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| "The Struggle" Newborough © Glyn Davies 2011 |
We sat thinking about our lost young friend Joe, and I was mesmerised by the suck, pull and whirlpools in the heavy drab waters of the channel in front of me. I videoed it on my play camera but even that failed to record. We walked back across a sombre, lifeless and rapidly darkening estuary to the sand dunes, where the only thing that took my eye was an almost luminous light reflecting off the bark of a small spindly tree growing alone from all the others, amongst rough grasses and bramble. I was drawn to the way it stood out in the lonely darkness, commanding my attention. I shot a couple of frames then we both sort of sloped back into the van. It's weird how the mood of the day affects the mood in our minds, or is it vice versa ? Things changed in the nearby camp-site café though, which was still open, just about, and indeed stayed open just for us, warm, bright and inviting with the best apple crumble I have tasted in years, topped with liquidy, creamy custard and washed down with a huge cup of hot fresh tea. We went home, re-made friends with our friends and suddenly the world was a lot happier again.
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| Carol |
The next morning I was looking forward to a day alone in a brighter landscape. I pulled back the bedroom curtains and ....... it was raining :-( I messed around, I was sinking again, but then I thought, I've got a collection to make from North Anglesey, why not ring my parents to see if they fancy a trip! I hardly ever see my parents these days and I feel awful about that, time is so short, life is so short. My Dad was going for a hospital appointment. My Mum was alone. She grabbed the opportunity and headed for ... lunch! in the fantastic, brilliant, warm, cosy, friendly pub at Tregele, the Douglas Arms! Spent at least well over an hour eating, chatting and drinking tea. The sun made an appearance, we smiled, our faces lit up.
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| "The Power Plant" Wylfa © Glyn Davies 2011 |
The wind was bitter. We parked up alongside one of many boarded up buildings, making way for the new oversized and frightening development of the next major nuclear power station here on this stunningly beautiful rural island. My 70 year old mum was well wrapped up in her amazingly lightweight Rab down jacket I'd bought her in the summer ! One of the best pressies I've bought her in recent years as she can now face ANY weather she says ! :-) We stumbled down a hoof-indented wet field to a choppy grey sea. The wind was making her eyes water but bless her soul, she was happy and excited and enjoying the elements and even the difficult walk. Roles reversed, I was constantly watching out for her, anxious she didn't turn her ankle, take a tumble or even start to freeze, but although she was cautious, she also seemed as happy as Larry. We reached the old mill and 'lost gardens' and I messed around taking some boring river shots in the dull light. The sun made a very brief appearance and I juxtaposed the old water mill with the monstrous nuclear power plant in the distance, a striking contrast between old and new, safe and dangerous, simple and hi-tec. Then the sun disappeared completely. We found a new path and lane back to the road and wandered past a farmyard feet thick in cow muck, a young calf, two cows and a huge white bull, all looking forlorn, dirty and wet, in an area destined for nuclear growth. Everything was dull, dark, wet, slimy, muddy, cold and depressing, yet beneath it all, there was for me at least, a real importance and resonating energy for life, the land and potential. Maybe it was just that this very rare walk with my special mum, was making nothing seem as bad as it looked ?
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| Me Mam :-) |
Two dull days, two amazing women, two days of opposites, positives and negatives. In many ways this reflects my own life, and my own state of mind - a roller-coaster of emotions, passions and thought processes. As my mate Howard from college said, when things seem as bad as ever, things can only get better.
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