I am amazed to write that I am three quarters through the book already. It’s quite a light read interspersed with illustrations in the form of paintings and drawings and the odd photograph. The author recounts a simple life, yet with the battle for survival against the land and elements. He speaks of the importance of community and of what it is to be part of the landscape. There are also some useful clues for the trip – the rocky terrain means hammering in tent pegs is impossible and guy ropes need to be weighted by rocks. The wind and sea can swell up and produce cold wet weather at a moments notice, trips to the mainland in a rowing boat are therefore not for the faint hearted.
I now find myself packing a suitcase, carefully considering what I should take to Inishlacken and what I should leave behind. I have no idea what I might make whilst I am there; it’s possible I might not make anything at all. This makes the decision of what to take with me quite tricky. Shall I take drawing materials? Or will it be a camera? The 15kg weight allowance prevents too much luggage; in the end the decision is one I cannot make since my possessions are judged by their weight not personal or artistic value.
Pretty much everything is ready now and I am counting down the hours to the flight. It occurs to me that the limited electricity supply on the island may make charging electrical items difficult and so at the last minute I leave my video camera behind. Besides, I want to experience the island in a real way, tangible and raw.
