UnEarth Magazine.

Words by Iona Carruth, art by Ester Burgerova.

Three ducklings waddle across my feet. Single file, one by one, they head to the pond. The untamed habitat of the DRA ducks stands surrounded by the temporary homes of the students of St Andrews. The ducks are permanent residents of this pond; they strut with confidence across the path,  making students stop on their way to class. Dew drops roll off their tails as they shake their heads before immersing themself in the wild grass. 

Crunchy leaves map out my route. Bikes whiz by. Trees tower trembling above me, providing minimal coverage from the drizzle of rain. The sun peers through autumnal branches, orange, green and brown leaves hanging loosely in the breeze. I weave my way around puddles, large and small, jump over some, tip toe through others and splash through the deceptively shallow ones.  

Quaint homes of cobblestone can be found on every street. An ancient tree with wooden wrinkles spiraling round its neck watches as the students come and go. Tote bags on shoulders and coffee cups in hands. Perfectly symmetrical grass in concave patches permeate the quad. Students flock to the tree on warm days, sitting under its luscious leaves to provide shade to study. Not today though. Students scurry across the quad. From nine in the morning to five in the evening, the tree watches the students try their best to evade the rain, to no avail. Even those prepared for the weather get windswept by their umbrellas which have a mind of their own. Inside out. Upside down. Twisted in every direction. They are no match for this windy day. The wind laughs cruelly: a high-pitched whistle as it teases the students, flicks their hair, pulls their hoods down. A bit of fun on a rainy day. 

Empty beaches sleep on the East and West of the St Andrews coast. The waves crash onto the sand a loud resonate snore. The sea enjoys a deep slumber – it is its day off after all. A rainy day is a break from dog walkers, picnics and runners. It settles in a rhythmic cadence, the waves crashing up and down. The rain and sea dance together as the rain ricochets of the thunderous waves. Vocal seagulls, usually so keen to patrol the sky for a potential heist victim instead huddle together. They stand on the darkened sand, their feet sinking and leaving footprints across the beach. Rain glistens on their feathers. The scent of rain and salt hangs in the air. Tangible and heavy. The sky and the sea merge when the highest waves reach for the grey clouds above. The two become one. Silhouettes of the St Andrews skyline can be viewed from the beaches.  

Under appreciated gloomy days in St Andrews leave much to be desired. Ducklings enjoy the showers of rain; seagulls go quiet and listen to the sleeping sea. Beauty looms round every corner. Animals come out as the humans hide away, frogs leap and snails slither across pebbles. The plants are fed. Trees shed their autumnal leaves. Rainy days in St Andrews – what a wonderful thing.