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…

Botany Bay: Isle of Thanet: England

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Diffused sunlight through a bank of Cumulus Humilus brought a changeable day with glimpses of sunshine.

The air temperature was 18 degrees, water temperature 15 degrees and many people on the beach.

White chalky cliffs, rich golden sand, opaque sea with strong rolling waves and a blue sky veiled with low-lying clouds.

It was very easy to get into the water as a moderate swell washed bladder wrack and soft fern like weed. The water got deep quickly and was very pleasant to swim in. The drag was powerful and made it a challenge to swim any distance across the line of the waves. Salty water has an amazing ability to free the spirit and allow freedom of movement and feeling. The white cliffs lend lots of drama to the situation. The grandeur of what God has made and how these mighty elements interact with each other, is truly spectacular.

Nothing that humans can do have ever or will ever out-majesty such seemingly basic components of our world.

My muscles ached today- too much London yesterday. Easily remedied- a dip in the briny and a swim in that mighty body of water….

“Oceans” (where feet may fall)

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Hillsong United

Kings Cross Pond: London

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The bright and breezy day seemed to contribute to the rural feel of this pond, designed by people and set in the busy heart of the city of London. Construction is everywhere with tall, brand- new towers alongside skeletons of those still growing.

The sound of pneumatic drills, diggers and lifts escalating surround the island of water, plants and trees. The water is cooling and pale green jade, in the sunny atmosphere, and the gentle ripples of the breeze that catch the surface. At one side the reeds that purify the water stand tall and blot out the building activity at the low water level of the swimmer.

The pool is naturalistic in design and the planting turns the concrete desert into an oasis of relative calm. Dragonflies dart to and fro and hover overhead and between the grass stalks. Under the water level, the sound echoes like water splashing into a bucket, as it laps against the sides of the pool. The earthy taste reminds me of the pool at Hampstead Heath, which works under a similar principle of natural filtration and purification.

It is therapeutic to stretch out, wallow and wriggle in the water, and almost forget where I am.

Brockwell Lido: June 2015

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I was unsure how this would go, as my body has not been climatized to the cold for some time. The water looked beautiful- not the issue…

The sun was out and it was a warm and pleasant day. I dangled my feet in the water… it felt cold. Just get in..!

It was like laying down in comfort and joy. The water held up my way-worn muscles and alowed me to move with great ease. The hurt just slipped away and the cold seemed to sooth and erase all the tension and pain that had built up over a long time. Why did I stop doing this? I dont think it is about the cold, but about time, and thinking I don’t have time to sort out myself and the distress that often invades my body and soul.

God has made all things for our benefit, so that we can take care of ourselves and last longer and do what He intends, in the long run. The old Stoic temperment of a conservative cultural heritage, drives me on and on, to my own detriment. Besides, isn’t doing something for yourself selfish..? and a sign of weakness…? This is definately not an attitude from our loving Father… He give us “all things richly to enjoy..”

Look at the water- beautiful

The air- fresh

The blue sky- absolutely gorgeous;

Ourselves- as he made us to be, in His likeness…

So an immersion in these delights, refreshes and makes me reach out to Him and speak words of thankfulness and joy.

Herne Bay, Isle the Thanet, England

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The ocean lies still- stiller than I have seen for a long time and the waves barely break on the shore, soundless, effortless and almost ineffectual. The sea and sky merge into blue- grey mediocrity, which morphs into pillars and turrets of Cumulonimbus, lit up by the afternoons maturing sun.

It looks so easy, inviting and gently soothing.

I step in and walk ahead. Cold but not unbearable, as the chill creeps up the torso and invades the chest. I gasp. Can I take the final plunge?

I waver, prevaricate and finally go.

The shock takes my breath away – I am out of practice and my control has weakened. I have to stand up. The rush of heat and victory brings the rush of adrenalin. I gulp the air and determine to go again.

The sheer delight of striking out into cold must not be missed..

Downhill beach: Limavady: County Antrim

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The deep blue Atlantic rolls here, right on the border between Eire and Ulster, and beauty abounds everywhere the eyes look.

A stiff breeze streaks across the pale golden strand, and the crystal waters break with little violence on the flat sandy surface, which we also can drive onto. The skies change very quickly and a wedge of sparkling blue shines through the grey, billowing clouds.

As I wander into the shallows, it feels good- no chill that pinches toes and creeps silently up the limbs, deadening feeling. It seems easy, balmy and therapeutic and as I continue to walk in, a growing sensation of cold catches hold. I become less sure about this swim, when I transfer the feeling in my legs to my torso.

I walk for about 10 minutes- the wind chill increases, but my legs submerged in the water, are fine.

