clio: summer

Sea Swimming

Monday, June 30, 2014

My sister and I swam—a term used very loosely in this country—in the Irish Sea, for the first time this summer, a couple of weeks ago. After work we summoned some courage, ignored the breeze and braced ourselves. No matter how warm the day has been or how sweaty and hot and bothered one feels the sea in this part of the world is freezing. It is a take-your-breath-away kind of cold that must be experienced to be truly understood. The tide was at such a point that we had no choice but to launch fully, wholly and all at once into the dark depths of salty water. It was cold. I felt like my lungs were going to give up on me for a moment. And then we got out. In and out. A quick dip, so they say.

We had a repeat performance the following night in a different location. This time the tide was way out and so we had to wade further and further from shore, the water creeping slowly, painfully up our legs. Eventually we took the very literal plunge, splashed around for a couple of minutes and promptly returned to dry land.

Have you ever been asked “why do you keep hitting yourself with that hammer?” Of course, you probably weren’t actually hitting yourself with a hammer at the time, but you must be doing something with the expected response of “because it feels so good when I stop.” (No idea if this is a common thing, but it’s definitely something said around my house).

Well, that’s why we get in the sea, because it feels so good to get out.

Hiking :: Less than an hour from Dublin.

Friday, June 20, 2014

A couple of weeks ago Rich and I decided we needed a hike. We’d like to do this more than we do but things often get in the way. On this particular weekend we made it a priority. You have to make time, not find time, or so they say.

When we arrived at the valley I discovered there was no phone signal and I had failed to tell anyone where we were going or what we were doing. That felt a little funny, but also freeing. I’ve written about this feeling before. We ate some rolls in the car and grabbed two apples for the journey. Last minute I decided to change from shorts into leggings. And off we walked.

It was hot. I didn’t need a jumper. I needed shorts. We didn’t bring a bag, so Rich improvised a napsack. It held up pretty well. We didn’t bring water so we drank the river. It was so delicious. We didn’t know where we were going, but we walked on regardless. Rich was convinced there was a lake somewhere that we were meant to be discovering, the more we walked the less convinced we (I) grew. At this stage it might make sense to tell you that Richard is a scout, not that one could tell from the way we undertook this journey. I blame myself and he blamed me too. We left so ill prepared it was laughable. Which were able to do—intermittently.

Lack of provisions and bags and appropriate attire aside, it was a really beautiful hike. The air was crisp and the forest was dense and damp. The earth seemed to be exhaling all around us. The fact that these photos are so green makes me so happy. We really do live in such a beautiful place.

Beach, Baby.

Friday, May 2, 2014

The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea.

—Isak Dinesen.

The sun was hot and the water was oddly warm. It was a peculiar summer day in the middle of April. We ran across the expanse of sand and splashed in the salty water. For a few moments there was no college, there was no grief, no hurt, no crap weather or bad diets, no pain or heartbreak. For a few moments we ran with ruthless abandon. We lost our breaths. Our feet turned black and our calves became sand encrusted. We felt the present. It tasted salty and it was everything I needed. I can’t imagine ever not living next to the water, it feels impossible.

(This reminds me so much of one I took of my mum last year. I used it as the cover of my zine here)

I love her so much it makes my heart swell, my arms ache and my body melt. She is the sweetest human being I’ve ever encountered…but there is a fire inside her that feels familiar. I recognise it in myself sometimes. We can be prickly, her and I. Though seeing this in her only makes me love her more fiercely. She won’t always be this small or this close but I will always cherish this.

Eos 3 / 50mm f1.4 / HP5 Plus

The Ring of Kerry.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

I really wanted to get away before heading back to college and, scarily, all of the extra pressures that final year brings.. Canada was beginning to feel like forever ago and August had melted away rapidly between working in Moss Cottage and minding Emily…both of which I thoroughly enjoyed, but still I was beginning to crave vast open spaces and the quiet that can only be found outside of Dublin. My friends agreed and we thought we’d make it a sort of birthday celebration slash last hurrah before we all go our separate ways for the academic year…
In the end it didn’t quite work out as planned as, for many reasons, most of my friends weren’t able to come. Richard and I went anyway and we had the loveliest time…my only regret is that we had to come home after just two nights! It’s a very long, and very windy way away but the drive is truly beautiful…and the company was ok too. I know that I am so lucky to have this guy to adventure with and I couldn’t be more grateful.

Wish me luck on my first day back tomorrow, I am nervous and excited and a little bit scared of what the year will bring!

Coming to a close.

Friday, August 30, 2013

Here are some photographs from the summer time that I had yet to post. Although I have over three weeks of summer holidays left the air has a feeling of ending in it. Autumn is always bittersweet. On the one side I have my birthday and nice cool breezes and pretty brown leaves and on the other I have to go back to college, routine, early mornings and a significantly lower income. Until then I am going to soak up the rest of my holiday time before first semester begins.