Lately this blog has been more about elsewhere than Berlin, but never mind, after this post I will deepen into life back home, monitoring the cherry blossoms at Rosa Luxemburg Platz and checking how the birches are sprouting green in the Buddhist gardens.

Katie, I wish I could have made it to Iona, but this trip to Mull was another lesson in the vagaries of traveling with a toddler. Never mind, if the image below was your view from bed, wouldn't you be tempted to stay in with tea and ginger biscuits? (If you're visiting Tobermory with friends, I can only recommend Janet Campbell's converted fisherman's house Seabrae, full of loving touches and generous faded floral armchairs.)

Scotland was precisely what I'd like it to be: blue and green and white, full of beloved friends, and treats. Tobermory's Island Bakery was ideal for assembling picnics, and I'm still meditating on the one perfect oyster that began a perfect dinner at Cafe Fish. Back home, what a delight to know there's a waxed round of Isle of Mull cheese to be sliced over oatcakes. Is there anything nicer than the honor system? At the Sgriob-ruadh Dairy farm shop, cheeses were attractively displayed in a glass case; we left our money in a wooden hen on the countertop, admired the antique presses and white Wellingtons, then left. If you're back in the summer, tell me how the garden cafe is.

PS: A toddler prone to motion-sickness meant I couldn't join an outing to the Ardalanish Weavers, but I was intensely envious when David brought back stories of Swedish interns demonstrating the vintage looms. Maybe you'll have better luck? Do the farm trail if you can!

Comments

[Jo Spittler]

Dear Sylee,

Wondering how you got there? By plane and car??
What luxury, I LOVE Scotland and would live there anyday.

Love,
Jo

[Vanessa]

Stunning photos, especially the first ones of the sea - such an intense blue. I long to be there in those dramatic landscapes, even if it wasn't ideal weather. Thanks too for the tip about the buddhist garden in Berlin which I hadn't heard of before. It's on my list for when I return.

[Kristina - no penny for them & mostly berlin]

this sounds like such a wonderful holiday! i'll bear your tips in mind for a future visit to scotland.

[Berlin Reified]

Jo, yes, it was a long journey! Flight to Glasgow, train to Oban, ferry to Craignure and then the bus to Tobermory. But so beautiful in all stages (well, save the flight) that I can't complain.

Vanessa, have you been yet? And where are you now? On Mull I felt I could point my camera anywhere and take a great picture.

Kristina, do be in touch if you are heading to Scotland, there are a few other places I didn't manage to mention in this post.

[Uwe]

Beautiful photography, as usual. Your photo of the window view reminds me that sometimes all one needs in life is a book, a cup of tea and a quiet place which invites you to do exactly that.