Mermaid in steel door in Wick, Scotland.

Paddling around this enchanting landscape of the Scottish coastline, illusions of magical creatures under the waves start floating around in my head. It is almost tangible that there must be mermaids around. Mermaids, sirens and selkies are all part of the seafaring folklore. They have been depicted at maps of the world from the middle…

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Kayaking in Meinderswijk, Arnhem. With High water in the floodplain

This week, in the Rhine close to home, water did rise to 12.40m NAP (approx. sea level). To give you a reference to my floor in the living room is at 10.60m NAP. Don’t worry, we are still dry behind the dykes This water level, which is a once in every five-year event, only flows…

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The Old Man of Hoy rises one hundred and thirty-seven meters above the sea. It is a temporary monument in an almost timeless landscape. It is the tallest sea stack in Britain and in my opinion one of the most fascinating ones around the Scottish coast. Its warm orange and red layers of Old Red…

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The fact that jellyfish have survived for 650 million years despite not having brains is great news for stupid people. Fascinating, ghostlike creatures hanging suspended in the water. Propelling forwards by expanding and contracting of the umbrella-like hood of their boneless bodies. Mesmerising in colour and translucent ness. Actually, the entire body is water, 97…

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Two seagull chicks on the clifs of Stroma, Orkney

I made it through the wilderness Somehow I made it through Didn’t know how lost I was Until I found…… -Madonna- It’s intriguing how some text sometimes sounds so appropriate with the experience you have. After the very first day at sea, on our own, it felt like the first bit of the lyrics of…

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