I've started a course on "Aromatherapy & Essential Oils" last week. I think it will be really interesting, perfect for my interest.

In two days I'm going home for a week holiday! I'm so impatient...

I have only once piece of news today, I finished Salley Vickers' third book: The Other Side of You. And I can't stop thinking about it. I've been simply engrossed in it and I've learned a lot of things. Perhaps the most about love. Not about cheap love which wants only "candyfloss and reassurance". But about love which is "demanding, a nuisance, and is bloody absent much of the bloody time". And is "painful, and forces change on us". And for which you are ready to fight and ready to die - meaning that you are ready to do things against yourself. And that love is "letting the other person be".

And all this in the story of a failed suicide: a woman patient and her psychoanalyst. Her story which sheds light on his past loss as well. And the paintings of Caravaggio. And some tales behind them.

On my day off on Thursday finally I've seen the town of Ullapool. It always fascinated me, because I really like this name: Ullapool. Try to say it aloud, it's nice.

I didn't know before but it is a small town, small enough to see the white houses and the harbour in two hours. It is on the west coast of Scotland, and from its harbour you can reach Stornoway by ferry.

I joined one of the coaches, it takes about an hour to reach Ullapool. On the way there I was completely amazed by the scenery. Never in my life had I seen something like that. The winding road led among softly shaped brownish hills, and all around grey stones were scattered as if a giant had been playing there long time ago. It really looked like being on another planet. Could've been Mars, I suppose (just because of the colour). It was beautiful, and I was wondering about the slow process with which Scotland, especially the Highland has "invaded" me. I have to admit - and it doesn't mean that I'm disloyal to my beloved Portugal - that in a sense, I've fallen in love with this country. Well, especially with the scenery and nature.

It does have something special about it. Something magical, which, once you have learned to admire it, doesn't let you go...

I finished in the meantime another book by Salley Vickers. Instances of the Number 3. The writer has become now one of my favourites. I mentioned her once already. Very subtle, psychological, gentle, and takes you to ponder about life's and death's questions. I took the third book yesterday from the library...

Golden Scotland. That's the best expression I think.

We are off all weekend because no coaches (no guests) for three days. Rest assured. I've been getting used too much to not working! But yesterday I went to a small fishertown called Nairn, which is very close to Inverness. And I saw the North Sea. The sea... makes me feel I'm a different person. Walking on the beach, listening to the seagulls' cries, watching the playful dogs enjoying the spacious sand, collecting some pebbles and shells. What else can I wish for? Perhaps for a wonderful plate of soup in a cafe called Basil with a view to the harbour. Hmm...

Today we (5 girls from 5 different countries) went for a walk, just nearby. Originally we set off to look for some "Highland cows", but then we entered the park of Castle Leod (even though we saw it's "private") and saw beautiful and huge chestnut trees. Then at the back of the castle we met an unusually friendly (and a little well-fed) cat, so we had some amusement, too. Then the owner of the "house" discovered us and didn't seem to be happy at all... So we left.

We had some sunshine, too, it is still quite strong...

I mentioned in my last post that we've got in touch with my second cousin who lives in Las Vegas. We started to correspond, to share about our lives. Now I discovered that she likes Portugal as well. I wonder is it something in our family that makes us to be attracted to this certain place in the world? Or "soul family"? Or why are we drawn to some places anyway? Questions.

It's been two days now that I have a very sore back. It's always like that when I'm worrying or thinking too much about something. This time I've been thinking about my work, our hotel, my future, the next year. Decisions to make. Soon.

Autumn colours are slowly invading the village. The scenery has started to get a brownish-yellowish tint, but everything is still very green. I have the feeling that everything is slowing down...