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In 2000, our writing retreat on Iona was an inspired event. Ten American writers and eleven writers from Europe, (Britain, Belgium and Crete), joined together with retreat leaders, Patricia Lee Lewis and Angela Locke. Maybe it was the cross-cultural fascination with one another's use of English, maybe it was the extraordinary talent each writer displayed, maybe it was just in the stars, but the mix of people combined with the magic of Iona to give us all a brilliant week that will shine through all our lives. |
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| "This
retreat has changed my life. I am now a writer, something I always wanted
to be." - David Clemson, Cheshire, England |
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On our way to the Isle of Iona, most of us stayed overnight
in the charming harbor town of Oban. In the morning, we took the Caledonian-MacBrayne
ferry across to Craignure on the fairyland island of Mull and a bus
to the tiny port of Fionnophort. From there the ferry to Iona takes
only about 15 minutes.
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In honor of Angela's mss novel, Dream of the Blue Poppy, we stopped off at Torosay Castle on Mull to see if the report of Tibetan blue poppies in the castle's gardens was true. Here's proof: Angela, with head gardener, admiring a rare blue poppy. |
| And here are blue poppies in profusion at Torosay Castle, Mull. |
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Iona's front street is a row of stone cottages, the
Argyll Hotel, and a traditional crafts shop on one side, gardens and
the sea on the other.
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| We gathered, a group of 24 (very funny) writers and artists, at the St. Columba Hotel near the legendary 500 year-old Abbey |  |
| "It
has been an unforgettable experience - wonderful in all aspects. Especially
the people." - Jill Jackson, Cumbria, England |
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