I couldn’t help myself!
I was dipping into some old travel stories when I got lost in dreams and memories. One of the joys of photography, is that when you study a place through your own lens, you remember details, feelings, smells, weather. I never seem to forget where I was and what I was doing. Sometimes, I can even remember the name and point to it on a map.
This is hilarious, because I mightn’t be able to tell you what I did yesterday! But when you are on the road, every new thing captures you. Novelty is a feast for the soul.
There’s always a starting point to these road trips. Here in Ireland we are limited to a small selection of ferries to get us off the island. Yes of course you can fly anywhere. But travelling in a small VW camper, with your goods and chattels, is a very special kind of travelling. It means you can carry all your heavy gear, your favourite journals, your welly boots, all sorts. And like the pooka snail with his house on his back, you can wander around with everything on board that you will need to get properly and thoroughly lost.
I was a child when the Rosslaire ferry port opened up a new route direct to France and we made an unforgettable road trip through France to the south of Spain. The food and the climate changed as we drove. I can remember my first taste of tortilla, and how olive oil gave dishes an exotic flavour. And most of all, how the heat seeped into our bones, because as it turned out, Spain was a kind of oven.
So the next road trip is on! The new ferry from Cork to Santander will be the starting point. We might wander down past Santiago de Compostela to Portugal or maybe cross the hot central plains to the Mediterranean. Knowing our usual form, we will probably end up following some boreen in the middle of nowhere just to see where it goes! Our last trip involved following no more than 150 kilometres of coastline in France. It was a meditation in big skies and relaxation. It’s like that when you are are open and unhurried.
It will be hard to leave home. It always is. But a few miles down the road, all that matters IS the road. Where you are, where you are headed, where you will wake up in the morning.
These photos came up while I was browsing. People I observed and met, places that captured my heart, the colours of summer. Each image captures a fraction of a second, and for a photographer, a remembrance of that exact day of days.
Yes, time to be setting off again…….
What a lovely reminder! “It IS the road.” One of my favorite sayings of Louis L’Amour is “The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail.” I cannot tell you how many times I have invoked that on my journey, after I learned to love the trail and not the destination. True, the destination is often part of the trail, but it is not “THE TRAIL.” I look forward to where this road takes you, and happy travels, happy trails, happy roads.
O thank you and for that lovely quote! It’s much harder in everyday life to remember that. I find being on the road that as things change by the moment, just looking at stuff becomes such a distraction and a total joy! Camping has it’s challenges but as I’ve been doing it since I was so young I guess it is my happy place at this stage. Happy trail to you too!
This has awakened my travel lust big time! Combined with your wonderful photos, this is an evocative and inspiring read. I look forward to hearing more about your trails and seeing your lovely photos! Thank you, Catherine.
Well Colette travel is just the ticket for us visual people! Something new, quirky or beautiful around every corner. Much as I love France and could keep going back there ad infinitum, I’m looking forward to a bit of a change. Yes I hope to keep blogging while on the road. Hope your art journey is going great toox
Happy travels and to new memories!
Thank you Harvey!! Travel is always a very happy occupation for us photographers!!
Sounds like a lovely plan, being getting some new ideas myself from Tony Robinson doc via you tube called Walking through History… Even planning it in our minds can keep us younger I think
O yea I’m sure travel in the mind is just as good! Love that thought and walking through history. In my mind I’d love to be travelling around Japan or Porto Rico…….maybe some day!
You have a travel van! I’ve been frustratingly trying to figure out how I can modify my small pickup truck and it’s no use. It’s too small to stretch out and sleep in. So now I’m on to how to make my tent warm and cozy enough that I won’t stare at it’s ceiling all night. However I do it, every day the desire to hit the ride is making me itch. I can’t wait to see what you find in your travels.
Well there are so many tricks of the trade when it comes to converting these vans and other vehicles. We have had three. This one has a pop up roof added which means you can stand up and make dinner in it! Also a neat trick is that the two front seats turn around and make the bed that bit longer. Himself is 6.3 so that’s essential. If the weather is good of course you are outside all of the time so that extends the property beautifully. But I love sleeping in a tent too, enjoy!
Enjoy and can’t wait to read all about your travels!