Posted by haakon, This weekend I had the pleasure of a weekend away with the Bruntsfield group, a social gathering from church. Lest you think this was some hasty gathering, let me inform you that the group will be celebrating 25 weekends away next year. The gathering was held at the Badenoch Christian Centre, in the Cairngorm national park. I think when I travel in future I may have to search for such retreat centres, as the prices are quite reasonable.
The gathering was a pleasant size, around 18 people. Initially I was the youngest, but later in the weekend some girls (9 and 10) arrived so I did not have to eat at the kids table by myself. I think the oldest were in their sixties or so. The weekend was delightfully relaxed, consisting mostly of taking intermittent walks during the day around the surrounding lochs, then relaxing in the evening. On Sunday we attended the local church, picturesquely situated on a small hill looking down the length of the loch towards the mountains. The church itself was very Scottish Presbyterian in its simplicity. A simple rectangle, white on the outside. Inside, abut 25 wooden pews seating six or so. Overhead a simple wooden ceiling. The decoration was understated – no stained glass, but the large window at the head of the church had an etched Celtic cross in the glass. The only colour I could see was a simple bouquet of yellow flowers at the front. At the rear of the church was a simple cross designed to look like a road sign. Pointing to the left “He came”; to the right “He is coming”; and in the centre, “He is here”.
The other hit of the weekend was geocaching. One couple has recently taken up the hobby in their travels around the country. They came armed with a gps and a few sites to visit. So, we tromped over the heather, up the moss, down the sandy beach, and found 4 or so over the course of the weekend.
The company was delightful; I fully enjoyed getting to know several people further than is possible from chatting after church. A grand way to spend the weekend!
~haakon
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