From neglect to a beautiful walkway.
Yesterday my son sent me a link, it was a video made by a media friend and was totally terrifying in its message. I won't give you the link but perhaps 'Brave New World' - Aldous Huxley and '1984' - George Orwell should be taken off the school library shelves, so that these 40 years old people can't panic today!
The element of chaos that is being brought back intrigues me. It is almost like the Northern gods have suddenly appeared and are now thundering around the world. Only they are not really, just a load of techos experimenting with different ideas. Is there to be a new world order? Or will chaos live up to its name and choose otherwise, all bets are on.
Of course they (the younger ones) blame it on the baby boomers, and they may have a point. But for all the greed it is lovely to see people just living their lives as they wish to.
And if you think in despairing tones, just take a narrow boat ride through the canals and admire the beauty of the English countryside. The woman on the Mindful Narrow boat has a fantastic life with her dog Zephyr and is also an artist who collects her thoughts and drawings together at the end of the day. I admire her courage in handling a long narrow boat through difficult locks and overcoming the many problems with those selfsame lock keys she meets along the way.
I wasn't planning to watch all the video but I did. The woman's illustrated journal is quite something. My family lived at Barmby Marsh in the three years before I was born and my sister-in-law lives in Selby. Thank you for sharing this Thelma.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it Neil, it looks idyllic to be sailing along on a narrowboat but it needs plenty of skills. She is an excellent naturalist as well.
ReplyDeleteI would never have the skill or the nerve to do what she does. I wonder if she is ever in danger and I know that I would be afraid to travel alone like that. How does she afford it all I wonder? Maybe she has sponsors or sells her art work?
ReplyDeleteI think she finds it frightening when she gets near the sea and is exposed to tidal movements, the narrow boats are very shallow Ellen. She sells her book on Etsy, a bit pricey at £25 but it must fund her journey.
DeleteI have quite a lot of canal boat videos and find them very relaxing and fascinating to see others' choice of lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteI think it became quite popular when Timothy West and Prunella Scales did their canal trips. I loved the one down the Avon and Kennet canal television programme 'The Canal Trip'.
DeleteI follow a couple of narrowboaters who just travel the canal, and their videos are quite addictive. As time goes on, their personalities come out as they become more relaxed about filming themselves.
ReplyDeleteAlso, what a fine job with the viaduct.
DeleteIt is not a particular easy life on the canals, and especially now with the drought we are beginning to experience Andrew. Manchester has a good mayor, turning the city into the capital of the North and spending money as it should be spent.
Deletenice video.... very interesting, in parts... (i mean..... i've never seen anyone putting three biscuits on a plate in such exaggerated fashion) - my anxiety levels peaked around the 23 minute mark with a rash of himalayan balsam.... even the dog turned back!!
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ReplyDeletethat made me smile A/F have you heard of 'slow living' something you are doing right now. Her ritual of placing the biscuits and making the tea is just that and leads you up quietly to the moment she sits down and starts writing finishing off the video on a quiet note.