Jun 2, 20223 min read

Unlikely places.

Updated: Jun 4, 2022

It was amazing. I was learning more and more about myself and why I am, well 'me'. Sharing contact details, Mr Pepin was very keen to stay in contact. His animated nature spoke more of the life inside him than his silver hair, and the sparkle in his eye spoke more of the spirit within him then the steps his body took. It was so heartening to see, to meet them both...blishing House in Oxford. Mr Pepin wanted to publish his works with them, but the publishing company was bought out.out.ut.t..

Friends in the most unlikely places.

We were basically travelling the North Coast 500. Stopping wherever caught our eye, we were at John O'Groats. Having a quick coffee break, a toothless smile caught my eye. I returned it (with a full set of teeth). We were in the most beautiful of settings, we were at the port just before the ferry to the Orkney Islands. There, sitting right by us was a little man and his son, David and Kevin Pepin.

Sharing tales, I learnt that this elder gentleman was also a published author. I learnt that his wife a concert pianist, that his son Kevin a counter tenor. Mr Pepin was very proud and likewise so very excited to hear my tales in response. I was amazed to learn he knew more of my family history than myself. It turns out that the Mowbray's once had an incredibly successful Publishing House in Oxford. He'd wanted to publish his works with them, but the publishing company was bought out.

It was amazing. I was learning more and more about myself and why I am, well 'me'. Sharing contact details, David was very keen to stay in contact. His animated nature spoke more of the life inside him than his silver hair, and the sparkle in his eye spoke so much more of the spirit within him then the steps his body took. It was so heartening to see, to meet them both.

Sammy obliged the lengthy conversation, and joined in too. It was such a beautiful unexpected stop. Beautiful not just for the sights, but for the life it brought to my heart.

Continuing on our journey, we were constantly charmed.

Stopping for the live traffic, we giggled as we watched the little lamb hop and skip after it's mum... Or when we came across the family of sheep...

Sammy requested a video as we very slowwwwwly passed them.

We were definitely in another world. It was so precious.

There was so much to see, so much untainted beauty. The wilderness, the simplicity of life was enriching my soul.

Arriving at the Valley of Bones, it was teeming with life. The limestone cliffs, the gushing stream, the birds, the life... it was amazing.

Poetic as I am it was a comfort to see. Where there had been so much death, there was now so much life. Hope. We were in a Valley of Hope.

It was a 2km hike to the caves. When I learnt of it, I nearly cried. I was tired, my body fatigued and I wasn't sure if I'd be able to make it. I didn't want to slow Sammy down. I didn't want to be a burden, but I also wanted to see them. A conundrum!

Not wanting Sammy to know just how nervous I was, I suggest we have a little bite before starting the journey. Halfway through a bite we met a lady in the carpark, Jane. Hearing her familiar accent, I asked the posh Aussie sounding woman where she was from... Who would've known, she was born in Melbourne but had moved to Northhamshire 35 years ago. What an amazing woman as well.

Starting the hike together, Sammy went on ahead. Jane, aided by two poles, chatted to me. Hearing some of her story, I learnt of her hip replacements, her 3 bouts of cancer, her horse riding accident... I learnt of her physical battles but also of her successes. This 65 year old ecologist didn't look at her limitations but constantly reminded herself what she was still doing, what she could still do.