Ardmore Point, on the River Clyde
Arriving isn't an instant thing, it happens in stages. While a plane or a train might deliver you to your destination, arriving is a process that takes its own time.
After a three-day journey by car, plane, and train, I have been arriving a little more each day. While the journey was stressful all our documents were in order and the French and UK passport control were happy with our dogs' health certificates. All the connections went well although Bailey had a bit of a meltdown on the last leg, I can't blame her as the train was delayed by 2 hours. Mama is the perfect travelling dog and slept for most of the journey.
Our journey took us from Atlanta to Paris, Air France is one of the few airlines that are currently flying dogs without having to book through a separate agency.
Once arriving in Paris we hired a car and drove north, under big skies and farmed landscapes with huge towering wind turbines - such a stark juxtaposition against old French farmhouses.
On arriving in the coastal town of Calais we headed to the beach to dig our toes in the sand as the wind whipped up mini whirlwinds.
For many years I lived in Brighton, on the South Coast of England and so enjoyed the view from the other side of the channel. Yet out towards the horizon, you could see the white caps of wild waves in the English Channel and my heart lurched to think of those who are fleeing desperate political conditions and give over their life savings to make the perilous journey on small inflatable open boats.
While the UK is more than able to accept refugees modern the current government policy is now to send people arriving illegally to Rwanda.
Arriving
My arrival happens by invitation, by the swoop of a swift's wing, in the pattern of moss under the bridge, with three swans taking off and into flight.
Falling into a pattern helps, taking one step after the other into the morning and evening.
The rain showers coming in from the west drop their rain in the realm of the Goddess Clutha. With each drop I become part of the water cycle myself, each cell reattuning to this longitude.
Dumbarton sits at the place where the River Leven meets the mighty River Clyde. The Leven flows out of Loch Lomond and races in tight meanders down towards the Clyde. Here, where both rivers meet sits the towering form of Dumbarton Rock, the plug of an ancient volcano.
Most mornings I head to the park, walk along the shore and collect swan feathers and sea glass.
Walking along the Leven with Carman Hill in the distance
I've still to visit Carman Hill, my favourite hill. This is the place where I first met the Cailleach, I am waiting till I have fully arrived before I go meet the Old Crone.
Slowly we are cycling towards summer solstice, we have glorious twilight here where the nights are still light until 10pm. Twilight is that place of magic, the place where stories are born and I'll be sharing stories of the Big Women, from the Ancestral Mothers of Scotland in a Keening Circle next weekend - I hope you can join me!
Keening With the Big Women
Sunday 12th June. UK 7 pm, US Eastern 2 pm
On the Ancestral Mothers of Scotland Wheel of the Year, the Summer Solstice honors the Big Women, inspired by stories of warriors and amazons from the Western Isles and around the UK.
In this gathering, you'll hear a story of Scathatch, the warrior from the Isle of Skye
Plus the story of my own initiation by the Big Women.
You'll also be invited to consider your own Big Women qualities
Keening Circle
This Keening Circle invites you to bring all emotions you are holding - from rage to despair, grief to overwhelm.
You'll be invited to share how you are feeling in a small group before we bring our emotions into the great cauldron we'll hold at the center of our gathering.
There is one full scholarship place available
