By Bernie Bell

We hadn’t been to Happy Valley for quite some time – the car park was always full.  This time we timed it right and there weren’t many people there.  There have been some changes since we were there last – all positive.

By the car park there is now a board-walk leading to a pond with a well-built stone seat…

Continuing along the board walk, we came to a flight of wooden steps leading to the valley below….

…then, turning left, and up along by the river, past the waterfall with its fleur de lis finial….

We wandered up into Edwin Harrold’s garden – in front of his house, Bankburn…

………full of bluebells at this time of year – looking like a painting by Gustav Klimt…..

……..finding a novel use for old bath tubs …..

…. looking up through a fine tree, in fresh leaf….

And…….. sycamores growing on the roof of an out-building!

Then back down and along by the river, turning left and past a pool where we saw a fine plump trout, which set Mike off thinking about fish for his tea…

…..and us both remembering our old friend’s tales of visiting Edwin in his house where he would have fish caught in the burn strung out along the fireplace, drying.  Food for the winter months.

Up the steps by another waterfall, topped by a stone ball this time – where did Edwin get that from?

We wandered along a path through the trees and found another little seat with another fine view. I do like to have a sit down along the way ….

Then through a big metal gate and back to the car park.

This is what we did, on that day – but you can just…wander……follow the path that appeals to you…….see what‘s there……

Happy Valley is peaceful place, and a good place to go and be when troubled by these times.

Thank you, Edwin

Deep Peace (A Gaelic Blessing)

Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the gentle night to you

Moon and stars pour their healing light on you