10.06.10 - A big sky

Holiday musings ....2

I grew up in Africa.
I lived under a big savage sky, all encompassing and intense. It ranged from the deepest blue on an incredibly hot summer's day to an angry black rain-burgeoned miasma. In spring it had an ethereal lightness and brightness with a hint of the promised rains and at night the stars jostled for space. Autumn skies were clear with drifts of smoky haze on the horizon.
It was a big sky.

I live in England.
I live under a gentle sky, soft blues, often sullen, often wet. At night it glows an unearthly pink with anaemic stars struggling to be seen.
Here the sky competes for space.
I feel hemmed in.

Then we went up to Scotland.

The sky dominates. 

It soars. 

It is big. 

It is wonderful.

A lone shriek cuts through the rich blue sky as we look up.
'There! Look over there' Himself says out, his voice excited.
We all snap our heads up, hands shielding our eyes from the brilliant sun. Up high, circling on a thermal, wings out in lazy repose is a red kite.
The cry comes out again, slicing into our delight, my blood chilling at the raptor's call. We watch as the bird effortlessly floats above us. We are quiet in our admiration. Then almost too late I remember I have my camera on, ready to shoot, but pointing aimlessly down - so great was my awe, I nearly didn't get my picture.

During the day, the sky is big and generous but at dusk it becomes voluptuous.... 

It becomes reflective......

It becomes contemplative.......

The sky is very important to me, to my well being,

and these beautiful skies helped me to reconnect 

with me.