Thank you for being part of this wonderful place - it is much appreciated. And yes, when I lived in mid Devon for a short time the buses weren't so frequent!
An uplifting piece, Mark and a reminder that the best things in life are free. A walk along the beach with just your thoughts for company. A free spirit as well as a free range human.
Excellent writing, as ever, Mark, that inspires and daunts (the writer in me) equally. But what a pleasure to be reminded - as we should remind ourselves often - that the secret to a life of fulfilment is to remember that it's 'humans being' not 'humans doing' ... and if we are doing the 'doing' then make sure is it equal parts outdoor and windswept, a pinch of sea air, stirred vigorously by an onshore breeze, seasoned by the seasons. Serve with a side order of phone-switched-off. A real treat to read this ... and to savour the flavours of life it offers. Onwards, Barrie
That balance of being and doing is one I’m very aware of but not especially good at keeping BUT I try and even that has it’s rewards. Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it but don’t feel daunted - you write marvellously and your dedication to it means it can only keep becoming more so
I'm facing what could be a serious rollercoaster of a year and have a list of things To Do to tick off one-by-one as I white-knuckle ride my way through the next few months. I must, however, make time to just live and this was a very timely reminder to do so.
Lovely writing and sentiment. I get one of these days very rarely and need to make more. I remember a day off during a cookbook shoot week up in Edinburgh, walking along the coast from Portobello and then back, with just two Mark Kozelek songs for company (sorry, a little technology there). I still remember it with such fondness, and those two songs always bring back the sea and the sky and the salt and the sand.
It's also noteworthy that your journey began with a bus... I sometimes think we need to start this sort of endeavour in a place that isn't where everything else in our lives starts from. I listened to a Sarah Winman interview yesterday where she spoke of how moving and difference is so often the spark she needs to start writing.
Love this. Most of all I love the commitment to the bus to facilitate it. I’m constantly frustrated that the walks I want to do are no longer on my doorstep (I erroneously thought living in the countryside would make walking easier than it was in London, it hasn’t) but I feel encouraged (and mildly shamed) into investing more thought and time into the planning required to facilitate the freedoms. Worthwhile investments from the sounds...
It's quite a shift in mindset that it took me time to commit to. I was encouraged down that road by a slight friend who did the entire SW coast path in chunks, largely using public transport to get her to/from the start/end points - she just said that once she committed her mind to that being how it should and possibly could only be done it became something she saw as part of the challenge and she found a way. Which is not to say it isn't logistically interesting..! But her example helped shift my mind
Free range human. I must remind myself that this is me.
You’re flipping lucky to have a bus that runs that early- we have 2 buses a day here in Devon 😏. And that’s only on weekdays
Lovely piece to read on blue Monday, thank you 🙏
Thank you for being part of this wonderful place - it is much appreciated. And yes, when I lived in mid Devon for a short time the buses weren't so frequent!
An uplifting piece, Mark and a reminder that the best things in life are free. A walk along the beach with just your thoughts for company. A free spirit as well as a free range human.
Thank you Rosy - so easy to forget to LIVE isn't it
Yes. Carpe diem! And enjoy it.
Exactly that!
Excellent writing, as ever, Mark, that inspires and daunts (the writer in me) equally. But what a pleasure to be reminded - as we should remind ourselves often - that the secret to a life of fulfilment is to remember that it's 'humans being' not 'humans doing' ... and if we are doing the 'doing' then make sure is it equal parts outdoor and windswept, a pinch of sea air, stirred vigorously by an onshore breeze, seasoned by the seasons. Serve with a side order of phone-switched-off. A real treat to read this ... and to savour the flavours of life it offers. Onwards, Barrie
That balance of being and doing is one I’m very aware of but not especially good at keeping BUT I try and even that has it’s rewards. Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it but don’t feel daunted - you write marvellously and your dedication to it means it can only keep becoming more so
That really is such a kind thing to say and very touching. Super-encouraging for the enthusiastic scribbler in me. Much appreciated. B
Beautiful. Lots of important reminders, thanks.
Thank you, and you are very welcome
Thank you, Mark - a gorgeous piece and just exactly what I needed.
Thank you Helen, and for reading it
Thank you Mark. A meaningful reminder
Thank you Christine
I'm facing what could be a serious rollercoaster of a year and have a list of things To Do to tick off one-by-one as I white-knuckle ride my way through the next few months. I must, however, make time to just live and this was a very timely reminder to do so.
I love a bit of it rollercoaster, but yes, I think the living in a different way bit becomes even more important then
Lovely writing and sentiment. I get one of these days very rarely and need to make more. I remember a day off during a cookbook shoot week up in Edinburgh, walking along the coast from Portobello and then back, with just two Mark Kozelek songs for company (sorry, a little technology there). I still remember it with such fondness, and those two songs always bring back the sea and the sky and the salt and the sand.
It's also noteworthy that your journey began with a bus... I sometimes think we need to start this sort of endeavour in a place that isn't where everything else in our lives starts from. I listened to a Sarah Winman interview yesterday where she spoke of how moving and difference is so often the spark she needs to start writing.
Thank you. That's really interesting about the Edinburgh walk and Sarah W - I love her work and will try and find that interview
It was this one: https://open.spotify.com/episode/61db2xaBRmS6fUDS9i3w3W
Beware: quite a few spoilers surrounding her 'Still Life' book.
You champ, thank you!
Lovely place, images, and reflection. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for being part of this
Love this. Most of all I love the commitment to the bus to facilitate it. I’m constantly frustrated that the walks I want to do are no longer on my doorstep (I erroneously thought living in the countryside would make walking easier than it was in London, it hasn’t) but I feel encouraged (and mildly shamed) into investing more thought and time into the planning required to facilitate the freedoms. Worthwhile investments from the sounds...
It's quite a shift in mindset that it took me time to commit to. I was encouraged down that road by a slight friend who did the entire SW coast path in chunks, largely using public transport to get her to/from the start/end points - she just said that once she committed her mind to that being how it should and possibly could only be done it became something she saw as part of the challenge and she found a way. Which is not to say it isn't logistically interesting..! But her example helped shift my mind
Beautiful and thought-provoking. Thank you
Thank you thank you
Thank you x