Last night in Mallorca. As ever, at dusk, the narrow streets housed with sprawls of white stucco villas, recede into the long, stretching shadows. The blackbird sings his last song of the day, the cooing woodpigeons fall silent to listen. Palm trees, top heavy with moptops of shaggy leaves, hang their heads as if already asleep. I walk down to the beach. Feet sink deep into the cold sand. I look at the Mediterranean Sea. The waters seem to smile with the last embers of sunlight. Sister, it's been so good to swim in you again, I whisper. Then come back in, Chico, she whispers back. I stand on the sand and think for a minute. What a waste of a minute. What's there to think about? 
When the Mediterranean Sea calls your name, you're mad not to jump. I wade in, water rising up my legs - it's cold - nothing left to do... deep breath... I dive forwards and dive under. It is cold, but the moment I open my eyes underwater and see the shades of turquoise melt with the setting sun around me I know that I have been touched by a moment that will keep me warm forever.
Bedtime. I am carrying my little neice back to the family apartment that we have rented for this whole week. She's nearly six now, and is starting to get too heavy to carry. Better make the most of this walk, then, as these moments are not going to last much longer. She stirs a little and wakes up. Her little arms unwrap themselves from around my neck. She smiles. We stop and look up into the sky. How vast and black this night sky is. Nothing stirs. Not a breath of wind among any of the pine trees. Nothing. Nada. Only the light falling to earth from a single star. In the distance the feint sound of a wave comes ashore. As she waves and blows a kiss to the star she wishes it a good night and sweet dreams, I hope if ever she feels a moment of loneliness in later life she will always remember this; knowing that when you are this close to nature something is always with you. When you can hear the ocean and can see the light of the stars you are never alone.
When the Mediterranean Sea calls your name, you're mad not to jump. I wade in, water rising up my legs - it's cold - nothing left to do... deep breath... I dive forwards and dive under. It is cold, but the moment I open my eyes underwater and see the shades of turquoise melt with the setting sun around me I know that I have been touched by a moment that will keep me warm forever.Bedtime. I am carrying my little neice back to the family apartment that we have rented for this whole week. She's nearly six now, and is starting to get too heavy to carry. Better make the most of this walk, then, as these moments are not going to last much longer. She stirs a little and wakes up. Her little arms unwrap themselves from around my neck. She smiles. We stop and look up into the sky. How vast and black this night sky is. Nothing stirs. Not a breath of wind among any of the pine trees. Nothing. Nada. Only the light falling to earth from a single star. In the distance the feint sound of a wave comes ashore. As she waves and blows a kiss to the star she wishes it a good night and sweet dreams, I hope if ever she feels a moment of loneliness in later life she will always remember this; knowing that when you are this close to nature something is always with you. When you can hear the ocean and can see the light of the stars you are never alone.
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