Last Sunday I returned from a two-week vacation in southern England. Together with a friend, I spent a week in Dartmoor and a week in Exmoor and explored the area, including a trip to Cornwall. A dream came true! Visiting South England was high on my wish list and now I can cross it out. South of England: check!

I was a little “afraid” beforehand that I would fall in love with the region. That I would never want to leave and would want to drive my Tiny House to England. The thought alone makes me break out in sweat; what a venture that would be! On television programs in which people look for their dream home in England, it all looks so idyllic. The rolling green hills, stone walls, cute cottages and beautiful gardens. I have not fallen in love but I think it is a very nice area to spend a holiday. And I have gained a lot of inspiration. Oh, those gardens … the British are really good at that! It sparked my desire for a place of my own even more; a place where I can finally build the garden of my dreams. A place I never have to leave. Where I can get started with permaculture principles. Create a garden full of flowers, herbs and edible plants. A small greenhouse. And, a place with a bit more privacy – I honestly also need that. Oh well, the grass is always greener and such ..;)
We have undertaken a lot these two weeks and the weather was better than expected. Visits to estates (with those breathtaking gardens!), castles (ditto!), walks on the moors, visits to lovely coastal towns. We went to the impressive Eden project in Cornwall for a day, where education in the field of sustainability predominates. And everywhere we went there were signs with texts about the bees; that the bees are doing so badly and that we must take better care of them. It is not surprising that there is such attention given to bees in England now. No fewer than 97% of wildflower meadows in the UK have disappeared in recent decades. Along the way I bought a book about an estate in West Sussex that could no longer make ends meet as an agricultural company, and to which the owners made the surprising and drastic decision to give the land back to nature. It is called “Wilding” – from the appropriately-named author, Isabella Tree. It contains a lot of shocking figures about nature in England and the whole of Europe. But it is a book with a positive message, so go and read it.
I also made a trip to Glastonbury, a place that I really wanted to go to for a long time. My traveling companion had already been there three times so decided to take a day of rest while I took the car. I am an early bird, so when I arrived in Glastonbury I took the first bus from the center to Glastonbury Tor. And I was the only one on the bus… What was even better was that when I arrived on top of the Tor, there was nobody there! I was all alone. Do you know how unique that is? It was a bit foggy, so the view was limited but it was magical! I was able to take this fantastic photo:

One to frame, don’t you think? The ruins of Glastonbury Monastery were also very impressive. How amazingly beautiful that place would have been before Henry VIII decided to pillage the riches of the church. Unfortunately, we can only imagine it.

The rich history, the delicious food (argh, holiday kilos!) and the different ciders, the beautiful buildings and gardens, the fresh green of nature; I thought it was all magnificent! But now I am home again and that is nice too. One sleeps best in one’s own bed. And Hella is so happy that I am back, even though she, the chickens, and Elvis the duck were very well looked after in my absence. She was lying on the bed beside me, purring loudly, and I hugged her extensively. And then back to the order of the day. Work, work, work. I have so much to catch up with. But I get it done and I enjoy it in the process. Oh well, it already is weekend again! Enjoy it, everyone! The weather will be beautiful! :)
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