Colonsay, Saturday

Set out in the 1930s, the gardens of Colonsay House extend to about 20 acres. There is an extensive range of rhododendrons and exotic trees and plants from around the world. The outer woodland garden is overgrown, without the workforce of pre-war times to keep it in check, but it is still a magical place to wander through, especially with the spring sunshine filtering through the trees.

Growing in the boggy ground either side of the burn, which runs through the gardens, are these large, handsome yellow arums, Lysichiton americanus.

The timing of our holiday on the island was tied in to the Colonsay Book Festival. I went to two talks. On Saturday afternoon I heard the nature writer, Jim Crumley, talk about wolves, beavers, and eagles. His little book Hare is blissful and I bought one other in his series of four, Barn Owl. Before his talk I was lucky enough to chat to him for a while. He kindly signed my two books, so they are even more cherished now! On Sunday afternoon I listened to James Naughtie (past presenter of Radio 4's Today programme) talking about his new novel, Paris Spring, which I bought, read and can thoroughly recommend. Both talks were excellent. The dates for next year's book festival are 29 and 30 April, so that's in the 2017 diary already!

Another good day on the island.

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