this time with our entire camp back together in 3 years, WOW! feels good to have us all together again.

we head out saturday, hopin to make playa by midnight, it's a 9 hour haul for us, but since Bro dave has to work that day were not sure when we can leave, either way its a long drive and slow and go, were haulin a loaded trailer, and I dont haul trailers, specially not on 447.

we take it nice and easy, our camp will be 10 people this year, and satellite to our main BURNING TRIBE family, the camp with EVILution City of Angels this year, at A and 6:30 (I think) come look us up, you wont be disappointed. www.burningtribe.com/

hope to see ya all out there. ya know how playadipity works.

I'll be workin at ICE 3 this year. poppin in at Center Camp Arctica. and planning to be camped at 417 and D , so stop by... say Hi!

Bare and the crew

for someone that left this plane a few years ago, 13 Feb 2006, Dan sure has travelled, A Lot! with us. and we want to Thank Jenn for allowing us, and trusting us enough to take Dan with us. this trip was to stonehenge,

I knew I was going to Scotland, it had been a trip we were planning for several months, sometime during that process I dreamed of Dan, at Stonehenge. it was vividly clear, and the conversation in my dream made me believe that is where he would like to be, so, I decided to ask Jenn if I could have a bit of Dan to take him to stonehenge, she agreed, and we went in search of an appropriate bottle to carry him with us to Stonehenge (among other places, Paris, Cornwall, London, and Scotland)

I was really concerned about getting human ash thru customs, so I wore Dan around my neck on a leather cord, it didn't set off the detector and when they patted me down they didn't find it, Phew! first hurdle cleared.but several more check points to be cleared. and in each case, No problems.

finally, after several many miles travelled we arrived at Stonehenge, a little after sunrise. I wanted to go early so we didnt have to contend with too many tourist buses, Our timing was perfect, we arrived 30 mins before opening and stood in line with about 20 people. Silent, and a gentle English myst/rain fell. it was perfect for quiet reflection and remeniscing. a few tears and a lot of joy for all the years we had knowing and still loving Dan.

finally, the gates opened, 20 quiet sojourners walked into Stonehenge. at first I thought about just finding a place to release Dan's ashes, but it felt sneaky and I didnt want to disrespect Him or the place by sneaking, so, I found 2 security people, and I very quietly held the bottle up and said, these are the ashes of an ancestors and Loved one, is it ok to spread them here.

to my surprise, They said Sure! we have people do this all the time. WOW! I hadnt thought that others would be doing the same thing, but in hindsight I can certainly see where those with Celtic Blood and belief in Christopagan Druidic lore would want to make a journey to Stonehenge, especially so to take their loved one.

the guards asked where we would like to release Dan, and pointed out many Barrows (burial sites) that have been used for centuries, where Lore and legend says the kings and Elders are resting. they walked with us, helped us to cross the knee high barrier red rope and suddenly it was as if we had left the "real world" and stepped back into a side real time.

without any conversation Charly and I walked to exactly the same location, He had already taken photographs of the site without me knowing, we silently went to a very beautiful Barrow mound covered in what I believe are buttercups, pretty yellow flowers. and other flowers that I couldnt identify. we had Stonehenge virtually to ourselves for a long while, only a very few people, and no tours buses, Yet!

we took some time releasing Dan to the Winds and Stones, in a gentle myst. stayed a few moments tooks some photos and then off we went, empty bottle in hand, though I was still wearing the leather cord with the cap around my neck.

someone had told us, "crush the bottle" don't recap it and don't keep it. that made sense to me, but do you know how difficult it is to break an acrylic bottle with sneakers <grin>

we walked slowly around the stones, taking MANY photos. carrying the empty bottle. finally, we came upon the heel stone, and the bottle grew warm in my hand. I looked up, and upon a Stone that looks very much like an Old Elder or Druid king sat a HUGE Black Raven, DAN'S BIRD! I KNEW without a doubt that the heel stone was where we were suppose to break and bury the empty bottle.

it took a few times to crush it wearing sneakers. but we did it, and I gently opened the earth at the foot of the heel stone and placed the bottle in the damp earth, and covered it. The Huge Raven that had been sitting on the stone took flight and a great sense of peace and sweetness took root in my heart,

I Know Dan is where he would have wanted to be. He is on the North-West Barrow, Facing the South-East across the stones

the processional ditch runs right along the barrow. it's a right fitting place for an Old soul.

with love
Bare

what an amazing return to my ancestral homeland, we boarded an Air Canada airline for the 14 hour flight, happily there was a layover in toronto, so it broke the flight into 2 parts and made it more comfortable. the return flight was 14 hours straight thru, more on that part later.

after an overnight flight I watched as the glimmer of first light was on the horizon, took photos out the plane window and watched the sunrise just as the plane began its descent into London Heathrow. did you know there's a noise ordanance in London and they can't land the planes until 6am, because of our tailwind all the way there we arrived 30 min early and had to circle Heathrow 6 times before FINALLY landing. one more time around and I am sure I would have been ill, it was like riding an amusement park ride too many times.

finally, 10 past 6am on July 19 we landed in London, I have never been to London, I do believe they are far too caffeinated. they run everywhere. and I am sure I would have been lost on the underground had I not had an excellent mapreader with me with a sense for direction.

we gathered our bags, we had about 5 hours to catch the eurostar train into Paris. so we found a place to have a breakfast and collect ourselves, look over the itenerary, and wait for our train to Paris.

we spent two short, quick days with Regis and Franck seeing as many of the Paris sights as was possible. I Loved Paris. and though I hear tell of how rude the parisians are or how dirty Paris is THAT was NOT my experience at all.

