Quiet Gloucestershire
The moment the train pulled out of London, I felt myself taking a deep breath in and out. The previous week before I jumped on the train was an absolute train smash. Work was so busy I didn't think I was cut out for it, but I had had my review so I knew I was doing well. But I had to refill myself. I was running on empty and I needed to be replenished, so I headed to Gloucester to visit my friend Eden. The train journey was just about 2 hours, but I was so engrossed in my thoughts, it went by really quickly.
I stepped off the train and I could smell the difference in the air. It felt amazing ! We then explored the city a bit.
I saw the Beatrix Potter Museum and store and I loved it. I remember seeing her books around, but never actually read them. I think now I'm going to look for some of them and read them too. Then we went to Gloucester Cathedral. A few facts that I learnt about the cathedral whilst I was there,
It's as old as Christianity. That fact alone humbled me immensely, I can't exactly fully describe it.
It takes a year to clean all the windows in the cathedral, the only time when they are not cleaned is Christmas Day
Harry Potter was filmed here. Enough said !
Afterwards we had some late lunch before heading to the countryside. I don't think I had prepared myself for how countryside it was. Since I came to the UK, I haven't been out in a place with no streetlights, and it's currently winter in London, so it got dark really quickly. It was about 5:30pm when we got off the bus and it was pitch black. We had to use our phones for some light. Never had I been so grateful for the torch feature on a phone before. But amidst all that chaos, of not having light, I felt myself feeling more and more at peace. All the stress that I had was fading away and I could see myself being healed by healed and renewed. I realised that I was about to burn out and I had to catch it before it went any further. But out of that darkness was the most beautiful view I have seen. Imagine being on a mountain top, and you are looking out into the city, and all you see are lights, but because you are in the darkness it's so much more easier to see the brightness of the light. That on its own, was my wow factor.
With no reception on my phone, I felt disconnected from my normal world and connected into theirs, which I think was what I needed to do. Even when I went to bed that night, I had a very restful sleep.
The next morning they took me around to see the village and it was beautiful. Being surrounded by endless greenery and quiet. It was beautiful. The pictures don't do it justice.
I loved this short trip because it allowed me to be refreshed and to gain fresh perspective. I had genuinely believed that I wasn't cut out for the things that I'm currently doing but being away from everything showed me that I am. More than capable. So the next time you feel overwhelmed by all that is going on in your life, take a time out. Go do something that you know will refresh your soul and be filled with new perspective.
Till next time x
