The Cloud Appreciation Society

Picture of Leigh Turner
Leigh Turner

What is the Cloud Appreciation Society?  Should you join?  With 7 world-class cloud pictures of my own.

Meeting the Cloud Appreciation Society

I recently visited one of my favourite places on earth, Lundy Island off the north coast of Devon, for the 22nd time.

Clouds over Lundy Island

Lundy Island has superb cloudscapes

Between the arrival of the island ship, the MS Oldenburg, and its departure that evening, I was puzzled to see dozens of people wandering around wearing badges around their necks.

 They seemed to be enjoying the island immensely, so I put them down to be wise, thoughtful and perceptive.  But who were they?

Clouds over the Kalahari

Kgalagadi dawn on road to New Xade, Botswana – Photo S D Turner

Uniting cloud lovers around the world

Only after they had left did I discover that the visitors were members of the Cloud Appreciation Society, whose slogan is “Uniting cloud lovers around the world”.

Clouds over Venice

Storm clouds brewing in Venice earlier this month

You can read more about the Cloud Appreciation Society at the link, which includes a series of rather good videos about their “Sky Gathering” on Lundy island.  But their existence made me think:

(i) why clouds?  Why not sunrises or mountains, or other spectacular natural phenomena?  Answer: because clouds are, perhaps, taken for granted more than many other aspects of nature’s beauty;

(ii) what kind of person joins a cloud appreciation society?  Answer: interesting and interested people.  The kind of person who will travel half-way around the world to discover a remote island in the Atlantic;

(iii) what lessons can we learn from this?  Answer: keep your eyes open.  Appreciate things you are taking for granted, including nature – as set out in my blog How to be happy: 11 simple tools (links in bold italics are to other posts on this site).

Clouds over the Russian Church in Vienna

Russian church, Vienna

Why taking note of nature helps

Taking note of nature is a fine way to help get things in perspective, and to avoid the trap of getting gloomy about the state of the world – see eg my blog Things are getting worse, right?  Wrong.  Here’s why.

Clouds over Ghanzi, Botswana

Clouds in Ghanzi, Botswana – Photo S D Turner

If you adopt this approach, and anyone accuses you of having your head in the clouds, you can reply: ‘Sure.  Why not?’

Clouds over Robert Pimm in the Salzkammergut

The author hard at work on a new blog in Salzkammergut, Austria

P.S. If you enjoy fresh, original writing, please subscribe to my weekly newsletter (you can unsubscribe anytime you wish).  I’ll send you a free “Hotel Story” to say thanks!  Or I would be delighted if you would like to friend me on Facebook.  Or check out my Existential – and women category for more blogs on happiness and how to have more of it.

Clouds over the Kalahari

One of my favourite cloud pictures: Kgalagadi (Kalahari) sky, Botswana – Photo S D Turner

P.S. you can sample more fresh, original writing on this site via my 5 pleasure paths.  Or I would be delighted if you would like to follow me on Facebook. Or you can join my mailing list.

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