Creative Journal

Yesterday we walked around the Cap de Nice. There was a strong wind and the sea was rough and wild. I love the sensation of wind against my face, battling against it excites and exhilarates me. I also love the elemental sound of the waves crashing against the rocks. We sat on our favourite seat and looked out across the sea to the town and the mountains beyond. It was the middle of the week and early in the season so it was wonderfully quiet just the odd person out for a stroll or walking a dog.

The stone track around the cap is quite narrow in parts and at times the water crashes and sprays across the path. You have to be careful judging when you cross certain places. As we sat there three people walking from the other direction were taken unawares by a deluge of water; they were drenched. All they had done was mistime their crossing of one particular part of the path. Yet if they’d looked out for the signs they’d have noticed the stone was wet on this partcular stretch and they must have noticed the strength of the waves. There is no obvious pattern to when a bigger wave will come, there can be a quiet spell where all looks innocent, but there is a pattern of sorts. All you have got to work on are the clues of wet stone and the strength of the waves and other people’s behaviour. Locals are very laissez faire and casual because they know the path so well.

I have often watched local swimmers as they swim in the roughest of seas. They perfectly judge when to get out, timing the waves and coming in when there is a lull. I, an amateur, was once thrown up against the beach and was about to be pulled back against the pebbles when one of them, waiting to get in, bent down and helped me out. Such chivalry is common. They have marvellous manners and beach etiquette.

I make it my object to watch people when I want to learn a skill. I pick someone I can see is an expert and I copy them. Thus I have learnt how to enter the sea over the rocks in the easiest way. I have learnt to always shower after a swim, to dress easily on the beach, what to take, even what to eat. One woman creates a huge salad as she sits there from fruit and vegetables from our local shop. I’ve seen her in the shop selecting her produce and I took note of what she bought.

Soon I will sit on the beach and make my own salad and maybe one day I will be able to get out of a rough sea easily. So too with my writing. To improve my skills I read other writers and I write. Perfect timing is not magic it’s an art.