Saturday, sunny, warm, summery, and Sheila and I off for the weekend. Went in to pay petrol. Cashier type attendant chewing gum as if she had a grudge against it. Offered sympathetic comment, ‘You’d probably rather be elsewhere on a day like this’. Without breaking the rhythm of her jaw exercises, ( I assume her commitment to intense training for mastication for the nation), but making fierce eye contact, she managed to growl, ‘Aye. Ah widnae mind like. But ma’ pals are doon at the beer garden – thanks for phonin’, eh?’ Decided the best response to this was a sympathetic but wordless smile, took my Switch Card and discreetly tip-toed back to the car.
Saturday in Pitlochry. Walked past the Chocolate Cafe. Menu board said Chocolate Cafe: Soup of the Day
Left me wondering….what would chocolate soup be like? Don’t mock the idea – the shop has two chocolate fountains – a white one and a milk chocolate one. And there are two ladles beside them!! I’m still fantasising about White Chocolate soup of the day……..yummmmmm.
Evening drive out to Queen’s View on a country road. Red car approaching from the rear fast. Head, shoulders then torso appear through the sun roof (not the driver, one of the passengers. Follows us to Queen’s view and stops at the car park and out get four pleasant, high spirited, young Asian men. Charming, laughing, told me no need to buy the parking ticket cos it was after 6. They, and we, enjoyed the sunset, the view, the sense of quiet and beauty with my favourite Scottish mountain in the background, Scheihallion. And yes I did think about the mess in Iraq and the culture of suspicion; and no I don’t know the backgrounds of these young men; but yes, I do intend to resist the media generated trustlessness towards people who ‘are not us’. I was glad, and gratified to meet them – and have them talk with us.
A triptych of impressions from a memorable day – food for thought, and prayer. A young worker who on a sunny day wants to be in the beer garden; four young tourists out for fun; oh, and the chocolate which I didn’t have but wish I had…..lead us not into temptation…..
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