Suddenly, the clouds break and a dazzling shaft of sunlight beams down and I get an instantaneous urge to just get into the sea. It feels so good – never as cold as I think it is, and I manage a short swim, mainly in 20cms of water, knowing that when I stand up, the wind will skin my skin, and it is cold…

It’s so worth it, and setting dressed feels warm and comfortable. Strong coffee and breakfast on the beach is so Biblical…

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Le Kerfany les Pins: South Brittany

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A glorious morning- sun streaming down on the Prussian Blue water and creamy sands. People sailing on boats and windsurfers, which add bright colours to the scene. With the warm sun on my back, I knew I would warm up again quickly from the colder water.

As soon as I reached water, the skies turned, becoming inky grey so quickly. Nothing can be taken for granted along this coastline and It is best to swim when the going is good, for it changes in a moment.

The sand is soft with a few stones, but the colour of the deep liquid is inviting. Launching out does feel cold, but the body acclimatises quickly. The sun stays away, but it is lovely to swim out, flip over and turn 360 degrees and see the entire panorama- water, earth, sky, vegetation and human influence. It all makes such an almost idyllic scene and brings home the fact that the whole system works together, including the bits that humans contribute.

There are no breakers today, as the cove is secluded from the brunt of the might Atlantic, and small waves tickle the shore and make swimming more straight forward. There are more shells, crabs and even a dead dogfish on the beach, which suggests the lack of violence on the sea edge and therefore beach stuff is not mashed up.

I was glad to get out as I could feel the cold taking effect, but walking across the beach was not that cold, so I suppose “cold” is a matter of degree…

Le Gorgen: Beg Porz: South Brittany

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This little hide-a-way is always lovely, even on a grey and seemingly dull day. A short walk to the side of the estuary and the water is deep and clear, hugging dramatic rocks of various colours of brown. The skies dictated blue-green water, almost still with ripplets caused by gentle gusts of wind.

A short jetty leads to large stones and then the launch out into the cool water, with no holding back and looking straight ahead. There are no barriers to swimming and it is refreshment to feel the natural water temperature and be able to see the beaches, trees and rocks all around.

Away from the beach or direct coastline, there are no waves, so swimming out makes it possible to see the setting. The sun glimpsed out for a few minutes, but the weather was fairly irrelevant here, as the cove is so sheltered from the extreme Atlantic forces.

This swim could easily take you across the estuary and back, about 2km swim? Such a pleasant find on a day that looked unpromising. A definite swimming jewel.

Pen er Malo: South Brittany

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I walked into the shining, silver ribbon, on this sparkling summer afternoon, into the never-resting Atlantic waves. You don’t want to turn your back on them- except when a breaker is approaching and it must be faced head-on.

It was easy to stay in the water but swam parallel to the waves, so that I could see what was coming, and when. Most waves break fairly close to shore, but sometimes further out, and although a beautiful day, were still powerful, so kept swimming within my depth. A couple went over my head but usually able to lift up with the breaker and keep my head above water. Reluctant to leave the sea, which petered out into long shallows, for kicking water sprays out to the edge.

The beach is also wonderful, with silky sands, various brown, gold and cream pebbles and some shells.

The tide goes our quite far, so a bit of a walk to the water, across the soft sands and glistening watery glaze, but really worth it.

Beg Moc’h: Brigneau: South Brittany

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It’s cold Atlantic on the rocks today.
Hard to believe this coast was raging a few days ago. Now comparatively tamed, the swimmer can choose from a wide range of rock faces, cinder-type outcrops that lace the seaside and provide depth for swimming out and around.

Started of in a clear gash in the rocks, that went from sandy ochre, to deep dark green. It was quite scary, and was glad the sun was shining and brightening at least the surface profile.

Climbing over another section of rocks, brought me to a larger pool and seemed very deep, especially where rocks overlapped under the surface. Launching out brought some confidence and I swam around the sharp cinder rocks back into the first small covette.

The morning is gorgeous and the Atlantic weather fronts are not yet formed. Swimming here is really wild, and just as God has intended things to be. I respect His ocean, for it is dangerous and unpredictable.

What joy to be able to dip into it…

Porsac’h: South Brittany

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Glorious day for swimming so out again for the tiny coves along this part of the Brittany coast. It is quite a walk along the ups and downs of the coastal path, but the seaweed has abated and a swim was looking possible.

The first cove was for one person, very picturesque with dark rocks; mini-habitats as pools; limpets and barnacles clinging onto the hard surfaces- waiting for the next tide wash over. The shallows were warm and inviting but as I managed to swim out into the Atlantic, the water suddenly become colder. Over the highest boulders was another small bay…

Climbing over the rocks, got me to another cove, slightly bigger with beautiful sand. Swimming was wonderful, as the sea was calm with no breakers, rocks or seaweed. The weed is attached to the surrounding rocks and keeps the sea area clear from the slippery fronds of growth.

The water was shallow and the tide relentlessly coming in. Swam out into the deeper water past the headland where it was colder and icy blue. The coast is unknown to me, so I headed back to the safety of the cove. It would be easy to get cut off here, and when the tide rose up the beach it was time to climb back to the pathway and up the amazing stone stairway..