Evanston: THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH; wretched; rules
Evanston: THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH; wretched; rules
I’ve seen THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH before and thought I’d written about it, but can’t find the post. The film is worth writing about again anyway.
A beautiful visual poem set on the west coast and offshore islands of Ireland, I was surprised to learn that ROAN INISH is an American film, written and directed by John Sayles, who also wrote such things as PIRANHA and ALLIGATOR, proving I suppose that you have to start somewhere. As it happens I have seen and enjoyed one of his other films, EIGHT MEN OUT, about the 1919 “Black Sox” World Series scandal.
At the heart of THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH is the Irish myth of selkies, seal women who can shed their seal skins and become human. There is a wild child, a lost infant floating out to sea in a crib that looks like a Dutch shoe; a sister seeking her lost brother; a teen age boy and a grandfather seeking their ancestral fishermen’s roots on an abandoned island; and some of the most beautifully filmed scenes of rugged sea coast and coastal sea life.
This is a wonderful, little known movie first released in 1994, available from Netflix on disc but not instant viewing.
Most of those reading this journal have a feeling for the sea and beauty. I can’t imagine that you won’t enjoy THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH.
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Something I know you won’t enjoy is Chicago’s weather this weekend, which is wretched. After setting a record at 90ºF/ 32ºC, hotter than the hottest summer day in Opua, a few days ago; the temperature has dropped to 40ºF/4ºF, about as cold as the coldest winter day in Opua, and it is rainy and windy.
GANNET is still sitting on her trailer mast down.
From another Moore 24 owner I have learned how to rig her myself. He emailed that he does so on his trailer alone, but that it is easier with two people. I would prefer to let a professional do it this first time to provide a point of reference; but tiring of waiting for the yard, only the weather prevented Carol and me from driving up and raising the mast ourselves yesterday.
I tell myself that a few days don’t matter one way or another; but…
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I amended the “auxiliary powered” post for those of you who wondered about rowing.
The full North Point Marina rule about movement of vessels reads: All vessels underway in the marina shall be under power. Sailing, rowing, sculling or paddling within the marina is prohibited.
You can’t even tow without prior permission.
GANNET came with a paddle, and the former owner told me she sculls well.
The distance from my still unoccupied slip to the breakwater entrance measures a half nautical mile; and I must confess that while I might enjoy the exercise, I probably would rather spend the time sailing than rowing and will not resent having to use the Torqeedo electric outboard when it arrives.
Sunday, May 15, 2011