Good Fences

My imagination takes me to wide open spaces today as I troll through my recent Scotland photos.  We hiked 90+ miles on mostly private lands and had we not taken care of the gates, many sheep and cattle might have escaped.

We were in awe of the trusting nature of these land owners.  They have a "trekking" culture in the U.K. and it seems their main concern was for the safety of their animals from rogue dogs.  We didn't come across constant signage reminding us of NO LITTERING or LOITERING.

It was quite the opposite as we felt most comfortable to remain anywhere for as long as we wanted.  The good fences they built for their livestock extended to the good nature of their communities.  Pubs stayed open late for us, inn keepers came to the trail heads to check on our progress, and drivers adjusted their timing so that we might not be too far from schedule.

The personal boundaries/fences that one might think the stoic British are apt to keep in place disappeared when we needed help.  It was a refreshing reminder that a welcome from anyone is warm when expectations are met from each side.

Good fences make for good guests?

STRONG FENCES

We build our own fences
We build them high not low

We build our own fences
We build them steel or stone

Our gatekeeper faces keep
Us in, You out

Our steely cold eyes flash
A warning, Keep Out

Stony cold countenance
Close mouthed, closed heart

We build our own fences
And die from the start