Tag Archives: time

“Did you say Mexico?”

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Staring at the departure board at Euston station last week, I had a sinking feeling we weren’t going to make our flight to Greece. Delayed and cancelled flashed up on more and more trains, and even more worryingly, our train wasn’t even listed.

“Due to the extremely hot weather, some of our trains are not in the right location and also some of our staff… we’re doing our best though,” said the station announcer. However sorry they were it wasn’t going to help us get to Birmingham International for our plane, that was likely to be leaving as scheduled in a few hours time. We both looked at our watches and sighed, saying one of those prayers.. “if you could just help us get a train, please!”

Suddenly one of the Birmingham-bound trains was ready and a hoard of would-be passengers streamed forward. We joined the throng, hoping our tickets would be valid and dragging our cases behind us.

On board the guard showed her sense of humour, mixing up the wording on her announcements and making everyone smile. Later she chatted to us as we prepared to get off, helping us manoeuvre a pushchair to get our bags to the door.

“Where are you off to? Did you say Mexico?!”

We chuckled and I touched my straw hat, while she told us her dream was to go travelling in a few years, when she’d had enough of Avanti and network rail.

Stepping aboard another Greek ferry later that day, felt like a bit of a miracle after the day’s train and plane delays. The ferry was actually earlier than scheduled so we were lucky to catch it. Even more amazing was that I could walk without limping after almost falling through the ceiling a couple of days earlier as I’d attempted to tidy tools in our son’s loft extension!

Now a week on, the boat is rocking gently in the most delightful bay, framed by chalky cliffs with turquoise water lapping at the beach.

Since leaving Skopolos last week, we’ve enjoyed some beautiful anchorages on islands we’ve never heard of. Pine trees and olive groves flow down to the water and bleating goats and buzzing cicadas provide the soundtrack day and night.

I’m loving taking time on this mini sailing adventure around the Sporades islands. We’re here for a few weeks and that means we can take our time, sit longer over a frappe in a cafe by the quay, spend time forging new friendships with fellow sailors, decide to stay an extra night and try another restaurant just because we can. Today “time” is on our side and it feels good to slow things down for now.

I’m also loving meeting new people! Within a day of arriving in Greece we met a couple from Cornwall who’d sailed their boat all the way here some years ago. Then we met them again at an anchorage and again at a little port town (we’re not your stalkers – honestly!). We also met another couple from Plymouth! Suddenly it feels like a small world and the other night all six of us exchanged stories and laughter at a local fish restaurant. However much peace I crave, you can’t beat forging new friendships – it’s the best!

On the other hand international relations were under strain an hour or so ago, when a neighbouring yacht ‘politely’ asked us to move our anchor. We ‘politely’ declined, on the grounds that it wasn’t necessary. Half an hour later we waved “au revoir” as they decided to move and the French skipper showed us his bottom! Fair enough – perhaps he was rather hot…

the clock is ticking

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If your life is a day, what time do you think it is?

I guess this question only springs to mind as the ‘day’ begins to run away with you. However, the clock is always ticking and none of us have a clue how long we’ve got on this earth.

February tends to be a gloomy month for many of us and this year it seems particularly so – thanks to COVID, we don’t even have holiday plans to look forward to. For me it’s also heading towards the time in February when I lost both my parents. They actually died more than 25 years apart, but at exactly the same time of year. 

Even more gloomily, next year I will be the same age my mother was when she died, so I guess the ticking clock thoughts are somewhat inevitable. I’m sure my elder sisters had similar experiences approaching the same milestone.

It’s one o’clock in the morning, I’m not asleep and I can hear the wind howling round the house and whistling through the trees. Thankfully there is no sound of a ticking clock!

Still, I am wondering what time is it for me?

When I was very young time often dragged. I seemed to have to wait ages for everything whether it was Christmas, birthdays, the summer holidays, or even just the return of my siblings from a bicycle ride… 

Then I stopped marking time so much, I was too busy living and loving it, racing from one exciting event and experience to another.

Somewhere along the way life began to speed up. I can remember my children learning to walk, their first days at school and now suddenly, one of them is settling their own child into nursery and watching for their first steps.

Life seems to have moved suddenly from lunchtime to late afternoon – well I’m hoping it’s afternoon and not evening, but who knows?

The thing is I haven’t a clue what time it is and I’m glad. Not knowing means I need to make the most of each day, savour each moment, just in case it’s getting later than I’d realised and the sun is about to set.

Some years ago, a very good family friend lost his daughter in a car accident. It was a terrible shock – a beautiful young life cut short. His words to many of us, as he battled on through the pain and grief each day, were “carpe diem” – seize the day. He was right – we shouldn’t be watching the clock afraid of when it’s going to strike midnight. 

I want to try and seize each day, making the most of all that I have, even in lockdown!