The landscape of the night is something that is so sadly absent from our modern world.
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Sitting on my terrace, I am surrounded by the great black skydome of Andalusia.
Ahead of me, a perfect astronomical cross has formed. At the apex lies the mighty red Betelgeuse, below him the intense white of Rigel. To the left is the dog star Sirius and completing the pattern, the magnificent Venus to the right.
Behind me, the moon is shyly moving into view illuminating the curling white smoke from the bakery chimney.
Down in the swampy fen, the frogs are pledging undying love to their mates, while bee eaters soar overhead, their calls of liquid amber falling on me like gentle rain
Sitting behind this dark symphony are the scented base notes of baking bread, and the top notes of sweet Jasmine and lemon blossom. The faint salt tang of the sea exists on the edge of the senses like a distant harmony.
The black velvet of the wild night envelopes me in its starry cloak and I sit in silent awe, watching and becoming a part of this free nocturnal spectacular…..
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Photo: The constellation Orion. Credit: Matthew Spinelli NASA/APOD
About Neil Hill
Neil Hill is one of Europe’s top outdoor, wilderness and survival coaches. He believes that our modern disconnect from nature has led to many of our personal, physical and social problems. He has led courses into some of the worlds most hostile and wild environments. His passion is to reconnect people with their aboriginal roots in nature, enabling them to have adventures and experiences that unlock their massive potential, Neil is the founder of Rewilding Bushcraft.
