The dawn crept in that morning with the wind coming from the East, keeping the temperatures honest and the skies clear. The sun shone with the quality of light that is unique to this part of the world, lighting up the snow covered slopes of Ben Nevis that were visible from our cottage with a rosy glow.
Travelling West, we arrived in Glen Moidart and parked the car, exchanging the comfort of our heated seats for the somewhat crisp air of the valley. Rising up the hillside, we were greeted by this view. Beautiful beyond measure, and with a timeless quality that leaves you wondering how surprised you would actually be if a Viking longboat really did appear on the horizon.
Sat on the hilltop, from where the photo above was taken, we could see the deer and the wild geese in the fields below, ravens tumbling in flight above us, and the jagged peaks of the Black Cuillin mountains on the Isle of Skye in the distance.
Sometimes from here you can see the eagles, once so close that you could hear the vast wings of a sea eagle, much bigger than me, beating against the air. But not today. No, today we were to be ushered into the presence of another of the special animals that call this place home. As we walked down to the water’s edge, we saw a ring of bright water, a phenomenon that often betrays the presence of a fishing otter. We crept up to the water’s edge, and had the privilege of watching him fish for 25 minutes. The privilege was the greater, because it was obvious that he knew we were there, but in an echo from before the fall, he chose to accept our presence.
Just a perfect day…
As it always does with me, this takes me back to the music. Lou Reed wrote a well known song with the title Perfect Day. Although it is surrounded by urban myths speculating about its meaning, taken at face value, it is a beautiful and heart searingly honest song. There is a line in it that always causes me to stop and think:
“Just a perfect day … problems all left alone… you made me forget myself, I thought I was someone else, someone good”
Hey, what if I was someone good? I’m not sure I can manage that in my own strength, but what if I embrace the grace of Jesus, and choose to “fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of my faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross … and sits on the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2)
What indeed…
For those of an adventurous nature, see below.
