September 04, 2012

Beach combing & creating sea treasures

We are so blessed living in beautiful South West Scotland
only a stones throw from many beautiful beaches & coves
Every once in a while we hear the call of the sea and head off
 for a sniff of the salty air & a listen to the songs of the sea.
Perhaps catch a glimpse of a mermaid or two.
We have so many favourite beachy memories
* cooking marshmallows over a driftwood fire at Carrick shore
* dipping nets to catch flitting shrimps at Mossyard
* stargazing into velvet midnight skies at the Dhoon.
 * * *
Did you know here in Dumfries & Galloway we have
one of only 4  dark sky parks in the Western world!
 The sea holds such magic & the words of this old song conjures all!

"Sea Fever"
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way,
where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.
 by John  Masefiled
*
As we walk the shorelines along balmy seas or stormy waves
 we keep a wary eye open for treasures thrown up from the deep.
Delicate crabs shells long empty, worn seashells just ready to string
mermaids purses, elusive pelican foot shells & barnacles long abandoned
And once even a seaweed strewn child's tiny bicycle!

I collect these offerings from the sea & take them home to my studio
 "Shades of the sea " are the creations I make from my findings.
Driftwood & shell chimes with delicate coloured ribbons

As the breeze catches a chime you can hear a delicate noise
the song of the shells, bringing thoughts of the wonderful ocean to mind
and as the mobile moves, its individual pieces shift & change about,
forming mesmerising sculptural shapes.

You can find my driftwood chimes for sale here & here
Talking of magical things if you love mermaids & magic as I do
you may love this series of books a dear friend recently introduced me.
 Set in Cornwall they are called "Ingo" written by Helen Dunmore.
Do go & take a peep, they will keep you mesmerised.

So i shall leave you with the sound of the sea in your ears
& the tang of salt on your tongue.
I wonder do you dream of sea shore wanderings,
and what would enchant you there?
Do you have a favorite sea poem or story to share here?

If you love magical seashore happenings,
click here to be whisked away to a true tale of my wee lass,
her message written in the sand and a dream that came true.
* * *
next week a tale or two of Autumn x

14 comments:

  1. I've been needing the sea so much lately! But its a few hours away and I haven't made it yet. I hope to soon!

    Was it you who recommended the book, "Corrag" a while back? I just started it and its intense, but wonderful. I'll go look at "Ingo", too, an adventure in Cornwall sounds intriguing.

    Happy September!

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  2. The sea pulls so, doesn't it. I love how much your family get from just being there and enjoying it.

    Thank you for sharing this it has helped sooth the soul this morning.

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  3. Thank you so much for sharing the sea and its magic and inspiration, Ruthie! The driftwood chimes are gorgeous :) And I dearly love the story of your daughter's wish and how you came to be in Scotland. I can always hope!
    Hugs,
    Kristin

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  4. Anonymous5/9/12 13:36

    Lovely post Ruthie. Now Autumn is around the corner, I'm feeling the call of the sea - I love the beach best in the Autumn and Spring. xx

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  5. One day I will come & visit your Scottish sea shores... with all thier magic.
    From Cornwall to Scotland...couldn';t think of lovelier places to smell the sea breeze xxx

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  6. Lovely post Ruthie, fall is not here yet in Texas. Maybe soon. You took me away for a bit, thank you.

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  7. Ah, mermaid's purses... so gorgeous. Thank you for reminding me to finish "Ingo"... I started reading it to Miss V ages ago and never did get to the end!

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  8. Sea Fever is just what I needed to read hear morning.....thank you Ruthie! We've lived near the sea for years now and I think I'd find it difficult to live inland again.
    Your wind chimes are beautiful,I love the simplicity of them.

    Ruby

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  9. such a lovely post
    overflowing with the beauty of nature and your family ~

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  10. Wonderful Ruthie, we are so blessed here in Galloway.
    Whenever I hear or see "I must go down to the sea again", for some reason it brings to mind "I will arise and go now" I've stood on the shore of W.B.Yeats's Lough Gill looking out to the 'Lake Isle of Inishfree', and although beautiful, we can match it easily.
    You're pictures have turned the shore into a tapestry.

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  11. Hi Ruthie
    Your blog is like a treasure trove - you just never know what treasures you will find! A lovely post

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  12. Ah Ruthie..... This post brings such beauty and peace to my heart. I just loved all of your photographs! Especially your name written in stone on the beach, how sweet is that!?! What a beautiful day spent with your family in a healing place.

    AND, I ADORE your "Shades of the Sea" projects! What a sweet and clever way to take the feeling of the beach home with you. You are so dang creative!

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  13. Hello Ruthie, I just happened to come across you whilst googling drawings of the pelican's foot shell. Born in Devon, I now live in the Scottish Highlands. There's a lot of beautiful things to look at on your blog, I will take my time and enjoy it, thank you.
    I'll leave you with a song I am listening to (and singing along to lol) - Jenny's Mermaid.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78BIwwKwnQM
    Eleanor
    x

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