More water..

Lovely youtube movie of the shipping forecast playing over scenes from harbours all over the UK. Strangely captivating.

I love to get out and walk down the piers at Dun Laoghaire and Howth as often as possible. When (English) Steve lived in Dun Laoghaire we'd sometimes go out late at night after dinner and walk to the end of the pier in almost darkness. We couldn't see anything in front of us but the flashing lights from those chimneys in Ringsend. Having a crafty fag and putting the world to right. For the night at least. There's an exposed walk down to Poolbeg lighthouse that blows away the cobwebs no matter what time of year you go down there. It's always windy and always exhilerating. Nothing puts you in your place quite like getting to the end of a pier and looking out to sea at the horizon. Behind you, home and warmth and comfort. In front, well, nothing but water. I think part of the attraction about places like that is that those piers have been sitting there untouched for so long. I have photos of Howth from a hundred years ago and nothing's really changed. You can stand there looking out and the view is the same as it was way back when. Unless the Stena Line is passing in front of you at the time, of course. Which kinda breaks the spell..

At the end of the movie there's a line from Betjeman: "Here where the cliffs alone prevail, I stand exultant, neutral, free. And from the cushion of the gale behold a huge consoling sea." I think that's what I'm trying to say.. Not not as well.

Incidentally, there's not many places left like that but the War Memorial Gardens in Kilmainham is another one. When you're in there you can't see cars or roads or cranes in the sky. It feels like you've gone back in time. You should go.