Thank you. I have an odd correlation here, in that when my brain is not sharp, when I withdraw from the world, often I find I do not keep my other, more hands-on tools as sharp too. It is a curious measure of how well I am doing mentally, how sharp my axe or knife is.
Thank you so much. It is always a fascination of mine, which words stick—whether my own, or those of others. Really is a form of magic, as far as I am concerned!
I am going to enjoy listening to this while I paint today! (Been looking forward to your return, and for what it's worth A Fall In Time is always worth a reread.)
I’m tempted to one day introduce video too, but that might be a step too far right now! I have to say, the fact that I knew you have listened to my work whilst you work yourselves was a big driver in beginning the process of recording it myself, in my own voice. The robot voices are much better than they used to be at the beginning of the technology, but still not as good as a human (although I’m still very sensitive to hearing my own voice, long held fear of that!).
Thank you so much Anne! I realised that my stamina lasts for just under two weeks before shutting down completely, which I don't think is a bad thing at nearing 50! It is quite remarkable, how quickly one can get into shape when you move and construct an entire slope of rocks and soil. Who knew?!
A wonderful narrative Alex, you've got this sussed! I am still in the record-ten-times-and-delete stage for fear of frightening everyone away! I simply can't seem to find the tempo, or maybe I just have the wrong tools?
I am hoping, in the next few months, to launch myself into a similar terrace project, probably single handed, like you, with no modern tools just my own two hands and a necessarily plentiful supply of willpower and strength... I don't anticipate finding any boulders although I know, having surveyed the rubble of the former buildings there are many large quoins and lintels which will have to be manhandled and shuffled from one place to another! This too, eventually, will be a terraced garden, herbs, veggies and flowers. Fingers crossed...
I can already here that age old wisdom, 'Rome wasn't built in a day' and as someone very near and dear to me, who has refused all help, so often says 'no pain, no gain'!
I will need cheering on from the sidelines, I know I can count on you my friend!
I shall certainly be cheering you on! I hope it goes well (and I keep finding worked stone, too, which is very useful for steps!). There’s a special joy which comes from undertaking such a project, especially when it suddenly seems to be working, and then it is done!
And thank you! I think the biggest tip I learnt before recording my voice was to keep recording, even when you make mistakes, leaving a five second pause, which you can then easily find in the editing software (I use Audacity on Windows, which is relatively user-friendly). I found that, by doing this, I was less worried about the tempo, just reading it as I would normally (something I do with all my fiction, and often for other words, too, it really helps me find the cadence and structure when I read aloud). And I very, very much doubt you’d frighten anyone away, although I understand that fear all too well—I still don’t like my own voice recorded, but I am trying to come to terms with that.
Thank you for the cheering and the tips Alex, of course, one has to find the time to write before one can read, sadly this is in short supply right now! Roll on the holidays!
I feel this—it is hard to even find a moment to check replies and comments, and I feel so guilty for not replying sooner. I have a sneaky feeling the last few months of this year will somehow disappear before I know it, so many weekends are full of things it is, frankly, ridiculous!
A wall of Chine to last with stories to tell. Moss will grow, age will soften the sharp edges of scree. Perhaps a bridge over a stream to connect ramparts that the water can flow into a cistern to collect in a pond for fresh alpine snowmelt and maybe a pond/pool of reflection for fish, and fowl. Yes, minds see things. While some are thinking about thinks others like you Alex are living the dream and doing it. Escarpments to you. Build with a sense of relief. I've enjoyed all your efforts. Don't forget to grow a few Medlar trees, to create a renaissance repast delightful dinner. Build your fortress and be remembered for creating a well of will.
Many thanks for this comment! I love what you share here. You are spot on about the moss, too, the wall I finished a few years ago already looks like it has been there for hundreds of years. I'm already considering water collection too, at present the rainfall just heads off down the mountainside, so I'd like to retain some of that. The problem is the angle of the slope and space, but I'm sure that can be worked out with time. Thanks again--and I'd love to grow medlar! Not sure they'd grow at that altitude, although with the changing temperatures, perhaps it is worth a shot. (There is already a quince there, which I want to propagate.)
It is still used as a site for pilgrimage, yes. There are monks, nuns, and other members of the church there permanently, and often very high ranking officials will turn up on various holy days.
