First blog post in a while. After my lovely, short hop over to Italy, I’ve mostly spent the rest of this month at home in Norfolk with the exception of a weekend in Leicester. I had tickets for Radio 2’s Party in the Park, which had a great line-up of artists I love including Bananarama, Texas, The Pretenders, Rick Astley and Kylie (who never seems to age!) I was also surprised by bands that I wouldn’t necessarily choose to listen to, but who’s music was great live - Softcell, Simply Red and Deacon Blue. I went solo, but ended up sitting with, eating with and dancing with lots of random, beautiful strangers in the sunshine on Saturday and in the rain on Sunday. I was lucky enough to have a bed for the weekend with friends who had moved from Norfolk to just outside Leicester. We shared the most delicious Indian feast on Friday evening, which they’d cooked and it reminded me of the simple but gorgeous pleasure of sharing food and great conversation and stories with friends.
It was also lovely to host a friend who had come up to visit Norfolk and take them to see our coastline. It reminded me how lucky we are to live so close to the sea. My ‘Kangoo twin’ Alison, who I met in the Peak District last year was also roaming in Norfolk and so another great catch up and walk under the big, blue Norfolk skies.
I’ve also been clearing and selling as I prepare to put my house on the market. It’s been just over two years now since Dad died and my home is no longer a home, just a house. It was never meant to be just for me and so I need to close another chapter of my life and move on. It’s been a hard process, but a necessary one. I was also persuaded to do a car boot sale to help clear some of the garage tools. Now, car boot sales are a close second on the list of things I do not have a great affection for (theme parks being number one!) However, the unexpected highlight was talking to complete strangers, most of whom were in their eighties and buying up tools and useful bits and bobs Dad kept in the garage. I learnt what some of the tools were for (I didn’t have a clue,) and whether they were a good make or not (turns out they were.) It’s actually a comforting thought to think that a lifetime collection of tools is now scattered amongst a few Norfolk sheds, being used by folk who will appreciate them.
I was talking to a friend whilst on a dog walk who is writing a book about being nomadic. We talked about the ‘wanderlust gene’ and I joked and said I definitely have it! I have no desire to be rooted in one place. I am not looking for another house to buy, I love my van. It has everything I need. And so, as we prepare to hit the road once again, we say thank you to everyone we’ve seen this month to share the best things in life; travels, walks, coffee, running, music, cakes, laughs, ice-creams, hugs and stories.
I am off to see what stories will unfold for me to tell you this Autumn…
