I got up early today to the sight of dark grey skies. The relative gloom made me feel a bit flat because in Mallorca we wake up every day expecting to see bright and motivating weather.
Despite the temporary dullness I was dying to get out test my new kayak - so I was on the water very quickly.
I set off from the beach at 8am and paddled far out into the bay.
Around half way out I saw a couple of German guys pottering on the deck of an old boat - by the look of them they'd just woken and were preparing for a journey - we shared a little joke about the weather and I paddled on.
Once I was out in the bay I was completely on my own and the silence was quite unnerving. But the silence also made me feel both exhilarated and content.
After a little while a cormorant swam close by and entertained me for five minutes by diving for fish. I wanted to see it catch some breakfast but it didn't. I actually felt quite sad for it when it swam away unfed and hungry - eventually disappearing in the colossal and green backdrop of the bay.
Paddling homeward I realised I too was getting hungry. As the rain started to gently fall I felt pleased that I'd got up and done something completely on my own. I'm almost never really on my own.
These days I seem to be surrounded brilliant ideas and inspirational people - and I love that. But the solitude of this morning was really good for me. It was a strangely energising experience.
I'm really pleased that the sky was grey and I could spend time on my own in the Bay of Pollensa.
If you don't normally get time to yourself then I definitely recommend that you do it. Spend some time on your own in nature for 90 minutes. It'll do you a lot of good!
Cheers
Andy Preston