A Year at Blue Bay

Two years ago I took a job at a small nature reserve on a green island in a quiet bay. The island lies just a few kilometers off the coast, so it has a coastal climate. From the beach I can see the open ocean, and the sea is a deep blue on clear days. The offshore water is shallow and calm near the shore.

The island is not flat. A single mountain rises in the middle, and its peak reaches a great altitude. The lower parts are hilly, and behind the mountain there is a wide valley. A small lake lies in that valley. A little river, hardly more than a clear stream, runs from it down to the sea. Thick forest covers the higher slopes, and the wood is full of tall trees. The soil is dark and rich.

On my free days I go hillwalking. From the top of the hill the view is wide, and the scenery is the best on the whole island. I can see every tract of land and each green patch below. The landscape is a mix of fields and rocks. All this terrestrial life rests on the same earth. I love nature here, and I study the natural world and its environment every day.

The island is mountainous in the north, where the land is wild. The wildlife is rich: each species has its own habitat. Goats climb the rocky cliffs, and in the sea dolphins leap in the waves. Seals rest on the rocks, and seagulls cry above the beach. Puffins nest on the high edges. The marine world here is full of life. Children collect seashells at the seaside.

There is an old volcano on the island, but it has not erupted for many years. In the dry east, desertification threatens the land, so conservation is important. We conserve water and protect the rare plants. This protection gives the island a strong defense against damage. A protective fence keeps people off the soft dunes. We preserve the seeds of every wild flower. The island is rich in natural resources, and the team is resourceful with what it has.

Sometimes a boat leaks oil, and that pollutant can pollute the sea. Oil pollution harms birds and fish, and dirty water can contaminate the beach. We teach visitors to be eco-friendly and to cut waste. Environmental rules help keep the water clean.

One day I helped repair an old cable under the sea that carries messages to the mainland. I wore a safety harness while I climbed. Long ago a mine was dug in the hills, and sailors from the navy once guarded the island against pirates. An old poster in the office shows a pirate ship. We also use a net to catch fish samples, and at night I watch the stars through a telescope. I read a chapter about this history every evening.

On clear nights I lie on the sand and watch the sky. The globe of the earth turns under a sky full of stars, and the whole galaxy spreads above me. The green aurora is a visual wonder and a natural phenomenon. Old sailors could predict the weather from the clouds. The color of the sky is a useful indicator of tomorrow's weather.

Some circumstances make the work hard. The canal that carries fresh water can dry up in summer. We dug a small tank that holds a cubic meter of water. Rain often comes in tiny drops, and even a heavy shower leaves only a few centimeters of water. The reserve covers several hundred hectares of land. The quantity of rain changes from year to year, and the rate of change worries us.

Last spring we helped construct a new wooden hut. We had to dig a deep hole for the posts and then climb onto the roof to fix it. A boat delivers our food every week, and we distribute it among the team. Everyone is dedicated to this place. The island is a quiet destination, and the entry to the reserve is free.

We planned a boat trip, but bad weather made us cancel it. This did not discourage us; the team stayed cheerful and kept encouraging one another. Our new fence is effective at keeping goats out of the garden. To obtain clean water we use a filter. Do not confuse the two signs, or you may misunderstand the path. Otherwise you could get lost.

I soon got used to life on the island. The common room is the heart of our station. The building comprises two bedrooms and a kitchen. For convenience we keep a radio, and our correspondence with the mainland is slow. There is a strict crackdown on fishing too near the reserve. Please do not duplicate the keys.

One morning a small fish darted past my feet. I ran downhill after it and almost fell. The manager speaks with such eloquence that everyone listens. The food is excellent, beyond any expectation. Leaves float on the lake, and I feel fortunate to live here. Only a fool would break the rules, and any fraud against the reserve is punished.

My grandmother once visited as our guest. She taught me to fry fresh fish over a small fire. We stood and gaped at a whale in the bay. She is the holder of many old stories. I handle all the tools with care. The image of that whale stays in my mind. On impulse, I took a photo of her smiling.

We try to innovate in small ways. Every worker is an integral part of the team. A news interviewer came and asked about our work. The issuer of our permit praised us. The keynote of our meeting was simple: protect the island. A narrow lane leads to the dock. In winter I wear warm leatherwear. The weather is likely mild this week, and I like loose clothes.

The main building has a small clinic. A doctor once visited and talked about health, even about a mastectomy a patient had. The trip was memorable. The mild spring air gave us fresh motivation. We share a mutual love for this island. None of us wants to leave. Sometimes it is good to be by oneself in the quiet.

Our overarching goal is to keep the island wild. The northern light looks pale at dawn. In particular, we care for the small birds. I write notes with a pencil because a pen can break. We collect plastic waste from the beach. The sea and its creatures are our common possession. A broken printer in the office waits for repair. After a prolonged dry season, the rain finally came.

Loud noise can provoke the birds and make them fly away. We use rechargeable batteries for our lights, and a refrigerator keeps food cold. The radio can relay a message to the mainland. Some tasks are repetitive, like counting shells. The two rangers, Anna and Tom, look after the north and the south respectively. The reward for our work is a healthy island.

Wet wood can rot if you leave it outside. The satisfaction of a job well done is real. I fixed a loose screw on the door. Some plants are sensitive to salt. My old shirt is torn from climbing. In the evening there is deep silence. We are never slack at work, and the team is sociable at dinner.

My grandmother made soup, and I ate every spoonful. The plants grow steadily in the warm rain. Our strategy is to plant more trees. A little water does not suffice in summer. We share any surplus food with neighbors. At night the wind and waves sound like a symphony.

The fog is sometimes so thick that I cannot see the dock. My boots are tight after a long walk. Our plan is not top-down; everyone helps decide. Some visitors wear trendy jackets, but they must stay warm. I was unable to sleep during the storm last week. Unfortunately, it damaged the roof. There was no unrest among the team. My ticket for the boat is valid for a month.

I rub wax on my boots to keep water out. I would live on whichever island the work needed. Once I cut my finger on a shell and washed the wound with clean water.

I grow carrots in the garden. I keep my tools in a wooden chest by the door. My jacket has a high collar for the wind. We do not allow anyone to smoke a cigarette near the dry grass. The trip to the mainland costs only a few euros. The water pump uses an extruder to push water through the pipe. Plastic rings can fatally choke a bird, so we remove them.