Secret Garden

So, they sent us out for a retreat, with no classes but a forecast of rain. It was actually a beautiful morning and we had a flask of coffee, a Spanish new testament, some books and our journals. (We are supposed to write a journal each day this term.) After we read our Spanish NT reading and a bit of Loren Cunningham's book we were praying for confirmation of the next step. We decided to have a wee walk before meeting the other students and within 25 yards we found some steps ..previously unoticed..down to the lake side. On exploring they led us to a Spanish Corner "Rincon de Poetas" the tiled area was a compass rose and Spain was etched on the tile we were looking at pointing in the direction of Spain! Hahaha - nice one God. As a wee aside I am entitled to sit in Poet's Corner having apparently won a prize for a dialect poem.
http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/ohs/index.asp?pageid=2822

Unveiling..

We have been busy this semester with a class project - a duplex unit for new accommodation next term. This week it was unveiled to the world when the trees were taken out by a JCB. Hopefully it will be finished in June for the new students, so if you plan to apply get your forms in quick. What was my contribution? I painted the heads of the nails.

Donald's Gig in "The Cavern"

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Spent Les's birthday with Chinese friends for Dim sum at lunchtime (No thanks tripe dumplings or crispy chicken feet). Went down the Waitomo Caves in the afternoon and spent the evening at Ewen and Anne Taylors for lovely curries and Birthday cake at night. A multicultural day for our cross cultural training. When we were down the caves the guide told us the accoustics were excellent and he invited one of us to sing (yeah, right!) However Donald bought a moothie the day before so was happy to oblige by playing for the tour party. The harmonica usually takes a tear to my eye and this was no exception. The final part of the trip was a sail in pitch darkness to see the gloworms... you couldn't read the Orcadian by the light but they were really bonny!

Sailing at last

At last we left land under sail. It has been a long time since we felt the sea breezes in our hair (oops) scalp! A friend at college has a father in need of crew. Getting late in the season but better late than never, so happy to oblige!

Good clean fun

Good clean fun at the waterfall - being with Donald is a different trip entirely as he brushes his teeth with 80,000 gallons of water and cleans his hands under 55meteres of pressure. He also ran the 225 steps up and down twice - just because he could.