu*

There is always a wonderful sense of overwhelming peace and freedom at looking at a beautiful landscape down below. Here it is, a bit of a trek up the site of an old hill fort called Olsborg in Sweden. Initially constructed in 1502 it was re-built several times and now only a few signs of the old settlement are visible. It overlooks the beautiful 28 km / 17 miles long Bullaren Lake.

*‘Speak only if it improves upon the silence.’ Mahatma Ghandi*

The favourite rose in my garden, The Queen of Sweden, gives me much joy throughout the summer and autumn and one I’ve shared many times including here. This close-up image portrays the duality of its resilience and fragility, all encapsulated upon folds of pink petals upon pink petals!

*‘Let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.’ Kahlil Gibran*

A challenge awaits the walker in the final photo for this post, the gentle rolling walk low down on Ilkley Moor, West Yorkshire quickly becomes a steep climb up to the old spa bath of White Wells. The latter was built around 1700 and a single plunge pool still survives to this day (no, I’ve never tried it!). Ilkley Moor and its stunning beauty is famed in the UK and even boasts its own unofficial county anthem ‘On Ilka Moor Baht ‘at’ (Yorkshire dialect for ‘on Ilkley Moor without a hat’). I was lucky enough to grow up in this area and enjoyed a walk on the moors every weekend

Thank you for reading this first of three posts featuring photos and quotations as I am away in Sweden for the next few weeks. Comments are turned off for this post.