The old saying that all good things must come to an end was surely written for this very Saturday morning, if it wasn't, then rather selfishly I wish to claim it. It was with a heavy heart and a total disbelief at the speed at which the 5 days had gone that I met the sunrise that Saturday morning. As always i got up early and lit the fire, went for my walk and stood there with a mind that for once was clear of clutter and thoughts of what i should or shouldn't have done over the past few days. Instead my mind was just blank, contented and at peace with what I had achieved and the reality of the wonderful people that had all come together and met at this place. I was a very lucky man and one day I hope that I can achieve that place again, it would sadden me to know this would be the only time I achieved such inner peace.
Again at the top of the drive i lent on my gate, once more the valley below us was slowly coming to life, there were lots more cars in driveways this morning, testament to it being a Saturday i guess. The usual dogs barking and the odd tractor on a hillside reminded me that out there somewhere life was waiting for me to rejoin and face reality.
I wondered back to the cottage and opened the door, Chris was there as always and he and Hannah were just disappearing for a quick fag as always as Magis and Heidi came into the kitchen, they too looked a little saddened but we were all trying to just get on with things as normal without thinking about it too much. As always Malcolm the housekeeper was there checking we were ok and looking after all of us in his own inimitable way, he really was a rock during the stay and i regret not telling him so, i may write and do just that.
I watched as taxi's arrived and hugs were given out and the promise of swapped e-mails that would replace the close natters and the laughter we shared together were distributed. It was about twenty past Nine and John walked in through the door clutching a copy of his book "Amandes Bed" and he beckoned to me to follow him into the long dinner/lounge room, he turned around and offered me the book and said "I said ye culd have wun an here it is, I hav' inscribed it an signed it far ye and i denny went payin far it"
"But John, I can't expect you to let me have your work and not pay!"
"Aaaah now just hold on Dave, ye supplied tha Scotch last neat an' I usually do that so this is fa you in return"
I accepted the gift graciously as John's work was payment more than enough for just a bottle of Scotch, even a £50 bottle of Macellan.
So, once more i was left stunned by the hospitality and the warmth of all those I had spent the week with and as i was putting the book in my holdall John quipped "Ye can rid the inscription if ya like" I immediately opened the book and John had signed it and there under the heading and title of the book he had inscribed,
"To Dave,
'The Shropshire Lad MkII'
All the best
John"
Once again that lump arrived in my throat and I thanked John and shook his hand I said, "Thank you John, it was a real pleasure to have met a proper gentleman" I meant every word and I hope he knew that, John Aberdein is one of those rare men who will never forget their background or let fame intersperse his love of what really matters and that is people. For a council house kid from Shropshire his words and kind actions were the stuff of dreams and I appreciated them more than he will know.
At that, I was ready to tackle the long drive South before I became a jibbering wreck. It's strange how such times affect you but I guess i was ready to accept all that this course could offer and jumped in with both feet, hence the wrench when it ended. I truly was sad to be leaving but life goes on. I shook hands and hugged and said my goodbyes to all that morning and I still remember it as if it were 10 minutes ago so vivid is my memory of that day. I jumped in the truck and drove slowly up the drive away from the wonderful Moniack and it's ever present ever changing beauty, away from the tranquility that never before had i managed to find, my heart sank as i reached the top road and i sat there momentarily and looked back, a piece of me was still there in the cottage, still sat by the log burner with warm feet and hot coffee with pen and paper in hand with all my new found friends around me, laughing and enjoying each others company, but just as i was beginning to feel that lump in the throat again i caught sight of a vehicle coming towards me and I had to move as i was half into the road, i accelerated, waved at the people in the car for slowing for me and reached for the radio to play some music, it was over, a long journey was ahead of me, to take me back to where I had begun this journey of discovery.
Sad yes, but a lot wiser and with a heart that had been lifted to a place not seen since my childhood and for that I will forever be indebted to the Arvon foundation, the staff at Moniack, John and Morag and last but not least my wonderful fellow students who made this trip all the more memorable.
I shall always hold a special place in my heart for that wonderful time. Dave J.
Again at the top of the drive i lent on my gate, once more the valley below us was slowly coming to life, there were lots more cars in driveways this morning, testament to it being a Saturday i guess. The usual dogs barking and the odd tractor on a hillside reminded me that out there somewhere life was waiting for me to rejoin and face reality.
I wondered back to the cottage and opened the door, Chris was there as always and he and Hannah were just disappearing for a quick fag as always as Magis and Heidi came into the kitchen, they too looked a little saddened but we were all trying to just get on with things as normal without thinking about it too much. As always Malcolm the housekeeper was there checking we were ok and looking after all of us in his own inimitable way, he really was a rock during the stay and i regret not telling him so, i may write and do just that.
I watched as taxi's arrived and hugs were given out and the promise of swapped e-mails that would replace the close natters and the laughter we shared together were distributed. It was about twenty past Nine and John walked in through the door clutching a copy of his book "Amandes Bed" and he beckoned to me to follow him into the long dinner/lounge room, he turned around and offered me the book and said "I said ye culd have wun an here it is, I hav' inscribed it an signed it far ye and i denny went payin far it"
"But John, I can't expect you to let me have your work and not pay!"
"Aaaah now just hold on Dave, ye supplied tha Scotch last neat an' I usually do that so this is fa you in return"
I accepted the gift graciously as John's work was payment more than enough for just a bottle of Scotch, even a £50 bottle of Macellan.
So, once more i was left stunned by the hospitality and the warmth of all those I had spent the week with and as i was putting the book in my holdall John quipped "Ye can rid the inscription if ya like" I immediately opened the book and John had signed it and there under the heading and title of the book he had inscribed,
"To Dave,
'The Shropshire Lad MkII'
All the best
John"
Once again that lump arrived in my throat and I thanked John and shook his hand I said, "Thank you John, it was a real pleasure to have met a proper gentleman" I meant every word and I hope he knew that, John Aberdein is one of those rare men who will never forget their background or let fame intersperse his love of what really matters and that is people. For a council house kid from Shropshire his words and kind actions were the stuff of dreams and I appreciated them more than he will know.
At that, I was ready to tackle the long drive South before I became a jibbering wreck. It's strange how such times affect you but I guess i was ready to accept all that this course could offer and jumped in with both feet, hence the wrench when it ended. I truly was sad to be leaving but life goes on. I shook hands and hugged and said my goodbyes to all that morning and I still remember it as if it were 10 minutes ago so vivid is my memory of that day. I jumped in the truck and drove slowly up the drive away from the wonderful Moniack and it's ever present ever changing beauty, away from the tranquility that never before had i managed to find, my heart sank as i reached the top road and i sat there momentarily and looked back, a piece of me was still there in the cottage, still sat by the log burner with warm feet and hot coffee with pen and paper in hand with all my new found friends around me, laughing and enjoying each others company, but just as i was beginning to feel that lump in the throat again i caught sight of a vehicle coming towards me and I had to move as i was half into the road, i accelerated, waved at the people in the car for slowing for me and reached for the radio to play some music, it was over, a long journey was ahead of me, to take me back to where I had begun this journey of discovery.
Sad yes, but a lot wiser and with a heart that had been lifted to a place not seen since my childhood and for that I will forever be indebted to the Arvon foundation, the staff at Moniack, John and Morag and last but not least my wonderful fellow students who made this trip all the more memorable.
I shall always hold a special place in my heart for that wonderful time. Dave J.
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