I would like to have done more sailing than I did, though I have to admit the sailing I did was sports sailing and after going round a couple of buoys six times it gets rather boring. But what never got boring was the feel of being on the sea (except the force six which was a blast) and the quietness.
Seaside towns, and living in general where everyone needs to be near a road, can be noisy. But I never knew or realised that the ears picks up on lots of noise made by the fact that built up areas change sound waves. The ear gets used to there being a lot of ‘structure’ around. Even the wind, high or low, passes and swirls around the hills, trees and buildings.
Out on the sea structure vanishes and there is nothing between you and thousands of miles of wind and the feeling of immensity is aided by this incredible quiet. Noise from the shore doesn’t get far out to sea and you can watch the people on the beech clearly and hear nothing. Then a gentle breeze wafts over you and a soft lapping joins the boat but otherwise, nothing. It is truly another world.
I can understand why people love the wilderness. It gives one a chance to hear for the first time.