On the beach an Australian family standing by the waters edge. One by one they take off their shoes and walk barefoot into the sea. Each says something and then throws a yellow rose into the water before a quick return to terra firma. This is repeated until everyone has had their turn. Usually anyone sticking as much as a toe into the North Sea in January would scream out with shock but here there's an over riding seriousness. We do not wish to intrude. I'm guessing ( and it is only a guess ) that they're scattering someones ashes. From the age distribution I 'd also guess they're saying goodbye to a grandparent. The roses are washed down the beach by the current. A line of twenty or so blooms already marking the tideline. Fifty yards away Sophie stops and watches these intriguing proceedings. What memories or circumstances could cause a family to fly half way round the globe to enact this strange ritual ?
A national holiday in Scotland today and tomorrow. Hogmanay has always been a bigger thing north of the border than Christmas. The shopkeepers and market stall holders are already getting ready for the 'day outing' crowds.
The bakers lights are on but there's no one in the shop. The bread is still in the ovens. We'll come back into town before lunch and pick up a loaf then.
A quick detour to the 'wee house'. The painters have finished. They've covered the kitchen floor in a startling white. It seems they couldn't match the off white that was there before. The cleaning lady hasn't been able to get the burn mark out of the kitchen table. The university safety officer has been in and made sure that the fire extinguishers are visible and working. I open a window to let the paint fumes out. We'll go down after we pick up a loaf and close up. The new tenants are due to arrive at the weekend.
18 comments:
Just a thought - shabby chic the table top with a white chalk paint. I use Annie Sloan paints here in France in our gite - great for sorting out any damage from previous guests and smartening up the furniture - just sand down and slap on another coat of paint and then rub it back to achieve the effect you want. The kitchen looks lovely.
What an intriguing little episode you witnessed on the beach. A private memorial ceremony a likely explanation.
Nobby and Gail are heading off on holiday tomorrow - her to meet Anerican friends for a cycling tour of Cuba, him to stay with his WFT family on the farm near Insch for a couple of weeks. We'll be keeping up with Sophie and the goings on in the last house before Denmark when possible!
WFT - Have a wonderful holiday. With Russia resurgent are the Castro era politicians feeling more, or less, secure ?
Perhaps the roses were in memory of someone who once lived in St. Andrews, or nearby, and emigrated to Australia?
The kitchen in the wee house looks so pristine - hope it stays that way. It's such a shame about the table top, that's a difficult mark to remove or disguise. Would it be possible for a carpenter to make another (lightweight) top to fit over the existing one?
Hari OM
I have nothing to offer regarding table repairs... what I can say is that I appreciated the article and that I had been aware of Mohenjo-Daro due to a film from 5/6 years back of the same name (Hindi); a Ben Hur-esque affair with all the usual Bollywood jazz, but with quite a lot of correct historical reference, such as the great bath and the fact that crocodiles thrived there... YAM xx
Certainly sounds like a family memorial, people are getting more creative in planning what they want. The Wee House, looks like a nice place to live.
Maybe you could have an artistic person make some more similar marks on the table top so it would look like it was meant to be there. Polka dots, bubbles etc.
If the table is an expensive one. Move it out till you can decide on a fix.
Go to the nearest cheap/used furniture store. Buy one that doesn't match a thing and make it the statement piece in the room.
Someone will love it.
A used piece of mama's old estate from around there.
Forgive the wording if it isn't right for a used furniture store. But, in the U.S. they are everywhere.
You are so good at identifying where your encounters come from. What was your clue that the folks were from Australia? What a touching personal moment you observed from afar.
As a sometimes contrarian, perhaps placing a scorching hot pan in front of the other seats will even out the design. My apologies if this idea causes distress, but it is less messy than paint! The wee house looks lovely and a lot less ‘wee’ than I imagined. Sophie is better off with fewer canine friends. Happy Hogmanay!
Wishing you a lovely new year! (Would you please share a bit about Hogmanay celebrations for those of us who have only read about them?)
The picture of Sophie with the sea and the yellow roses is a gem
Would a stone top be too expensive? A durable one will be difficult for future tenants to damage.
Sophie really looks like she's showing her respects...
Have fun Gail, and stay safe!!
Mohenjo-Daro...what an amazing discovery. How sad that resources for its preservation seem.to be constrained by contemporary attitudes less fine than those of its creators.
Have you considered providing your new tenants with one or two complimentary contemporary sets of six nice (but plain) places mats and coasters, as well as a couple of hot mats to use on the burnt table?
Place, not places!
Life of Riley - Place mats, table cloths, coasters all available but never used. Basic rule is never put designer furniture in a house - it is never appreciated.
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