Every morning that I go to work I pass the same stretch of water. Belfast Lough leads in from the North Channel of the Irish Sea and brings commercial shipping in to the City's harbour. On a very few special days, early on, when the water is very still and there's a slight haze; when the sun is trying to burn through the low hanging cloud, the view can be astounding, often forcing me to stop. Some days it's hard to tell where the sky meets the sea and there's just a cool blanket of ethereal mist. These days are the best: when the sun pushes through the white curtain to highlight the corporate colours of a shipping company's livery as the freighter cuts through the glassy water.
Having spent most of my life in largely land-locked locations, a daily dose of salt water, I find, nourishes the soul. It's been five years now since we moved here and while there are aspects of English life that I miss, our coastal location goes a large way to compensate me.
Working near the harbour means we get to see all sorts of things coming in and going out again and I think I'm unlikely to tire of it.
I love the location of Bangor, Richard. So many great walks nearby.
The first time I moved away from the coast was during a short stint in the States for an internship. One of my most vivid memories was thinking I'd prefer to live near the sea.
It was strange feeling at the time, and it's funny how our minds are influenced like that.
Posted by: David Airey | 16 July 2009 at 11:45 AM
Hello. You write beautifully. And I love 'Plot watch' (fellow chicken caretaker). Thanks for great viewing, great reading and delicious typography. Your post reminded me of an enormous job I worked on with a public art company in Brisbane, Australia, just over a year ago. Here's a link to some photos http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=54699&id=679366213&l=96dde8e949 The company was UAP. http://www.uap.com.au
Posted by: Zoe | 16 July 2009 at 01:03 PM
Hi David, Bangor for us is a short train journey for chips on the sea front and giant swans in Picky Park. That other park is great two (can't remember it's name), the one with all the birds and that great new library building.
Hi Zoe, thanks for those kind words and especially Plot Watch support - I'm never quite sure who's interested in Plot Watch but I'm compelled to do it. The UAP work looks fantastic. Thanks for the links.
Posted by: Richard | 16 July 2009 at 01:44 PM
No visit to Bangor is complete without a trip to Picky, and the other park you mention is Ward Park (such an improved Library, I agree).
Posted by: David Airey | 17 July 2009 at 03:54 PM