Our life at Erraid started with a love of Scotland combined with a visit to the Findhorn Community in 1995. Our first visit to Erraid had Richard dreaming of staying, our second trip involved a booking for a winter visit and our final holiday included a request to be part of the membership process! We landed here to live in Feb 2001, after closing down jobs and houses, and have not looked back. Dreams can come true! Life is physical, simple, communal, fun, caring, rewarding and challenging. We live in beautiful landscape and constantly have to pinch ourselves to realise that we are here.

From the exhilaration of a gale to the peace and relaxation of a calm sunny day, the weather and the elements play an enormous part in my life now. I can walk across the bay to Mull and hear and see the gulls, the oystercatchers and the herons, feel the wind kissing my face and the sea lapping my boots and know that I am part of nature too. I can spend a day in the garden aware that every time I straighten my back that wonderful scenery will still be there - and there may even be one of the frequent rainbows. I am involved in a never ending circle of regeneration and enrichment as I feed the soil, sow the seeds, tend the plants, harvest, cook and eat the superb vegetables from our garden.

I remember walking around Carlisle with close friends and being asked, "Why do you want to go to Erraid?" "Because I want another adventure in my life", I replied. Since that time life has been a continual adventure both physically and mentally. My pretty normal life in the North East of England, involving commuting to an 8:30 to 5 job, with play and pleasure in the evenings and weekends, has changed to a new way of life where play and work are one. I relish the continual involvement in the elements, be they storm or sunshine, and I love the cyclical nature of my life. I can still remember helping to preparing last year's potato garden, planting the seed potatoes and now I am cooking with them!

Tomorrow I will probably be starting the cycle again! Most of my time is spent outside primarily looking after the exterior of the buildings, drains and walls of the settlement. I also help with the animals and the gardens. Before I came here cows were scary beasties. Where else can I live simply, do what I enjoy, learn new skills, meet people from all parts of the world, be part of a caring spiritual community all in a glorious setting? Life is good here!!