A new adventure

It wasn't part of the plan. And the plan, if there ever was such a thing, was to carry on doing more or less exactly what I've always done. Which is fine for many, and once upon a time it would have been fine for me, too. In fact, I would even say that continuity, security, and familiarity were essential. But something has changed over the past year or so. I can't quite say what, but I do know that I have never experienced such a sense of contentment, nor such a joy at being alive. Last week I was cycling around Loch Leven, Glencoe, and I felt so happy I had to stop and have a little sit down. Sure, I still get moments of sadness, and times when I'm real low down. But that's just a part of being alive, another experience or emotion to observe and embrace. So tomorrow, I'm off to the Lake District, to live and work at YHA Eskdale until the end of October. I've been super excited about the prospect of it ever since the recruitment weekend a month or so ago. The thing that struck me most about the organisation was the people - open, honest, passionate, kind, and deeply human. I went away from there with no doubt in my mind that I wanted to work for the YHA, and in the Lake District - a most beautiful part of the world. It was the remoteness of Eskdale that really drew me. An eco-centre, nestled beneath England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike. There is no phone signal, no wifi, and the only public transport is a steam train. I am not under any illusion that I won't miss having social media, the internet, and the like, at my fingertips. But I do believe that all this is something we have become accustomed to; it is not of course something we need. I'm looking forward to experiencing a depth of communication, and face to face interactions, that we seem to deny ourselves with the ever constant distractions of technology. I am also looking forward to immersing myself in the surrounding natural beauty, to explore every river, tarn, waterfall, and walk the valley bottoms and mountain tops. My presence on the internet will be vastly reduced over the coming months (plus texts and phone calls), but I will be updating this blog when connection and circumstance allow. I will also be writing more letters to family and friends, and a reminder of my address, should you wish to contact me via post: YHA Eskdale, Boot, Holmrook, Cumbria, CA19 1TH. And, of course, you could always come and visit!! Lots of love, K xxx