Big Weedge Overseas

A boat trip can be quite therapeutic, I think. I always seem to find myself drifting off.

Up, and down, up, and down, up...

I think the movements of a large ship just agree with my natural bodily rhythms: heart beat, the rise and fall of my chest. I end up deep in a state of peace. 

This time, but, I was in a right state. A state of many pieces. Small and quivering pieces (why do they always look like carrots?). I most certainly did not want to drift off, let alone end up anywhere deep.

Fortunately, Big Weedge, and companions, arrived safely and entirely. As mentally sunk as we were - I could barely bring myself to drink water for days - we managed to enjoy ourselves from then on.

Well mostly. Enjoying a holiday? Can't be having that.

The place blew us away. I'm not talking about natural beauty. It was just really, really windy. Don't think kite flying weather. Think hanging-onto-your-kite-for-dear-life-and-praying-you-land-somewhere-soft weather. It was something else. Straight from sea to land, and straight from ordeal by water to ordeal by wind. I'm fairly sure you have to displease at least two gods for that to happen - Or perhaps just one particularly supreme supreme being. In any case, it made for quite an experience.

Rickety old caravans in gale force winds aren't comfortable. The whole structure groaned, flexed and felt far too much like being at sea. There was no toilet so to abandon ship you had to abandon ship. Not a minor undertaking. It was so wild outside that I had to lay there for quite some time just psyching myself up. It was a polar expedition, but in pajamas. Thank goodness the hostel door was open, I don't think I would have lasted the return trip without some under the hand dryer recuperation.

The locals were funny like that. If I left my door open or unlocked for an instant at home, everything would go. Door included, probably. Even when it's locked I'm still worried. Just think how nice it would be if you didn't have to fuss about with keys and locks. The world would be a better place if people's doors were always open.

This concept of trust is alien to us. It should be. We shouldn't have to consciously trust. It should be a given. It should just happen. That's what I want to happen.

And who knows, it could well. Barra isn't that far away. Hop on a boat and you'll be there in no time.