Oh my goodness! You are one brave soul to be jumping into "cold" waters Prue... LOL! I love that photo with the kelp - makes me think of "My Octopus Teacher", My Octopus Teacher a 2020 Netflix Original documentary film. Magical if you're so inclined and I have a feeling you may be. Enjoy your Hiraeth :-).
Love all this imagery prue! Water is my special place too, and I’m so happy to be currently settled by the sea. Places pull at our souls don’t they, and amazing that we can physically ache for a place. Lovely piece, thanks.
I first came across the word 'hiraeth' on an art-journalling course: one week's project was to honour the lost places of our past. I loved reading your take on it right here - right down to that chilly azure winter swim!
And speaking of goosepimples - well, gosh, THIS line supplied them in force: "In my mind, I see an old woman pulling in the cobweb filaments by which we are anchored, winding them onto a giant reel where they can be used again for the next generation of adventurers."
Beautiful words, as always. Thank you for a fabulous start to the weekend.
Did you watch the little video? It's glorious. I saw the Book of Kells a year or so ago and this is an animation by the same folk - so mythical and whimsical.
So much to comment on here! Love the image of an old woman winding in the filaments, bringing people home. I am personally fascinated by the entire concept of "hiraeth" (of course!) and envy those who have a true connection with place. I do have a "sense" of home and am deeply connected to that feeling as I am a "homebody" but lately, like you, it's not as much about geography as it is about the feeling itself. If that makes sense. Also, thank you for reminding me about one of my fav films 'The Secret of Roan Inish' - it's been a while since I've thought about Selkies, ha! Thanks once more Prue for a great read! (And I just love that wee Terrier of yours ...) Strangely, a while back, I also wrote about 'hiraeth' here: https://www.speranzanow.com/?p=2391
What a coincidence! I've just read your piece and it's wonderful, Sue.
From somewhere, up popped a memory of mine as I read it.
I haven't thought of it in decades, truly.
I was given a great transistor as a young teenager and it had shortwave and I used to lie on my bed at Dad's and Mum's seaside cottage (the windows had striped canvas blinds) and as the night progressed, I would fiddle with the tuning until I could pick up the BBC, some American stations, some German. And I would be so excited as I noted one country after another and one song after another. How good were the days before TV, mobile phones and computers. Enjoyment came from such ordinary things - shortwave radio after a game of family monopoly! Thank you so much for your link and for reading my post.
I believe in synchronicity more and more as I get older, Prue! Thank you so much - so grateful for your posts and for your ongoing, assorted kindnesses!
Having read my recent thoughts on how those who have passed away are with us still, you know I've been paying close attention, of late, to hiraeth. Though I did not know to call it that! I love that you have such a deep connection to your place, and your water. The video was captivating. Thanks, Prue!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful post and educating me on the word 'Hiraeth.' It truly is a beautiful word and something every human must feel about something, at some point. The photos are always gorgeous and make me want to visit your homeland some day. I only wish it wasn't so far away...(sigh).
It's a wonderful place that's so perfectly isolated from the rest of the world and we Tasmanians should honestly thank our lucky stars for that.
Do you know, during Covid, we only had 3 months of Lockdown and then an occasional isolated few days in odd pockets? It was BRILLIANT. We just shut our borders to the rest of Australia and the world. If only life could be that simple...
Oh my goodness! You are one brave soul to be jumping into "cold" waters Prue... LOL! I love that photo with the kelp - makes me think of "My Octopus Teacher", My Octopus Teacher a 2020 Netflix Original documentary film. Magical if you're so inclined and I have a feeling you may be. Enjoy your Hiraeth :-).
Love all this imagery prue! Water is my special place too, and I’m so happy to be currently settled by the sea. Places pull at our souls don’t they, and amazing that we can physically ache for a place. Lovely piece, thanks.
Thank you, Sabrina.
I think when our souls ache for a place, the imagery becomes incredibly tangible. And the sea makes it even more so. XXXX
Oh Prue, this is glorious!
I first came across the word 'hiraeth' on an art-journalling course: one week's project was to honour the lost places of our past. I loved reading your take on it right here - right down to that chilly azure winter swim!
And speaking of goosepimples - well, gosh, THIS line supplied them in force: "In my mind, I see an old woman pulling in the cobweb filaments by which we are anchored, winding them onto a giant reel where they can be used again for the next generation of adventurers."
Beautiful words, as always. Thank you for a fabulous start to the weekend.
And you made my day too.
Did you watch the little video? It's glorious. I saw the Book of Kells a year or so ago and this is an animation by the same folk - so mythical and whimsical.
I hadn't at the time I left my comment, but I have now! So beautifully observed and stunningly executed. Wonderful stuff!
So much to comment on here! Love the image of an old woman winding in the filaments, bringing people home. I am personally fascinated by the entire concept of "hiraeth" (of course!) and envy those who have a true connection with place. I do have a "sense" of home and am deeply connected to that feeling as I am a "homebody" but lately, like you, it's not as much about geography as it is about the feeling itself. If that makes sense. Also, thank you for reminding me about one of my fav films 'The Secret of Roan Inish' - it's been a while since I've thought about Selkies, ha! Thanks once more Prue for a great read! (And I just love that wee Terrier of yours ...) Strangely, a while back, I also wrote about 'hiraeth' here: https://www.speranzanow.com/?p=2391
What a coincidence! I've just read your piece and it's wonderful, Sue.
From somewhere, up popped a memory of mine as I read it.
I haven't thought of it in decades, truly.
I was given a great transistor as a young teenager and it had shortwave and I used to lie on my bed at Dad's and Mum's seaside cottage (the windows had striped canvas blinds) and as the night progressed, I would fiddle with the tuning until I could pick up the BBC, some American stations, some German. And I would be so excited as I noted one country after another and one song after another. How good were the days before TV, mobile phones and computers. Enjoyment came from such ordinary things - shortwave radio after a game of family monopoly! Thank you so much for your link and for reading my post.
I believe in synchronicity more and more as I get older, Prue! Thank you so much - so grateful for your posts and for your ongoing, assorted kindnesses!
Well as you know - I believe very much in kindred spirits and likemindedness....
Love that featured word. Hiraeth. Beautiful piece and photos.
Thank you, CK.
Having read my recent thoughts on how those who have passed away are with us still, you know I've been paying close attention, of late, to hiraeth. Though I did not know to call it that! I love that you have such a deep connection to your place, and your water. The video was captivating. Thanks, Prue!
It's such a soft word - and yet it encompasses so much of meaning in our lives. Thanks for commenting, Elizabeth.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful post and educating me on the word 'Hiraeth.' It truly is a beautiful word and something every human must feel about something, at some point. The photos are always gorgeous and make me want to visit your homeland some day. I only wish it wasn't so far away...(sigh).
Thank you!
It's a wonderful place that's so perfectly isolated from the rest of the world and we Tasmanians should honestly thank our lucky stars for that.
Do you know, during Covid, we only had 3 months of Lockdown and then an occasional isolated few days in odd pockets? It was BRILLIANT. We just shut our borders to the rest of Australia and the world. If only life could be that simple...