Following her time volunteering on the Scottish Isle of Eilean Ban, Lesley Kahney is reacquainting herself with the modern day bustle of life in our new city.
She shares her experience with Total MK...
Readjusting to life in Milton Keynes after two months away is interesting. Previous awareness of noise, commercialism, rush and general 'busyness' is heightened to an uncomfortable level, but going to see 'Terminator Genisys 4DX' has helped mark the turning point of settling back into the advantages of Milton Keynes!
Returning after two months of immersion in something completely different gives rise to a touch of post volunteering blues and time for reflection.
Watching the changing calm majesty of the scenery, the otters almost daily, the transforming hues and cadence of the sea, the eagles gliding from crag tops and seals giving birth on the skerries behind the island's lighthouse was food for the heart.
Learning new skills was energising, from how to use a cash till to learning about the life of Gavin Maxwell.
There was a satisfying rhythm to the days - watching otters at dawn, breathing in the sparkling air, working a day in the Bright Water Centre, going home to Gavin's island and my bedsit to make tea, meditate, read and a enjoy a late twilight walk around the island, taking in the lighthouse, the returning fishing boat with its entourage of squawking seagulls and, if I was lucky, glorious sunsets and diving otters.
There was a satisfaction in the simplicity of the life, making a contribution in my own small way to a charity and belonging to a small community.
In those moments of sharing a conversation about Gavin Maxwell, giving a guided tour of the island, even selling one of his books or a handmade card that I'd made for the shop, there was a sense of gratitude and pleasure.
For a moment it made a difference.
Nothing earth shattering, no saving of lives but a quiet simple satisfaction in receiving pleasure from being a part of something different.
Lovely people came onto the island for a tour or into the Bright Water Centre, sometimes just for tourist information or to buy a postcard, but at other times to talk about their lasting sense of magic from having read 'Ring of Bright Water' years ago.
People came from as far as Australia and South Africa saying that the book had been a set text on their school's English Literature Curriculum and they had loved it so much they had come to Scotland to visit the home of Gavin Maxwell, in much the way that I'd done. Visitors from the Born Free Foundation came along, full of fun and stories of their meetings with Virginia McKenna on her safaris or working with her in the restoration of Gavin's island home on Eilean Ban - work which began in 1996 with the Born Free Foundation as a partner with the Eilean Ban Trust.
I'll never forget being totally moved by one lady who visited the Centre from South Africa.
Loving Ring of Bright Water as a little girl, she had written to Gavin Maxwell, who had replied and sent her two signed photographs back in 1967. There were a few shared tears as she donated them to us at the Trust.
Many people give back their time and talents to the Trust.
It was a privilege to meet the kind and energetic Laurence Broderick when he came into the centre to bring some new sculptures.
He donated his large bronze sculpture of Gavin's otter Edal to the Trust.
She sits outside the Bright Water Centre overlooking Kyleakin Harbour.
Laurence is famous for sculpting the iconic bull statue for the Birmingham Bull Ring Shopping Centre. His donated sculpture of Edal has become a symbol of the gateway to the Isle of Skye.
The Trust is run in Kyleakin, on the Isle of Skye, by a team of hard working unsung volunteers.
Their friendliness made it easy to settle in. At the end of the day there was the occasional visiting professional opera company or ceilidh and chance to make new friends.
Pleasures became simpler - the changing light and clouds, waving to the Misty Isle Boat Trips, lunch at Harry's Cafe, meeting new holiday guests, the call of the seagulls, a joke with one of the Trustees, catching the sight of a disappearing otter's head, a dram at the end of the day with a new friend.
If you're considering volunteering somewhere either here or away - do it.
You'll end up gaining far more than you give. Just be prepared for it to steal your heart.
