Community Power Cut

This picture here signals the beginning of a 20 hour power cut here on Iona. I felt it my duty as the Abbey Housekeeper to make sure that everyone was warm and could see. So I set my friend on the task of lighting the fire as I found candles for light. I got the emergency lanters out for when the emergency lights had run out and placed them carefully on staircases etc. This was the first time I had to ask somebody to enter the Abbey church with me at night (to get said candles!). I love the Abbey church at night but could not persuade myself to even open the door. Afterwards I wondered why. It wasn't because it was dark and I was unsure of that. It was that the emergency lighting was on and so it was light. I love the church when it is dark. But to be dark outside and to have some lights on inside felt uncomfortable to me. Odd? Who knows.