Ridge

Ridge
Originally uploaded by darenpackham.

I watched last year, as we sailed up the Irish Sea, as hundreds of dolphins joined us just as the sun was rising. They stayed with us for hours, playing in the bow and all around the boat. The water was a deep crystal, inky blue, our 100 year old, wooden ship, creaked reassuringly as it glided gently under the power of the wind. A big burley man from Liverpool, who was on board as a guest, was surprisingly moved to write some poetry. These things are poetic! I feel lucky that I can feel these moments and although not a muse myself am aware of their poetic value.

The mountains and the sea both have the same ability to fill your heart with total joy in one minute and in the next to fill it with a loathsome fear. Wonderful, volatile places that test you, tease you, scare you and make you feel alive.