Monday 27 October 2014

the door closes


'...that we might be able to love
what our understanding has seen
and what our memory has held.'

St. Catherine of Siena (c1347-80)

Here we are at the end of our journey together.
It has taken seven years to reach this place,
navigating the unexpected twists and turns.
I could not have described the road
or imagined the ending when I began.
I thought we would part at a crossroads
but I find myself at a cottage door.
There will be other journeys in the future
but for now I am content to rest a while.

Thank you for your company, advice and encouragement.
Thank you for the inspiration I found in your own writing.

Take care, my friends, travel safely.

45 comments:

  1. Knowing I will see you in February makes this easier to read.

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  2. I have followed your journey since our children were at the same school and I stumbled across you by chance. Every step has been a delight. Thank you and best wishes.

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  3. So sad that you are closing the blog down - I have enjoyed your daily doings enormously and will miss your engaging posts. Best wishes for all your future endeavours.

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  4. I rarely comment on blogs but felt I should let you know how much I have looked forward to reading your posts each morning. Original and refreshing, interestingly illustrated, thoughtful quotations, they have been a lovely way to start the day. Have a wonderful time in the next phase of your journey :)

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  5. Will miss your blog. It has been quite an inspiration for mine. Understand the need to end , but will be keen to read if you ever decide to come back . Thanks for so many beautiful words .

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  6. Enjoy the future, Alice. It's been such a pleasure to share your journey.

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  7. Sending you my very best wishes for the future. CJ xx

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  8. So very very sorry to see you go, your writing is always one of the highlights of my blog reading, and yours has been one of the blogs I have always wished to emulate (although you are too unique for that!).

    Best wishes for the future and the life behind the cottage door.

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  9. Please send word if you open the wicket gate again.
    Until then, many thanks. x

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  10. And you, Alice - it has been a pleasure.

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  11. What will I do without you. I have found such comfort in your writing.

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  12. Dear Alice,
    I,too have really appreciated your blog. Wishing you and your family joy in the future.

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  13. Sad news indeed but a lovely goodbye. Wishing you and yours all the very best.
    xxx

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  14. Dear Alice,

    I will miss your blog so much. It's been a real joy to meet you through it. You've been an inspiration to me. Thank you.

    I wish you and your family every joy in the future. xx

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  15. Oh I'm so sorry that you are closing the blog, it always brought a smile to my face. Please just take a sabbatical and then come back to us.

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  16. Oh yes, I will miss you, but most of all bless you for bringing me so much joy for such a long time. cath

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  17. Much love to you Alice. You will be missed here. Travel well xx

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  18. Go well. And thank you.

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  19. Oh, Alice! It is very hard to say goodbye -- but I wish you so much happiness in your cottage and anywhere else you go --

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  20. All the best Alice. Wishing you much contentment on the other side of the cottage door and hoping that we bump into each other again somewhere, sometime x

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  21. Dear Alice,

    What a delight it has been to read your blog.Our journeys in live have a way of changing in so many seemingly curious ways. You are at the right door. Be present to the joyous moments you find. I will miss reading your insights.

    Linda

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  22. You and yours have been an absolute joy. x

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  23. Thanking you for such lovely musings. Like a good book, you wish there was always more but even the best books must draw to an end. Keep writing for yourself and your family x

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  24. I have read always but commented only infrequently, for that I must apologise. We are of a similar era and both science graduates it would seem, but there the similarity ends! Your eloquence and turn of phrase are unique and enviable. I shall miss them greatly. Enjoy your next adventures and perhaps you will share your words again in the future. Best wishes xxxx

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  25. Thank you - have so enjoyed your blogging.

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  26. Oh gosh Alice, I will miss you very much. Wishing you all the best adventures for the future and keeping my fingers crossed you may be tempted back at some point too. I am so very selfish!

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  27. I came late to the party and now it has ended, but I'm so glad I managed to make it and thank you for the inspiration (and laughs) provided. I hope that you find joy and adventures on both sides of the cottage door. I will miss your writing but want to say thanks for everything.

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  28. Oh, how sad. I shall miss you greatly. Stay safe and smiley dear Alice and enjoy your cottage and the small boys. xx

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  29. How sad, my morning won't be the same without you. All the very best for the future Alice. xxx

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  30. i have loved your writing Alice and know you will be finding new ways to be delightfully creative. Hopefully you will continue your Instagram feed so you won't be too far away
    All the very best with your new ventures

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  31. Go close the cottage door and enjoy the peace. If you feel the need, we're still sitting in the lane waiting for another sight of morning. Thank you.

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  32. Thank you for all the stories. As a Londoner, especially enjoyed your words and pictures of commuting life. Would love to hear about life in the country if you ever feel the urge... With all good wishes, Sarah

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  33. And thank you. Inspiring always. And what a lovely door to close. x

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  34. A big farewell e-hug to you and everyone on the side. Thank you for the multitude of small delights. They spread a lot of happiness!

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  35. Alice, you have brought me much pleasure through your writing. You will be missed by many but I along with all of them wish you well and hope this won't be the end of our friendship. With much love. Xx

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  36. No, thank you! I still remember meeting you and Ali like it was yesterday, and your support has meant so much to me through all these years. xxx

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  37. I shall miss your blog so much, it has always been such a joy to read! Farewell X

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  38. Thank you to everyone who has left a comment on this post. I am humbled by your kind words and the thought that my writing has been part of your lives.

    And now, if you will excuse me, I am going to make an apple cake. I don't want to make you jealous but I have finally found the Perfect Apple Cake recipe...

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