Every year there is one sure thing, we will make a journey out to the west of Ireland where the Atlantic crashes against the shoreline of Europe, last stop before New York. There will be clouds, there will be mist and there will be a sense of leaping off the edge of the world and into the benign abyss.
Out past the road from Dungarvan to Youghal from Cork to Macroom, from Killarney to Dingle. Way out there is a spot where as the skies get bigger so do the questions. Back to the land, face towards the sea, how to go on, how to let go?
I swim with the hobbit footed woman, she is focussed on the cold. Still icy water creeps up our legs announcing the warmth of bits that have remained under exposed all winter. She dives in. She can’t dilly dally, her gift to the world is to keep moving. Her style is discipline and three swims a day. It doesn’t matter if it’s warm, cold, raining, windy, misty, grey, blue, golden. She is relentless. Some one true to her commitments, some one you could trust. Part seal, part salty siren.
Later in the pouring rain we four slip into the ancient walled settlement, stone upon stone. The rain has seeped into my coat and is dribbling down the back of my shirt. Out here on the edge we hold each other momentarily while time swirls around us thundering down from the mountain, gushing up through the earth beneath our feet.
Moods swing in the modulating skies, colours chase shadows over the landscape, rainbows appear and disappear like visions in the firmament. Time breathes hard onto my face, drying the raindrops. With the faintest scent of herbs wafting through the air, we turn for home, our feet more firmly rooted, each in our own way.
Dedicated to my precious family and friends who have shared special small moments with me all through this summer………
Also on Vision and Verb today
As always beautiful words and pictures.
Sarah x
And as always many thanks for taking the time to join me here Sarah. x
Really poetic Ca. Such a fantastic discription of the rainy outing to some stones, ah i wish i was there ! GX
Well you were very much there on some other similar salty days. X
Your words just dance over my tongue as I read them..I love coming here to visit you because I know I will see beautiful photographs and I will read words that fill me to the brim…..
Nancy your own beautiful words have filled me to the brim this morning, you are so welcome, please come back and visit any time:~))
Great photographs and lyrical writing. Perfect!
Thank you so much Jean. x
When I read your words I can just sigh. So wonderful and first image is my favourite. It is as if you interpret my feeling about nature, I love to be outside, stronger I spent more hours outside than inside.
Janneke in truth I am tied to the desk so much that I long for the taste of fresh air too, and I understand exactly how you feel about nature…..
Looks like a amazing place.
Enchanting in so many ways….County Kerry in the South West corner of Ireland….
Your words perfectly capture the magic and history and connection Ireland has in every corner of the land. I felt this too when we went to Dingle, and many times again during our weeks traveling the country. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Gillian! It is a special place and always when I return I just drink it all in. SO happy you loved it too:~))
Oh! beautiful Ca 🙂
Thanks Mar! Loved your company too as a part of the whole beautiful summer. x
Beautiful photos and prose! You had me right there with you! And someday I will truly visit there because I have to see/feel this in person
Mary Rose, I'm sure you will make your own journey out to the edge…..in fact in Ireland you are on such a tiny island and never too far from the coast……
We have friends (originally) from Dingle and the wonderful stories they tell about that stretch of coast. I'd love to visit one day.
Nina x
I hope you get there Nina with your camera:~))
Hello Catherine
Beautiful words to accompany a delightful trip to Dingle.
Your images are spectacular
Helenxx
Thanks Helen, always a joy:~))
Such a magical trip words weaving with water…I am refreshed reading your wonderful words and seeing these incredible images.
Thanks Donna, I am refreshed myself after weeks of sea swimming which is addictive…..but in a good way:~))
Such a fantastic post!!
Thanks Gotham Girl, can't wait to connect with you in the big smoke next week:~))
Quite simply the best set of images I've seen on Foxglove Lane…