Besides opera tix, the other Christmas present I received (besides stinky cheeses) was an island-hopping rugged hiking trip in the Outer Hebrides. Well, Mrs. BD likes remote rugged places as readers know - as long as there are cozy B&Bs at night.
I checked the weather for our trip: 40s (F) at night, high 50s (F) daytime. Some precipitation 21 out of 30 days/month in summer (more in winter). North Atlantic weather. I've done a few ship crossings in the north Atlantic and know what it's like: cool mist and drizzle, no need for sunscreen.
Gwynnie lent me his waterproof Olympus.
My Mom and Dad were partial to trips to northern climes. Dad wrote the poem below to document the habit (with a photo of the poet at the farm).
The North
Never to warm places do we go,
where a hot sun shines and soft winds blow
among the palms, oh no, oh no.
Not to islands where bathers lie
on shining sands under a sparkling sky
like crocodiles or seals, oh no.
But to Faroes, Shetlands, Westmann, Iceland
Volcanic and glacial each basalt island
where you talk to the natives until you are hoarse
but with no luck at all unless you speak in Old Norse.
The islands are deep in their wildflowers
and the summer sun's up for nineteen hours
and it was last sighted back in early May
on the very last non-rainy day.
When the rain stops, cold fog settles down
and water pipes through the lava warm the town
for on volcanic islands, where lava's the main crop
though it's hot on the bottom, it's cold on the top,
Where the gourmet folks munch on puffins for lunch
and swing down on ropes to gather a bunch
(but really on the most overcast day
you're never too far from some cold Chardonnay.)
There's medieval ruins and stone age remains
and a cold salty wind that fully explains
why the trees grow two feet, and not any higher
in the ancient runic northern empire.
Well, our boat is rolling from starboard to lee,
and ice cubes are forming in the Norwegian sea,
and you wonder why anyone lives in this fine land
but remember they left here to look for a Vineland.
Now you have heard it all, and you're eager to go.
I expect you're only waiting to know
what clothes you should pack, in your touristy fervor:
You'll need foul-weather gear and a life-preserver.
