The singing ringing trees

[Rachel]

After I had arrived in Scotland last week the first thing I did before even unpacking was going for a walk through woods and hills and on a small glade in the forest I came upon this:

These trees are not in bloom, their radiance emanates from melting ice, water drops glittering in blazing late winter sunlight. It was one of these moments that seem to last forever because you know they will be over soon.

Then I became concerned that, come night and frost, the trees buds and little branches might freeze to death under the water, so I started shaking the trees to get the water off. Soft droplets on my head and face and all around me the most beautiful sound I have heard in a while.

Showed the picture to a few friends last night and told the story, to which one of them replied: 'You do become a little weird when you are up there, don't you?' Yes, that may perhaps seem so.

I, however, think that I am a little weird when I'm not up there.