Postcard 66: Loch Coruisk, Skye

Travel ~ to make journeys of curiosity

One of several definitions for the word
'Travel'
in Johnson's Dictionary, 1755

These seals live on Loch Scavaig and guard the entrance to Loch Coruisk.
The loch has been described as a cauldron of water
in the heart of the Cuillin mountains.

This is the view of the Cuillin from Elgol.

And this is the approach to Loch Coruisk.

Here are the seals again.

Back at Elgol, where the journey ends...
...or begins

A strange thing happened to me today. I began to read 'A Mermaid's Tale' by Wendy Webb - and lo and behold, there was a poem, 'Loch Coruisk' about me. It was also about my husband, David. What a surprise.

Thank you, Wendy!
It is not often I am lost for words.

Wendy had reminded me earlier in the week that I had sent her a postcard from this wonderful spot last September.

• Mark Meynell's excellent posts about Loch Coruisk on quaerentia (and here)
• Donnie MacKay's magnificent Elgol Photohebrides blog
• Map showing Elgol, the departure point (by boat) for Loch Coruisk
• Loch Coruisk blog
  
• Loch Coruisk, a source of inspiration for travellers like Johnson, Boswell and Scott
  
• Turner's evocative watercolour of the loch (National Galleries of Scotland)
• Loch Coruisk and Loch Scavaig - an aquatint Willima Daniell (1769-1837). You will need to scroll down a bit...
• Elgol Art Floats
  

Postcard 65: Ellicott City, Feathered Friends and the Aroma of Coffee

Those of you who have read my Coastcard blog recently will know that I have entered a poem in the Writelink Spring Fever Competition. All contest poems are posted up on the Writelink site. Contestants have been asked to invite their blog-readers to take a look and to cast a vote for a favourite piece and/or leave a comment. You can find the link to my entry here (with a link to all the other poems), and more details of the contest here. I know we would all value your feedback. Voting closes on 21 March, so the clock is ticking!

Fellow poet, Kay Weeks, from Historic Ellicott City, Maryland, USA invited me to be the guest poet on her blog yesterday. Do join her on A Walk into the Past, where you will begin to learn why Kay and I share a soft spot for members of the auk family.

We have something else in common, too - a passion for the aroma of fresh coffee! Kay says that coffee makes her feel like 'floating on clouds'. I defy you to read about the coffee in the deli in Yates Market without feeling that it must be time for what a certain favourite bear would refer to as 'a little something' (you have to scroll down a bit for this one).

I'm just flying off to fetch my favourite mug. It's time to sample the heightened joy in Kay's 'Coffee' sestina. Thank you, Kay!

P.S. On the subject of coffee, do take a look at Seth Apter's artistic work here, which I have just been enjoying.
P.P.S. Cathy has a delightful puffin picture on her excellent site ... here!