Wednesday, January 21, 2009


Elgol

I wrote her a long letter today and remembered....

“You really should go down to the bottom of the hill before you leave”, she said. “I know you’re tired and you have a long drive back to the hotel, but it’s one of the most famous views in the country and you should see it”.

She was right, we were tired. Windblown, a bit damp, and now, following her most resplendent and generous gift of high tea, quite full and quite sleepy. The day was fast departing. Already the sky colours were deepening, moody grey clouds were boiling up across the horizon, and we never liked to travel the narrow road around the sea loch in darkness, always being too afraid we’d accidentally hit one of the sheep who preferred to doze just a wee bit too close to the side. But she seemed adamant - she of the gentle and soft-spoken spirit who never seemed adamant about anything - so we thought we should obey. Pulling out of the drive, we headed down the hill, unprepared for the steepness and sharpness of the curve ahead. Finally reaching the bottom we turned behind us to see a view straight out of literature, at once as forbidding as Mordor and as enchanted as Avalon. We looked around - no one else in sight. We could have been the only two people left on the planet. We could have been spirited backward a thousand years or more, perhaps invisible, mere spirits ourselves, with nothing real and solid on earth but those immortal black mountains rising above that churning black sea. Standing where we stood, with the howl of the sea wind in our ears, any scenario could have easily been imagined possible.

It wasn’t until many months later that I noticed the slight similarities between the photograph taken on that day and the Waterhouse painting shown above. Perhaps she had long ago warned him not to miss the view as well.





37 comments:

  1. it seems that all the worthwhile things in life take that extra bit of effort but the rewards are always the greatest - beautiful shot of you

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  2. Beautiful. Your way with words is so captivating and vivid - I was right there with you.

    The mirror images of the photo and painting is so romantic.

    Thank you for this lovely treat.
    xo Isa

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  3. Very pre-Raphaelite Pamela - love that painting and love your photograph. Also the written words are beautifully put.

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  4. Pamela, your fly-away hair is like the manes of the sea horses as they race towards the shore. You have a very seeing soul that glows and lights up your prose.

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  5. Lovely! Even the seaswept hair is similar! There is something about the sea, isn't there? It's timeless, ageless and primal, continuing to offer up astounding views through the years.

    "Forbidding as Mordor and as enchanted as Avalon..." Ooooh, you give me shivers! Just lovely.

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  6. Beautiful painting...reminds me of my favorite places and of a stanza from a poem by an old prof. - Amittai.

    I am what you cannot find language for:color that is no color, voice that is only the voice you clip to me — it slips and skips away: taste that cannot be drunk
    more than a sip, already too much; feel of a flowing stone, like slate, like flint, — like something that has no likeness, giving back no image to the face of muse or gaze."



    "

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  7. Pamela, I love that photo of you – I can almost feel the wind and taste the salty air. There is a resemblance to the painting, but I like the photo more. Avalon indeed!

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  8. And as you sat there gazing out through the mist did you have a longing in your heart?
    For the auburn haired lass would have been anxious for those left on the ship when the mighty sea crashed it against the rocks... leaving a longing in her heart.
    xo Susan

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  9. That's a great photo and I've always loved Waterhouse...

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  10. I too love the phrase 'as forbidding as Mordor and as enchanted as Avalon'.

    There's an Award waiting for you and Edward back at my blog, Pamela!

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  11. love the paintings, i've got one you'll like, check my blog on friday...

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  12. Pamela

    Great shot of you at the beach and your words just make me escape...thanks!

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  13. That looks like it might be Skye?

    Beautiful writing as always.

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  14. Hello P&E,

    I was just about to ask where your photo was taken and see the acornmoon thinks of Skye. They certainly have the Black Cuillins. Do tell!

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  15. Both pictures are so romantic and evocative.

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  16. Beautiful words to take us with you! I love the reflection of you in the painting!

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  17. Always love to read your words...Thank you:)This was absolutely beautiful!

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  18. It's the little things in a day that accent the beauty. Good thing you had a nudge in that direction. Beautiful view.

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  19. To walk out and see that every day would be thrilling! Great post.
    Catherine

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  20. I've had a lovely visit around your blog - beautiful images and words.
    I had to laugh when I saw the photo from the film "Harvey". The stage production was my first experience of live theatre, and while I never really liked the play - then or later - the enchantment of the evening has stayed with me.

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  21. Those are such great images...and you've put awesome words and emotions on them.

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  22. Fabulous writing as always.
    Love the photographs you share.
    Gorgeous

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  23. I notice that your standards are as high as usual. Some wonderful posts since my last visit. Studies don't allow me to visit as regularly as I would like, but your blog makes a great idea for distraction activities...

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  24. Oh, how wonderful - your words capture so well how inspiring the view was for you - I love the windswept photo and the painting:)

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  25. Pamela,

    You and your words remind me of long ago times. I can so easily see you living in the times of Emily, Jane and Charlotte Bronte.

    And, thank you for your kind comments that you left for me.

    Melissa

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  26. That sounds like an incredible moment and looks like an incredible view- thank you for sharing both your memory and your photo (and yes, what a striking similarity to the painting!)

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  27. Very beautiful celtic landscape. I think the journey is what climbers think of, but the view when hard won is always worth it.

    I have now just thought of a couple of things I could've added to the "5 things you've wanted to do" -Lindesfarne and Iona.

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  28. Waterhouse paintings are so awesome - and the photo of you on that auspicious visit to the sea is wonderful.

    Funny you loved your monkey - I actually had Chimpy, a brown stuffed monkey who was my best friend. One day I dropped him out my grandmother's window but he landed safely in the flowerpots of couple of floors below!

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  29. What lovely writing. I'm interested to know the name of the painting, it is full of life, isnt it?

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  30. Lovely story, lovely painting, lovely photo. Thanks for taking me on that little trip, Pamela.

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  31. hi pamela, you should see wyeth's painting, "on the edge" (i just put it up on my blog friday) reminds me of these images you've put up! Yes I saw bringing up baby the other night on tv, love the classics!
    Have a great weekend!

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  32. Oh gosh, that is absolutely dreamy and the photo is amazing. Wow. Where do you live again? that is soo amazing. It makes me feel like I'm in love or something. Love it. love the painting too. Always liked that one.

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  33. All I can say is wow - what a beautiful photograph and you were a part of the art.

    It is always nice to view and appreciate the art that surrounds us but it is even nice to be a part of the art and recognize what a gift it is to be a part of such a scene.

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  34. Ah, I've missed so many gorgeous posts in my bloggy-remissedness. (I want yours all bound up in a beautiful, hand-assembled book...)

    The photo is breathtaking - and yes, reminiscent of that fabulous Waterhouse painting. Both magical.

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  35. Oh my, the photo of you is lovely. So lovely.

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  36. beautiful land ! i run in to your site by accident and found it very close to a deep part of me. tell me please where is The House of Edward located ?
    thank you
    tangotherapy@gmail.com

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!