Earlier in the day, the tide was out, so we sat in the bay for “underwater lunch” on the stones and we watched the retreating sea far out.

Amazed at the difference between the tides, we watched the change and the waves turning and rolling into the gap once more, over the sand and making a trap, by quickly filling the narrow place of the cove, now covered with a watery space.

No sign of lunch, as the ocean invades and rushes over the spot that would have covered our heads.

A dark night swim- the sunshine all gone and the triumph of nature over mankind’s invention.

The light is fading and the sky resonates with the days glory as the sun slowly sinks over the headland and beyond the world. The ocean is full up, full of dark green water that covers over the sand, the stones and even the orange and black tide mark. It is full and high.

The water is deep immediately, as the stones bank steeply into the water. The tide rolls in gently and the easy swell bears the body up and suspends it in every direction and dimension.

A slow turn in the sea reveals the heavens – the whole vista of the evening sky and the deep sea in all its beauty. As I swim into the centre of the cove, I am reminded that I had lunch here a few hours ago – quite a few feet of water down below.

It seems the sea has expanded to fit the space and somehow got larger, but someone in another place has less…

I swim on to the edge of the cove where everything is buoyant and all has grown into a bountiful place, and thankfulness wells up in me that I should be here…