Edmonton

I was more than a bit disappointed when I sat down on the plane in the Glasgow airport and took out my ipod only to find that it was totally dead. On top of that, my kobo decided to crap out in the middle of a good book the day before (man technology- just letting me down these days!) Now, this of course wouldn't have been a very big deal if I was on one of the normal cross-continental airlines where you get a fancy personal screens with an abundance of movies, TV shows, music and even games to entertain you for hours- but NO I was on a crappy budget airline where I reduced to having to watch the SAME movies as everyone else on the plane and the SAME time on the SAME screens (that always seem to be in the most awkward places so that you have to sit in a slightly strange position to actually see it properly) and flip through the random music channels on that only had enough songs to fill an hour and thus if you fell asleep listening to them as I did you could begin to guess exactly what song was going to be playing next.

Trixie

But that wasn't the real reason I was so disappointed to find my ipod dead, the real reason was that I wasn't able to play my traditional homecoming songs. Over the past number of years I ceremoniously play Paul Brandt's' Alberta Bound' (not to be confused with Gordon Lightfoot's Alberta Bound, which of course is another fab song that really should be part of this ritual but sadly isn't yet) as the plane begins it's decent into my home province. (and of course usually at least a couple times during the flight…)

In the past couple years I've also added this song, 'Edmonton' by Rural Alberta Advantage to my little ritual.

What'll I do if you never wanna come back

Sittin' in a city that is always on the attack

What'll I do if you never want me back

Come with me come back we'll live again

And what if I'm only satisfied when I'm at home

Sittin' in a city that'll never let me go

What if I'm only satisfied when I'm at home

What'll I do if you never find me again

Sittin' in a Province a million miles from my friends

What'll I do if you never want me again

Come with me come back we'll live again

What if I'm only satisfied when I'm at home

Sittin' in a city that'll never let me go

What if I'm only satisfied when I'm alone

Late at night

Sink your heart into mine

And I will never try

As you forget your northern lights

Late at night

Sync your heart beat to mine

I will never try

To forget your northern lights

Gone away again

From this Alberta pen

And I will never try

To forget your northern eyes

Gone away again

From this Alberta pen

And I will never try

To forget your northern eyes

Baby then again

Under the lights at the Leg

And we will burn our eyes

Seeking out these purple nights

Baby then again

Under the lights at the Leg

And we will burn our eyes

Seeking out these purple nights

-Rural Alberta Advantage

So yeah, I'm back in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada again. Who knows for how long or what this next phase of life is going to bring.  It's going to be different, exciting and challenging in it's own ways.

I guess it's just time for another sort of adventure. (Although in this one I'm living back with the parentals and driving a mini-van and broke…yaaaaaaay!!)

Harvest sunrise on the farm

Because you always should end with a sunset picture

Changes

Camas changes you. It's changed me (although don't ask me exactly how- 'cause I haven't  been able to but it into a coherent sentence yet) and I have been blessed over the past months to watch how it changes all those who come to stay.

It's been in the youth from Glasgow and Edinburgh that the most dramatic and encouraging growth occurs. These young people, who come putting together rude words in combinations I've never heard before, who don't understand the concept of sitting down together and sharing a meal, who've never seen a sheep in real life before, who've had to put up barriers to protect themselves from the tough stuff around them - in a course of a single week these very same kids are running around in the garden trying to catch butterflies, setting a trapped sparrow trapped inside free, and just loving playing outside without the distractions of cell phone reception, video games and all the comforts electricity brings. They are sitting together in a candlelit room singing songs, drinking hot chocolate and joking around.

Watching these young folks visibly relax, barriers begin to come down and learn to embrace a different way of doing things is truly a beautiful thing and to me it is nothing short of a miracle. To hear them say that being at Camas has inspired them to be a better person, has taught them that they can trust people again or even simply encouraged them to eat more vegetables and play less video games has been amazing.

All that to say, it's been one heck of a summer. I've had tons of laughs, a few tears, learned loads, grown, played outside, ate amazing food, made lifelong friends and gained a summer full of sweet memories. I'm going to miss Camas, miss Scotland and miss all the crazy people I've got to know over the past four months!

I'm not too worried though, I'll be back someday.

Now, I can't put up this picture without telling the story behind it. This was my final view of the Isle of Mull and some of the friends I was leaving behind on it. These girls (who had the afternoon off of course, no slacking at Camas!) lovingly delivered me to my ferry. They then proceeded to wait on the pier to wave and shout out as I waved back to them as the ferry drifted away. Very, movie-esque and truly a beautiful moment. I must admit I got a tad emotional, I realized this when nearby people would comment on how lovely a send off that was and then look at me and with a concerned look immediately ask me if I was going to be okay.  

An Ocean View

It's quite sad, things are coming to an end. I'm finding myself having to say goodbye to beautiful people and places.  Today I had to leave the beautiful Isle  of Mull and Camas Bay behind. But before I get a tad too emotional thinking about all the people I'll be missing, I'm going to first share a few of my favourite views that I'm going to miss the most.

