Post 2/2024. I’m sorting files of our winter/spring stays in County Cornwall, England. What to keep, what to toss. Some sorting hours later, on a cold and getting colder, stay-indoors-weekend, from my 2019 Notebook I extrapolate a few thoughts on what holds true for our planned return this year.

Benefits of being outside

Happily, the first Notebook entry is a quote from A Philosophy of Walking, by Frederic Gros, (first published 2011) translated by John Howe. Gros talks about the sensation of living outside.

“In walks that extend over several days, during major expeditions, everything is inverted. ‘Outside’ is no longer a transition, but the element in which stability exists.”

In walking, he says, one is at home on the trail. Think outdoors. Muse. Plan. Do it–except for this weekend in Indiana and elsewhere, wait for a better a time.

A few pages on I came across text from what is noted only as a frog poster: “I’m going to stand outside, so if anyone asks, I am outstanding.”

A quote from The Guardian noted, “Sitting down for too long may be causing 70,000 UK deaths a year.”

A sedentary existence need not be most peoples’ lot. The word for most of us is straightforward: move more, move often. KEEP CALM AND GO OUT.

One goes out from a building for a breath of fresh air, entertainment, a walk, and of course, work, errands, appointments, shopping, etc. and etc. Leave the car at home if you can, enjoy the slower pace.

Reaching out and in

Mother Teresa said, “Go out into the world today and love the people you meet. Let your presence light new light in the hearts of people.”

Anne Frank said, “The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.”

John Muir: “I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.”

What gets me out?

Connection with the natural world, with myself, and with other people gets me out. Such encounters are emotionally invigorating. When we started walking in earnest, we joined with siblings to walk the Bruce Trail in Ontario, Canada. It took us more than seven weeks over seven years to complete the trail (900 km, 560 miles).

What wonderful memories. From the first cottage where we stayed, we’d walk out to see the sun set over Lake Huron, then turn in for the night. One time I was so tired that I only walked halfway to the beach. After a night of slumber, I was ready for more coursing through nature with family and at times, friends–fueled by a hearty breakfast.

Out and about in Cornwall

Cornwall has been our home from home for 12 winter/spring stays. The following description of Cornwall is from 50 Walks in Cornwall, by AA Publishing (Automobile Assocation in Britain). Our copy is stored with friends there.

“Cornwall’s long, dwindling peninsula reaches out into the Atlantic like a ragged claw and nowhere in that peninsula is more than 20 miles (30km) from the sea. The Cornish coast is traversed by the Countryside Commision’s 286 miles (431 km) Cornwall Costal Path that runs . . . through maritime heath land and coastal fields, along the edges of dramatic cliff tops, and past magnificent beaches and picturesque fishing villages turned tourist resorts. . ..”

Good description, except there’s serious sorting needed of the impact visitors have, pro and con, on Cornish people and place.

Homeward bound to Indiana, 2019

More excerpts from my Big Value Reporters Notebook.

13 May: “Aboard the Royal Duchy bound for London Paddington. Seats 29 and 30 in coach H. Seated back to direction of travel. A backwards look at Cornwall 2019. Arrived 11 February. Three forays out of Cornwall: Dartmoor National Park with Steve and Marilyn. Bath, Wiltshire, on our own. Guernsey with Stanley and Marlene. Almost 4000 photos later we’ve said goodbye to friends and left open the door to a return in 2020.

Quality time is good. Quantity time counts, too . . . Sleepy. Train accelerating. Fresh brewed coffee, 100% Arabica, brewed with lid on. Called a Suprlid, Patent Pending. Approaching Bodman Parkway. Warm. Took off my sweater. It’s been brilliant, the time we’ve had here . . . Snack trolley coming down the aisle again. Need nothing. Had cheese sandwich, chips, cookie and chocolate just after St Erth.

Cornwall is a place to see, best done on foot. Uphill, downhill, across a stile, along the Atlantic and English Channel coasts, on moors, hedged fields, beaches–vast stretches of Areas of Outstanding Beauty.

Cornwall is a place to interact with friends, locals and those who visit. Brilliant times.

Cornwall is a place to feel, catch the pulse, touch what’s real. Done in visits to historic sites, ancient pilgrim footpaths, galleries, churches, worship services, Evensong at Truro Cathedral, especially with friends and others we meet.

Cornwall is a place to taste. Pasties, cream tea Cornish style, gastropubs and regular pubs, seafood, tea, meals at home and with others.

Cornwall is a place to breathe/smell. Sea air. Gorse bushes, wild garlic. Occasional whiffs of coal fires as of old.

Cornwall is a place of vastly changing weather patterns, including winds that bring red sand particles from the Shara Desert, visible on car windscreens.

Cornwall is a place to listen to birds, tide, streams, bells, accents, Cornish songs, gulls, black birds at dusk, Evensong, children, chatter/noise/raised voices re Brexit, letters to the editor in The St Ives Times & Echo.

Cornwall is a place of conservation, minding climate change, cleaning up, such as Surfers Against Sewage and action against the long-term damage of plastics.

Cornwall has an ignoble history where survival in centuries past included smuggling and raiding of shipwrecks.

Cornwall is a place to engage the sixth sense. Pilgrims, saints, legends, folklore, Celtic spirituality, return of the Cornish language, music, holy wells, heritage.

Psalm 117, word to all nations

Praise the Lord all you nations!
Extol him, all you peoples!
For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord!

Commentary writer, the late James H. Waltner, (Believers Church Bible Commentary, 2006) notes that New Testament writer Paul quotes this shortest of all Psalms in Romans 15:11, "sharing the psalmist's assumption that the LORD is highest God, to whom all the world is subject. Thus, Paul argues that he inclusion of the Gentiles in God's salvation is not a divine afterthought . . . Its wide use as a call to worship summons people of all nations to praise God within the particularities of their own history, culture, and language (Dan 7:14; Rev 14:6; 15:4." 

Happy Birthday!

Rockin’ Moroccan

Tonight’s meal is Rockin’ Moroccan. Niece Amy prepared it when she and her sister, Rachel, visited us in Cornwall a fair number of years ago. It’s a favorite. Recipe follows.

2 tsp olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup each chopped celery and green pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
3 cups vegetable broth
3 cups peeled, cubed sweet potatoes
1 can (19 oz) chopped tomatoes
1 can chickpeas
1 T lemon juice
2 tsp grated ginger
1 tsp each: cumin, curry, chili, coriander powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup peanut butter
Cilantro

Sauté onions, celery, green pepper, garlic in hot olive oil. Add all ingredients except raisins, peanut butter and cilantro. Bring to a boil then simmer on low for 20 minutes. Stir in raisins, peanut butter and cilantro. Simmer 5 minutes. 
Serve! Seconds have been the norm. Even thirds in a few cases. Modify the recipe according to your taste. For tonight's meal Marty has added a few more spices, more chickpeas and more tomatoes. The basic recipe is right enough. Just had some extras to try. It's ready! 

Stay warm. Put the kettle on. Plan a new walk. Or cook up a storm.

-John