Paris was beautiful, the people friendly and patient, even with my lack of ability to speak the language well enough, though I am sure it is partially because of Regis and franck interpretating everything I attempted to say LOL!

we toured Notre Dame, Breath-taking, and MontMartre-Sacre Cour, Moulin Rouge, Eiffel Tower, River Seine, Arc D Triumphe, and Much More. the tiny streets with AMAZING little french restaurants with food that literally melts in your mouth. it doesnt matter what it is, it tastes that Good!

we ate a homecooked french dinner on the 10th floor of their 400 square foot Apt, where Regis has made a garden paradise on the rooftop of their apt. it was a wonderland. we could see The Eiffel tower and Montmatre from their terrace, each night the eiffel tower lights up and sparkles.

time to move on after a short but very intensely sweet visit. we take the train back to London and catch the National Rail/Brit rail to Cornwall.

Cornwall is where my Great Grandmother is from with her family, a small sweet Cornish village town right on the English Channel. My Family were Tinners, and many of my living cousins still live in the area, we stayed in Par, next to St Austell where my family lives, and we toured the small villages, The KIrk (church) where my Gr Gr Gran is buried along with other family members, chatted with friends of my family and once again 2 days went far too quickly.

we stopped in Charlestown on the way back, a small fishing village where we ate lunch and played on the beach for a bit while it rained a warm, sweet cornish rain, I hunted for rocks to bring back to the grandkids. and found shells for my brother.

overnight in Par and early the next morning to the train and onto Salisbury, Amesbury, and Stonehenge. I was wearing Dan's ashes around my neck, and remembering the Life and time and Love we shared over some 30 yrs, Dan lived in the commune with us, so when I asked his Daughter Jen if I could take some of his ashes to stonehenge she agreed, it was a very emotional visit to the stones.

we found a beautiful Barrow covered in buttercups and spread Dan's ashes. then we spent some time just walking around the stones and soaking in the energy. again, it rained, a sweet light myst of warm rain. seemed perfectly fitting for the occassion. and suited our mood that of mixed emotion of Love and remembrance and celebration.

theres much more to the story at stonhenge, but we'll make that its own story

after a night spent near stonehenge it was off thru the lowlands into the highlands of Scotland, with yet another Stop in London to change trains.

london made me have anxiety. that place is crazy fast paced. and the trip seemed so fast already that I wished for time to slow down.

we arrived in Edinburgh just as the sun was setting. made our way to the Apex Waterloo Hotel, stowed our gear in our room and made way to see some sites before dark, which doesnt occurr until about 11pm.

Edinburgh was abuzz with ALL THE CLANS, about 140 clans and MANY MANY members, I am sure that Edinburgh hasnt seen that much tartan at one time in YEARS!

finally, travel tiredness was catching up to me, we headed back to the hotel ordered room service, ate, and fell into a deep dreamfilled sleep.

I awoke early the next morning, and we went for breakfast.. Scottish breakfast is a virtual feast. Yes! Haggis, Blood pudding, (do ya really wanna know?) eggs, ham, scones, tea of course, juices bread fruit and on it goes. one breakfast held off hunger ALL DAY!

we toured the area, before heading off to the gathering at the holyrood palace park, we heard tell Prince Charles was there, though we didnt see him, but for all the pomp and circumstance we KNEW something was going on.

the gathering was AMAZING, to say the least. we met up with my clan and my family. the reunion was exciting we hadnt seen them since 1992. and hugs and tears were in abundance. we spent much of the time chatting and catching up. after a bit it was time for High tea. YUMMMM!!! and so nostalgic for me.

then some highland dancing, of course. I had been admonished by my kids and grandkids not to break an ankle. Lucky to say, no worse for wear. my ankles held fine, it was the rest of me that reminded me I am not a wee-kin anymore. and time though good overall really makes me feel those eachan bones (my mullets, legs, ached like hell) but so worth it to be dancing jigs and reels in the highlands, wearing my Ghilles and tartan,

late we made it back, showered and fell into bed. Oh how I hurt from a day of walking, we walked the royal mile 6 times. LOL!! and that doesnt include the parade, I wasnt sure I could make it. I was hurting that badly in my legs.

soaked in a hot bath, and rested my legs for the next evenings parade of clans. from Holyrood palace up to Edinburgh castle. the parade was astounding. SO MANY PEOPLE, what pride I felt to be part of something historical. wearing my full tartan dress and participating with Scots from all over the world for one common purpose. THE HOMECOMING 2009.

we marched behind the MacLaine's of Lochbuie pipeband. (I'm MacLean of Duart, the other side of the family of brothers) we were only one of a few clans to have a pipeband. sure felt special to be "piped" along the royal mile.

we entered the Edinburgh castle 2 hours later from the beginning to end of parade. thats how many people there were. and being a MacLean it put us towards the back.

we took our seats for the presentation of Aislings Children, which happened to be about MY CLAN, WOW!!!!! never thought that was gonna be so. my heart and souled swelled with pride. living.scotsman.com/performi...494410.jp

what a grand event, and fitting end to my Highland reunion and adventure,

the next morning we returned for one last day at the gathering,

as the song caledonia says, "Now I'm sitting here before the fire
The empty room, the forest choir
The flames that could not get any higher
They've withered now they've gone
But I'm steady thinking my way is clear
And I know what I will do tomorrow
When the hands are shaken and the kisses flow
Then I will disappear"

www.risa.co.uk/sla/song.php

it all went by in such a blur it took everything I had to hold onto the moments, breathe them in, soak them up like a piece of bread in a rich scottish sauce and hold them FOREVER close to my heart, I plan a return to the Isle in 2012 when my family is gathering at the castle. I am HOPIN to take the grandkids. for now I am back home in the states. but no matter where I am, MY heart is in the highlands wherever I go.

special THANKS to The Burning Woman that helped make THIS a dream fulfilled.!

Bare (Barb) McLean