Your quiet and imaginative (in places) reflections have reminded me of my own adventures dreamed and planned to the last detail... trips, on foot of course, to Mongolia, via Armenia, skirting the Caspian Sea, the tip of Russia and Kazakhstan... and then of course there is the Northern territories of Canada, Labrador, Alaska, my dreams and they are just that, are endless and vast!
In reality, I'll be happy just to walk the The Camino de Santiago one day with my daughter and, because holidays have just begun here in Zone C, get some damn seeds planted at last, although after a week of glorious spring sunshine, now setting far enough west to also shine onto my own little desk, the next two weeks forecast is horrendous... I could cry!
I am glad to hear you are feeling in positive spirits Alex, I hope the means we will be reading you more often again! x
Just wanted to say that, of all your recent posts, this one has perhaps stayed with me the most. Hugely enjoyed it, and it's rekindled a few of my own ideas about why fantasy fiction informed so many of my own early ideas regarding adventure, and perhaps shapes me to this day. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you so much Alex, this means a lot to me, really glad you enjoyed it. I am not sure if it is just a strange déjà vu or not, but I have a feeling we maybe talked about this ‘some’ years ago on twitter, in the good (or, at least, better) old days?! I am 100% with you on this, I often consider adventure from this perspective and, if I am feeling somewhat deflated, like to remind myself that such adventures are indeed still possible, even if on a micro scale.*
Thanks again.
* One such idea I keep considering is that of creating a ‘fantasy’ collection of clothing and gear, much obviously homemade, using natural materials. I would really like to then take that gear out into the mountains here and, essentially, cosplay having an adventure of a fantasy ilk, if only walking, foraging, etc. Very tempted to do this with little Ailsa at some point! Would be a fun project, and probably make an interest read/view, too.
Thank you for the many thoughtful and beautiful remarks in this piece. Your dream of stepping out the door and going north reminded me of an excellent travel book I read recently, True North by Gavin Francis. It’s made me want to adventure in Iceland and Greenland and Scandinavia myself. One day…
One day! Until then, you can imagine. Many thanks for your words.
I've got Island Dreams firmly on my list of books to be read, so I'll also add True North, thanks. In the two years of Substack Notes this list had grown exponentially! Which can only be a good thing.
I can highly recommend your sister's folklore notes, intriguing, entertaining and sometimes weird! I should like to say how much I enjoy having parts of your family in my world too! Thank you for your words, but what became of the countdown photos to the big birthday??!!
Fantastic! I'm very much looking forward to reading these. I do wonder when the rest of the family will arrive here on Substack, they also have much to say (and Lyd and I keep telling them here is a good place to say it!).
As for the countdown photos, weirdly I'm still taking them but somewhere along the line lost the will or impetus to share them here all the time/every day/big catch ups of the days I've missed. I like to think that this means the idea is still valid and I also think I'm quite likely to start sharing them again, but not rigidly! Watch this space!
And thanks, as ever, for your words, I really appreciate that.
Thank you for this. In some ways I am sorry these words made you cry but, at the same time, a little bit proud they did. Words and writing are truly magical wonders at times.
And yes, we should all pick up that staff from time to time, whether real or imaginary. Perhaps join one another on this quest or that which, in many ways, is how I view this corner of the internet.
Loving this reflection, Alex … and now - inspired by the latitude you offer - looking at weaving in Bergen, Oslo and Helsinki to our rail trip, 60 degrees north for my 60th. Simple variations to the adventure we’ve cooked up in our own version of your wonderful flight of fancy. Happy Friday. Barrie
Oh that's a great addition to the adventure! On which subject, have you read Malachy Tallack's 60 Degrees North? Definitely up your proverbial street if not!
I am already getting excited about your forthcoming rail adventure.
And thank you, as always, for commenting, I greatly appreciate it and you!
It is funny, how many of your own adventures neatly tally with my own. Especially the north, with whom I certainly have unfinished business. Perhaps by canoe...
The Camino is likewise often in my thoughts, probably because of all the signs I've seen, especially when living in Portugal. Would you set out walking from your own doorstep?
And yes! Seeds! Our holidays don't start for another week, but they cannot come soon enough. Ailsa is exhausted by being good at school and, as such, has been a little horror at home over the last week or two. She needs a rest! I've managed yo prepare several jardinières, ready for seedlings, some of whom have gone all leggy in the garage and others who I'm now dreading sowing in the coming weeks of storm and rain. We already had a downpour this morning, but the sun has now returned, I think tomorrow is due to be the proper start of this wet period, though.
I hope you get some dry spells, and manage to get the seeds in. And they stay in!
It is good to be back here, and lovely to hear from you, too. I've missed this!
Your quiet and imaginative (in places) reflections have reminded me of my own adventures dreamed and planned to the last detail... trips, on foot of course, to Mongolia, via Armenia, skirting the Caspian Sea, the tip of Russia and Kazakhstan... and then of course there is the Northern territories of Canada, Labrador, Alaska, my dreams and they are just that, are endless and vast!
