RAINS, RELUCTANCE AND RENEWAL

ow that the heatwave has broken, this land can return to the damp, cool summer to which we are all accustomed—the very weather everyone complains about, despite secretly craving its return. The lush greenness has begun to return to the realm, slowly reclaiming the scorched yellow grass that has blanketed the soil these past weeks.

​The rain finally fell, and even Thor himself turned up with a hearty thunderclap to banish the unbearable heat. I know full well there are folk across this world who endure—and likely even enjoy—far higher temperatures, but on these modest isles I call home, the recent heat has been sheer torment. Working in extreme heat is far from ideal, especially after a run of sleepless nights and sweltering days.

As if to mark the end of this stifling stretch, the heavens put on one final spectacle: a partial lunar eclipse across the Sturgeon Moon. Sitting out to watch Máni slide through Earth’s shadow, painted in a low, coppery crimson, felt like a cosmic sign—a quiet shift in the sky signaling the end of the sweltering spell before the rains came.

This week's full moon taken with my smartphone

​Every nine weeks, my shift pattern delivers a week of pure ordeal: fifty-eight long hours of toil. Years ago, I would gladly take on mountain loads of overtime, but this older, wiser Viking simply cannot manage those extra hours these days. Besides, overtime always carried a bonus element that regular scheduled shifts don't. Last week was that grueling marathon, and this week I am utterly spent.

​There is a silver lining, however. Following my days off this week, I only have two shifts to conquer—even if they are ten-hour slogs. Come Friday, my annual leave begins, bringing long-awaited plans for rejuvenation, rest, and sharpening the axes for the next adventure.

The spirit of the Urban Viking—and the occasional absurdity of navigating the modern world—lives on in my webcomic, Northman. 

You can read the latest chapter here: northman.kirt.me.uk

I’ll be sharing more of my journey and the daily reality of staying grounded in the modern world over on social media. Join in:

Instagram ● Threads

BlueSky ● TikTok