The Track- After walking just over a mile on a dodgy, muddy, sheep poo covered track (often pushing a full wheelbarrow of food or luggage- because if I forgot to mention it, we've got to bring everything in and out of Camas down this 1 1/4 mile track!)this is the view you get. I especially love walking with someone  whose first time it is because nearly everyone has the same reaction... "WOW." (or some sort of variation of that) Even though the first time I walked down this track it was pouring like crazy with grey skies and a biting cold, I couldn't help but be in awe of how beautiful a place I was in. (And then when I got to see it on a sunny day I was floored!)

Market Bay- this is just over the hill from Camas and is where we often bring groups for "wild camp." It is one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen in my life. I'm not the only one who thinks this either, The Queen herself (yes, I'm talking about THAT Queen, this is also where Market Bay gets it's other name, "Queen's Beach") used to sail out on the family yacht for a little picnic once a year (too bad they had to give up the family yacht otherwise we could have had ourselves a prince or two in the Camas area and I would have been MORE than okay with that.)  

Iona Beach- So this isn't a view from the Isle of Mull, but it is another one of my most favourites. This picture nowhere near gives it justice and even though it's a beautiful beach the reason I love it so much is probably for the same reason I love the view from the track and Market bay- the ocean sneaks up on you. I mean, you're just walking along either lost in conversation, focusing on getting your weary body to your destination or listening to some good tunes and then all of the sudden you get this incredible view of the sea and then everything else just fades for a moment.  

I realize that all these views are of the sea, but this land-locked prairie girl (I realize I may have made that sound like a bad thing, but I should probably make sure that everyone is aware I am quite proud about being a prairie girl ... and hey Alberta has got some pretty darn great lakes! Note: I am not of course referring to THE Great Lakes, but rather just stating that the lakes of Alberta are great. Just want to avoid any unnecessary confusion. You're welcome) has always dreamed of living by the ocean and lo' and behold that's exactly what I've been blessed with for this wonderful summer! And when I say "lived by the sea," I mean LITERALLY right by the sea. This would be view from my bedroom window. 

Oooh it's been a gooder of a summer!

Veggies

Sorry it's been quite a while since I've written, but I've been quite busy here in my last weeks at Camas. Anyways I'd like to briefly share a bit about the food here, 'cause it's a huge part of living at Camas. The food here is pretty darn good! Each of us staff take turns cooking meals, so usually you are cooking about one or two meals a week, and man we have been blessed to have some wonderful cooks amongst the Camas ranks.

Like I've alluded to in past posts, we eat vegetarian here. Yeah, I know what a lot of you are thinking (in particular those red neck Alberta type folks who say, "salad is for rabbits" and believe that a real meal consists of a large portion of beef-Alberta AAA Angus Beef of course- and a side of potatoes counting as the veg.)- you're thinking how on earth can you say that eating vegetarian could be anything close to good?!

Well, I hate to bust you're pretty little bubble of comfort, but it's true. I honestly never thought I'd say it and even though I've talked a lot about various types of meat products (and had the occasional meat binge when I've gone into "town") I've got to say I haven't missed it as much as it may seem. If it came down to it I think I could be quite content being a vegetarian. (*shocked gasps*)

For those of you who may have been alarmed by my previous statement, don't worry, I don't think that I'd honestly ever become a full time veggie. BUT I'm going to definitely eat less meat and try my best to at least be more conscious of the type of meat I do eat and where it comes from. Don't worry though my friends, I promise not to be like THIS.

To prove to you how good eating veggie can be, here is an example of a delicious delicacy I've enjoyed many a time over this glorious summer. I DARE you to eat it with no meat - some baked potato wedges and a mixed salad go nicely with this (even though some bacon on top would be heavenly.)

Golden Slice

150g oats

3 large carrots, grated

1 medium onion, finely chopped

150g cheese, grated

50g margarine

2 medium eggs

Pinch mixed herbs and paprika

Salt and black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 200C
2. Put oats, carrots and onions into a large bowl and mix.
3. Add 2/3 of the cheese and season with salt, pepper and mixed herbs
4. Melt margarine in a saucepan and add to the mixture
5. Lightly whip eggs, add to the bowl and mix well
6. Place in an oiled baking tray and flatten out to 2 cm thick.
7. Sprinkle rest of the cheese on top, then sprinkle on the paprika.
8. Bake in oven for 20 minutes until golden brown on top.

In honor of eating veggie, here is a cute Highland Cow- who turns out to be not so cute and much more terrifying when it's charging at you with all it's massive body weight and gigantic sharp horns. I may or may not know this because of recent events that may or may not have occurred to yours truly.

Here are some Mackerel which we have actually caught and eaten at the Camas Bay- not really vegetarian, but it's a pretty picture.

This is my favourite Camas mug. Many a good time had with him around.

Pikinini SipSip

Whoever said that New Zealand is the land of Sheep obviously had never been to Scotland. I mean New Zealand has a ton of sheep, but I dare say Scotland has them beat. You can't go anywhere without seeing a sheep. And they just stare too. Anywhere you go you are guaranteed that there is a sheep somewhere watching you, not even exaggerating (Ok maybe a little). But seriously it’s quite disturbing at times, like the beginning of some sort of a really terrible horror film.

