Lydia I don't think you could have written a more perfect essay to tie up the ends of Alex's adventure in the wilds of Scotland. I read every entry last year and again with edits and updates this year (Alex, apologies for lack of comments this time round... this is not to say they weren't all as thoroughly enjoyed as the first - far from it) and am, if possible, even more in awe that ever of knowledge gathered as well as accomplishments. Thank you for sharing this personal insight into his journey, with great photos too - I really, really hope you get back your dining room very soon!
No need to apologise, I am really happy and grateful you reread the pieces! And I agree, I think that Lyd's essay really does add a depth to the whole thing which was missing last year.
It did really add to the story! I was really pleased with her words, especially as I had no idea what direction she’d approach the topic from, but it worked perfectly.
Thank you so much! It is funny how it shaped itself once I started writing - I started just noting down my memories, but it turned out that wasn't all that wanted to be written. I can't wait to see where Alex takes his adventures next.
Ideally, I'd like to take the adventures somewhere they can pay me something! Ha. Then, perhaps I can free your dining room!
I loved your words, the way they combined the little details of your day-to-day experience, with the much wider picture (of both background and direction). They really do add another level to this, thank you!
I have endured the journey Alex and Lydia and always wondered if you ever made a sweat lodge/ sauna.
The spiritual world called for this. Using some cedar shavings or other aromatic incense wood you acknowledged the animals and respected them. But I suppose you made no friends. Just let the world live in their own space and not interfere. I’d still like to see how you gathered mushrooms and your use of flat stone to cook/ bake food. Many photos are
Thanks Richard. I often think of the little mouse who raided my supplies as a sort-of friend, along with the robin and wren who would come into the shelter to sleep every night. The deer, I knew, but they mostly kept themselves to themselves, and I think the owls regarded me as somehow beneath me (literally, too, when they sat in the oak above the shelter), but still someone they needed to protect.
As for fungi, I would dry some add then add them to food over time, others I would pan fry and eat fresh. I do wish I’d taken more photos of my cooking. I have a picture somewhere from another adventure which fits and, if I can find it, I’ll tag you in it—not really how I cooked, but it illustrates the use of wild ingredients alongside supplies carried in. Similarly with the flat stone, somewhere there is a photo!
I was so grateful and delighted! Lyd really helped, so much, and it was great to read her words and memories about that experience, especially the way she wove in a bigger picture, too.
What a lovely way to tie up A Fall in Time. Lydia makes being your support crew sound effortless, but I expect it was far from that. And I do hope she gets her dining room back, lol
As Lydia is so fond of saying, there’s no excuse for bad admin, and she’s very, very good at that! Which certainly made me feel safer. I also hope she gets her dining room back, as that would mean I get my library back, too!!!
Lydia I don't think you could have written a more perfect essay to tie up the ends of Alex's adventure in the wilds of Scotland. I read every entry last year and again with edits and updates this year (Alex, apologies for lack of comments this time round... this is not to say they weren't all as thoroughly enjoyed as the first - far from it) and am, if possible, even more in awe that ever of knowledge gathered as well as accomplishments. Thank you for sharing this personal insight into his journey, with great photos too - I really, really hope you get back your dining room very soon!
No need to apologise, I am really happy and grateful you reread the pieces! And I agree, I think that Lyd's essay really does add a depth to the whole thing which was missing last year.
(And yes, I want my library back!)
Im not sure there was anything missing Alex, Lydia just added a different dimension which For me really added to the story! I loved it!
Haha, I’m not surprised, I would be lost without mine!
It did really add to the story! I was really pleased with her words, especially as I had no idea what direction she’d approach the topic from, but it worked perfectly.
Thank you so much! It is funny how it shaped itself once I started writing - I started just noting down my memories, but it turned out that wasn't all that wanted to be written. I can't wait to see where Alex takes his adventures next.
Ideally, I'd like to take the adventures somewhere they can pay me something! Ha. Then, perhaps I can free your dining room!
I loved your words, the way they combined the little details of your day-to-day experience, with the much wider picture (of both background and direction). They really do add another level to this, thank you!
Me neither Lydia, I’ve hung, enviously, on every word of his first!
Clear .
I have endured the journey Alex and Lydia and always wondered if you ever made a sweat lodge/ sauna.
The spiritual world called for this. Using some cedar shavings or other aromatic incense wood you acknowledged the animals and respected them. But I suppose you made no friends. Just let the world live in their own space and not interfere. I’d still like to see how you gathered mushrooms and your use of flat stone to cook/ bake food. Many photos are
Thanks Richard. I often think of the little mouse who raided my supplies as a sort-of friend, along with the robin and wren who would come into the shelter to sleep every night. The deer, I knew, but they mostly kept themselves to themselves, and I think the owls regarded me as somehow beneath me (literally, too, when they sat in the oak above the shelter), but still someone they needed to protect.
As for fungi, I would dry some add then add them to food over time, others I would pan fry and eat fresh. I do wish I’d taken more photos of my cooking. I have a picture somewhere from another adventure which fits and, if I can find it, I’ll tag you in it—not really how I cooked, but it illustrates the use of wild ingredients alongside supplies carried in. Similarly with the flat stone, somewhere there is a photo!
Wow! This is a beautiful facet to that time. 🌲
I was so grateful and delighted! Lyd really helped, so much, and it was great to read her words and memories about that experience, especially the way she wove in a bigger picture, too.
What a lovely way to tie up A Fall in Time. Lydia makes being your support crew sound effortless, but I expect it was far from that. And I do hope she gets her dining room back, lol
As Lydia is so fond of saying, there’s no excuse for bad admin, and she’s very, very good at that! Which certainly made me feel safer. I also hope she gets her dining room back, as that would mean I get my library back, too!!!