Category: Life

Festival Talks and Festival Walks (ii)

I did worry slightly about whether discovering pleasure in a guided walk puts me even more firmly into a certain age bracket. And then I thought: so what?

One talk down: next came the guided walks.  Guided walks have never been my thing.  Communal events in general are not my thing.  But in this new chapter of life I really do want to embrace the traditions and the history of our adopted home, and to do that properly you need to participate and experience – even if only as a member of the audience.  Reading about an event is just not enough.  Continue reading “Festival Talks and Festival Walks (ii)”

Festival Talks and Festival Walks (i)

A number of gentlemen in the audience immediately put their hands to their own ‘flowing locks’

There are a great many events within festival week: walks and talks making up only a part of what’s on offer.  There are workshops and musical performances and foodie things; there are debates and book signings and group readings.  I was seriously tempted by the harp workshop; Continue reading “Festival Talks and Festival Walks (i)”

The View from Here: tangled thoughts and tattered expectations

I can’t always sing from the treetops about how wonderful life is because sometimes, it’s not.

This past Saturday was the start of our Fowey Festival experience.  I had been so looking forward to it: I’ve never attended an event like this before and B and I have done relatively little together on the cultural front.   Also, this would be our first introduction to Fowey.  We’ve lived here well over a month and we’ve yet to venture over there.  Now we’ll be going several times in a week.  Continue reading “The View from Here: tangled thoughts and tattered expectations”

Polruan and Fowey, come rain, come shine. Part two … sun

Yesterday our ferry had whipped harsh words around my head as we sailed: cold, wet, grey, brooding. This morning our ferry laughed gaily and sang of buoys and boats, seagulls and sunshine.

The day after our inaugural crossing to Fowey we were scheduled to return, this time in the morning in readiness for a guided walk.  And this time the sun was out.  What a difference!  Continue reading “Polruan and Fowey, come rain, come shine. Part two … sun”

Polruan and Fowey: come rain, come shine. Part one … rain

Sadly, our particular ferry did not have a roof … the journey was damp and bracing. Grey and mercifully short.

We’ve now crossed to Fowey and back twice.  What a contrast between the two visits.

When we set out for our first festival event – a talk of B’s choosing – the sky was dark and a few spots of rain fell as we climbed into the car.  “It’ll stop,” we said, “It’s nothing.”  It did not stop.  We did not take coats.

Continue reading “Polruan and Fowey: come rain, come shine. Part one … rain”

The View from Here: a damp, bright start to May

Looks like we may have another runner in the family!

The first day of May and it’s pouring down.  What a contrast from yesterday.  There are May Day celebrations all around here, including a very ancient traditional one in a nearby town.  Continue reading “The View from Here: a damp, bright start to May”

A Flying Visit (or Best Laid Plans?)

I’d managed my first trip away from Cornwall without permanent mishap.

My sons run.  I rarely watch them in shorter races but marathons are different.  So much time invested; such discipline, training and preparation; markers set for personal improvement.  That degree of effort deserves support in its own right, but also, I like watching.  The larger events are awash with atmosphere and humanity: competitors from the silent, skeletal knots of African elites, invariably leading, through to the overweight, the joggers and the walkers.  Costumed runners; joyful runners; haggard and struggling runners; hobbling, shuffling, waddling. They’re all here – and I applaud them for lining up, for having a go. Continue reading “A Flying Visit (or Best Laid Plans?)”