Language.

Some people say that the pathway between my brain and my mouth is more Santiago de Compostela than it is State Highway 1.

Words get lost, lag behind, change direction and disappear altogether.

It’s the speaking part of communication I find problematic. I have no memory for words and learning a different language is a non starter. I once spent 3 months learning one sentence in Italian. It was a simple request for bread: 'Good morning, may I have one slice of focaccia please’. I practiced this line with our Italian friends for weeks on end and when the time came to deliver my perfected bakery request, the bilingual baker generously replied, ‘you don’t need to speak Italian - your English is very good’.

I wasn’t disappointed - deep down I knew I was going to fail. When I said the sentence out loud I couldn’t understand it either.

If I want to say something unusual or thoughtful I’ll either write it down or take a picture.

This small story is the writing down part, but the real super highway for me is the photograph. Any photograph is an unfiltered thought in writing and no matter how unusual the idea, we push the shutter and show anyone who’s looking - no problem at all.

And what’s beautiful about that simple direct form of communication is that everyone understands, or at least recognises the sentiment.

Photography can be what we all see and think but don’t always feel brave enough to say out loud. But taking a photograph, is as simple a way of saying something as there has ever been for me and my fellow mouth mumblers. It’s a safe, clear and concise way to say - ‘hey! look at that! that’s interesting’- even if it is just Oioi grass.

Some people say, a picture says a thousand words, or maybe just one. I’m happy people say that. Either way, it saves me the embarrassment of having to say some things out loud.