And I’d love to have you help! This year, I’ve even begun the process of gathering nuts to plant to grow new trees (walnut and hazel for starters, fruit trees to cut and grow next year), which is always a wonderful magic, knowing that planting a tree is a long term thing (but also remarkable how quickly they can grow, too!). Lots to do, even if the world doesn’t continue to come apart at the seams. If/when it does, even more to do…
There are so many different trees here too—and sometimes I find myself getting angry by how much of the landscape is wooded, simply because it isn’t in the UK and it feels unfair to everyone there. There’s a reason the biodiversity here is some of the best remaining in Europe (I also often consider lectures on glacial refugia during the Paleolithic, how certain Alpine valleys essentially remained as specific microclimates, nurturing diverse plant and animal life which, once the ice retreated, began to spread out once more. I do wonder if this will perhaps be the case again in the coming years?
With Robert Redford’s death, I’ve been thinking Jerimiah Johnson is well due a rewatch… (Still find it unbelievable that he made that movie, The Candidate, AND The Sting all within roughly 12 months.)
Haha! I literally just replied on the other post with precisely this! Yes! I do! I'll be doing some next summer too, but the big effort is likely to be 2027--that said, I also want to build a treehouse, plant many fruit trees, dig out and plant up more of the gardens, restore the crumbling trail, lay a hedge, and generally add to the already wonderful place. Lots to do, and you are always, always welcome.
Words are powerful things, right? I believe they are the closest we can get to true magic—that I thought of something, put it down in a sentence, then sent it out across the world via beams in space, ultimately to reach you, and touch you like this? Strangely magical. And thank you. That you reached out to let me know is a wonder in itself.
I love the final sentence to this. Sharp tools are definitely needed.
Thank you. I have an odd correlation here, in that when my brain is not sharp, when I withdraw from the world, often I find I do not keep my other, more hands-on tools as sharp too. It is a curious measure of how well I am doing mentally, how sharp my axe or knife is.
I’ve given you a mention in my latest post because I keep on thinking about that final sentence.
Thank you so much. It is always a fascination of mine, which words stick—whether my own, or those of others. Really is a form of magic, as far as I am concerned!
I am going to enjoy listening to this while I paint today! (Been looking forward to your return, and for what it's worth A Fall In Time is always worth a reread.)
I’m tempted to one day introduce video too, but that might be a step too far right now! I have to say, the fact that I knew you have listened to my work whilst you work yourselves was a big driver in beginning the process of recording it myself, in my own voice. The robot voices are much better than they used to be at the beginning of the technology, but still not as good as a human (although I’m still very sensitive to hearing my own voice, long held fear of that!).
Thanks again, I really appreciate you.
Impressed by your brain—and stamina! Kudos!
Thank you so much Anne! I realised that my stamina lasts for just under two weeks before shutting down completely, which I don't think is a bad thing at nearing 50! It is quite remarkable, how quickly one can get into shape when you move and construct an entire slope of rocks and soil. Who knew?!
A wonderful narrative Alex, you've got this sussed! I am still in the record-ten-times-and-delete stage for fear of frightening everyone away! I simply can't seem to find the tempo, or maybe I just have the wrong tools?
I am hoping, in the next few months, to launch myself into a similar terrace project, probably single handed, like you, with no modern tools just my own two hands and a necessarily plentiful supply of willpower and strength... I don't anticipate finding any boulders although I know, having surveyed the rubble of the former buildings there are many large quoins and lintels which will have to be manhandled and shuffled from one place to another! This too, eventually, will be a terraced garden, herbs, veggies and flowers. Fingers crossed...
I can already here that age old wisdom, 'Rome wasn't built in a day' and as someone very near and dear to me, who has refused all help, so often says 'no pain, no gain'!
I will need cheering on from the sidelines, I know I can count on you my friend!
I shall certainly be cheering you on! I hope it goes well (and I keep finding worked stone, too, which is very useful for steps!). There’s a special joy which comes from undertaking such a project, especially when it suddenly seems to be working, and then it is done!
