Greetings from the west coast of Scotland.

I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed last week’s memo about twilight – also my favourite time of day.

 I had the privilege of attending a course at the Wizard Academy in 2016 and joining in the workshop on eclipse day in Nashville the following year. My work was with young people in trouble and my focus at the Wizard Academy was the publicity for our employment training services. I ‘retired’ at the end of 2018 – both my very elderly parents were terminally ill and having done 40 years plus in front line services decided it was time to step back. In 2019 HM Queen Elizabeth made me an ‘Officer of the British Empire’ (OBE) so with both Wizard and Royalty connections what more could I ask for?!

I’m now back doing some leadership development work, some community development work in the rural setting where I live and some Scottish Government Board work with our Community Justice Services and our National Health Service. For both these public services this is a very challenging time but interestingly both are increasingly recognising the importance of good communications. So as you can see I continue to benefit from my (continuing) learning at the Wizard Academy. Indeed, in autumn, I re-read the Wizard Trilogy.

I’ve obviously been going down the rabbit hole too often, given this meandering tale!

Thank you for all your writing – I really do enjoy it.

Best wishes,

Graham Bell

An Claggan, Argyll Rd, Kilcreggan, Argyll G84 0HU

I’ve seen lots of bonnie lassies on my travels wide,
But my heart is centred now on bonnie Kate McBride,
Although I’m not a fella that would throw a word away,
I surprise myself sometimes at all I’ve got to say,
Roamin’ in the gloamin’ by the bonnie banks o’ Clyde,
Roamin’ in the gloamin’ wi’ ma lassie by ma side,
When the sun has gone to rest, That’s the time that we love best,
Oh, it’s lovely roamin’ in the gloamin’.
One night in the gloamin’ we were sitting side by side,
I kissed her quick and I asked her once if she would be my bride.
She was shy, and so was I, we were both the same, 
But I got brave and braver on the journey comin’ hame. 
Roamin’ in the gloamin’ on the bonnie banks o’ Clyde,
Roamin’ in the gloamin’ wi’ ma lassie by ma side,
When the sun has gone to rest, That’s the time that we love best,
Oh, it’s lovely roamin’ in the gloamin’.
Last night after strollin’ we got hame at half-past nine. 
Sittin’ at the kitchen fire I asked her to be mine. 
When she promised I got up and danced the Highland Fling; 
I’ve just been to the jewellers and I’ve picked a nice wee ring. 
Roamin’ in the gloamin’ on the bonnie banks o’ Clyde,
Roamin’ in the gloamin’ wi’ ma lassie by ma side,
When the sun has gone to rest, That’s the time that we love best,
Oh, it’s lovely roamin’ in the gloamin’.