Sometimes you can come across a cute lamb and maybe even a cute sheep, but mostly there is just something a bit alarming about them. You never quite know what they are going to do. They just stare at you and start breathing heavily and immediately I fear that in confusion and general stupidity they will charge straight at me instead of fleeing in the opposite direction. However, I am happy to report that I have not been trampled by a panicked sheep (...yet).

We get a few sheep that come down and graze around Camas(Although Tawhai the dog tends to chase the poor stupid creatures away. Which also unfortunately means that the grass is ridiculously long as our ultimate organic lawnmowers aren’t around much anymore.) and you can most defiantly be sure that there is always a sheep on one of the surrounding hills perpetually looking down on you. We do get a bit of entertainment when sheep manages to get themselves stuck on the tidal islands in the bay. Oh the small things in life! Click HERE for a video of one of these unlucky fluffs. 

I must admit that I've taken quite a few pictures of 'sipsip'  and 'pikinini sipsip' (Sorry ,just throwing in a bit of Solomon Islands Pijin in there, I miss it! I have to admit that I find myself saying a few phrases here and there in Pijin and the funny thing is that no one ever seems to realize that I'm not really speaking English… I figured though that's just because it sounds way more like English than most of what comes out of the Scots mouths.) and here are some of them.

 Field of some local Isle of Iona sheep

This sheep is effectively demonstrating the "we're always watching you" pose.

 And these two are demonstrating the shocked and confused look. I also kind of think that the one on the left looks a bit like a lion...maybe that's just me though

 A little 'pikinini sipsip' bum

Flocks of sheep on the pastures of a nearby castle

 It's nice to see that people value their sheep as much as their children here.

Camas: A History

Last week we had a group of adults at Camas (new members to the Iona Community to be exact), an eccentric, but lovely group of individuals. During our first reflection (where we introduce this place and a bit) one of the older fellows said something that I think describes Camas perfectly; "It's a very old place, but it's not a museum."

Inside the Chapel of the nets (where many of our reflections take place)

And it's so true. Camas has been around for quite a while (thousands of years I suppose I if you want to get all technical with the geology stuff, rock formations, volcanoes erupting, dinosaurs hanging around and all that jazz) and there is so much rich history here, but it's a very much alive history. It's the opposite of a museum. 

The story of this place really got started in about  the 1830s when the Stevenson family (Yes, THAT Stevenson family, Robert Louis Stevenson being the most famous member)  decided to use the lovely pink granite from Camas Bay to build a lighthouse out on Skerryvore reef.

The construction of the lighthouse took about 10 years and thus the quarrymen and their families had to first build housing for everyone to live in during those years. And the buildings they built 180 years ago stood the test of time are the very same buildings I am living in right now. (Which is pretty exciting for a girl from western Canada where if a building is over 50 years old it's considered ancient)

After the lighthouse was built the quarrymen left and fishermen and their families moved in.  And there was fishing going on at Camas for about 150 years. (that’s like about the 1840s to 1990s if you're a dates kind of person).

The Iona Community switched things up a bit in the 1940/50s when George MacLeod acquired Camas and starting bringing up young men from the rough areas of Glasgow. His intent was to get these guys out of difficult situations back at home, during a time where jobs were scarce and teach them the practical and useful skill of fishing.

Leaving a mark on the rafters

This meant you had these young tough lads living alongside fishermen and their families, ahh those would have been interesting times!  (I've heard stories of the fishermen sitting downstairs in their quarters and looking up only to see trails of urine trickling down their walls from the boys upstairs who figured the walls of their rooms made great toilets.) 

So, eventually when the Salmon stocks ran dangerously low due to overfishing  Camas stopped operating as a fishing station and became more or less what it is today, an activity centre. And the focus still aims to bring out youth from central Glasgow and bring them out to this wild place and introduce them to a different way of life. We do this now through kayaking, abseiling , hiking and camping rather than fishing, but it still serves the same purpose. And it's truly amazing to see how much this place changes people, even in just a weeks time.

Like I said, this place has a rich history. A history that's growing and alive. And I can't even express how honored I feel to be a part of it.

Risk

I've been reminded again of how fragile life is and how unexpectedly short it can be.  To paraphrase John 10:10, we have been given the gift of life so that we may live it to the full. There is such beauty in a life that has been lived to its fullest, where every moment has been taken advantage of.  It's rewarding not only the individual but to all those who are in turn truly blessed by that life.

Here is one of my favourite poems that conveys this idea well; It's inspired me over the last number of years and in the last few weeks I've been able to share it with  some of the youth when I've led reflections.

To laugh is too risk appearing the fool

To weep is to risk appearing sentimental

To reach out for another is to risk involvement

To expose feelings is to risk exposing ones true self

To love is to risk not being loved in return

To place your ideas, your dreams before the crowd is to risk loss

To try is to risk failure

To hope is to risk despair

To live is to risk dying

But risk we must because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing

The person who risks nothing, has nothing, is nothing 

-Author Unknown