Staffa

Getting to Staffa required a 20 minutes train ride from Taynuilt, where we were staying, a ferry to the Isle of Mull, a coach which took us from 

one end of Mull to the other, a small boat which took us out into the Little Minch where

we were able to see the Isle of Skye where we'd been a few days prior, and a number of other

little islands, some inhabited, some not. Returning from Staff we went to Iona, another island

which has been a Christian pilgrimage destination for around 1500 years. 

Then a ferry over to Mull, a coach back to the other side of Mull, another ferry to Oban, and a train to where we were staying in Taynuilt! 

Phew! 

We felt extremely lucky that we were able to do this island tour because for a couple of 

days it was too windy and the water too rough. 

And...as McVal told me after we returned to Canada Oban was flooded!

The Tesco where we had bought some scotch was under water.

Devastating!

So, we were fortunate to have missed the worst of the weather.

Here are a few amazing photos of the Isle of Staffa which is made up of thousands of basalt columns formed by intense pressure during the last ice age, and also

hot lava comes into it too along with other scientific/geological forces.

To learn more the Wikipedia link is below.

I'm no scientist!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staffa

Fingal's Cave  

Next time I go (heehee) I'll plan for August as we missed the puffins -
they leave the island to migrate at the end of August.

Looking deep into the cave.

It's hard to believe this is a natural phenomenon and
not man made. My brother was wearing a red coat but I
don't think that's him - I think he was wearing black pants.
Though in one selfie I took of myself he's in the background taking a photo!!

Natural seating area for people of all sizes!

There was a staircase providing access to the top of the wee island so I climbed
up and got some photos of cormorants, a common sea bird.

Looks like stacks of lumber.

Arriving on Staffa people start snapping right away!

Crazy beautiful! 

You can see other islands in the background.
The guy waving is afraid he is going to be stranded - talk about isolated!

They didn't forget about us :)

My feet to show you how large the basalt columns were; and the most common shape
is the hexagon. Now there's science AND math! 

The cave is like a gothic cathedral.

There are more caves than what I'm showing but we could
only access two of them - no doubt for conservations reasons.

They're like optical illusions!

Hard to tell what's up and what's down.

Spectacular!

The stairs to the top!

There are several channels that the water crashes through.

 I really would like to return, not just to Staffa but the Isle of Skye, my favourite spot

 and a number of other places we didn't have time for. 

I would drive on Skye as it has a small population and few cars but I would NOT

drive on the busy roads again trying to navigate the roundabouts.

No thank you.

Last Mass at St. Peter's Cathedral

 Six times every school year everyone at CCH heads over to St. Peter's Cathedral to celebrate mass. This past Wednesday was the annual "Farewell Mass" for graduating students and retiring teachers. I thought I'd snap a few photos to commemorate the event. Our "spot" over the years has been in the left apse - nice and close to the altar.

I sat beside Natalie and after a few tries managed to snap a "selfie" of the two of us that didn't cut off our chins or foreheads!  Nothing like a good serving of jowls to keep one honest and humble!

There's my dep't head, Fil, who is also retiring this year. Both of us have come to accept that physically and mentally we wouldn't survive another year.

Isn't St. Peter's glorious?  Although I'm Anglican, not Catholic, I have come to love this cathedral for its beauty and architectural details.

Here's a view of the altar from where I was sitting - you can see the other apse waaaaaaay over there! We have about 1200 staff and students in total and there is still room for more.

There is so much to look at! My senses go on overload every mass. CCH is famous for its music students - both vocal and instrumental. The "strings" group plays for us as we assemble and to set the tone.

Upstairs (you can see a snippet of the pipe organ and orchestral (celestial:) choir on the right side of the above photo). The various choirs at CCH have a professional pianist/organist that accompanies them when they sing. Such talent!

Trying to catch David but whenever I turn the camera in his direction he snaps his head around :)  Ok, I can take a hint...sort of...

The principal called up the retiring staff and the school chaplain gave us a crucifix to mark our leaving. I gave another "unprepared" farewell speech which was well received. I paid tribute to the Best Buddies club that I've run for the past 8 years and to the welcome I received from students when I first began teaching at CCH: on my first day of school I was dashing to my classroom with my arms full of books and supplies when I lost my grip and everything fell on the floor. About 8-10 students immediately came to my aid, picked everything up, opened the doors for me and helped me to my room. Their kindness helped me get through a tough first day and I'll never forget them. By that point in my speech my voice was getting shaky and tears were forming so I ended my remarks and sat down to much applause.

After getting back to school students stopped by for hugs and to let me know they liked my speech - I soooooo recommend simply reflecting over the years to see what rises to the top and to go with that vs a written, well-rehearsed speech. It works for me.

My counter now reads 18 days. Over the past few days my emotions have run the gamut from apprehension to sadness to euphoria and all stages in between.

I do believe my imminent departure is starting to sink in!