This week I’ve been in Stratford upon Avon visiting a friend and his family who’ve emigrated from South Africa because of the increasing unrest in the country. I’ve known him for a quarter of a century and like I’m sure you have, he’s one of those friends who comes and goes in life but you can always pick up from where you left off last time. While there I visited Shakespeare’s alleged birthplace, a place I first experienced as a little boy. I can imagine that as a younger person I would’ve coped better with the 2 foot 6 inches bed than I could as a 29 year old…!
In 2 weeks I move to the West Country for 3 months to work for BBC Radio Devon. I’ve managed to get a fabulous 2-bed farm cottage a mile from the sea. New adventures wait for all of us as we head through the seasons. But whatever new experiences and friendships lay ahead, we know that we will always be accompanied on this life journey of ours by with those who may not always be with us – they come and go – but ultimately they crop up at the most unusual times; maybe when either of us needs the other one. Some authors have suggested it’s a kind of “pre life plan” that souls commit to before we come to live through the challenges of life on this planet.
As we head into the penultimate week of April let’s raise a glass to friendship. As Shakespeare himself wrote in Romeo and Juliet, ‘Parting is such sweet sorrow’ but ultimately there will be a reunion, even if it’s when we least expect it….
(This week’s Mellow Moment is longer than usual but stick with it and use headphones if possible, it’s fab. Rather Pink Floyd and Tangerine in places but also all shades in-between. Oh and the title’s quite appropriate too!)
*I took this week’s pic of the Fool or Jester in Stratford Upon Avon near Shakespeare’s birthplace…
“The Fool doth think he is wise but the wise man knows himself to be a fool” (As You Like It)
**All previous Mellow Moments are now archived and discoverable elsewhere on this website. Chillax!
Thank you for a lovely MMM. Good luck in Devon.