Arctic Day

Time circles, but does not leave the light
And all the blossoming of the night is held
Within the swell of dark and ice.
The sun, reflected, is returned to space
The greening earth into the single point
From which a further light flares out
Across the circumference of the stars.

(In the pack ice off the east coast of Spitsbergen, June 2008, at 78 degrees North, on board the Alexei Maryshev.) Photo and poem © Eleanor O'Hanlon

--Eleanor O'Hanlon

I met the writer and naturalist Eleanor O'Hanlon while taking a class at Schumacher College in Devon, England. Of Irish birth and upbringing, Eleanor lived in London for a number of years before recently moving to France. She held those of us who gathered nightly in front of Shumacher's medieval fireplace spellbound with ancient stories of Ireland's heroes. I can't wait to read her upcoming book.

Eleanor wrote to say that her brother John lives on a farm in Devon and would put me and my pony friend up on my way through, that they would like to ride with me aways, and donate to the E2E Fund! Not only that, but John O'Hanlon has a friend who's ridden End to End and has lots of advice and contacts! Amazing. Thank you Eleanor, and John in advance!