A year ago I was diagnosed with Long Covid and I would be lying if I said I coped with it in my usual; Well no point moaning lets get on with it, style. This disease has floored me completely and changed my lifestyle too. The problem is it has left me with Cardiac and CNS issues that may possibly never be repaired. Were it not for the incredible medical support I have received from the Consultants, specialists in their fields, I wonder if my current situation would probably be far far worse.
That said, the importance of family and friends I can put no price on. Garry has been my rock and still is.
One of the things that has kept me positive and seen me through the hard days has been my desire to travel, explore and experience as much as I can in life, something that has been with me since childhood and something I thought about, read about and planned during my darker days. Hence my reluctance to stop our travels for too long, although initially the Long Covid fatigue you read about, prevented me from even walking up the drive.
Move on 20 months from my initial infection and we are travelling again and have been for a little while, albeit rather more sedately, slower paced ( very difficult for someone who previously lived life at 90 mph) and after the purchase of two wonderful batribikes, to aid our explorations.
We have just returned from 5 days on the North Devon Coast, staying, not in Hygge this time, but in a secluded, wifi free hideaway in Woody Bay. An ear popping zigzagging drive down a narrow no through road, took us down to a beautiful but boulder strewn cove, with a cascading waterfall as a backdrop and a Victorian Swimming Pool cut into the rocks. Overlooked by a large Victorian House which seemed to be just about clinging on, high up on the edge of the cliff. Halfway down this wooded valley was our little chalet for a few days, with all mod cons, but no contact with the outside world. It was wonderful.
Our new routine since my illness, is to be active in the mornings, then I usually still take a rest or write or watch my favourite black and white movies most afternoons, whilst Garry explores or works on his videos.
One of our carefully planned trips out this trip was what turned out to be a beautiful cycle ride along the narrow lane of the cove towards Lynton, past the house clinging to the cliff (not so perilously perched we realised as we cycled by), we then dropped down to Lee Cove with its microclimate still encouraging the late blooms of a cottage garden. The cottage is at the top of a short steep lane alongside which runs a pretty tumbling stream down to the sandy beach. It was a cold day but the sun shone when it felt like it. Typical British weather really.
After a visit to the beach we cycle on past Lee Abbey and a panorama that is known as The Valley of Rocks opens up before us. A fascinating and open dry valley running parallel to the sea it contains some impressive geology. It houses a herd of feral goats and is quite an atmospheric experience as we cycle the length of it. We enjoyed our lunch sat on a bench perched on the cliff, luckily protected from the very cold wind, looking out to sea and the sunshine shining over Wales, whose coastline we could see on the horizon.
As we sat enjoying our food and the views, a young backpacker hair bleached white by the sun strode by, giving us the benefit of a broad, friendly smile. With a mouthful of sandwich it was difficult to respond safely, without delivering a shower of half masticated food, but I really couldn’t resist returning his smile as best as I could, because his face was a picture of happiness and it was contagious. I found myself still smiling and chewing, as he continued down the path into the valley. As I followed his outline and he disappeared from view, I remember wishing that we had got to speak and because we hadn’t I felt, strangely, that I had missed something important.
Finishing our lunch we set off on our return journey and as we rounded the bend by the Abbey who should I spy walking ahead but the smiling traveller. Well here was an opportunity I couldn’t miss and as Garry disappeared up the hill ahead I stopped and said hello.
Then started a conversation that lasted only about five minutes the whole duration of which I didn’t stop smiling because quite simply I found I couldn’t. This tall, slim, quietly spoken young man exuded a contented happiness that enveloped him and seemed somehow to be spreading over me too. It transpired he was walking the coast of Britain and had set out from Leeds walked to Liverpool and the coast, where he simply turned left. Sleeping in a tent, he carried in his backpack, he used the sea as a bath, even in November and his only luxury was his camera. Why, I asked, are you doing this? For the experience he replied, Simply to experience life. He spoke briefly of his highs and lows. His walk of the NC500 in Scotland. Then he asked about us and I explained too I had this urge to travel the coast of Britain, but had to resort to assisted cycling and completing it in parts! But I was determined to accomplish it. When we parted company I found myself still smiling like a crazy person as I cycled away.
Since then I have thought of that short conversation with the young man with the smile and the happy eyes and it has reminded me of the drive, energy and desires I had as a young 20 something and how important it has been to me this last year and a half to not forget them, or put them aside because I am older and not in such good health, so what’s the point?
My life is different, a fact for many of us since the pandemic, but I for one am not going to let that dampen my enthusiasm for experiencing life and fulfilling my dreams, even if I am doing it a little slower and a little differently than I envisaged.
So Thank You Joshua, our paths may have crossed very briefly, but your quiet, unassuming nature and happy contagious smile, reminded me how important my mojo is, even at my age. And I wish you all the best in your travels through life, but I think you have got that part covered already.
Back with more Northern adventures soon
Caroline
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