Author Archives: words and signs

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About words and signs

I am an Artist and Writer, living and working in London. I am grateful for all the things I have been able to do in my life and for what I am doing now. I serve Christ and seek to share Him with others…

Chemin du Sillon Noir: Cote D’Armor: Brittany: France

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Today the beach was grey and white and reflected the sun rays upwards to the sky. The sheer blue was later covered with banks of Cirrus cloud about the bay.

The sea shone blue with a number of clumps of Wrack growing on the brown rocks. Along the sea edge, a thick rind of cream sea foam coagulated the shore, looking very unattractive. The sea water behind it was murky and opaque.

At one point a band of sea foam floated into the bay and was later dispersed by the the incoming tide and the smart onshore breeze.

I did not swim here, as it did not look clean and the sea foam was a big turn away.

There are so many beaches along this coast and it is easy to find another one in a more pleasant setting.

Sillon de Talbert: Brittany: France

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A glorious day. Sunshine, silver sand, dark rocky outcrops and deep azure water. Toasting seaweed and dusty grey peddles lie in rows across the sandy beach.

Swimming has been on hold for a while. Sorrow has gotten the better of me and I have not felt like stretching out in the comfort of the deep sea.

Today was a good day and it was easy to get into the water and slowly swim across the beach line. The clear depths showed up the rock underneath and the banks of seaweed, mainly wrack, that gets gently washed ashore. Bladder wrack, Flat wrack, Horned wrack, Knotted wrack, Channelled wrack, Toothed wrack, Thong weed, Sea beads. Brushes against the skin from time to time- not something I like..!

As my feet pussyfooted around on the sea bed, something ran over my foot..! I realised it must be a crab. I could see it on the sandy floor- dark brown and the size of half of my foot. It was quite thrilling actually. Then I noticed another one across the sandy sea bottom. The crab seemed to like my warm foot, and even though I had moved away, it tried to walk on it again. Maybe my foot was just where it wanted to stand…

The swimming was beautiful. Further out, the seaweed thinned out and the water was so clear, with pale green dappled reflecting up from the sea floor. The surface was all deep colours of blue, smooth and rippling ever onto the beach.

The water breaks almost silent against the shore and invites the swimmer to trust in its crystal embrace and lay down the troubles of shore life and forget. A gentle swim and just lolling about in the shallows, gently skulling with hands, is freedom…

Botany Bay: Margate: Kent

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A changeable day between sun and cloud. The stiff Easterly breeze brought warm gusts of air on this fresh summer day. The sea rippled jade green and deep emerald as reflected by the sky above and mirrored from the rocks and seaweed on the sea floor.

Gentle waves washed the sandy shore, deep ochre and terracotta grains that felt so good on bare feet. The sea was out so the walk was in shallow water, and swimming felt peculiar with the seaweed fronds brushing against the skin continually.

Across the strand there were many rock pools with large amounts of sea growth and creatures. The setting of this beach makes it a good day out, but the swimming was less straightforward.

As the clouds sealed over the sky and the sun could not shine through, it became windy. It became easier to swim as the sea came in over the sands, and so it was deeper and there were no rocks. It became very enjoyable, almost like a different place. Little fronds of green seaweed floated casually around…
I could see the rain falling across the coastline onto Herne Bay- Prussian blue, Ultamarine and darkness…
On us was sunshine, returning from it’s hiding places behind the grey clouds….

Central Parade: Herne Bay: Kent

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Second swim

Voluminous sea and immediate depth for excellent swimming. The Prussian blue of the rolling waves in the evening sunshine is cool and easy. The huge disc of the golden setting sun burns into the clouds and the rippling tops of the on-coming waves.

There is nothing difficult about this- it is sheer joy to swim back and forth and roll over to watch my feet flap in the gorgeous water. The sun lays a path for a swimmer seeking the heavenly road and to stretch out into the pathway is like heading home.

Salt, a substance so tasteful and a necessity of life, is here in abundance. It keeps the body at the surface of the sea and bears it along in the Eastern rolling waves. It is good for the body and improves the skin, and purifies any substances that find themselves in the ocean. As a disinfectant, it sterilised and is also good for the spirit, as it promotes well-being and the feeling of freedom in the water.

Central Parade: Herne Bay: Kent

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The sea was right up onto the shingle beach, a few steps from the promenade. The water was clear and a beautiful temperate, so we went straight in, instantly bathing away the warm, close day. The water was deep after two strokes and swimming was a delight as the warm breeze skimmed the top of the wavelets. The gentle breaking of the tiny waves against the shingle soothed the hum of the motorway and we were transported back to childhood.

Swimming was easy and fast, well out from the shore and there was nothing to stop us just reaching out ahead. As we swam, the river of sunlight picked up the top of the water like a golden band for a queen.

Under the surface there were darker overtones and as the sunlight faded, the whole body of liquid became deep green and purple. Small strands of seaweed swept past the body- sweet green, soft and delicate.

Movement was so free and the perfect antidote to driving, putting up the tent and shopping for food. Forward, back and over….

Sitting on the shingle was so relaxing, letting the breeze dry the body and that whisper of wind across the skin means summer is here…

The sea looks like molten silver in the evening light. A baptism in a silver vat that sets me striking out on the gleaming pathway…

Worthing: South Downs: East Sussex

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The day was grey. Grey sky, grey water, grey stones and grey smell. The seawater crashed against the shore in dramatic waves, but only near the shore line. A murkiness in the water was rather off putting and a creamy scum was definitely unattractive. Once across the narrow line, the sea was clear of weed and “bits”

The water made swimming easy and acclimatisation almost instantaneous. Swimming into the grey distance created a strange sensation of being immersed in the misty grey. The grey seemed to have a dull, fog-like scent, a mixture of saltiness and seaweed.

