The Two Places in the World That Are Most Important to Me

My journey stone represents my journey from being born and living in Southern Africa to now living and working in Assynt in the NW Highlands.

While the two places are continents apart, there are similarities in the landscapes – hard to believe, I know, but it is true. Some of the geology is similar, and there are a few similarities in the flora found in both places. The southern coastline of South Africa, where I lived, is recognised as one of the 6 floral kingdoms in the world, and the only floral kingdom to be found in a single country. It is the smallest of the 6 floral kingdoms, but also the most diverse, containing a larger variety of plant species than any of the other floral kingdoms. Table Mountain in Cape Town is unmistakable, and a mountain I climbed many times. Most Sunday afternoons were spent walking on the mountain with friends, picnicking at one place or another, and the mountain was central to wherever you were in Cape Town – it was always in view. Kirstenbosch, the botanic gardens in Cape Town, are on the slopes of Table Mountain. And of course, here in Assynt, we have the iconic Suilven mountain. It is unmistakable in its shape and dominates the landscape from far and wide. It draws walkers and climbers from all over the world, not because it is big, or particularly challenging to climb (speaking as someone who has never climbed it!) but because its shape just makes it so memorable. So my journey stone reflects the 2 icons from the two places in the world that are most important to me. The one represents from whence I have come, and the other the place I have chosen to settle and make my home.