This year I’m intent on exploring places that I’ve been curious about for a while. I’ve just come back from the West coast of Ireland. It is wild and stark there at this time of year. In terms of animals I saw mostly sheep and birds, and they are hardy – battered by the elements, but forever breathing, pulsing. They never miss a beat, fully integrated in the land and weather. It’s so impressive and obvious. Simply, unquestionably and unrelentingly alive and kicking.