The idea of the sea is full of myth, mystery and intrigue. It was once the highway connecting nations and forming trade routes, but is now perhaps more thought of as a barrier, or even a threat. In the context of a climate crisis and a continual increase in our desire and need to travel for work and for play, ferry ports present a much more sustainable future for overseas travel, where the relative comfort and ease of transfer could outweigh the low cost of air travel.
Unit 9 based our explorations around Fishguard, Pembrokeshire. We were exploring the theme of ‘the sea as place’, considering the importance of the sea as a connecting infrastructure joining nations, facilitating trade, as a source of food and of myth, legend and cultural identity. The name Fishguard comes from nordic routes meaning ‘fish catching enclosure’ and highlights the historic, cultural and trading link to other seafaring nations across the north sea.