There be DRAGONS...

Dragonstone

HBO: Queen Daenerys Khaleesi at Dragonstone (photographer not identified)

Søren Harbel: Gaztelugatxeko Doniene (Gaztelugatxe in Spanish)

Those of you who were deep into Game of Thrones will know Dragonstone. The castle set upon the rock. As it happens, it is just down the road from me. I have been there a few times. I have braved the 400-odd steps to get there. I have rung the bell three times for good luck.

For hundreds of years, sailors and fishermen have made an annual pilgrimage along the coast to the chapel, where they would ring the bell and pray for a good catch. For a good season.

But, in another time….. This was Dragonstone Castle

HBO: Game of Thrones, Dragonstone - photographer/animator not identified

The north coast of Spain is a foreboding place. There is but one natural port along the entire length of the country. Almost 700 km / 440 miles of coastline. The Atlantic Ocean is merciless and pounds the stone cliffs, which occasionally drop to sea level where one might find a bit of sand or pebbles.

Søren Harbel: The lower path and the famous eyes

The small island which historically could only be accessed at low tide has over millions of years been shaped by the tides, storms and currents of the Atlantic Ocean. And over the last few hundred years the island has been attached to the mainland by the very impressive path that carries you to the small hermitage, which gives the island its name Gaztelugatxeko Doniene in Basque. The hermitage and small chapel is dedicated to John the Baptist. It apparently dates to the 9th century.

Søren Harbel: Dragonstone

Dragons once flew across the ocean. They would rise above the cliffs and take turns diving through the arches below Dragonstone. They did this because they could. To show their skills. To show their power.

Søren Harbel: The Atlantic coast line

As you descend to sea level, you see the remains of the dragons that once roamed these lands and oceans. Where the land meets the sea you find the many layers of dragon skin. Thousands of generations of dragons past. At low tide you can still find their eggs. Lots of dragon eggs. There will be dragons again.

Søren Harbel: Dragon skin I

Søren Harbel: Dragon skin II

Søren Harbel: Dragon skin III

Søren Harbel: Dragon skin and dragon eggs

When you descend at low tide, you fight your way across the sharp ridges of ancient dragon skin. You feel the power of the unforgiving ocean. It is right there. Soon it will return to the place where you are standing. It will again cover the eggs, left there by the dragons. The eggs will again roll too and fro.

Søren Harbel: Eggs I

Søren Harbel: Eggs II

Søren Harbel: Eggs III

Søren Harbel: Eggs IV

Søren Harbel: Eggs V

The dragon eggs will soon hatch, and from them will emerge the young dragons that will grow to rule the land, the mountains and the oceans. The dragons will return. They will darken the sun and the moon, as they once did.

Thank you for joining me on my trip to Dragonstone and for a walk amongst the eggs left in the care of the ocean. We know they will hatch. It is their destiny.

Disclaimer: No eggs were moved, or damaged in the making of these photographs.

Until there be dragons…..