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Here lives peace on Great Blasket

July 27, Day 44

Here lives peace on Great Blasket Island and a feeling of fullness. I wish I could stay longer but I have a good weather window tomorrow for the exposed cliffs on the north side of Dingle peninsula. I had a wonderful rest this morning with the crashing waves and beautiful heat of the sun to wake me. I zipped open my tent and saw the most beautiful white sand and morning light glimmering within the blue crest of crashing waves. In this lighting of the sea you can also see the silhouettes of seals swimming close to shore. I had a wonderful slow sunny morning, and did some cleaning and organizing. The men who I met yesterday when there was no one else there, (one who grew up on this island and one from France living in Sweden, both in their 30s) came down to say good morning and give me a kiwi, tomato puree and a book of Letters from Great Blasket Island as a gift. We sat in the warm sand and I told them how I use the tides and current and weather to help me get to where I’m going. The man from here remarked about the name of my boat and said it seemed very fitting for me. They left and I carried on getting ready to walk around the island, which is maybe an 8 mile day. Good for my leg to move and wanting to see the island in its clear skies, it was peaceful and quiet to wander down its long skinny shape to the very end where you’re looking out at the other islands. I ate my sandwich looking out to sea. I walked back after several hours being out and stopped to fill water at the tap that brings water from the well as the two men were just finishing their walk coming from the direction I started in. Simon who grew up here told me that one of the 4 island residents was coming back from the mainland and to come over to his house for tea later. I made myself dinner in my cozy spot on the beach and went up to meet them. He lives in a tiny house that was refurbished from the ruins and we had tea and then Baileys and he told us many stories of his life and living here for most of it. He was very interested in my trip and by the end was asking if I was to stay another day to hear more about the trip. He even wanted to take a picture with me to send to his daughter. It was a really calming and wholesome evening. I walked my two news friends back to their spot, as mine was a 10 minute walk down to the beach, and we all agreed what a nice time it was to spend time together with people who are really living. Which was funny he said that because that’s what I’ve been thinking, I had that very thought on my hike. Now I am listening to the seals make their sounds. It almost sounds like crying or lamenting…or Jurassic Park. What an island.



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