Father Dear …

I went for a late night swim last night in one of my very favourite beaches here in Co. Waterford.

The fact that it was moving towards Dad’s birthday today was on my mind ~ he was born in 1919 and died in 2010.

Imagine my surprise when I got to the swimming spot and saw that someone had written the message, that was subconsciously swirling around in my head, high up on the rocks.

Garrarus Beach, Co. Waterford

I’m certainly not a fan of writing on rock faces but I must admit that this message was one which seemed to shout out what I and no doubt many other people whose beloved fathers have died, or left for some reason, feel.

The swim was divine and later I was lured by the gorgeous light out along the coast.

Annestown Beach, Co. Waterford

Lots and lots of happy memories of times spent with Dad along this Co. Waterford coastline and, of course, my thoughts wandered to Co. Clare which was his native heath ~ a place that was his absolute heaven.

Near Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare

Be happy. It’s one way of being wise.’  Colette

Stepping out with Open Eyes

I’m a sucker for public writing of all kinds. I’m the person who reads the names carved in the sand; graffiti on toilet doors; notices on supermarket notice-boards; carvings on trees; paw-prints on now-set cement ….

You get the picture!

Well, the other day I was taking Puppy Stan for his constitutional down to the beach here in Tramore and nearly fell out of my standing when I saw this mural on the wall of an alley that’s within spitting distance of the beach.

Mural in Tramore, Co. Waterford.

It set my mind off in a million and one directions but most of all that word ‘hunger’ in relation to the sea resonated so, so much.

I can’t understand how I hadn’t seen it before ~ I think it’s probably because my eyes were always fixed on the horizon and the colour and mood of the sea.

I’d love to know about the signs, murals, graffiti , carvings that draw you in.