I recently returned fromIrelandwhere we spend a week, half in a cottage by the sea on the west coast and half in the buzzing centre of Belfast.
During the visit I realised I’m really frigging bad at scrabble (no excuse really considering my job) but I have a half decent golf swing, when chilli powder goes out of date it loses all its flavour (but paprika doesn’t) and that I know far too little about the Troubles that blighted Ireland for many decades (something I now plan to put right).
The trip was both peaceful and invigorating, shocking and inspiring.
At the cottage Kev’s sister and I chatted endlessly about growing your own veg, making jam, sewing cushions and generally being self-sufficient and once again I came away inspired to take some of these positive actions on board. I already have a list of creative projects I’d like to try. Then in Belfast we spend a few days seemingly skipping from one atmospheric, unusual and individual café to another (eating far too much cheesecake) and it not only gave me some fantastic ideas for interior design (check out the picture above of Made in Belfast – gorgeous food and gorgeous place) but also reminded me of what’s so great about many British cities. The unique little cubbyholes that stink of personality and attract those looking for something beyond chain restaurants.
Unfortunately that then reminded me that Milton Keynes has none of these, having as little culture as it has history and cheap to rent buildings. It is this that would make me leave MK, that craving for a little slice of quirk. But until I do I will be working on my interior design, recycling as much as I can, and creating my own sense of peace and uniqueness within my own four walls.
angiecranfield
