I can see RSPB Ramsey Island from the window of my studio. Sometimes, when I am working, the call of the island becomes too much. And sometimes this is because Ffion Rees has phoned me to say, “beautiful calm day, Jackie Morris. Dolphin sightings. Rissos Dolphins yesterday and there’s a space on the boat if you want it”, luring me out, onto the water, around the island where seals breed in late summer and autumn and the time is marked by the coming and going of breeding birds on the astonishing sea cliffs.
Image: RSPB Ramsey Island.
Over the years I have learnt so much about these waters from Ffion. About the birds that own the skies above, the seals that come every year to pup and haul out onto the bachelor pads, the falcons, ravens who own the skies, and the history of where people have touched both land and sea. Each boat trip is different.
I suppose if you spend 20 years or more in one place, working the water, you come to know it in all its moods and graces, and that is exactly how Ffion Rees knows this place and why her book, ‘Ramsey Island and Beyond, a Life on the Water’ is such a rich treat.
More than a guide book, this is a story of a relationship with both land and sea.
With stunning photographs that shows the sea in all her moods, from blue-calm to roiling storm, it delights the eyes of anyone who loves Pembrokeshire, and with a wealth of knowledge gleaned from working the waters there is so much to learn - be that about the wildlife on the reserve, as well as the people who lived there and the people who have worked the waters before her.
Ffion’s work on boats has taken her all around the world and onto off-shore wind-farms, but it's always the pull of The Sound and the island that has brought her home.
Image: Manx shearwater, Ffion Rees.
Historic photos reveal some of the difficulties of farming off-shore. Fascinating maps also give a wonderful idea of what lies beneath the surface of the sea, and there’s also a guide to show you what you can expect. As the season turns, images of dolphins and porpoises, jellyfish and seals show the wealth of wildlife in our close waters, and the photos of Grassholm reveal a bright white city of birds. Always birds. Land, sea and sky filled with the patterns of their flight from puffins in their comical colours to the elegant grace of shearwaters ploughing the air just above the waves.
This is a wonderful treasure of a book that will make you want to leave the land and take to the waters to taste that summer scent of heather and sea salt and sit and watch the shearwaters rafting in twilight.
Jackie Morris is an author and illustrator. Her books include The Quiet Music of Gently Falling Snow and the White Fox, Written and illustrated by Jackie and The Lost Words written by Robert Macfarlane with illustrations by Jackie Morris.
Ramsey Island and Beyond is published by Graffeg (HB, £9.99) and launching at Oriel y Parc in St David’s on Thursday 7 December, 6-8pm. Free event includes an illustrated talk and light refreshments. [http://www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/default.asp?PID=480&EO=3275#evinfo]