Book of Birds takes to the water with Falcon Boats
When I was working on The Book of Birds Ffion of Falcon Boats would often take me out on the water. She taught me so much about the colonies of seabirds who come to the cliffs here for a brief time to make a home, raise their children, before heading back out to sea. On one special day we went out to Skomer to see puffins. But it is the frequent trips around Ramsey Island, the magical island I can see from my studio, that I loved most. It’s a curious place full of myth and magic, and the wilder world.
The island is home to many birds, though in the 33 years I have lived here the decline of populations is quite marked.
I am out and about, in London, Scotland, doing events and speaking about birds, but Ffion and I wondered if we might create a very special event in Pembs.
This is what we have come up with.
A boat trip around Ramsey. The trip will begin at St Justinians where all passengers will board the boat and then head out across the water. We hope to make it a trip of a lifetime, reading chapters from the book beneath the colonies of birds, their voices joining ours. To book your place go to Falcon Boats website. There you will see details for clothing etc. There are steps down to the sea, but take it easy and all should be well. There will only be 11 places available, on the 11th July. Tickets are priced at £130. ( Now fully booked, but contact Falcon Boats incase of drop outs or to be kept informed of other, similar trips)
The thing that has held us back from doing this in the past is that the boats and boat trips are so weather dependent. Take today for instance. Bright sunshine here but the wind making the seas impossible so all trips cancelled. So we have come up with a cunning plan, an alternative for if the weather will not bless us. Currently a secret. We are hoping for fair weather and calm seas. We can read the sea birds, speak of the wonders, watch, look, listen.
Other events are happening including a lobby of parliament with the RSPB in London on 24th June, an event with Dulwich Bookshop on 16th June and The Conversation with Peter Florence 7th July ( the last of these is also available online for those who don’t wish to be in London, but I hear they are great events and a real chance to talk with audience rather than always being separated by a stage.
Meanwhile I was sent this. I have done well so far avoiding reading reviews ( even the nasty one star Amazon ones), but this one below is for the audio book, which is a curious and wild spell. I love it. Three hours and thirty eight minutes where the voices of birds thread through human speech until they all become a mesmeric whole. Chris Watson is a genius as is Tom MacWhirter who mixed the sounds with skill and an ear for wild music.
So, join us on 11th July? If the weather doesn’t play ball hopefully we have something that will be almost as good. Book early to avoid disappointment and if booking form away get accommodation sorted also as it will be heading towards busy time. Druidstone Hotel have my work hanging on their walls, but are about half an hour away.
Any questions please direct to Falcon Boats as I have won’t know the answers.
i have the golden edition with the the gold ribbon marker. What a gift to us all,it is beautiful. thank-you