Norms in Dubrovnik | Fishernorm in the Brsalje Harbour

Amongst the mystical rocks and the shallow still waters of the Brsalje Harbour in Dubrovnik, Croatia, barely a soul is stirring. The crystal clear waters of the Adriatic lap so gently upon the small beach there that their placid rolling motion is more like a tender embrace licking clean the smooth white pebbles of the shore. Even at the deepest sections of the harbour, the fishes seem to be hypnotised into a mid-afternoon slumber, swimming gently in slow motion, quietly transfigured by the sparkling ripples created by the afternoon sun. On the many rocks, small crabs are similarly somnolent, happily ensconced by the waters edge, soaking up a few Mediterranean rays. And across the bay, a little boat lies in waiting, neither moving nor occupied, a reminder of the activity which at times fills these waters but which today has been abandoned in favour of siesta time.

Amongst this scene of blissful inactivity, the only movement is from the one occupant of the bay, although even he, this little fishernorm idly fishing by the water’s edge, is struggling to fight the waves of fatigue spilling over him. Yet occasionally, one of those otherwise contented fishes explores curiously the little worm hanging down from the fishernorm’s road, stirring the mirrored waters with the perfect circles of a ripple as its tail flicks this way and that, before abandoning this inevitable means of entrapment.

Fishernorm in the Brsalje Harbour, Dubrovnik (2014 © Nicholas de Lacy-Brown, pen and ink on paper)

Yes, here is the first of my sketches showing how the Norms, too, have discovered the stunning city of Dubrovnik. While many tourist Norms will of course be bobbling along the extensive city walls, one must always remember that Norms like nothing more than a little inertia of a warm afternoon. And this little fishernorm’s idea of fishing in the beautiful Brsalje harbour looks like a fine one to me. Let’s just hope that in all that beautiful tranquillity all around him, he doesn’t nod off and roll into the water.

© Nicholas de Lacy-Brown and The Daily Norm, 2001-2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the material, whether written work, photography or artwork, included within The Daily Norm without express and written permission from The Daily Norm’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicholas de Lacy-Brown and The Daily Norm with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. For more information on the work of Nicholas de Lacy-Brown, head to his art website at www.delacy-brown.com