“I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the structure of the landscape – the loneliness of it, the dead feel of winter."
This time of year we gather the quiet.
The frenzy of life of summer life at 44˚N has subsided and the coast settles into winter.
As Andrew Wyeth said, “I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the structure of the landscape – the loneliness of it, the dead feel of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn’t show.”
As usual, he was spot on. In winter we can better see the skeleton – or skeletons – of the land and the communities. And the quiet of it all….often the most welcome seasonal gift.
And that’s what I remember so well about this midday. It was so absolutely silent. Only a rhythmic hiss of the water licking the fresh snow on the island beach. Otherwise, a perfect silence.
I experience a great sense of privilege when out on the boat or walking around on islands in the winter. I feel as though the whole coast is mine. No other boats...nothing.
The absolute finest kind of time for creative trespass. And secrets.