A Complementary Name

The choice of the name Kingfisher as being appropriate to the reflections in this ‘Journey of Discovery’ was inspired by a close encounter with this beautiful bird in 1976 whilst walking over a bridge on the River Eden at Edenbridge, Kent.

This was a year of severe drought, when rivers and streams were at a record low. Watching the desperate and vigorous efforts of this agile bird attempting to gather as many fish as possible that were gasping and struggling in the shallows was a one-off unforgettable experience, a privilege to observe. Reflected memories have remained ever since.

Perhaps now it is possible to imagine why the name, with its association as a natural reflection of nature, was chosen.

In these personal moments of solitude, the many wonders of Mother Nature in all her diversity are magnified.

So we must laugh and gather together to recognise the absurdities and difficulties the writer was confronted with and allow him to slip away, along with his numerous limitations, into emptiness — the actual home of all else — there to embrace the peace of a silent mind.

But importantly, leave others in their oasis of peace too.