They're coming! Marching to the beat of the drum!

Gradually all over the peninsula from Craobh to the Castle at Craignish and back the scarecrows are rising and standing proud as if they are hearing the call of a distant drum or thinking of the taste of the amber nectar.  I tried catching Clare's naked runner today but he was having none of it.  Running away down the side of the loch, looking like a man on a mission.  I still think he must be Hermes.

Hermes in the distance

A wander up to Mandy Hamptons and there I was met by the wonderful sight of a group of bees buzzing happily in the corner of her garden.  The Queen (Greek Gods and Queens the poster said) surrounded by her workers.  You can tell which one is the queen because she is wearing her crown.  Mandy is a little worried about them because she is going away for a week and so they will be a little neglected family.  She was thinking that perhaps they could be looked after as a community project.  Anyone going past Mandy's could have a quick look to make sure they're OK on their way past if they don't mind.

Across the other side of the peninsula to Craobh water sports and the first of the scarecrows over this side.  Apparently there is a hidden gem on Craignish, hadn't met him before but he is a nice man and his input to the two scarecrows here seems fantastic.  They have two scarecrows.  One which represents Poseidon is to go and stand at the road end in his boat.  With his trident and string beard he is the imposing figure that I imagine Poseidon to be.

But perhaps the creature I like the best (family failing) from Greek Mythology is Kobalos.  Not a god but a sprite.  Mischievous and dedicated to tricking and deceiving mortals Greek myths depict the kobaloi as "impudent, thieving, droll, idle, mischievous, gnome-dwarfs"  Helen and Mark have got one, and he's going on their roof, probably one of the highest set scarecrow of any.  He's just little but I like him.

Surfing Kobalos

 This is getting to be such good fun. I think the scarecrows listened to me yesterday.  All we need now is for the gods to keep smiling on Ardfern and allow us to have fantastic weather for a little while. 

OR MAYBE I SHOULDN'T TEMPT FATE.

Come out, come out wherever you are

My dog is getting so fed up with me.  He used to love to walk in the rain, particularly if it was relatively warm rain, but now he's getting old.  He much prefers to stay at home but I need him to come with me on my scarecrow hunts.  I think I found something hiding today. 

Down towards Barfad behind a gate is a dolphin.  Greeks liked dolphins, they had statues and drawings of them all over the place and they always thought that they were the helpers of mankind.  Dionysus turned a group of Etruscan pirates into dolphins so that they could help sailors when they were needed.  I don't know if the dolphin behind the gate is an Etruscan pirate or if he is even going to be a scarecrow, I'll keep an eye on him and let you know.  He is definitely rather lovely.

 

So I hunted all day to try and find evidence of more scarecrow building, without success.  Later on in the evening I headed for Kilmartin and joy of joys what should I find but a wonderful scarecrow at the hall.  Dressed in blue, speedo helmet and triathlon medal.  Neptune diving into the ocean surrounded by shells and seaweed, who else could have built it than our resident athletes who live at the top of the hill.  It's great.  

On my way to Kilmartin I tried to see Hermes, but he was wet and miserable so he asked me not to take his photo until tomorrow night when Clare has taken him to dry out and feel more comfortable.  Winged feet aren't any comparison to wellies.

The whole village is beginning to feel the build of excitement coming up to the festival.  The hall is dressed with bunting and looking really festive.  

Heading towards the festival everyone is working really hard I have been told.  I just wish I could find some naked scarecrows.  

Come out, come out wherever you are!

I didn't lurk very successfully

Well I wandered round the village all day.  I found one gorgeous scarecrow, but I don't know who she is meant to be and I can't speak to her builder until later.  This is she.  You can't see her head, but it is there and she has a gorgeous red flower on it.  She is wearing jewels and a green scarf.  No prizes for guesses but do you know who she could be?

 I also found Demeter (or Ceres as she was called by the Romans) who is the Goddess of Agriculture and she was standing in the rain clutching her representative cornucopia of grasses.  She is wearing a crown of wheat and corn too. She has a very smiley face, and she seems to be gazing into the distance towards the harvest time.  Perhaps she could be looking for Persephone (her daughter) who she was often pictured with.   

I went on a hunt for Clair's naked runner, but the dog decided I was too wet and he wasn't going any further.  I am sure he is getting nearer to the village, I think he must be Hermes.  The wings on his feet will ensure he gets here when he needs to, to find his small running partner near the yacht centre.  By the way, did you know that Hermes is responsible for inventing the alphabet?  I like that, but he also invented numbers.  Schoolchildren may have quite a few reasons to dislike him.

I will need to try and lurk again tomorrow and hope I find a few more.  I'm having fun being nosy hope you don't mind.