The Lake Reminded Me I'm Still Here

It is lovely here. Surrounded by families. Making me feel further from my family than I have in years. The distance somehow feels greater.

I live in such a fantastically beautiful place. It doesn’t need to be compared to anywhere else. It just is. I love the British summer — it’s not like other places. It’s incomparable to the tropics. A lush green valley surrounded by trees with a lake nestled in the center. Pine trees line the hills in the spots where the grass doesn’t grow. The sun twinkles off of the rippling water, from the gentle cooling breeze that sweeps past. If you squint it looks like stardust. Little breaks in the wind allow the water to reflect the majesty of this place. Like a valley that goes both up and down, a reflection of beauty.

Families, couples, generations all in their little spots. Their little home from home for the day, together, safe, at peace. I can hear the conversations, laughter, dogs excitedly barking. I can smell the fresh breeze, with a gentle hint of BBQs. The paddle boards that have been ridden on are carefully placed in the sun to dry, for the ride home.

In the water, a pair of open water swimmers brave the dark waters. Paddle boarders dotted about; some standing, some sitting, one fully reclined and floating on the peaceful water. Some brave young women in bikinis and life jackets begin to wade in, smiling, giggling, happy. An older woman treads water with what looks like her daughter, both careless and calm. A small spaniel with an adorably tiny yellow life jacket has immaculate balance on a board with his ‘humum’. A little girl plays near the edge under the watchful eyes of her family, splashing and playing with her ball. “Mum, Dad, watch this?” she shouts. A line most parents know well.

The hot sun warms the left side of my body as it slowly descends in the west. The heat of the day eases into a cooler evening. Large dotted clouds in the sky suddenly drop unexpected small showers. The combination of cold rain and warming sun thrills the senses. The breeze picks up and it feels like the temperature drops significantly, then the sun breaks through the clouds again to warm your skin.

A beautiful place, on my doorstep. I must never take this for granted.