NotYetHere
A few weekends ago we had a slow stroll along Plymouth Hoe, enjoying the sunset and family. Just some pictures to conjure the line between land, sea and sky.
Although cold, taking time, a drink and a walk. Going slow should be something we all try to do, as often as possible. You’d be surprised how much it helps with the busy times. Enjoy the season, and take care whatever the weather.
Remembering how it is, when you visit friends or they visit us. Sitting out in the garden on a summer evening, and there is just some moments that stay forever. This is for all the good times shared with all of you. I’m catching up on some notes, but have finished my notebook on this trip so I need to find another. Just a small Moleskine to use for now.
An Easy Time Evening.
when the sun has gone but the warmth remains,
when the coffee comes and the stars turn,
and silence and words tell the same story.
The night-time animals take over
the wildlife noises, and the moon hints
at being around for a while,
clear sky lifts the spirits and we all
look up and away from real life
to dwell somewhere in our thoughts.
The words come, and we break away
back to our world, smiling and laughing
quietly as we climb into cars,
waving away the evening
the silence of the sky and the stars,
the moon and the moment.
It’s very hot here at the moment, so I’ve been out early to clear some land. Now we are hiding from the oven like heat and drinking iced water to help cope. Still travelling but having fun, although we head back soon to the real world.
A weekend away meant a drive through the misty countryside of England. Some things you see, then all is lost, we stopped in our hunt for some lunch with this church across the road drifting into sight. The fingers of mist pushed around us all afternoon as we made our way to the hotel, and it wasn’t till morning we got to appreciate the beauty of the place we were staying, although I do think a bit of mystery is a good thing.
I’ve walked from Holford before up onto the Quantocks, the stamping ground of Coleridge and his friend Wordsworth. They both took inspiration from the wild moors and the coastal paths, and it’s easy to see why. On a sunny day in early spring, the mud and water has subsided a bit and we made our way on to the moor with the sound of the stream gurgling along.
The idea that spring is with us shows how the world will turn no matter what our own priorities. Budding trees, the hawthorn in bloom, with still the hint of a frost in the morning, and a fresh smell to the whole of the woodland. Time slows when you take a walk, and the colours of the world on this day seemed exaggerated by the sun coming through the branches. We climbed to the top of Frog Combe, just to see the open space before dropping back down into the woods, back into the warm still air out of the wind.
Some of the most interesting woodland plants are on a smaller scale than the trees around. The mini-landscape found in hollows and roots. Holding some dew and shining bright.
I like to see such small details, the little bits we often miss as we go from one place to another. Our hotel was a former mill, and some of the workings remain. The makers plates and forged wheels with wooden peg-cogs, nice to see they haven’t been taken away to make space for cars or the like.
I’ll leave this post with a last image from the woods, a slow, dreamy feel, almost melancholy with the isolated figure standing out against the background. Lost in thought, enjoying the feel of the space. One of my favourite pictures from the weekend. A short but much appreciated break away from work and bustle at home, a chance to recharge and to regroup. A good place to start the next drive forward, headlong into full spring and the things to come.
Remember to stand still when you look around, it’s always worth the time.
Just back from a trip to the fine town of Stratford-upon-Avon, well known of course for being the home of The Bard. For us it was a catch up with family, Christmas shopping and a break for a little bit of sightseeing. I have done the bookend on Shakespeare, seen his birthplace and his grave. Apposite as we come towards the end of the year, and travelling to Stratford at this time was a much quieter affair than during the summer.
The pleasure of any trip is in the new sights, the details we take away with us, travelling through the English countryside as the landscape changes so slowly you almost don’t notice it. A lot like the passing year, gone before you know it, and if we are not careful, a lifetime passes.
I’m getting some work ready for the New Year, something for my next post after Christmas. So this is a Merry Christmas post to everyone, see you on boxing day, after the food, the presents and the family traditions. For me it’s pork pie and pickle for breakfast, with a dry martini. Gift giving, and a relaxing, comfy clothes day, then relaxing with music and films.
I hope everyone has a wonderful time over the next few days, enjoy it whatever way you lean. Make sure, whatever you do over Christmas, Take some time with family, friends or just for yourself. Unplug, relax and be slow, at least for the day. Don’t get dragged into the hype…
…slow is good for more than you might think.
Walking through the trees, a cold morning. A slight inversion holding some mist low across the levels. All in all a perfect Sunday stroll.
Wide views and Glastonbury in the distance.
I’ve sent off a few entries to competitions this week. Working on some others, below is just a fragment, a piece to be extended, It’s also the 1st December, so now Christmas can be officially started. Presents, family, decorations, I love the build up, don’t you? Just an aside, this is my two three four post, good numbers don’t you think.
Trees we walk into the pool of cool air beneath the trees to look through the leaves at the shaded blue of the sky. The limbs stretch out to hold and hide us. Each year the tree grows and the leaves fall in a bright yellow circle on the ground.
A walk through the world between places 