Robert: Glad you enjoyed the post. You know I just couldn’t resist taking part. Ferry travel being ‘necessary’? Most definitely – so much in the experience to be savoured and enjoyed

Cath: getting lost adds something to our concept of the road movie doesn’t it? I have a hopeless sense of direction too. Maybe that’s why I like ferries: they can only go from a to b

Scott: my childhood memories are of the ferry to Skye – slow and often a long wait, but always more magical than crossing by the efficient speedy bridge. (The Caledonian Isles – Brodick/Ardrossan – is my favourite Calmac boat. Haven’t been on them all – yet – but it’s my favourite so far)

Yvonne: thank you. I think it will help to keep me both grounded and inspired

Shari: now a river boat, that sounds most delicious – especially one on the Mississipi. I wonder what kind of sights, sounds, smells, tastes you’d find on a boat like that? And what stories it might ask you to tell…

Sara: thank you and I did. Disconnection from one thing helps us to connect to another maybe?

Damien: glad you liked that line. I enjoyed my time watching boats – I think perhaps it’s Brad’s point about the hypnotic effect that I find so therapeutic

Brad: yes, and you’ve reminded me of Amy’s post and the poem ‘tell me the truth about love’. We can’t put our finger on the nature of some experiences because we can’t find precise words for love – just take photos, tell stories, write poems, find scraps of poems that try and share what it is that has moved us, or changed things

Ulla: what a poetic comment! You’re right – it’s that sense of worlds opening up, new possibilities, an adventure as yet unknown…

Jackie: I’ve not been to Shetland and Orkney yet – keep getting distracted by the islands on the west coast. Good point about getting used to the constraints of the ferries: it can seem frustrating at times but you get used to weather, timetables and needing to wait for things… I think it’s a good discipline, and a healthy antidote to 24/7 consumerism that affects most parts of our lives

I’m only going to be 2 hours from Edinburgh so you’ll still be closer to me than most of my readers!

Jeanne: that is a long commute indeed. I’m glad the repetition didn’t kill the charm for you. Staten Island Ferry sounds exciting and romantic to me (too much film going I guess) – I’m sure it’s a rich source for writers too

Joanna

When I was a young office worker commuting to Mid-town Manhatten each weekday, a ride on the Staten Island Ferry became a normal part of my daily routine. (My commute, in fact, added three hours to my normal eight-hour workday–between the bus ride to/from the ferry, the trip across the harbor, and the journey across town on the subway–a long trip to undertake twice every day!)

Yet, for all the routine regularity of it all, the ferry always held a special charm. No matter how used to it I became, I could still enjoy its magic whenever I rode the ferry for sheer pleasure. I can definitely relate to the emotions the ferry has stirred in you!

Thanks for inspiring those nostalgic reminiscences!

Jeanne

Very well put.

Just reading your description reminds me of my own travels and adventures using public transportation, and my own set of excursion tools: paper, pen, and camera. Even more, I love ferries and river boats. Reading this took me back to truly excellent summer nights on the Mississippi River cruises. As always, thanks for sharing.

Shari