Transformed ...

It didn't bode well. A morning when both of us felt simultaneously less than optimistic was going to take some redemption if existential gloom were not to triumph. But that redemption began during breakfast with the ping of a text coming in from fellow-blipper Elspeth asking how I was after our holiday, and because I felt like answering properly (self-indulgently) I waited till I'd washed up and was able to reply on the desktop. (Does anyone else find the rapid accuracy of teenage thumbs on a phone impossible to replicate?) Before much longer we'd arranged, in a pleasantly casual way, to meet up - because Elspeth was thinking of visiting Benmore Gardens.

It was a simply lovely afternoon. The sun reappeared from the mist in which it had swathed itself, and we were able to walk among wonderfully vibrant colours as we talked, and talked. We shared thoughts on the purpose of the church in these difficult times, and whether that purpose is being fulfilled. We spoke to a gardener we passed about the book he's just published, and were inspected by a very tame robin who turned out to enjoy a bit of cake. Gradually, it felt as if we were alone in the gardens. It was a very healing afternoon altogether. 

Blipping the delirious colours of the area round the pond, which is also the location of my second extra. The first extra is of Elspeth standing, at my direction, in front of the deer-fencing around a baby tree. She's not anything like big enough, however, to conceal it...

While I was making dinner, I did a bit of Blip catchup: horrified at the plight of our friend and fellow-blipper Wildwood in burning California, I can only think of the rain that's coming to us tomorrow and wish we could send some to the aid of all those who need it.