I remember, as a kid, cycling with a friend to one of the Palmerston forts overlooking Portsmouth. As a skinny 12-year old, squeezing under the enormous gate was no problem. There was a rumour (which persists to this day) of a tunnel leading from each of the forts out to an island in Langstone Harbour. After scouting around the deserted grounds and buildings, we found a tunnel. It was extremely dark, so I was feeling my way along with my feet, following the wall with my right hand. After only a short distance the daylight had gone – I have never experienced such absolute blackness, before or since. Nevertheless, there was a palpable sense of thrill and excitement, because we could feel the floor starting to fall away, down, in the direction of the harbour. Then, suddenly, I could no longer feel the wall with my hand. Another tunnel, an alcove perhaps, who knows. I reached out, as far as I dare without moving my feet, but could feel nothing. There was now real uncertainty mixed with that feeling of great exhilaration.
That’s my analogy for today.
