Hello All,
Thank you for all your responses to my Aunt Peggy Pillow post – if you want to see the complete fruits of my guilt, take a look here.
So I have just come back from a couple of days away.
On my own.
That is…it was just me.
This never happens – ever. Two days and two nights away from everything – nobody to worry about except myself.
Due to an ever present guilt that kicked in as the umbilical cord was cut at the birth of my eldest child, I was forced to cling to the flimsy excuse that I was actually working by delivering an old screen to the very wonderful Mar Vista Cottages in Mendocino.
So actually I had to go…I really didn’t have any choice…
And did I mention it’s my favorite place ever? Two whole days and two whole nights…by myself….in my favorite place ever…
Renata and Tom bought these 1930’s beach cottages ten years ago and have been doing them up and working on the land around them ever since. Set on a gentle green slope over looking the sea, the whole place is a slice of heaven.
Each little cottage is perfection itself.
Everything you need…
And nothing more.
Simple…
and stylish.
And when I stepped out of the door on my first morning
There had been a heavy frost – the chickens took no notice…
The brussel sprouts were icy in their pick-your-own organic garden
And the ponds were sparkling.
Even the goats looked happy to be soaking up the sun after a very cold night.
And I haven’t even mentioned the beach yet…down the winding steps…
And onto the sand. When the tide is out, you can walk…
…and walk.
But what I loved most of all was just sitting still in my little cottage number eight, staring out of the window, all quiet, not doing very much at all.
I don’t think I had been on my own for this long in years. It took me a while to adjust – the first six hours I felt a nagging urgency to make the most of every last minute, reading, writing and frantically making lists … but then I blew it by falling asleep.
I woke up to a strange and total quietness. Quiet, quiet and just the prospect of more uninterrupted quiet to come…
Maybe it would drive me mad eventually or I’d be lonely after a while…
But right then, for those two days, it was doing the trick.
See you all soon,
Ros
p.s. Welcome to all those people from the lovely Beach Cottage – come back again soon.
Love this, although, once again, so green with envy! Glad you had the time and in that gorgeous place! xx b
Thanks Becky, it was indeed gorgeous – the trouble is with time away on your own is that once you have had a bit, you just want more xx
I’ve been thinking of going up to Sea Ranch all by myself when Tony and Nick go to an Anime conference in LA on 4th of July weekend. Even if I don’t, I’ll have some glorious time on my own, and for now experiencing it vicariously through your blog is good.
I have to say that if I had the chance of being in my own house on my own, I would grab it with both hands!
what a gloriously peaceful read! i just wanted to reach out for that book and mug of coffee. about to supervise seventeen 5 year olds changing for Gym. i can but dream of some happy soul nurturing solitude…x
Good luck with the new job – you will be luck a duck to water, I know. Hope you are writing a diary of your times in Hamburgxxx
What a beautiful place. Truly a bit of heaven on earth. How wonderful for you to have had a little bit of respite in the midst of everyday life. I’m your linky neighbor at Good Life Wednesday. Thanks for sharing your little oasis with us today.
Lynn
Thanks Lynn, it is a little slice of heaven – already seems a long time ago now!
ros–you’ve just given me an idea! I think I’m due for a refresher at Mar Vista (the best “spa” around).
Your blog is great. I read, just not commenting often. I will change that…
Thanks Sara – I had forgotten that you’d been there – it is the best place for a bit of a break. Hope I see you soonxx