Shiva Moon

A Saltburn adventure

I’m working down south in The North this week & after a long day I took some time-out down in Saltburn-by-the Sea recharging my battery. Last time I visited I loved the dusk gloaming at the pier and... I dunno how best to describe it...but...the slightly time-travel feel I get when I'm here, almost as if I've walked through the back of a wardrobe into this cool vibing surf-dude oasis of simple pleasures and connection with earth & sea & love...and...sorry I've crossed the line there...less waffle more substance.

The sunset was doused by a horizon wodge of grey cloudiness but I hung around for the light to dim and for the pier silhouette to reflect in the glistening wet sand left as a parting gift by the receding tide.

As the sun set most people left the pier but two folk walked the other way & stood admiring the view at the end of Yorkshire's last remaining pleasure pier. I spent an indulgent 30 minutes on either side & underneath the pier, soothed by the lullaby of the waves and determined to capture a sense of the place in an image.

As the light dimmed and my shoes squelched their disapproval I found myself looking west at the rising crescent moon with Venus orbiting to its side. (Note to astronomers: I know, I know I’m taking liberties but would it help if I showed you the circumzenithal arc I'd seen earlier in the evening outside Nudez the noodle shop?)

As I lined up the wee skelfie moon with the pier I noticed the couple walking back along the pier and one of them waved to me...perfect...as that gave me permission to ask for their help.

They stood still at the railing just in front of me and we got the sliver of moon just behind their heads, and we then agreed to meet on the esplanade to share what I'd taken.

Marie explained that just before I had shouted up at them she had been describing to Ethan that this moon phase was a "Shiva Moon" after the Hindu god who wore the crescent moon on his head.

Whooah, spooky. I had positioned the moon above Ethan's head simply because putting it right between their heads meant my feet would get REALLY wet in the waves, rather than just thoroughly wet. Divine intervention.

As I got back into Middlesborough the moon and Venus had popped out from some cloud over the Transporter Bridge and Teesside docklands.

My internet is very flakey and editing this for best appearance is proving a challenge so I will post this as is, and come back later to polish it properly.

Maybe see you out there
TD