Post 16/2024 Carbis Bay Cornwall UK. Our home from home stay in the most south westerly corner of England in County Cornwall nears its end, with a bit more than two weeks to go. The week past has been, (take your pick, they all apply), glorious, brilliant, thought-provoking, satisfying, restorative, like Cornish springs of memory.

Cornish springs of memory. Sunny. Dry. Wonderful walks on real footpaths and elsewhere. Saturday we had a wonderful day out with Steve and Marilyn at The National Trust Trelissick Garden and crossing on the King Harry Ferry for the short drive to St Mawes. Glorious! Brilliant, relaxed, in the outdoors time.

Thought-provoking. Friends and family are vital to a full life, whether that’s during one’s working years or discretionary time in retirement. The exchange need not all be wonderful and kind and easy, but allow room for sharing diverse ideas, opinions, and individual thoughts. Agreeing to disagree as well as agreeing. Testing. Probing. Sharing. Loving. Shaking hands. Hugging. Building a deeper familial, friendship, faith, civil, common connection.

I’m thinking about the current state of politics in the US. In last week’s blog I referenced J.B. Priestley’s English Journey, “Being a Rambling but Truthful Account of what one Man Saw and Heard and Felt and Thought During a Journey Through England During the Autumn of the Year 1933.” Yes, 1933.

Many of Priestley’s thoughts are applicable to 2024. He recalled writing an article where he criticized an unnamed industrial city “for its miserable appearance and lack of gaiety.” An official from a different city took exception, surmising that the reference was to his city. Priestly did not have that city “in mind at all.” He added, “If the cap fits, I thought, let them all wear it.”

The real issues facing communities, nations and the world are bigger than jumping to conclusions. Bigger than ignoring the truth before one’s own eyes, ears, nose, thoughts and feelings. Bigger than oneself. A good life is something we care about for others as for ourselves. Fairness. Justice. Civility. Respect. Honor. The Golden Rule. To these pursuits I take off my hat.

Trelissick Garden

Other photos of the week

In the past, every time we passed the fish markets in Newlyn I dreamed of selecting a catch to prepare at home. Finally, this week, we bought 400g of mixed fish at Stephenson’s Fish Market, potatoes at Costcutter and I made a fish pie. Fine, fine fish pie if I say so myself. The packet supplied the seasonings, added to a cup of milk. served it with peas.

Much more to say and show, except for washing up and getting ready for church to do. A kindly week to you. Cheerio!

-John