Just what is it that provides people with that moment of absolute awe and inspiration?
I believe that Inspiration can be found everywhere, it just depends on how you see things and by the way you listen, whether it be to music or the sounds around you. Inspiration is a powerful thing that can evoke many different emotions: it can feel euphoric, or move you to tears.
Whether it be formed from the beauty of nature, art, music, dance, people, there are so many things that can inspire us.
For me inspiration can be found everywhere though Nature is my biggest inspirer, and has provided many inspiration moments of awe and fascination. From watching the sun set from the top of a mountain, walking across islands whilst Golden eagles soar above me, opening my tent to the view of mountainous landscapes and the glorious meteor displays and overwhelming features of the night sky, I have been privileged to witness many of the awe-inspiring aspects of our natural world.
Recently I had a weekend full on intense inspiration provided by nature, but also from the minds of others. I listened to Sir Chris Bonington relive his time of ‘60yrs in the Mountains’ where he spoke of adventures he had experienced in his life.
I also headed to Kendal Mountain Film Festival to witness some amazing adventure films covering a wide range of areas including Alistair Lee’s ‘Autana’, ‘Honnold 3.0.’( featuring Alex Honnold where he attempts a free climb of the ‘Yosemite Triple’ – Mt. Watkin, El Cap & Half Dome – one of which at night!) to name a couple. KMF always have always showcased some of the best adventure films out there and I always leave feeling inspired to follow those dreams of adventure and exploration, and also enlightened to the beauty of the world.
What is it about such films that stir emotions and inspire?
(For my review of Autana click here)
What is it about such films that stir emotions and inspire?
(For my review of Autana click here)
Once the films were viewed it was only right to head to the hills for a walk up Red Screes in the eastern fells of the Lake District, whose peak was coated by the first snow of the winter. The views across to the other snowy peaks were a beautiful contrast to the Autumnal Rich colours in the valley below, and it was great to stand there and take the surrounding landscape in.
As if I wasn't brimming enough with such inspirational experiences, I didn't realise that the best was to come as I left the Lake District and headed to Manchester Airport for an experience of a lifetime.
For as long as I can remember there has been a natural phenomenon that has fascinated me and I have longed to witness it. The Aurora Borealis also known as the Northern Lights, was the aim of this trip to the Airport as I was about to embark on the most amazing experience.
Arriving at a Hotel near the Airport, I was introduced to a few astronomers, one of which was Pete Lawrence from the TV programme ‘The Sky at Night’ who presented us with a talk about Space, the Cosmos, galaxies and how and why the Aurora happens. The presentation was very informative and extremely interesting, albeit a tad mind boggling! After the talk I made my way to the Terminal where I embarked on a plane that then flew north, passing the Shetland Islands and into the airspace in between the UK and Iceland, to see if we could see the northern lights.
As if I wasn't brimming enough with such inspirational experiences, I didn't realise that the best was to come as I left the Lake District and headed to Manchester Airport for an experience of a lifetime.
For as long as I can remember there has been a natural phenomenon that has fascinated me and I have longed to witness it. The Aurora Borealis also known as the Northern Lights, was the aim of this trip to the Airport as I was about to embark on the most amazing experience.
Arriving at a Hotel near the Airport, I was introduced to a few astronomers, one of which was Pete Lawrence from the TV programme ‘The Sky at Night’ who presented us with a talk about Space, the Cosmos, galaxies and how and why the Aurora happens. The presentation was very informative and extremely interesting, albeit a tad mind boggling! After the talk I made my way to the Terminal where I embarked on a plane that then flew north, passing the Shetland Islands and into the airspace in between the UK and Iceland, to see if we could see the northern lights.
Courtesy of Pete Lawrence
To enable our eyes to see better all the lights in the cabin were switched off and you were left sat in the pitch black which was a surreal feeling all by itself! Was our eyes had become accustomed to the dark it was then we looked out of the plane windows to be welcomed by the most outstanding display of the stars, constellations and planets of the night sky. It was simply stunning to see the Milky Way and a magnificent amount of starts with shooting stars flashing by.
Courtesy of Pete Lawrence
As if that wasn’t enough, we were soon advised to look out again and direct our sight to the green clouded arc below – the Aurora!! As I looked out and saw the cloud I was overwhelmed by its beauty and the fact that I was there, witnessing it. Before long I noticed there were patches of green that were beginning to intensify which led to the ‘needling’ and ‘curtaining’ effect.
Here I was, witnessing one of the wonders of the Natural World, a scene that I have wanted to experience for all my life! Words just cannot describe my feelings as I sat there watching the Aurora whilst the plane flew about for another hour or so. I was so overcome with an intense feeling of happiness and wonderment as once again I was inspired by the beauty of nature. Add to this the experiences over the weekend that had led to this, I can honestly say I was blown away, and I hope others are able to experience such things, perhaps in their own way.
However it happens, the Power of Inspiration is astonishing and life would be an empty place without it.
Here I was, witnessing one of the wonders of the Natural World, a scene that I have wanted to experience for all my life! Words just cannot describe my feelings as I sat there watching the Aurora whilst the plane flew about for another hour or so. I was so overcome with an intense feeling of happiness and wonderment as once again I was inspired by the beauty of nature. Add to this the experiences over the weekend that had led to this, I can honestly say I was blown away, and I hope others are able to experience such things, perhaps in their own way.
However it happens, the Power of Inspiration is astonishing and life would be an empty place without it.
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