In reality, I'll be happy just to walk the The Camino de Santiago one day with my daughter and, because holidays have just begun here in Zone C, get some damn seeds planted at last, although after a week of glorious spring sunshine, now setting far enough west to also shine onto my own little desk, the next two weeks forecast is horrendous... I could cry!
I am glad to hear you are feeling in positive spirits Alex, I hope the means we will be reading you more often again! x
Just wanted to say that, of all your recent posts, this one has perhaps stayed with me the most. Hugely enjoyed it, and it's rekindled a few of my own ideas about why fantasy fiction informed so many of my own early ideas regarding adventure, and perhaps shapes me to this day. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you so much Alex, this means a lot to me, really glad you enjoyed it. I am not sure if it is just a strange déjà vu or not, but I have a feeling we maybe talked about this ‘some’ years ago on twitter, in the good (or, at least, better) old days?! I am 100% with you on this, I often consider adventure from this perspective and, if I am feeling somewhat deflated, like to remind myself that such adventures are indeed still possible, even if on a micro scale.*
Thanks again.
* One such idea I keep considering is that of creating a ‘fantasy’ collection of clothing and gear, much obviously homemade, using natural materials. I would really like to then take that gear out into the mountains here and, essentially, cosplay having an adventure of a fantasy ilk, if only walking, foraging, etc. Very tempted to do this with little Ailsa at some point! Would be a fun project, and probably make an interest read/view, too.
Thank you for the many thoughtful and beautiful remarks in this piece. Your dream of stepping out the door and going north reminded me of an excellent travel book I read recently, True North by Gavin Francis. It’s made me want to adventure in Iceland and Greenland and Scandinavia myself. One day…
One day! Until then, you can imagine. Many thanks for your words.
I've got Island Dreams firmly on my list of books to be read, so I'll also add True North, thanks. In the two years of Substack Notes this list had grown exponentially! Which can only be a good thing.
That sounds like a grand adventure, or two, Alex! Sometimes it can be (almost) as fulfilling to travel in the mind as physically.
I've been away from Substack for about six weeks so have lots of catching up to do!!
I think you are right - the imaginary adventure can be something very useful and powerful for us all!
I too haven't been around for a while, but I'm beginning to return (at a slow pace!). Have certainly missed it.
I can highly recommend your sister's folklore notes, intriguing, entertaining and sometimes weird! I should like to say how much I enjoy having parts of your family in my world too! Thank you for your words, but what became of the countdown photos to the big birthday??!!
Fantastic! I'm very much looking forward to reading these. I do wonder when the rest of the family will arrive here on Substack, they also have much to say (and Lyd and I keep telling them here is a good place to say it!).
As for the countdown photos, weirdly I'm still taking them but somewhere along the line lost the will or impetus to share them here all the time/every day/big catch ups of the days I've missed. I like to think that this means the idea is still valid and I also think I'm quite likely to start sharing them again, but not rigidly! Watch this space!
And thanks, as ever, for your words, I really appreciate that.
You’ve made me cry, Alex, with the grief for the things that might have been.
It’s beautiful too. Perhaps we all need to pick up a staff and walk off somewhere too, even if it is only in our imaginations.
Thank you for this. In some ways I am sorry these words made you cry but, at the same time, a little bit proud they did. Words and writing are truly magical wonders at times.
And yes, we should all pick up that staff from time to time, whether real or imaginary. Perhaps join one another on this quest or that which, in many ways, is how I view this corner of the internet.
Loving this reflection, Alex … and now - inspired by the latitude you offer - looking at weaving in Bergen, Oslo and Helsinki to our rail trip, 60 degrees north for my 60th. Simple variations to the adventure we’ve cooked up in our own version of your wonderful flight of fancy. Happy Friday. Barrie
Oh that's a great addition to the adventure! On which subject, have you read Malachy Tallack's 60 Degrees North? Definitely up your proverbial street if not!
I am already getting excited about your forthcoming rail adventure.
And thank you, as always, for commenting, I greatly appreciate it and you!
Adding that title to my ever-growing list! Thank you! We’re quietly simmering the rail ideas … but first my Forres to Farm cycle! Adventures galore!
As it should be! With lashings of ginger beer!
🤣
It is funny, how many of your own adventures neatly tally with my own. Especially the north, with whom I certainly have unfinished business. Perhaps by canoe...
The Camino is likewise often in my thoughts, probably because of all the signs I've seen, especially when living in Portugal. Would you set out walking from your own doorstep?
And yes! Seeds! Our holidays don't start for another week, but they cannot come soon enough. Ailsa is exhausted by being good at school and, as such, has been a little horror at home over the last week or two. She needs a rest! I've managed yo prepare several jardinières, ready for seedlings, some of whom have gone all leggy in the garage and others who I'm now dreading sowing in the coming weeks of storm and rain. We already had a downpour this morning, but the sun has now returned, I think tomorrow is due to be the proper start of this wet period, though.
I hope you get some dry spells, and manage to get the seeds in. And they stay in!
It is good to be back here, and lovely to hear from you, too. I've missed this!