Mini Travel Journal

And some calming things for your week...

Steps from my front door…..

There is an unexpected soft rain this morning that is fresh and lovely.

The kind of rain that doesn’t even make a sound on the skylights in the kitchen of my temporary home but one that I can see falling when I look carefully towards the sky, seeing it fall against the backdrop of grey stone rooftops and chimney stacks and the brilliant green of the tree canopy. I see the drops clinging to the bright green leaves of the bushes that grow in the garden of my stone house by the sea. As I look out the window, I think that I am lucky to have this generous back garden, abundant in lush vegetation and grass and space. A wonderful space for birds to visit, bees to buzz around and sit outside on a sunny day. But for now, it’s time for my morning walk.

As I head towards the front hall I think, unexpected rain? I laugh a bit at that because is rain ever UNexpected in Scotland? Even though local folks I meet are apt to apologize for the rainy weather, I am quick to tell them that I love it.

I put on my shoes and coat, attach Purdey’s lead to her harness and head out the door while the light is still soft and grey as it is in the early morning, walking towards the beach. The rain is very soft, almost a mist but slightly heavier, as it dampens both our coats - mine made of some sturdy UK fabric and hers of soft, black fur. The quiet is palpable, no cars, no urban sounds whatsoever, and wraps around me like a cozy blanket

The hour and rain sees the waterfront deserted and ours alone for this moment. I take a deep breath, inhaling the salty air that is laced with a bit of woodsmoke, and listen to the morning chatter of birds.

This is how I start my day in a wee village on the coast of Scotland.

I have been here for 2 weeks.

2 weeks ago, I left the bustle of Edinburgh to change locations for a month. Aberdour is not too far in miles yet it feels much farther, in time and place. A simpler, gentler time. The road from Edinburgh took me out of the city and over the stunning Forth Road Bridge, gleaming white over the sea, running parallel to the Forth Bridge, which is a historic railway bridge and the first steel structure in Britain. Both are symbols of Scottish engineering and craftsmanship. Both are awe-inspiring.

To get to Aberdour from Edinburgh, you follow the coastal path of Fife, which is 117 miles in total on the east coast of Scotland, and boasts some of the most picturesque villages in the country. I’m now living, albeit temporarily, in one of them.

Hi Friends,

I’m trying something new here with my vignettes, a mini travel-life journal so to speak and have more drafted to share in the coming weeks. I hope you enjoy them.

Spring is on full display today as I am finalizing this post and the sun and salty sea air are calling me. I hope wherever this finds you, you are also able to enjoy some time with your face lifted to the sun.

I have collected some calming things to share with you this week. Do let me know if any of them resonate or you have things to add.

Books

Books have long been some of my most comforting companions throughout my life. A story often told as I was growing up, amongst my extended family, was that I was surrounded by books in my crib, even before I could actually read, and would spend time just happily turning the pages. I often wonder what my baby-brain was thinking then. As I grew, books were my portal to other worlds, sparking joy, and also an escape from dark times. At an early age, I had quite a large library and quickly developed favorites that I would read over and over again. While I love reading new books, there is something very calming and comforting about a revisiting a good story and the characters that feel like friends.

Here are some books I recommend for escape, comfort, adventure…

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

I knew nothing about this book when I began it. A strong recommendation from my son, Zach, always has me moving a book up in my queue and he told me it was best to just begin without reading anything about the book. This is exactly how I would recommend you dive into this fantastical book as well. I can’t express how much I love this book and there is a line in it that I repeat often in my head. If you give it a go, please let me know your thoughts. Buy here.

Circe by Madeline Miller

This is a book that I felt physically drawn to while I was book shopping at a bookstore in Florence, Italy in early January 2022. There are a few bookstores that have a nice english section in Florence and I wanted a physical book (as opposed to reading on my ipad at that time) so I went shopping without a book in mind. Since Circe had been out for awhile it wasn’t on display and I wasn’t looking for it so was there a higher power involved? Maybe! I inhaled this book and love it so much. Explore here.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

Another recommendation from my son, Zach, I fell hard for this wonderful, enchanting, magical story and it’s characters. I wish I could read it all over again for the first time. This is also a “banned book” in parts of the US likely for its compassion and empathy. Buy it here.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

I cannot explain what a gift this book was to me when I opened it on a Christmas morning in the 70’s. On that Christmas, my aunt Rosalie gifted me this incredible edition of the classic story that was huge, with gold tipped pages and gorgeous illustrations. Unfortunately, I read that book until it fell apart (no exaggeration). I revisit the tales of the March family often, at least every 2 or 3 years, but especially when I’m feeling lost or scared in life. Buy it here.

“I’m not afraid of storms, as I am learning how to sail my ship.” - Amy March

Music

I’m only going to link one playlist this week. This is one I have had on repeat while I work, especially while writing. I have also used this playlist to meditate. I adore Hayao Miyazaky and everything he stands for.

Ghibli for Sleep

Listen Here

Film

I could create a long list of films that comfort me. Next to books, movies were my other steadfast friends, and comforts, growing up. My obsession with films continued into adulthood and while my son was growing up you could often find us at the movie theater on the weekends together.

Pride and Prejudice - BBC Version

For today I am sharing one of my all-time top comfort watches: the BBC series version of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. Considered “the best version” by some, I will say that I am one of those in that camp.

I owned this version on VHS tapes (6 tapes!) and turned to this story often, getting lost in the ups and downs of Elizabeth and Darcy and all the Bennetts. I have a very vivid memory around this film/series. I would say my son was 10 and we lived in Tucson, Arizona. I had come down with bronchitis and was quite sick and in bed. I had been napping and heard a knock on my bedroom door. Zach came in with a bowl of soup and some toast he had made me. He put it carefully on the bed and then went and got the box of VHS tapes of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and said “Should I start this for you?” I cry just remembering this.

Spirited Away

If you have never watched Spirited Away, I highly recommend this classic from Hayao Miyazaky. One of my very favorites of his magical films, I dare say it will transport you and have you seeing the world differently. I carry the art from a scene in the film that touched me deeply. The quote that goes with it is written in every journal I begin now as a reminder of the power we hold.

“I hope one day you have the courage to run away from everything that makes you miserable."

Thanks so much for reading Pied Á Terre Life. I so appreciate all of you!

Until next time.