To celebrate eight years of publishing Ernest, we ask contributors to share their memories of journeys undertaken for the journal, from seeking ancient burial mounds in the North York Moors to floating among thousands of jellyfish in the Salish Sea. Here, writer Ruth Allen reminisces on hiking the Asturian peaks and seeking wild bison in the Carpathian Mountains for issue nine
Photo by Ruth Allen
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to do lots of work with Ernest, from illustrating birds and landforms to photographing mountains and writing about the art of solitude. By taking a chance on me, Jo offered me many firsts to both treasure and build on; firsts that have unfolded into all sorts of opportunities, including my first book.
Arriving in Asturias for my first ever press trip was a ‘‘pinch me’’ moment I still dwell on. It seemed that at every turn northern Spain held a new wonder. I will never forget the fleeting glimpse of Picu Urriellu as the clouds parted, which later made it as the article’s lead photograph.
As it turns out, ‘things I think I will never see, but do’ is a bit of a theme in my collaborations with Ernest. Like the iconic mountain of the Picos, Romania’s elusive bison also kept me waiting till the very last time I unzipped my tent one morning, while camping in their remote terrain. And did I ever imagine I would tour the Faroe Islands, let alone run the coast with a local hero? I was asked to recall one story, but the best I can do is say the feeling of wild wonder in all of them is the most memorable thing for me.
