Weather forecast was good again for this afternoon so this morning I pulled the Super Tourist out of hibernation and gave it a good check over and service where needed as it hasn't been out over winter. A few adjustments and a bit of clean and lube and it was good to go. I normally run these Michelin World Tour tyres at about 50psi but both were bang on 37! I must admit I love the small details on this tourer, from the beautiful lugwork, both execution and painting, nicely hidden wiring front and rear, the fact the frame number is stamped onto not just the front and rear rack but the lowrider front section as well. Even after all this time I still spot something from a different angle and it makes me smile still. I do realise I am very fortunate and grateful to own this beauty.
Anyway I had a few hours this afternoon so again just went out meandering locally through the backroads enjoying the sunshine. Bike was rolling along lovely, sun was out so it couldn't be anything but a good ride.
I eventually found myself over the back of Olrig parish, not far from home, just a mile or so over the hill, so very local when I thought I better stop at what is left of the ancient old St Trothens church and graveyard to pay respects to the Selkie grave . It is hidden in the ancient section and the dates are long worn away in a section that is from medieval times. Nearly all engravings and marking are gone and many lie in ruins as is the church itself, which dates from around 1633 in this guise but was a place of worship for a long time before this, and has been in ruin for several centuries or more, rarely visited even as a cemetery as there is a modern cemetery nearby. The hollow on top of the Selkie womens grave is said to never dry out and for a place that looks long abandoned other than the grass being cut now and again, and this being hidden away and unmarked, there were a good few offering left for her. Plants, flowers, shells, seaweed and various items. Nothing on anything else at all. She clearly still holds a place in peoples thoughts, local stories that have been passed down for many years. Like all Selkie stories she came from the sea, shed her skin, fell in love with a man who hid her skin so she couldn't return to the sea and so was stuck on land. She was shunned by the church as a witch and died in childbirth. Buried there in secret by the locals. I stop there when passing, have never seen another person as it is well out the way but there is always items left for her. As I did too.
A very good ride back out on the Super Tourist, great weather, very leisurely afternoon. Hopefully will manage to get her loaded up and further afield this year.
Jamie
Here's a link to information about the place and the Selkie lady that I found.
https://www.robbiemactours.co.uk/legend-of-the-selkie/
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