I have yearned to travel since I was young. Comes from growing up in a dysfunctional (think Simpsons) itinerant family I guess - I got shunted from relative to relative or stranger to stranger - and became accustomed to change. There's so much out there to see! And travelling makes me feel alert, awake, focussed - although I love my home and family. I want to explore textiles around the world - meet people, share skills, travel slowly (smell the roses), get up and go to bed with the sun, learn to live with less and appreciate the small details.
Last night I went to see Chris Chapman's film about Hope L Bourne - a wonderful, kind woman who lived in a caravan she called 'the mushroom' on Exmoor, the most marvellous artist and by all accounts, a woman who appreciated the essence of life. She had this to say in her book :'Living on Exmoor':
Presently dusk folds about the earth. There is no sound now but the murmur of distant streams and the occasional movement of sheep on the frosty grass. The stars are legion, looking like eyes of light and Orion's belt is girded above the trees. I am reluctant to go home and shut out the night.
How many see the stars as I do? Not many in this modern world I think. We have bartered our heritage for too many other things. Our small lives are hemmed about with fetters of our own making and our souls are caught in a web or our own weaving. Who shall set us free?
Just planning this adventure has given me focus - I'm enjoying getting rid of 'stuff' and trying to sort out the bare essentials I shall need to survive on a bicycle. I've been perusing blogs, taking note of equipment lists, working out how best to prepare and poring over maps to work out routes. I've even done the bicycle maintenance course!
I'm also well into the vaccination itinerary - had the lot.
Steve will keep the home fires burning - I don't like to think too much about abandoning him - which I am! I feel selfish, but have an itch I feel I must scratch - before I get too old. At least other friends have promised to come and visit me en route (Lynn stipulating that the country must be safe, not war torn and preferably idyllic).
Sydney the dog is doing well for his 15 years of age. He had a geriatric check up yesterday - his heart is good. He could do with teeth brushing and he's got a touch of chronic lung disease (COAD) now. But considering the vet who saw him in April said to keep 'his last days comfy' and he's STILL going, maybe planning my expedition to begin next April Fool's day is a tad optimistic.
We'll see.
Last night I went to see Chris Chapman's film about Hope L Bourne - a wonderful, kind woman who lived in a caravan she called 'the mushroom' on Exmoor, the most marvellous artist and by all accounts, a woman who appreciated the essence of life. She had this to say in her book :'Living on Exmoor':
Presently dusk folds about the earth. There is no sound now but the murmur of distant streams and the occasional movement of sheep on the frosty grass. The stars are legion, looking like eyes of light and Orion's belt is girded above the trees. I am reluctant to go home and shut out the night.
How many see the stars as I do? Not many in this modern world I think. We have bartered our heritage for too many other things. Our small lives are hemmed about with fetters of our own making and our souls are caught in a web or our own weaving. Who shall set us free?
Just planning this adventure has given me focus - I'm enjoying getting rid of 'stuff' and trying to sort out the bare essentials I shall need to survive on a bicycle. I've been perusing blogs, taking note of equipment lists, working out how best to prepare and poring over maps to work out routes. I've even done the bicycle maintenance course!
I'm also well into the vaccination itinerary - had the lot.
Steve will keep the home fires burning - I don't like to think too much about abandoning him - which I am! I feel selfish, but have an itch I feel I must scratch - before I get too old. At least other friends have promised to come and visit me en route (Lynn stipulating that the country must be safe, not war torn and preferably idyllic).
Sydney the dog is doing well for his 15 years of age. He had a geriatric check up yesterday - his heart is good. He could do with teeth brushing and he's got a touch of chronic lung disease (COAD) now. But considering the vet who saw him in April said to keep 'his last days comfy' and he's STILL going, maybe planning my expedition to begin next April Fool's day is a tad optimistic.
We'll see.
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