Replenish + Unision
Replenish
- Fill ( something up again)
- Restore ( something to a former level or condition )
- To nourish, to fill with inspiration or power
Unison
- Synchronised or simultaneous
- An instance of agreement or concord
Stranded in Scalloway for the weekend due to bad weather, our expedition around the Shetland Isles in the Swan was slow to start though we made the most of our time on land visiting Eshaness and seeing Scalloway and its museum.
The Swan is a beautiful boat and a unique part of Shetland history so I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to be on the boat never mind set sail around the Shetland Isles when the ‘lumpy’ weather clears. Space is tight but there is plenty of room for conversation, laughter and sharing of experience.
My temporary home, the Swan was built in 1900 and was at the time described as the most modern herring boat in the Shetland fleet. The seven man crew of the Swan slept and ate in the aft cabin. The main cabin (where I sleep) was the hold where the herring catch was kept and nets were stored. Now we take the place of the many herring hauled on board each night.
The poets John Cumming, Laureen Johnson and James Sinclair came on board to share some poetry with us one evening. John shared a lovely poem about the naming of a boat which was particularly apt as I had been in the museum earlier in the day and was taken by the painted boat names on display.
Namin a boat by John Cumming
Tak time: name dy boat weel,
fur du’s
naming a wye o life.
Du’s
naming an attitude;
da spring
in a crewman’s step
da glint
in a skyipper’s ee.
Caa her Gleaner, Pacific,
moadest names yun,
wi nae brag or bluster.
Caa her Golden Harvest,
an wiss her seasons o plenty.
Enterprise, venture
noo dere’s names wi some pooster, bit
Immaculate?
Naah dat soonds ta me
a coarn ower perjink.
Tak du dy time.
Name dy boat weel
fur du’s naming
da dreams o a hale isle.
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