I’ve arrived. We’ve arrived.
Six days ago, actually, but it’s taken me this long to think I might sit down, open a computer and share some of this journey with you.
I still don’t have the words. The beauty and the chaos, the weather and the people, the complete and utter magic of this place, Rubha Phoil, Isle of Skye. Our boat, back in Manchester, is sold. This is home now. And there’s so much to think, to say, to talk about. So much to feel. It will all come.
What I do have right now are some photos! Here’s a wee photo-diary of the past few weeks.
In Manchester, finishing up the boat – Empress got a new bathroom and all kinds of repairs before being passed to her new owner. It was a hectic few weeks – tiring and stressful at times, but we laughed a lot too.
Goodbye to our friends, and to special places….
We bought a van! And into her we put all of our belongings, and drove north for miles and miles….
The home that greeted us was…not in tidy state. But it was home. Four walls, a bed, a fire (and far more room than the boat.)
We tidied and cleaned like hell, and created a sanctuary…
The first morning was delicious.
We have lovely (very noisy) neighbours.
Emily and Jammy are taking their time settling in, a little nervous of their new surroundings…
Amidst the full-on energy of change, a walk around the headland, the woods and the trees, the rocks and the sea, helps me to ground and to know why I’m here.
Everything is in flux. Or rather, everything was in flux. Em and I have left behind our home, our friends, our whole lives – we’re here to run a campsite and to see if this is a place to build a permanent life. We arrived on the Easter bank holiday – the opening of the tourist season – to a fully-booked site and a heck of a lot to learn…fast. But as we find our feet and our special places, each day becomes more grounded, more stable.
I’m excited. Only just beginning to take in the hugeness of this change, made so impulsively. I know that I want to be here, and that Emma feels the same. I know we’re up for the challenge of this chaotic, wonderful place that asks so much of us. Do we have what it takes to make a life here? I don’t know yet. But I know that we have to try.
I’m a 30-something writer, artist, tarot reader, and perpetual explorer of the space between thought, feeling, and action.
I believe that spirituality and ritual are for everybody. I’m about the journey, in all of its messy, non-linear, chaotic iterations. I am excited by anticapitalist business and living with my whole entire self present. I use tarot cards to bring forth hidden truth, and ritual to affirm my commitment, over and over, to my ever-shifting path.
Oh my, ultimate kudos to you two for embracing change and making such a super cute home on Skye. So looking forward to hearing about all the adventures you get up too….and hoping Jammy and Emily settle in soon!
PHOTO DIARIES ARE MY FAVORITE THING. Also this is heavenly. I am so happy for you. <3.
They just became my favourite thing too – Idon’t have to spend ages writing in order to share fun stuff with you – happy days!! Expect much more 🙂
Beth, this is so beautiful. What an exciting time. Sending you lots of love.
Absolutely stunning!
I don’t know if I could have given up boat living if I had that chance but your new home is so beautiful too. Here’s to the new!
That bungalow screams Scottish pride–gotta live the Saltire!
*love
Congratulations! Thank you for sharing this. Are those Moscovy ducks? I didn’t realise that they lived in Scotland too!
They are, yes!
Beautiful photo diary! Can’t wait to follow you on the journey!
Good lord, that place is SO beautiful! I’m so happy for you guys!
How gorgeous! How exciting! The area looks so beautiful. I’ve never visited Scotland but if I do I know where I want to go. 🙂
Your wild, hot drink infused, questing, searching, home gathering astounding response to Skye’s call… who could do any different, if they could? Looking forward to more expansiveness from you.
This is beautiful. What a wonderful opportunity for you both and how lucky you are to have found somebody to share this dream with you. Look forward to hearing more about your life in paradise x
Thanks! Paradise is a comical word considering our ‘home’ is so tenuous and the challenges here threaten to outweigh the good stuff… but I can’t deny this is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been.
The energy of possibility and the excitement are palpable in your images, your words & facial expressions! You will have to edit your profile 🙂 I am loving the images and the window onto this magical world! A new book that you might enjoy: “If Women Rose Rooted” by Sharon Blackie. She writes about rooting ourselves in the land that holds us and engaging in true and intimate conversation with her. Happy home-making!
I’m just returning to this comment to let you know that I read If Women Rose Rooted over Christmas. Lots in there that I loved, plenty that I didn’t, too – but I’ve certainly become a follower of Sharon Blackie’s fascinating work. Thanks for the recommendation, Lisa!
Congratulations! I swear, I can feel the beautiful energy of that place through the photos you’ve posted. That looks like a wonderful place of possibility
Ha ha, you’ve clearly mastered the great British art of understatement “it was not tidy” 😀 It looks amazing! Will look forward to hearing more of your Skye adventures 🙂
Haha! We’ve tamed some of it, but mostly it’s not ours to tame – my neurotically-tidy self is learning the art of accepting mess…it’s hard!
So happy for you!
Thanks you guy’s! I have just lost job and was looking for a little inspiration and ‘found’ you.
I’m now feeling so much more excited about my future! Best wishes to you both, Junexx
I keep returning to this photo-diary of your official big move up to Skye. It’s like this consummation of a lot of shifts all coming together beautifully (even with the stress/hectic points in there). Thank you for sharing these reflections with us! I hope Skye returns your love a thousandfold.
Thanks Tianna!
it looks gorgeous!!!! can we add photo journals to the newsletter???? you can never go wrong with a lot of nature pictures <3 it seems as though you are adjusting, and very well
Thanks Michelle! I share as many pics as I dare in the newsletters, but I think I’m gonna keep doing the photo diaries here on the blog. It’s a way I can share snapshots of life without the pressure of having to write loads (increasingly difficult as I move away from a desk-based life)…