The road home
It’s only two hours away. A car journey westwards, followed by a ten minute ferry across Baltimore Harbour. Not very far at all, really. But Covid-19 restrictions have placed Sherkin Island a million miles away. Tell me, how are our flowers doing? Has the rambling rose we planted on the gable end fallen over now? What about the pots of mint either side of the front door? Soft splashes of green stand ready for the new potatoes that were never planted.
Inside awaits too. Winter’s dampness now warmed and air dried. Is it suffocating? No windows open since winter. No surfaces wiped. Spiders running amok, no doubt. And our plans… where are they now? Those lofty notions of white washing ceilings and walls in springtime. The annual sweep of dust and grime awaits. The flat-packed cupboard waiting to stand tall and to hold those new china bowls that would gladden anyone’s heart.
I’m guessing the stove is saying nothing. Embers long gone, leaving flickering memories of Nellie curled up in her bed after a day on the beach and walking Sherkin’s lanes.
There’s a wicker basket full of wool tucked behind the rocking chair. Is it covered in dust now? Listen, and you might hear a soft sigh of contentment as a crochet hook weaves its way around and around.
Is the clock with the tick that’s too loud still in the bathroom, the only place where sleepers can’t hear it? The damp may have stopped it. If it is still going, will you tell it to stop? Hold back the summer. Cocoon it like the old ones. Time. Time. Time. Summertime. Sherkin time.
One small cottage standing in silence.
*****
Hello all. There are far worse things happening in the world so I hope that you will take this piece in the spirit of what it is – a self-indulgent refection brought on by seeing this photo on my phone. The house will wait. Sherkin will wait. In fact, it looks like restrictions on Ireland’s off-shore islands are set to change soon. Let me know how you are doing and I look forward to seeing your posts.
Sherkin Island and your cottage must be something really special, Patsy.
Obviously, the pandemic has now reached every corner of this world, even Sherkin Island.
We all yearn for life to be back to ‘normal’, but ‘normal’ seems to be so far out of sight. Yet the constant threat of an invisible, deadly disease and our endless sheltering and grieving for the ‘normal’ we lost make us reflect deeply on life and all that is most important to us.
We discover new gems of opportunities and creative ways to carry on in the unlucky circumstances that we have been cast into. A creative person knows how to rise to the occasion. Someone that doesn’t consider themselves creative may just discover their creative skills in a time like this.
Absolutely. Andelieya, you express it so well. It’s good to see you here and I hope that you are keeping safe and well.
Stay safe!
A beautiful post, Patsy. Hope you’re keeping well. x
Thank you Jean. Hope you are too. Px
Yep, all good, thanks.
Keep in touch, j
Your place on Sherkin sounds great, I hope to visit one day !
Sean, it’s worth seeing!
🙏🏽Hope to soon, it’s always been the sheepshead for the last 55 years!
Ah now, I can understand that … it’s so beautiful there.
Patsy! So lovely to “see” you!
Really? You can’t go to your beloved Sherkin? I hope the restrictions are lifted soon.
In the meantime, this was a lovely post and didn’t need to be called self-indulgent.
The world over is crazy, isn’t it?
Hi Dale! Yes, there are restrictions on going to off-shore islands to protect island communities so we haven’t been able to go. It’s a small price to pay! Hope you and your boys are well.
Darn it!!
We are, thanks. I start work at a new job tomorrow and hope it will be fun… One is finishing up his electrician’s degree (after two months hiatus, they figured out a way to finish it) and the other is working from home. I can’t wait till everyone gets out of my house 😉
Best of luck tomorrow, Dale!
Thank you, Patsy! I know it’s going to be fun. It’s the snack stand of a gold course… better than waitressing (which I just could not see myself doing with a mask on my face in 30C weather…) The alternative it to return to an office job which appeals to me not at all.