Brock at Samye Ling in The Snow

Rob, Brock and I went to Samye Ling today. The snow was a bit deeper here than at home. Brock enjoyed a romp around in the snow, and ate it like a giant snow cone. We had a walk round the site before enjoying some hot lentil soup and toast, followed by cake and coffee in the cafe. The shop was also open and we bought some soaps and book about Holy Isle, an island near Arran that is being turned into a new Buddist retreat.

Eskdalemuir & Samye Ling

Rob, Brock and I went on one of our regular walks in Eskdalemuir, up to Bessie's Hill Fort and through an area of forestry.

Here's Brock heading up the trail. It was a frosty day: about -3 degrees Celsius.

A view from the highest point of the walk.

 Ice 'rose' in a puddle.

Frosted tree.

Larch cones.

Brock in his winter coat.

The Green Tara Statue at Samye Ling. Set in the centre of the medicinal garden.

The Samye Liberation Gate. The Gate is dedicated to world peace and is decorated with carved mantras and figures that are said to help develop peace of mind in all those who see it or go under it. We had a lovely cup of cappuccino at the Samye Ling cafe and bought some notebooks in the shop. Well worth a visit.

Eskdalemuir & Samye Ling

Today Rob and I went for a walk to Bessie's Hill Fort and surrounds in Eskdalemuir, followed by lunch at Samye Ling.

We saw lots of butterflies, moths, beetles and other insects. Rob made up this collage showing a small sample. Since the forestry commission cut down a lot of the pine trees in the area, lots of wild flowers have flourished in their place. (Click on the collage to see a larger version.)

Here are a few of the sights at Samye Ling, a monastery and Tibetan centre. The site seems to be ever expanding, but in a way that allows nature to survive, with large areas of wild flowers, plants, ponds and trees.

The restaurant serves soup, pannini, pasties, cakes, tray bakes etc. Rob had two small pasties: one with cheese and onion, one with spinach and feta. I had a bowl of soup with toast. It was a large bowl of spicy, thick, lentil and vegetable soup with two slices of toast - very tasty! We both had cappuccinos, which came with a small biscuit each. Good value for money at £9.40.

It is nice to wander around the grounds afterwards to see the prayer wheels and memorials for people and animals; the vegetable gardens, ponds and monuments. There is a shop where you can buy Buddist texts and music, dvds, art and craft work, incense, toiletries etc.