And thank you! I think the biggest tip I learnt before recording my voice was to keep recording, even when you make mistakes, leaving a five second pause, which you can then easily find in the editing software (I use Audacity on Windows, which is relatively user-friendly). I found that, by doing this, I was less worried about the tempo, just reading it as I would normally (something I do with all my fiction, and often for other words, too, it really helps me find the cadence and structure when I read aloud). And I very, very much doubt you’d frighten anyone away, although I understand that fear all too well—I still don’t like my own voice recorded, but I am trying to come to terms with that.
Thank you for the cheering and the tips Alex, of course, one has to find the time to write before one can read, sadly this is in short supply right now! Roll on the holidays!
I feel this—it is hard to even find a moment to check replies and comments, and I feel so guilty for not replying sooner. I have a sneaky feeling the last few months of this year will somehow disappear before I know it, so many weekends are full of things it is, frankly, ridiculous!
A wall of Chine to last with stories to tell. Moss will grow, age will soften the sharp edges of scree. Perhaps a bridge over a stream to connect ramparts that the water can flow into a cistern to collect in a pond for fresh alpine snowmelt and maybe a pond/pool of reflection for fish, and fowl. Yes, minds see things. While some are thinking about thinks others like you Alex are living the dream and doing it. Escarpments to you. Build with a sense of relief. I've enjoyed all your efforts. Don't forget to grow a few Medlar trees, to create a renaissance repast delightful dinner. Build your fortress and be remembered for creating a well of will.
Many thanks for this comment! I love what you share here. You are spot on about the moss, too, the wall I finished a few years ago already looks like it has been there for hundreds of years. I'm already considering water collection too, at present the rainfall just heads off down the mountainside, so I'd like to retain some of that. The problem is the angle of the slope and space, but I'm sure that can be worked out with time. Thanks again--and I'd love to grow medlar! Not sure they'd grow at that altitude, although with the changing temperatures, perhaps it is worth a shot. (There is already a quince there, which I want to propagate.)
Medlar similar to quince. Both will grow. As for holding flow of water, maybe release a couple of beavers to create a natural pond. Then go fishing.
You mentioned pilgrims needing to get to a place faster. Does that place still exist? Or has it become a ruin, no longer used?
It is still used as a site for pilgrimage, yes. There are monks, nuns, and other members of the church there permanently, and often very high ranking officials will turn up on various holy days.
OMG, that is a proper list of projects!
I'd love to help you in any of these endeavours.
And I’d love to have you help! This year, I’ve even begun the process of gathering nuts to plant to grow new trees (walnut and hazel for starters, fruit trees to cut and grow next year), which is always a wonderful magic, knowing that planting a tree is a long term thing (but also remarkable how quickly they can grow, too!). Lots to do, even if the world doesn’t continue to come apart at the seams. If/when it does, even more to do…
Indeed bro. You're making progress.
Planting trees is the pinnacle of long-term planning. ✊🏽
There are so many different trees here too—and sometimes I find myself getting angry by how much of the landscape is wooded, simply because it isn’t in the UK and it feels unfair to everyone there. There’s a reason the biodiversity here is some of the best remaining in Europe (I also often consider lectures on glacial refugia during the Paleolithic, how certain Alpine valleys essentially remained as specific microclimates, nurturing diverse plant and animal life which, once the ice retreated, began to spread out once more. I do wonder if this will perhaps be the case again in the coming years?
Yup, definitely..
it seems like good folks will retreat to the mountains, again! 😆
I will have to consider leaving the city and heading uphill myself, soon.
With Robert Redford’s death, I’ve been thinking Jerimiah Johnson is well due a rewatch… (Still find it unbelievable that he made that movie, The Candidate, AND The Sting all within roughly 12 months.)
😲 you know that's one of my favourite films ever!?
Yeah, busy man. He made some amazing movies.
❤️🔥 need a hand?
Haha! I literally just replied on the other post with precisely this! Yes! I do! I'll be doing some next summer too, but the big effort is likely to be 2027--that said, I also want to build a treehouse, plant many fruit trees, dig out and plant up more of the gardens, restore the crumbling trail, lay a hedge, and generally add to the already wonderful place. Lots to do, and you are always, always welcome.
"Tend to a place and it tends you right back." Tears.
Words are powerful things, right? I believe they are the closest we can get to true magic—that I thought of something, put it down in a sentence, then sent it out across the world via beams in space, ultimately to reach you, and touch you like this? Strangely magical. And thank you. That you reached out to let me know is a wonder in itself.