The ebb and flow

So here we are. Orkney. Without a doubt the most magical and wonderful place I've ever been in my life. We worked it out and the last time we were here was to visit Geira - 10 years ago to the exact weekend - August bank holiday.

It made us cry to think about that - if we'd known then that 10 complete years later we'd be back - this time for Geira's funeral... Well. You know. It's a head fuck.

Anyway. I won't go on about it. You know about grief. And I'm sorry that you do, I'm sorry you lost someone and that its hard to think about. I know what you went through and you know what we're going through and that we all know its just part of life. The shitty bit, but life all the same.

There was this stunning tapestry in the restaurant we ate in tonight, by a local artist. A beautiful depiction of being tossed about in waves whilst still feeling safe and grounded on land. The words were beautiful:

"Progression

Transition through difficult passages
Inwardly searching balance and order
Lost among the waves
In a sea of pounding progress
Smothering the smouldering soul
Awaiting breath to fan the flame
An inert state of confusion
A colour, a line ignite the fire
A touch, a smile to help you see
Not one answer, but many
On our journey from birth to grave"

(L. J. Thomson)

Yeah. That made us cry too.