Up until a couple of weeks ago this was my familiar morning walk along the Thames during my seven hour a day commute. By Wednesday I would be desperate for the week to end.
In Smallville, however, every day feels like a sleepy Sunday. Here's a quiet little corner (the whole town seems to be made of those) with quaint, pastel cottages clustered around the church.Relax. The weekend will be here in its own time.
18 comments:
In Smallville, you can slow your walking pace by a few mph (whoops, kph). How nice not to have those crowds.
Lupine Lady: it is very quiet around here, not that I miss the rush hour crowds.
And we still use mph here; it's only those pesky continental folk who succumb to metric weirdness. I still think in feet and inches and wouldn't know a kilometer if it bit me on the leg.
What a quaint and peaceful little town! I like your Smallville. You can take the train into London to get your city fix now and then. Even though I live in the middle of nowhere I like the fact that I am within two hours of Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. Four hours to New York.
That top photo is too funny -- everyone looks miserable! I wouldn't be too happy either I guess having to deal with such crowds. I totally agree with Neetzy that Smallville looks amazingly quaint.
Lots of white shirts in the top photo. Everyone looks alone, even as they are walking all together.
Smallville looks peaceful and charming. Do people saunter in Smallville, rather than walk?
Neetzy: quaint and peaceful is nice, but you're right: I need the excitement of a city, too. Luckily I have Norwich which is bustling and busy but also beautiful. I fully intend never taking the train to London again. I shall drive from now on.
Your situation sounds idyllic: just far enough away from the cities but with a nice choice should you feel the need for crowds and culture.
Katie: Yes, everyone was always miserable getting off the trains and heading out into the city. That's why I used to love walking through the parks in the mornings: everyone else seemed to skirt around them and stick to the streets leaving the parks empty except for me and the trees.
Ms.M: Excellent observation. I travelled with the same people for years yet we never talked to one another.
In Smallville people tend to meander, amble, wander and occasionally mosey; I've not seen much sauntering yet. The main street is brick-paved and pedestrianised and has lots of seats so it's like a huge outdoor café at lunchtimes, though of course it is never crowded.
I like it there.
They call us country bumpkins here, and that is Ok, we are mostly peaceful, so glad you are enjoying being near home again, I never knew how you stuck that journey all that time.
The wheelie bins rather spoil the view!
Dive, that second picture is my romanticized view of England. I'm so glad it really exists.
I like your Smallville more and more! It reminds me of the Old Country. We had buildings like that. You don't have that kind of architecture here in the Colonies.
Oh and Alifa, "wheelie bins"? I love that.
I really love London in all of its citiness, but these images of Smallville are so delightful. You've shown pictures like these before, the contrast between the two places makes them that much better.
Mum: you ARE country bumpkins! And no: I don't know how I stuck that commute for so many years either.
Petrea: It certainly does exist. Come over and enjoy it.
Vanda: Every building in that photo is way older than 1492 so it's little wonder the US doesn't have such places.
Mum had a good giggle at your wheelie bins line.
Robyn: The contrast hits home a whole lot more now that I no longer have that dumb commute. Vive la difference!
That's the plan. Expect two of us. You don't have to put us up but we'll want to occupy you for at least half a day.
Woohoo!
Smallville looks big on all the things that really count.
Hey there, Lucio! How are things with you?
Yes, I'm afraid I am no longer London based, but about as far out into the sticks as it is possible to get.
I'm kind of enjoying it so far.
Looks like Wymondham?
Dive, Dive! I've just been catching up! So you are no longer arguing with trains. My, my. I am pleased for you - and how are you enjoying the new position?
I recently posted my occasional wishes for busy cities, but as you will see by my post if you mosey on over there, it's hard to leave the country...
Lots of love, Dive, wish you well in the new job!
Hi, Lynn!
No, not Wymondham; about 25 miles away.
I am no longer screaming with anguish at 4:40 every morning, though I am still waking up then as my body clock has yet to adjust to a more leisurely pace.
The new job is a breeze after the pressures of London, but Smallville is eerily quiet at times.
All is well, young Dive.
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