Under the Fjord
Steady Donegal tunes from the early hours of the morning are in my head as I drive.
It’s a spectacular journey through the rain and autumnal Donegal bleakness. The rivers are full and frothing the colour and texture of the top of a pint of Guinness. Rounding the bends along the cliffs, near Rathlin O’Beirne Island, choughs are enjoying the wind, all splayed wing tips and glossy blackness. They are my father’s favourite bird.
I get to the end of the road, pack my rucksack, and head towards the steps where breathless others, wind and water proofed, are just going home. I am glad.
On the way down the steps I observe that even in the shelter of this bay it is rough today.
First thing I want to do is check if the dolphin is still there. My friends on Rathlin have a dolphin skull sitting in their stairwell, and I always wanted one too.
After Glen Fiddle Week I found a decomposing dolphin at the far end of this beach. The flesh was well on its way with the help of an army of maggots. I had contemplated making the journey from Belfast to Malinbeg armed with a hacksaw a few weeks later but I never made it. Now I take off my boots and paddle across the stream to reach the rocks where I had found the body.
Alas, after high tides and many months, it was gone.
I am alone on the beach in the rain, the dark waves looming towards me as I push into them through the surf and splash. This place is sometimes unnerving and intimidating. But today is OK.
It is exhilarating in the water, and I am enjoying being on my own.
The rain is making momentary pock marks in the peaked volumes of water; black, navy, dark green.
When I get out, I stand with my back to the bare rock face, and look over to the waterfall crashing down the cliffs opposite; an uncompromising gush pushing into the sea and mixing there: salt and fresh and bog and rain water.
After getting dressed my body is fine, but my feet are numb. So cold that it feels out of control: like I could whack my toes on the concrete steps and not feel a thing, that I could glance down to see blood. I walk flat-footed and clumsily.
As I begin the long ascent to the top, a young couple and their child pass me on their way down. I stop half way to catch my breath and push my feet into my boots. As I sit on the cold wooden bench I watch the proud, indulgent parents; the bundled-up wean toddling towards her daddy’s iphone, her arms outstretched.
caught in the swell
wave at silver strand
Just the beauty of the water captured so well
Thanks very much! It’s some challenge to try to capture the ready-made perfection of the sea and the sensations that come from swimming in it. I don’t think image alone can do it, I am having fun experimenting with combining the photography, writing and painting.
http://susanhughesartist.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/cooraghy-rathlin-island/
sounds great
I want to be there right now
You should go there some time! Silver Strand, Malinbeg, South West Donegal, Ireland. It’s fantastic and magic!
Sometimes you just don’t want to see anybody else in a place like that, and I thought the way you described your walk really captured that sense of being lost in nature. I will try and get there one day. Chin
Wonderfull writing and images Susan.
Thanks very much Tom for your support! Glad you like the work.
I found myself leaning toward the screen, as if caught in the undertow just before the wave breaks. What a powerful painting, and such a beautifully chronicled journey. Thank you for sharing these treasures.
Thanks! The painting is actually from under the Hardangerfjord in Norway, the photos are from the described beach in Donegal. Very hard to capture that feeling of being in the water, seeing the land from this totally unique perspective.
TYhanks again, it’s great to get feedback of people’s reactions as they read.
http://susanhughesartist.wordpress.com/2012/11/16/hardangerfjorden-week-1/
great images both visually and written……
Thanks Maria. It is an enjoyable challenge to try to capture the sensation with words as well as image.
http://susanhughesartist.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/cooraghy-rathlin-island/
I love the combination of words, art and photography to take us with you on your amazing ‘walk’ and swim. Beautiful!
Thanks very much Carmen! I am really enjoying exploring al the mediums individually and collectively and it is great to hear feedback. On my blog I am just focussing on presenting the writing and photos. The Blue Hour was the first time for me to present a painting alongside everything else! Glad you think it works ok!!
http://susanhughesartist.wordpress.com/
I saw the painting first, then the photographs, and now can’t stop scrolling between them, watching the ways they capture the essence of the water…Beautiful!
Be well~
Susan your painting is stunningly powerful! You really captured the big sea. OK so it actually the sea in Norway, but it is the same BIG sea from Donegal. Your story matches the mood and the photographs are excellent particularly the rain on the sea waves. Excellent. I like the mixture of painting and prose so much better than the painting on its own or the prose on its own. As some said I kept switching back to see the sea again. Wonderful more more! Uncle Brian