We’re off to the Isle of Arran soon for our annual holiday. We go there every year. The first time I went with my wife we were a pair of ‘dinkies’ – dual income, no kids.
We now have 3 kids. Must be something in the water I suppose but we’ve only missed one year since 1995. Life just slows down there. No traffic lights. No roundabouts. The stresses and strains seem to evaporate.
But not, it seems for everyone on the island. Every year we have to buy a ‘Stone Man’ – which are pebbles collected from the beach at Lochranza and painted in various colours and patterns. He does sheep and pigs too. He works from his cottage which is a long way up a very steep hillside track that you’re not allowed to drive up. It’s a pleasant enough walk and the views over the bay are spectacular. It’s very close to heaven.
When we arrived, he was in his workshop as usual, back turned to us working away whilst the kids perused the Stonemen on display. Without looking round he knew who we were too.
After a while, I asked him whether I could commission a Stoneman in a particular football strip and perhaps pick it up next year when we return.
‘I’m not sure I can fit it in because I’m extremely busy’. Maybe he needs a holiday.
http://www.frecosse.com
11/10/05 @ 06:59