Sometimes, to make the time and space they have more memorable for my children, I think back to when I was a child and what I remember about growing up. The moments that still stick with me.
As a child I remember travelling extensively around Northern Ireland. I am familiar with almost every road along the stretch from Ballycastle to Castlerock. There are very few places we didn't get to. Except for the North West, around stroke city. For some reason we never went there.
We walked, fished, explored. And it created memories, stored for nostalgia.
I want my kids to remember times they travelled somewhere. To have a sense of the air, remember the warmth of the sun on their skin. Something stored in their hearts. My kids are a little more fortunate. They get around a lot. Verona, Barcelona, London (regularly) I want them to have a fondness for those travel memories.
What I hadn't counted on was these becoming special to me. Obviously as the photographer in the family, there is a responsibility to take photos. Its also a tricky balance seeing a moment and being a part of it.
My wall of photos in the house is testament to some of those moments.
However these special times occur sometimes at what seems like the most insignificant moments.
This year we travelled back to Galway for our holidays. Then headed for Wicklow were we found this most amazing little guest house. It was literally in the middle of nowhere. It was a beautiful week in July, warm and up until this point dry. The place wasn't near anywhere, you had to drive. So we asked the guest house owner what there was to do and he told us it was about a 10 min walk to a small shop and beside it was the pub.
One of those country miles. So we went.
You cant plan what sticks with you. I can guarantee that for half our family there was nothing special about this walk. But it was a little daddy daughter time, spent on a warm summer evening, having a gentle stroll to the shop (which was closed) and then to the bar. Two of us stayed and two left back down the road. We had a little drink with the locals and then dandered back while the sun set.
We ambled and chatted.
Maybe I am overly nostalgic. Maybe it was the warm air and beautiful scenery. Something stuck and lingered. I managed to get a few photos. Of course my daughter loves posing. The photos and the evening have resulted in something that will always remain for me.
Staying in will not make memories. Most of my memories , the special ones, come from walks or just heading out somewhere.
Its an ordinary thing resulting in something extraordinary. Not every time.
However in an island as beautiful as this I’ll take my chances and make it less ordinary.
