Island life: early morning, Strangford Lough

Primarily to get a little fitter, but also because it’s the best way to see the lough and to get closer to the Brent Geese who have started to gather in the early mornings in anticipation of the first flush of ‘slitch’ (a hair-like green weed for which they have a taste) on the foreshore, I have taken to rowing round the South point of Islandmore and into Pawle Sound as often as possible. It’s good for the soul, especially on mornings like this.