Going Home
England is such a busy place; so full of hustle and bustle. So little time to be quiet and still. There’s always some distraction, something going on somewhere to see or do. If I lived here I’m not sure I’d ever get anything done. Perhaps it’s merely that I’ve become unaccustomed to it but everywhere seems so hectic, so full of rush and stress.
A simple short trip to the shops has me reaching for the wine on my return; an anaesthetic after the of presence of so many people and cars.
And yet people that live here seem to get things done. Seem to get on with life. Achieve things.
I stand in awe.
As wonderful as these four weeks in England have been; as much fun as it has been visiting family and friends, meeting some old friends for the first time and making brand new ones, I’m ready to leave now.
I’m ready for the peace. For the stillness. For silence.
I’m ready for the pristine white snow and gentle lifting of winter. For sledging and skiing, night skies full of stars.
I’m ready to go home.
I'm Heather, an ex expat, now back in blighty and living in Lancashire. Which is just like Lapland... only less snowy and stuff.
That photo is gorgeous and the sentiment behind it is just beautiful. I understand escaping the city for peace and l find I now live in a perpetual state of geographical schizophrenia due to growing up in the country and living in so many different cities. Great post. Kxx
Thank you love. Geographical schizophrenia sounds like me. No matter where I am I can never decide if I’m a country or city girl.
I don’t blame you. I often wonder just how much more I’d get done if I chucked out the TV, got rid of my internet connection and just occupied myself instead of clock-watching all the time.
So. What are the property prices like in Lapland at the moment?
Wait, get rid of your internet connection? What madness is this of which you speak?
It does seem to two completely opposite ends of the scale when I read your posts here and then think about what British life is like.
Go. Go back to your idyllic quiet life and sympathise with us from afar… We may all be on the next plane out there though.
It’s weird, I spend half my time wishing I lived in a busier place and then when I visit one for a few weeks I realise I just can’t handle it any more. I’ve gone soft.
I’m sure it must be quite a shock to the system H! Don’t be too long coming back!
About 12 months I would imagine.
Funny how one adapts! My Mum who is English, but has lived in France for 40+ year with my French Dad says that, much as she loves England, she just couldn’t live there anymore.
I have to say though that, having recently spent a week and a bit in Helsinki, I was glad to return to proper springtime here in the UK. The winter seems to drag on forever in Finland (even it they call some of it “spring”)…
As long as you are happy where you live Heather, that’s all that matter.
Keep posting!
I can understand that, I do love the UK but yeah, think I would struggle to ever live here properly again. Although the winters are long – it has been so lovely to spend a few weeks in the UK not having to wear snow gear in March
It’s great that you really know where home is now – I thought I wanted to live in the country, but I was wrong. I still feed off the excitement of living in a city. Of course Dublin is special
It does seem to have solidified my desire to be in the country.
Funny isn’t it how we just get used to it. I didn’t realise my day to day was so stressful until recently, but then it was in Auckland too – maybe it’s me that finds the stress?
Strange that it is only six years I’ve been there and yet I find the hustle and bustle of the UK, where I spent the other 25 years of my life, too much now. Although I guess if i moved back here I would fast get used to it again.
Don’t get me started on the subject of home. I’ve lived in Jerusalem for 23 years and it is home. But England is also home. You can never be fully at home when you have been happy in two places as the other place is always pulling you.
Aye, I can understand that feeling. There is always that undercurrent pulling towards the other, isn’t there?
I’ve been in Paris 19 years (crikey) but haven’t gone native. My house here is home but France isn’t although I obviously like living here. I still love going “home” to the UK and feel more comfortable there. Don’t get me started: I’ll be putting on the National Anthem next and dreaming of pork pies and Colman’s mustard, with tears running down my face. Sob, I’m okay, really, sob.
That sounds about right. I think my house and farm is home, but yeah, I don’t think Finland is really. The UK is still my home country – perhaps because I understand its inner working and social structure better… who knows.
Yes it is far too busy here but life is what you make it too and I like living in the slow lane so I can appreciate the things around me and enjoy life. I have to say if I lived with all that snow life would be good. You cant go anywhere in a hurray in snow.
The slow lane is a wonderful place to be
Me too! When I was in London last summer I could hardly stand the chaos and pushing and shoving. Get me back to Baltimore now I thought, I want life in the slow lane. For you it’s a return to life in the snow lane!
Thank God it’s not just me! It’s such a difference isn’t it? The slow lane is a wonderful place to be
Take me with you!
Sure, why not. You can fold up small right – I think there may still be a corner of my suitcase not filled to brimming…
I’m working to try and get off the city-treadmill – I so long for peace, space, quiet.
I love this pic
NOTE TO SELF: must add Lapland/snow to my bucket list
Wow, to that photo. Narnia. Without the witch, presumably.
That picture is amazing and honestly, i’ve never been anyplace like that. I think i would crack up there though.
Ah… wondered where you’d been.
Who needs people rushing about when you’ve got trees like that for company?
I lived in Scotland and now live in Germany and I’m pulled by both.
I guess we’ll stay here, bought a house, now.
My husband and I discussed recently, if we won the lottery, where we would want to live. We couldn’t decide, so we came up with the idea to travel the world and then see what happens.
Well, you can dream, can’t you?
I love the photo. Stunning.