Fulmars
It has been a joy this week to be able to spend some quality time in Blue Space, coaching, for my own coaching and supervision, and for a mini-retreat. So much of the work of coaching continues after the diaried space - and these reflections are part of the ongoing and emergent reflections from work (and rest) this week.
I have long been fascinated by fulmars, and love to see them, and it’s great to see that they are breeding more on the north Cornish coast. Often mistaken for a gull, they are more closely related to the albatross and storm petrel, and have a distinctive tube nostrils on their beak, allowing them to smell keenly and find their food, and also to get rid of salt from their bodies as they drink mostly sea water. Ungainly on land, they spend most of the time on the wing, returning each year to mate in the same nesting places, and have a companion for life. Loyal and protective, they also vomit a foul smelling waxy substance when threatened. Beware!
Unusually for me, the images of fulmars are royalty free stock photos - on retreat we were encouraged to keep phones tucked away, and to really dive deeply into the beautiful space around us. As always, AI free.
‘Nesting’ pair of fulmars
Fulmar
I watch them.
Like two loyal old friends reunited
deep affection standing the test of time.
They lean in, soft heads touching
cackling at one another’s crazy ‘in jokes’
or at their own - who knows -
great belly laughs, with open beaks.
Heads bobbing, knowingly,
they greet one another and embody tribe.
Nest-less, they nestle on the edge
embracing risk and discomfort,
in this rocky intertidal space,
for a single, white egg.
A pearl of reward
for this season of purposeful rest.
Fulmar in flight
And then, for a moment, albatross-like,
from this firm ground they take flight,
swooping broad-winged over ocean home.
Taking their space confidently,
they soar seemingly without effort
shallow wingbeats - just enough - conserving energy,
resting in flight.
Freedom… at one with the wind.
Gliding on thermals, going with the flow,
catching the direction of breeze and seas
uplifted, and buoyant on air,
they drift over water,
mystery in motion,
white bellies flashing like sea foam against the blue.
Beauty, elegance and grace
betray the warrior-like tenacity of their existence.
In the next season, and for a time,
not seeking rest and refuge,
but living differently on the edge,
a long-haul adventure awaits
with horizon-direction and life beyond it.
A winter dispersal, alone and enduring the elements,
courage is found to withstand tidal storm,
following the call of the wild from within,
until once more, the call to return
to known space,
- and tribe.
Nomad of the ocean
may your pelagic presence inspire us.
Invite us. Influence us
to spread wings broadly and dance with the wind
and- though inner strength and tribal belonging - embrace more fully
a life and love of dynamic equilibrium,
joyfully being and becoming
adventurers in liminal space.
A Friday mini-retreat at Lanow gave me opportunity to quieten mind and reflect on my coaching and get really curious about what I had been noticing. As I had been watching fulmars laughing with their companions as we leaned into our breath on the cliff top, I was amused and delighted to see that we were being watched by a fulmar perched on a rock above us as we swam, wondering what he (or she) made of us!
Full-mer*
Retreat at West Pentire led by Lizzi Larbalestier a stunning space in and around Lanow Coffee Sauna. You can find out more and book here.
As we swim a fulmar watches us -
a perfect synchronicity yet opposite.
United by water-love
a nomadic confluence of strangers becoming friends
as hot and cold trials strengthen minds, bodies and souls,
connected by laughter and chatter,
reflection, and ocean breath.
Wisdom shared. Insight emerges
through embodied exploration and micro-adventure,
anchored by scent, sight and sound in this spectacular space.
Busy minds stilled, cortisol calmed.
Hearts expanded, new tribe embraced -
Lizzi Blue and Lanow easing us into the weekend
refreshed by Blue Health and Mind.
With gratitude x
*A little play on words…of course, mer is French for sea - for we were all sea-full at the end of our retreat.
