Heavy grey cloud spread from horizon to horizon, ponderously, almost imperceptibly slow moving this campervan morning. A coastal windy chill, blowing along the bay keeps you alert. A few rabbits run wild, a singular seal in the bay below. The sea a reflection of dark skies and cloud, grey and heavy, breaks over the sandy causeway that reaches out and attaches the isle to the Shetland mainland. A crescent of sand open all year and offers access to cave, stack, arch and ruin. To the west through misty morning rain I can just make out the isle of South Havra and to the west once again sitting in the mist is Colsay. A steady rain drives me back to the van to witness the ebb and flow of wave, sea and tide from the dry. It’s that fine ‘dreich’ type rain that soaks you quickly so a retreat is required, though it does not interfere with surroundings. The soundtrack of the night, rising tide and waves throwing themselves onto the shoreline around me. An antidote to any stress. Reflecting on a day of walks, cliffs, birds, stacks and weather. From beautiful turquoise water and seals, to cold dark rain in the blink of an eye. The beauty of Shetland can not be denied. A powerful set of islands of history, geology and wildlife. The Nordic fjord feel of Scalloway to the dark Scottish stone of Lerwick. The golden sandy beaches to huge cliff faces and stacks rising from the sea. The legends and stories that the land invites you to partake, experience and tell. As Nick Cave once said :
“ A moment to sit inside history and just think.”
Personally I prefer ‘just be’, but he has a point. Reflecting on the journey around the mainland and moments so far encountered. Rebecca Solnit in her book ‘The Faraway Nearby’ writes :
“ Even in the wilderness your ideas of what is beautiful, what matters and what constitutes pleasure, shape your journey”.
My journey being shaped by my ideas of beauty, what matter to me and of course what I enjoy. Allowing me to really drill down into what I think is beautiful, what matters what gives me pleasure. Have them call my tune, rather than that of another. To travel to this deserted spot gaze out onto St Ninian’s Isle and contemplate those questions and thoughts, allow them to inform my journey on a practical and personal level. Lovely days people.
“ One persons story becomes the point of entry to larger territories “. Rebecca Solnit.
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