The bubble

The bubbles of life and hiding in the sea.

I feel like I am in a bit of a bubble at the moment. Geographically this is very true as I am out on the Island of Tiree on the west coast of Scotland for our two week Summer holiday. I can always see the sea from wherever I am which I love. The Tiree Music Festival was on over the weekend which is a bubble of music, fun, laughter, Tyree gin, bike rides and the usual shenanigans where people fall off bikes or end up stuck in cattle grids! The rest of the world ceases to exist for us all at TMF for those few days. All we think about is what time our next favourite band is playing. We saw The Laurettes play every day, Dougie Mclean was brilliant in the Big Tent with no big band supporting him. Just one man on his guitar singing away. He is such a pro. Everyone loves his song - Caledonia. Pete and Diesel were so much fun. Maria Mcaveety has the most amazing voice and of course Skerryvore closed the festival off with a bang. These are just a few of my favourites. It is such a special festival as it is right beside the sea and a real effort for everyone to commit to getting here as we are so far away!

I have been in the sea every day that I can which has been magical as it is so warm that we don’t need a wetsuit. The tingly feeling of walking into the sea then diving under takes my breath away and fills my heart every time. It is always so special to swim with the dogs. I feel so lucky to be able to do this and for them to want to swim with me is a joy as I feel part of the pack. When my head is under the water it really is the muffled life bubble as I am hidden away from the ‘real’ world. Hiding under the sea. Beneath the waves. It is a whole different reality.

This was early one morning before anyone in the house was awake. There was not a sign of anyone on the beach. We kept going back in and playing. Pure joy.

The worries that I hold when I am home on the mainland are not lurking. I can just ‘be’ and that is a good feeling that I am lucky to be able to do.

My mum has been really worried the past few weeks as she finally got given a date to get her knee fixed. She is 80 this year and has had sore knees for years but it has got to the point now that she is fed up not being able to do the things that she wants so she got herself on the waiting list. The operation is today. The original plan was for me to drive up to Inverness with mum and dad to be with her and help then drive her home again. This was all good and I was changing my plans to be able to do this. However, the hospital called as they had somehow messed up the dates and they put it back a few weeks to today. Unfortunately, there was no way for me to get off the island as the ferries are all full and so were the flights. Luckily my sister was able to step in and meet them in Inverness so she would be there for mum if she needs anything and distract dad while the op was happening. She is currently with dad in a book shop looking at maps and old books.

It is also lovely for Fiona and dad to spend time together. I feel blooming lucky that I have such a wonderful sister as she has two young children at home and lives miles away on Orkney so to get the ferry and drive down to Inverness is not something she could do at the drop of a hat. She is brilliant and she is there for mum and dad so I can stay in my own island bubble for another few days.

The love of being in and under the sea is one that both my mum and Fiona have too. There is something about the draw of the ocean that makes us both want/need to get in. It is hard to describe but for me it is almost like a craving. Even if I am only in for a few minutes I still feel re set. Awake. Revitalised. There are so many times that I have been beside the sea. Just the dogs and myself. I look at them and we just go in together.

Pure joy.

Pure happiness.

Pure freedom.

Maybe I just have more water flowing through my veins that I should which is why I am drawn to the sea or maybe it is because of the big tides just now. Who knows. I am not going to over think it and will enjoy the sea as it is. Especially as it is one of the few things that I get really excited about and look forward to.

Freedom in the sea.

Thank you for reading to the end x

https://www.tyreegin.com

https://tireemusicfestival.co.uk