Home

Asseyez-vous sur le tronc de l’arbre abattu au fond des bois: si dans l’oubli profond de vous-même, dans votre immobilité, dans votre silence vous ne trouvez pas l’infini, il est inutile de vous égarer aux rives du Ganges.

Sit yourself down on the trunk of a fallen tree deep in the woods: if in your profound self-forgetfulness, in your immobility, in your silence you do not find the infinite, it is useless to stray to the banks of the Ganges.

Chateaubriand Mémoires d’Outre-tombe

There is so much truth in this. I return to find home mostly unchanged and myself, though now full of wonderful memories, very much as I was when I left. (In the wider world, Trump is still President, Brexit is still going ahead etc…). In the few days since I have been back I have reconnected with most of my family and many good friends. I have swum at Tooting Bec Lido and at the Ladies Pond. I am finding it hard to bring any focus to tasks (from completing the unpacking to paying bills and beyond). So this afternoon I took myself for a long walk on Hampstead Heath with my camera. I switched off my phone – something I don’t think I have done on the heath for years. I definitely looked more closely and was aware, as I had been walking in New Zealand, of how little I knew of the world around me. I was able to recognise and name almost all the birds I saw. The small brown rodents by the ornamental lake, I think they were water rats, but I really am not sure. With regard to the trees, I was rubbish. However, camera in hand I really saw them. I can honestly say I have never noticed holly blossom before now. When I lay on the ground to take a photo of the fallen tree trunk I became aware of tens of little shoots, holly and beech and others that I didn’t recognise.

I spent the most part of most days out of doors when I was away and the same has been true of today. It is probably not sustainable week in week out but I do know that it is mood enhancing and I will remember this. So, this is what I am going to take from my trip. I am going to take time. To see the world around me and to connect properly with it, and with the people in it.