Now this is bizarre. I was warned to expect something unusual...... but I wasn't quite prepared for this. It's reckoned to be the UK's most remote tennis court....... and if anyone knows better I'd be delighted to see it.
Just so you don't think I took the pic to try to emphasise it's remoteness, I did a 360 degree panorama to illustrate what surrounds it.
I love the note on the sign........ 'available for hire every day of the year except Sundays'......
For those of you who are unaware...... Sunday is still the day of rest on Harris. You don't break the Sabbath.
I have to admit I was dubious about this Sabbath thing until I spent some time there. Not being a committed Christian it all seemed a bit antiquated to me.
And yet, having experienced ONE Sunday on Harris....... I'm coming round to understanding it's relevance.Tough luck if you're a tennis fanatic and Sunday's the only day you get a chance to play though?
What do you think about this Sabbath observance?
Anyone for tennis? (not on a Sunday though!)
Thought I was coming here to see whisky :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a total heathen myself but would dearly love someone to force me to observe a day free of work, shopping, internet and effort - sounds sublime.
How utterly strange. Even though I am not religious, I do like the idea of slowing down and being more conscious of life.
ReplyDeleteI bet the Vicar, Priest or whatever they have on Harris would still expect his missus to cook his dinner eh! no day of rest for some. Love the tennis court, I can imagine trying to play there with a force 8 gale blowing, great views though.
ReplyDeleteNice photos. I like the remoteness :)
ReplyDeleteThat is, without a doubt the most bizarre name for a tennis court I've seen -- how do you pronounce it? or do you just mumble something???? Anyway, I love it! Doesn't look as though there's a lot of sport taking place here, but it is beautiful and remote. I'm not religious and now that I'm retired I can pretty much slow down whenever I choose. Great post, Neil, and terrific photos, as always!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Sylvia
Quite a spot for a tennis court! Fun post.
ReplyDeleteThat is weird. I thought, "Is it German? Irish?" Hmm....Anyway I like where you were.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I think, given the location -however it's pronounced, that to limit play on Sunday is rather ridiculous! I can't imagine the court is clamouring with players Monday through Saturday. They might want to ask players to stop by on Sunday and commune with their balls and make a racket playing in all that lovely fresh air in Burhahdhaoonadondan..or wherever!
ReplyDeleteHaving experienced the strict observance of Sundays in Australia in the fifites, no dancing, no drinking, no sport and most decidedly no gambling, to having all these values standing on their head fifty years later, with state run gambling on sporting events advertised on TV, all kinds of events and debauchery encouraged as long as they make money. I would gladly return to the porn free sunlit Sundays of my youth where the high point of Sundays was a stroll on the beach, in the botanical gardens or a visit to the museum or art gallery.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem out of place with the surrounding scenery. It is lovely scenery.
ReplyDeleteIt has to be unique. I wonder just how much it is used?
ReplyDeleteI'm not particularly religious either but can see the appeal in a proper chilling out day. Do we really need shops to be open 365 days a year?
Tennis court location is really impossible. i cannot imagine in that location to have tennis court. But the view I can see from photos are amazing
ReplyDeleteVery funny !
ReplyDeleteIt probably matters a lot on that court what is the direction where the wind blows. I like the solitary nature of it, there is literally nothing else to do!
ReplyDeleteOkay, hands down, that is one weird tennis court. cool!
ReplyDeleteAccording to my source, 'Bunabhainneadar' is Gaelic for 'the UK's most remote car park where people, by tradition, leave their seatbelts hanging out of their car doors... except on the Sabbath.'
ReplyDeleteFantastic post, Neil. :-)
I wonder if Andy Murray has played here?
ReplyDeleteI'm all for sabbath observance! I was actually quite upset when I heard that Caledonian McB were going to run Sunday ferries. The Hebridian way of life is dying out - the gaelic is being lost, and newcomers to the islands are bringing with them their own way of life; hence they feel the need for Sundays to be the same as all other days.
ReplyDelete