In Love with Life: October 2016

Friday, October 21, 2016

Falling in Love With Britain.. Wait, What?!

Hi again,

Today I decided to write about Great Britain. Don't worry, it's not about Brexit, Immigrants or Tesco discounts. It's about my relationship with this funny island.

I remember the times when Great Britain to me meant Scarborough and Brighton; these two completely different towns which became my home for a while. At that point in my life I was studying and working full time so all I could do was to observe people of this country. A lot of things did make me laugh, I could not understand this friendliness and politeness that I was so not used to. Thank you, please and sorry became my every days prayers. It did feel strange at first but couple of years and I already was 'one of them'.

While indulging conversations with locals I started to understand a lot of things. Some things made me angry, even disappointed, but most of them are now kept safely in my heart. The memories of beautiful people who beat any stereotypes or cliches.

And then, Great Britain became my transit country. It seemed like everywhere I would go, I would always pass by Britain. But this time I created different relationship with this country. Suddenly I realized why millions of tourists come and spend their money there. To me it was the nature. Green rolling hills with sweet little sheep around, traditional country pubs in the middle of nowhere and, of course, 4 seasons in one day.

On my latest transit trip (which by the way ended in missed flight to Lithuania, ha!) I discovered Lake and Peak Districts. Beautiful hills and mountains surrounded by lakes and streams. The wilderness that every true adventurer is seeking for. Face biting winds and drizzle which always bring a sunshine. How dare I think that Britain is boring. Forget about that consumerist face of Britain that you always hear and see in media and go and explore the forests around, the fields, the streams, the lakes and mountains. I'm sure you will fall in love again.

I am saying huge thank you to my friends, who still live in Britain. Thank you because of you everytime I get fascinated more and more about the nature of your country. And you can learn a lot from it.

Now I am back in my beloved Channel Islands. Indulging the ocean life. It's time to learn how to drive and convert a van for new adventures in the future.

Enjoy October!

Ligita

Beautiful view of Kendal from Sandra's flat

mmm...veggie delight

Exploring Kendal

Kendal

and...Kendal!

Love it!

Bowness

Windermere Lake

You are not tripping, sheep are orange for real!!!

Sweet sheep of Lake District

And the rain is coming...

Love the colours!

Cows that nearly attacked us :)

So proud

My adventures partner Jess.

Peak District

somewhere in Peak District...

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Summer Time And the Living is Easy. And Here Comes Autumn

Dear friends,

It's been a while since I sat down and put my words down.

This summer flew unbelievably fast. It felt like one of those when I used to be at school waiting for summer holidays and then enjoying every single day of it, except this time I actually been working.

My lovely island Sark, again, was spoiling me like a princess. Or like a horse carriage driver, ha! That was my status for those sunny hot days on Sark. Working outdoors and getting to know more about horses was one of the highlights of this summer.

And here I have to mention about my new special friend- Alfie, the horse I've been driving. White beauty in love with rolling in the mud. The soft and gentle giant whose one step can easily break your toe. Curious and obsessed about food. My work colleague, my team and most important my friend. Strong and sweet. Ok, I start to sound like a horse lady, ha!

It's been my third summer on the beautiful island Sark. Every year brings something new. New friendships, new discoveries, new mistakes, new connections and definitely a new breeze.

They say just before your death, you see your life passing by like a movie scene where all you can do is just observe. Well, every time I leave places for a moment or two I get that. Like a flash of all your summer that fits in one second. And even now when I look at that magic rock called Sark from it's sister island Guernsey I see horses, carriages, full moon parties, swim sessions, caves, new friendships, this muddy dusty road and the light and silence in the evening when island turns into magical paradise.

Everyday on my carriage while talking about Sark to visitors I kept falling in love with Sark again and again. Sometimes we forget how beautiful a place is, when you are living in it. The routine keeps disturbing the beauty. However, now and then I was reminded to look at Sark again and again and see something new. New corner, new bike that I haven't seen parked for years, new smell, new flower, new feeling.

So thank you again Sark, for letting me enjoy this summer that I swear passed by too fast.

In front of me: autumn full of new adventures, visiting old friends, Lake District and sweet Lithuania.

See you around!

Ligita