SUMMER SOLSTICE UPDATE 2008

It was an average Winter which I spent picking oranges, pruning, cutting back the invaders of my borders, sawing and stacking firewood and of course, hoeing and weeding. A knowledgeable visitor told me that Potok was the best-kept smallholding on the island: quite a recommendation! My week back in Swansea, April-May was covered by Misel and mainly by Daro, visiting locally for the Summer from Australia. Grateful thanks to them both!

Shortly after my return, my dear friend Mari left the island for Canada to spend the remainder of her retirement near her family. Of all my friends here, she alone had been available for a relaxed weekly chat. I would often call on her after shopping in Supetar and she would visit me occasionally on her scooter. She very kindly gave me a number of things she could not take with her including all her remaining cereals, pulses and nuts which I have barely finished. She sent me an amusing e-mail on her calamitous journey. I especially loved the image of her lost red case arriving at the plane just before take-off!

For my birthday, Misel gave me a wonderful bowl of fruit. The fact that he had not realised that the container was a lotus flower, symbol of spiritual opening, made the gift all the more significant. He complains that I "only have spiritual books" to lend him!.

After a hot, dry May, this month was largely damp but Wednesday's full moon seems to have brought hot, sunny days again. Nigel of Interfaith Swansea and Wales came to stay and was a real blessing. The problems of my irrigation system had finally broken my toleration threshold. I phoned Daro in desperation, he joined me at the DIY store to buy all the new parts that were needed and Nigel put them in place. To have it done was the answer to a long-standing prayer! Nigel also transferred barrow-loads of stone from an orchad to the track outside, weeded and de-shooted olive trees. I would never have believed that someone who had spent 4 yrs desk-and-conference-room-bound, could be so versatile. Obviously, someone who can get Contemporary Spirituality accepted alongside the religions is capable of anything!

Nigel and I began our projects at the same time and his has succeeded as spectacularly as mine has failed!

We visited Blaca, the island's 15th century Monastery which can be accessed only on foot along a gorge. The inspiration for Thomas Moore's Utopia and on a powerful ley-line, it has always been a happy place. It boasts not only that no one has ever died there from accident or acute illness but that no one has ever suffered depression there! Indeed, for Nigel and I the warm rain that accompanied our visit only enhanced its magic. We then visited Brac's best view-point and highest peak of the Adriatic islands, Vidova Gora.

Nigel is very kindly going to cover my October absence also. I am especially grateful as Misel who has been available previously, is coming to the UK with me.

A happy Solstice and beautiful Summer to all, Jenny