Life just… goes on
I may have segued from ‘normal’, conventional life for a short while (but trust me, there is plenty of the ‘normal’ day-to-day) but most people are just like, living their lives. And I think the further away someone is, or the more disparate life is from the 9-5 etc and what the majority are doing, the easier it is to disassociate for both parties – us away, and them at home. It’s strange, because I don’t think this observation is loneliness as such (although sometimes it can be), it’s more like not feeling part of a ‘collective’? Some sort of human pack mentality? Society I guess.
I brought the wrong pair of jeans with me
I thought I’d made the ideal choice as my ONE pair. Yes, you heard that right, this shopaholic 20 pairs or so at home gal managed to only bring ONE pair of jeans with her. My choice was a pair of grey wash, not too tight, not too baggy, straight fit, raw hem, medium-to-high waist with the option to be hoisted into more high waist with belt. But, nah. The first two wears post wash I’m still kind of into them, and then it’s downhill from there. Shapeless, baggy arse, bunched up crotch vibes when I try the ‘high waisted with belt attempt until the next wash, which as you can imagine doesn’t come by very often. I’m marginally chuffed about my positive contribution towards saving the environment by not washing denim as often as previously did, but I feel the strong search call for high waisted 501s (or similar, I’ll take ANYTHING) from a European vintage shop once we’re back on those shores.
I both love and hate how much extra time I have to play with
Just ‘being’ is still very much a work in progress for me, a type A, overachieving Virgo who always has many lists and something to ‘do’ – for what?!?! For who?!?! I’m well aware I most likely won’t get the bliss of this type of time again!!! I’m learning. And getting better at it.
I’m Liv – the rambler behind these posts. In September 2022 my husband Jon and I moved into our self-converted medium wheel base Sprinter van, Betty, and left Dorset, UK, to travel, live and work from the road, dabbling in an alternative lifestyle.
We’re currently 170 days into a year or so in our tiny home on wheels, exploring Europe, North Africa and Asia in search of achievable adventures, road trip style! This newsletter is where I share musings, recommendations and everything else Along the Way.
I really wish we could just bung a pizza in the oven
And not have to make bespoke dough to fit around the Omnia, a portable, stove top oven which is rather ingenious really… when you’re in the mood!
You can feel cooped up even with the outside world on your literal doorstep
Which is weird. On the flip side, sometimes it feels like there’s TOO much to take in. It’s totally fine for all of the normal feelings of ‘life’ to co exist at the same time as all the epic, awe inducing moments. She says... yet, there’s this an underlying guilt to not take anything for granted. Taking a break, and finding somewhere to just ‘be’ (see point three) shouldn’t be seen as an afterthought, as it so often is.
COOL SHIT ALONG THE WAY
(A mixed bag of stuff I’ve consumed, travel trivia and things I think are COOL)
A smiley satellite dish, because WHY NOT
Love this concept of ‘Joy Snacking’ shared by my mum
Waiting (im)patiently each week for the next episode of The Last of Us 💔
WHERE I AM NOW
(A new segment to this newsletter as the majority of these posts are written in retrospect)
Greetings from Chefchaouen in the Rif mountains, also known as the ‘blue pearl’ of Morocco. There are many legends behind its blue washed buildings – the most popular theory is that after WWII, when the Jewish community in the area, blue was painted on the walls, floors and steps as a religious practice, representing the colour of the sky and to connect the city to heaven and God.
Thanks so much for reading. If you enjoyed my babbling, I’d love if you considered subscribing or sharing with a pal.
Til the next one!
Liv x
Loved reading this with my morning coffee. I remember feeling lonely and such a sense of disconnect with my community when travelling, in Borneo I used to cycle 30 minutes to the nearest Wi-Fi cafe just so I could message you and other pals on facebook messenger. I feel like this not-quite-loneliness is rarely spoke about when travelling, and it can be so prominent and consuming, so it was nice to read you writing about it! Excited for the next one :). x :P x x x
Really enjoying reading these Liv 🙌🏼 super interesting and love the photos!