Which are you? Are you soothed by open spaces and being far from other people or do you long for the crowds and bustle of cities? Most of us slot in to one camp or the other although there are many, I’m sure, who can happily gravitate between two worlds. For me the countryside wins hands down and this feeling has grown stronger as I have grown older.
I still look forward to the excitement of a city break whether here in the UK or farther afield but I have learned to book for no more than three nights now, that is my optimum time to be in a city environment. For the first few days I am captivated by the architecture, the chance to visit art galleries and museums, take in a play and enjoy diverse food cultures and then it begins…..an insidious nagging for tranquility, dark skies at night, the lack of noise apart from the bleat of a sheep or call of a buzzard. By the third day my thoughts turn more frequently towards home and all that I love about this little village, nestled in the hills of mid Wales.
As well as the peace and quiet I really love the feeling of being known; a trip to the pub means my usual tipple will be put in front of me with nothing more than an enquiring eyebrow lift to check if that is what I would like. On our daily ramble across fields, through the woods and back down the lane we are likely to meet a few regular walkers of the two and four legged variety and will chat for a few moments, throw a stick and rub ears, on the dogs of course! The everydayness of the meetings means that rarely is anything of any importance discussed, a few comments on the weather, the sheep or a village gathering soon to be held, but there is a comfort in the ordinary, a solace in the small things.
I am convinced that by living in the country we spend far less money. We have to run two cars and have a well stocked freezer in readiness for winter snow but we don’t have the temptation of shops and their ability to draw us in and suggest, oh so gently, that we really do need the latest clothing or kitchen gadget. When I am in towns and cities I suddenly become aware that I am wearing last years, or maybe a three year old coat, which is still perfectly serviceable and maybe I should have one that is more up to date? In the country it doesn’t seem to matter; our everyday wear is practical and consists of jeans and warm jumpers in winter, T shirts in summer and when we do go out to the pub or a Quiz night, local night at the opera ( yes we are lucky enough to have cinema and theatre very close by) then we upgrade to smarter pants and tops or the occasional simple dress with boots as the lanes stay muddy and the car parks have huge puddles so everyone dresses for practicality. It is such a relief to be rid of the endless need to buy new and ‘keep up’; here there is pride in how long you have had something and delight in the news of a bargain whether it be the price of a tractor or a bag of potatoes.
I enjoy my visits to the city and will keep making those trips as long as I am able but my heart is truly in the countryside, surrounded by nature and where the year is marked by the changing seasons, from the first tiny snowdrop to the last autumn leaf, from the fresh salads of summer to the warm stews of January. My daughter calls me a Bumpkin, and I don’t mind a bit. In fact I think it’s quite a compliment.
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