The swell was even and quite predictable out in the deeper water. Swimming against the undertow took longer but reaching out across the shoreline felt safe and secure. The freedom of lying back in the salt bath was so relaxing.

Turning out into the deep and stretching limbs out to the smudgy horizon senses the emptiness and aloneness of swimming in the mighty ocean and the danger of being in the hands of such a huge expanse of power. The thought that we live in such a condition, but really only feel it when we venture into a place where we feel awe and fear.

The sea reminds us that we are very frail and live on the edge of danger…

“Your domain was on the high seas;
your builders brought your beauty to perfection.” Ezekiel 27:4
God is over all. However powerful a nation may be on the high seas, He reigns supreme…

West Beach: Littlehampton: West Sussex

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A glorious late Spring day with multi-toned blue skies, dappled cirrus and a brisk wind from the West. The banks of shingle and the dune grass give a wilder feel to this beach, rather than the obvious sand on the opposite side of the river.

We sat sheltered by the wooden boards across the beach and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine and watched longingly as the breakers crashed on the shore. The sea was going out and retreated quickly across the sand at the edge of the shingle.

A few seagulls skimmed the breeze and a small flock of plover, gaggles about on the sand, trying to chase off the bigger birds. Many large Cuttlefish bones were strewn across the Flint shingle, washed up by the retreating tide.

A short, but painful walk across the stones ( I didn’t bring my socks..) and a spongy walk across the wet smooth sand, brought me to the waves. They rolled in in all sorts of different directions, and broke as white horses quickly and powerfully. The sand was very soft under foot, and it was pure delight to surf, without a body board, on the waves. The water was cold, but the body acclimatised quickly and I was able to stay in the water for about 15 minutes. The water was shallow so swimming was not really possible, but it was fun to race a as the water with the waves, and get in a few strokes.

It is amazing how we can lift our hearts to Him who made it all. There are so many things God gives us which are just pure enjoyment. I am looking ahead to the Summer and plenty of longer dips in the briny.

“The sea is His for He made it…” Psalm 95:5

“I worship the Creator, who made me, and made me creative..”

Herne Bay: Easter swim

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A beautiful blustery day, the wind is blowing the clouds along in a clear blue sky with a few mighty banks of Cumulonimbus and some humilis, promising rain later. The mass of white scudding clouds hold the rain, sucked up from the ocean and stored there until it is dumped on the land in refreshing showers.

The sea is emerald green and the waves come in at forty five degrees to the shore, crashing on the shingle. It is a wondeful day to clean out the winter drabness and start afresh. The sea just lures you into its grasp. This is the first swim of the season and the water temperature is nine degrees centigrade.

Away we go. It took a few attempts to acclimatise a little, and the walk in took three goes, before launching out. Even standing with the water at pelvis deep, the impulse to gasp was right there, in anticipation of what was coming. The reality is a lot less that the expectation. The mind seems to over react in more extreme conditions, and over compensates for the shock.

The launch in was as ever…. had to make a big effort not to gasp, and went in and out a few times.

The swim was short- a few strokes. Very invigorating and a strong sense of accomplishment. Nothing else makes the body and mind so alive as that coldness that envelopes the whole body.

That joy and shock that makes the lungs gasp.. “Let all that has breath Praise the LORD…” Does that gasp of surprise and praise, rise to Him…?

The sea is incessant, it just keeps coming in on the shore, breaking continually.. It appears to be going forward, but at this point it is going out. The sight is deceiving…

It leaves a sense of freedom- the cold does something for us that heat cannot do….

London fields

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It was a blustery Spring day with glimpses of what might be behind the clouds, and the warm steam rising off the tepid water was so inviting. I haven’t opted for a swim for such a long time, and the balmy water was wonderful to relax into. The difference between the air temperature and the water was quite odd, as the pool is actually outside.

Swimming is comfortable, except for the head, which gets cold compared to the rest of the body. Trees and sky, birds and clouds, are open to view. The support of the water takes the strain off the muscles and joints, and swimming feels powerful and pain free.

The lanes was quite wide, so it was a good experience, but it is hard to equate outdoor swimming with lanes across the pool. The environment was good and free from tensions.

 

Margate strand: Isle of Thanet: England

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The dull clouds oppressed the golden beach and sandy water swept onto the strand, regardless. Yet still, a warm day and full of possibilities and optimistic bathers strode into the breaking waves. The water is not cold, and the bottom is sandy and free of stones or weed. The heaving sea casts the breakers in and they roll to the waters edge.

A long walk out takes the swimmer into slightly deeper water, which remains shallow far out into the bay. Swimming is relaxing and refreshing. Riding the waves reminds me of the power in these seemingly innocuous phenomenon, that will quickly turn into danger.

As I swim across the water towards the harbour wall, the possibility of touching it crosses my mind. I am almost there, but remind myself that I don’t know the waters, the currents, or eddies that might be there. I return the way I came.

This was such a refreshing swim, which was cut short when I realised the rain was falling on the water… There is real joy in swimming in the mighty ocean, and similarly in the ocean of God’s love and power…

Isaiah 60:5 NIV
“Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come.”