Beginnings

This place is remarkable. Everything about it. I drove in, as evening was drawing to a close, over the Wrynose and Hardknott passes. I had turned my music off, wound the windows down, and all I could hear were waterfalls, the last few birds, and the sound of my car engine overheating slightly. Any notion I may have had for attempting to cycle these particular hills has been firmly quashed! I think I would even have to dismount for part of the descent. The views from the top are absolutely stunning, though. You can see the road winding down in front of you for miles, as the steepness gives way to the comparatively  flat valley bottom. It is a landscape more dramatic, more beautiful, than I ever imagined. The dry stone walls, the rugged fells, the wind bent trees, all breaths survival, all breaths life. 

I arrived at the centre to a warm welcome. Rachel, who runs the centre alongside her husband, Mick, announced that my timing was perfect - she had just put the kettle on. I also met Fiona, who like me, is here until the end of October. Then there is Benji, who I only saw briefly that first evening. He is volunteering here until the end of April, as part of his course requirements for university in Malaysia. Benji speaks excellent English already, but over the coming days I would share with him such British delights as 'tea towel', 'top tip', and 'tip top'. He looked non the wiser after my attempted explanation of the latter. 

My room is pretty much perfect. It's at an out of the way corner of the hostel, and I can hear, and see, Blea Beck from my window. The shower is a bit of a trickle, and it takes a good five minutes to get hot water, but that just gives you time to do something else while you wait. Time has already become a changed concept here. When I'm on shift, the work is constant and satisfying, so that passes quickly (or at least without any clock watching). A job is done when it's done, and when it's done it is done. Which for me, makes everything seem much more enjoyable. Work is work. Free time is free time. All is good. It feels like I've been here a lot longer than I have. I already have a sense of freedom from the obligations of the internet, TV, etc. It's amazing how much energy and time goes into keeping up. I have sent a couple of letters, though, and received a lovely Easter card from my dad and step-mum. Despite the isolation here, I don't think I'll ever feel lonely. I enjoy my own company, and I enjoy the company of the staff team. And then there is all the different guests to meet, who share a bit of their lives, a bit of their adventures with you, as they come, and go. It's early days, I haven't even been here a week, but sometimes you just know when a place, a time, and your present state of mind have coincided perfectly. 

Greetings from The Woolpack Inn, & Happy Easter to you all!