The Countryside

I’m spending a weekend in Devon with some friends. We’re staying in a big and lovely house that overlooks the sea. There’s a hot tub and we’ve got a boat for wake-boarding. There’s eleven of us and I know everyone well. Enough people to always have a lot of energy in the room.

But what I might be enjoying most is just being out of London. We’re deep into the English countryside and everything is just a little bit slower and a bit more lovely. The village we’re staying at, Shaldon, is very pretty. The 'town centre' is a handful of restaurants and pubs next to a small beach that inexplicably has reddish sand. Straight ahead is the marina with a number of small sailboats dotted around. To the left is the river Teign, flanked on both sides by farm fields and little cottages. To the right is the sea which is a bit choppy today. The few streets around this centre are small and crinkle upwards. The small houses on either side have been there since forever and every single one has some time of boat or sea paraphilia behind the windows.

It’s when I’m here that I think I’m seeing a small glimpse of my life in maybe 20 or 30 years. An environment like this, even though it might not be that stimulating, is a great place for a family. I’d like a house that has a full view of the beach, preferably without any neighbours in sight. It’d be the perfect place for a couple of kids to grow up. It’d be a perfect place to come and relax.

And now I’m on the train pulling into London. I’m actually glad I live here now. I love the hustle and bustle even though I sometimes don’t think I do. A weekend like this in Devon is great. It’s good to get out, to see something different, to relax and to spend time with friends in a countrysidy setting. But on Monday morning I’m glad I’m back in London where I can soak up the energy and be part of something exciting.

So yeah, the Countryside is great. But not for another 20 years or so.