After visiting Perran Round near Newquay I made my way further along the northern coast of Cornwall. I was running from the rain clouds which were closing in behind me. However, I was beaten, and when I arrived at Tintagel the rain had set in for the day. One of the reasons I had chosen Tintagel – apart from its stunning views – was that I knew I could shelter in the caves below the castle, providing that the sea would let me. I togged up and traipsed down the hill – not another visitor in view.
The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Druid
Tintagel is a lonely place to visit on a cold winter’s afternoon in the rain. As a Hedge Druid working alone is a frequent occurrence, and sometimes I am asked whether I really like it like that. Honestly? Well, yes actually. I am truly free in such situations, and work to my own timescales. Very rarely do I feel atone with all those elements and spirits swirling around me all the time and in every place I visit. I do appreciate being out with Kal or occasionally Psychic Mike, but really my heart is in league with land, sea and sky – these are the three faces of my mistress.
It’s in such circumstances, when the weather begins to impose itself, tugging at your clothing and ruffling your hair that one appreciates the impressive isolation that the cut-off headland exudes. How impassable and impregnable it seems when the sea is crashing around its base, spraying it in spume!
I made my way down to the shoreline. The sea was only just beyond the line of the caves, and so I knew that I had limited time before the caves would become cut off by the tide. I spent a good fifteen minutes, however, savouring the atmosphere of the wind, the waves and the light drizzle on my face. It felt quite dangerous to wait this long, as though I was dicing with Nature. Not exactly taunting Her, but allowing ourselves to come into a dangerous liaison. As the waves swelled and unfurled just out of reach of the cave mouth I turned my attention to making a meaningful contact.
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