A Lockdown Lesson for the Environment as Earth Day Turns 50

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Kai is at ease contemplating the universe, with some spring crocus which have appeared everywhere as the snows melt

“He is much more happy that at ease contemplates the universe as his own, and in it the sun and stars, the pleasing meadows, shades, groves, green banks, stately trees, flowing springs and the wanton windings of a river, than he that with fire and sword disturbs the world, and measures his possessions by the waste that lies around him.”

These words, written by John Aubrey in the 1600s, were never more relevant than today. First celebrated in 1970, April 22nd 2020 is the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, an annual, global event designed to support environmental protection.Continue reading “A Lockdown Lesson for the Environment as Earth Day Turns 50”

Living the Dream in Lockdown – Our First Month in Italian Isolation

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Living the Dream in Lockdown – At least we have each other!

I vowed always to be honest in my blog and not to pull any punches. Our ‘dream’ lifestyle has many advantages, but it is not always sunshine and rainbows.

Living the Dream in Lockdown has not been too bad, but three weeks in, I did have a little wibble.Continue reading “Living the Dream in Lockdown – Our First Month in Italian Isolation”

Collecting the Beast, Our New Expedition Truck: Part 2 – Rotterdam to Bournemouth

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Tuesday: Rotterdam – Calais (By Accident)

Mark was in Rotterdam.

This was following THE most ill-fated, 26-hour overland journey from high in the Italian Alps to The Low Countries to collect The Beast, a 30-year old ex-army truck that is to become our new, all-terrain mobile home.

Lady Luck had already made it clear that she was not on our side. After all we’d been through just purchasing The Beast and getting Mark as far as Rotterdam to collect her, I was riddled with angst about whether she would even start, never mind be roadworthy. And it was a good few years since Mark had driven a truck.

My last update had been about midday, before Mark and The Beast had actually met. It was 9:00pm before I got a call to say,

“I’m about eighty miles from the Channel Tunnel,” which was a shame.

I had just paid a supplement for the ferry crossing that he had booked from Le Havre.Continue reading “Collecting the Beast, Our New Expedition Truck: Part 2 – Rotterdam to Bournemouth”