The day is Sunday, at least it is as I write this. The sun is also really shining. It’s also my first day off in quite some time.
I’m sat with my notebook on a bit of beach that may as well be Mars. I come here quite regularly to write, think, sing? And in the countless hours I’ve spent here I have never, not once seen another soul. That’s why I like it. It’s also part of my daily 10 or so mile walk, which is why this blog’s been a little bit quiet of late. I’ve been very busy and have not been able to walk.
I’m one of these strange folk that like to watch the world. Like those nature watchers I never interfere, just observe, quietly. One common observation that I never fully understood was people’s need to huddle together. I mean I understand huddling up to your wife, but why, when there’s a million miles of beach, beautiful beach, would you not spread out a bit?
That was today’s observation as I walked to weirdo retreat. A tiny one mile stretch with the whole of bloody Lincolnshire sizzling away on it. There were bare chested lads that spent far too much time looking at themselves. There were also lots of very excited children, dogs and people struggling to throw rugby balls. But the highlight was one lady, a good 20 stone, probably mid sixty’s, leopard print bikini, bright red skin, loading up with more oil. Her equally red husband, wearing his Speedos/ thong, lay beside her snoring… snoring so loud that I heard it over the sea. I don’t ever judge folk, but bloody tatties, a lobster garnished with a bikini is going to make one think. I continued walking.
Not a soul on all horizons once I’ve reached my little spot of beach. Except one. A little hermit crab came and sat by me. It was a busy little thing, I don’t know what it was doing but he was on a mission. I like birds for that same reason, they’re always busy. I think it’s because I sympathise, there’s always so much to do with limited time.
We have been very busy of late. Helen and I have been designing a new range of bread and butter furniture, we have the next two Premium Videos filmed, and one is almost ready for launch. The hand plane video is done, along with a lot more free videos. I’ve also been very busy with my own commissions, not much of interest but good bill paying work. We are now fully ahead of ourselves and as of this week the blog will be back to regular posts. Its finally time to start this year, but first I have to walk back through the hordes, and I might toss that lobster back into the sea.
P.s I was supposed to be writing about a bandsaw. That will be next time.
Your thoughts align with mine, I knew there was a reason I liked you.
Should have been “I knew there was a reason WHY I liked you”
You just gave me a very good laugh; visualising frying bacon now.
I prefer the hermit mode. Don’t think that’s strange.
“Bandsaw by the sea” would be an intriguing title for a detective novel.
Richard – Great to hear you are alive and well and enjoyed from fresh air and people watching. I too have never understood the attraction of excessively crowded beaches and would far prefer to find a beach just a little further up the road or around a bay for peace and quiet.
I enjoy people watching but much prefer nature. The thought of basting and frying oneself on a beach sends shudders down my spine. Maybe that is why I enjoy North Norfolk beaches in the winter.
Len
Yes, I’m also very fond of a bleak winter beach.
Its all happening by the sounds of it, a new range of bread and butter furniture, you will have to spread the word about that guys, really looking forward to hearing more about that.
Thanks Ken, don’t worry we will be …
I can totally understand where you are coming from Richard. A nice stretch of piece and quite without having to filter out the visual or aural crud that is usually flung at us daily is a godsend…I too have my undisturbed bit of beach.
Cheers
John
….now if the bloody auto-correct would stop “fixing” my spelling I could have a bit of “peace and quiet”. Sorry about that.
John
Is “bread and butter” furniture a design style, or is it an English saying?
I believe Richard is saying “furniture/work that pays the bills” or something similar.
Yep, that’s about right. It’s a saying, and I’m talking about a range that’s been designed to be rinse and repeated. It could also be a style… I’ll have to check.
i was wondering where you got to .disappointed first then became concerned. when my inbox said Englishwoodworker 1 message .i was still concerned but looks like you and yours will be back with a bang ,can’t wait man .you made my monday
I do apologise for worrying you! It’s amazing how easy it is to loose track of time.
Would love to see a picture or two of you commissions please Richard.
We’re working on some articles and others bits for some of them so you’ll get to see some soon.
Hi Richard,
great to read some news from you.
I like your post pretty much because it reflects my emotions. I’ve got so many people around me in my day job. One more important than the other. The huddle at work is called meeting. So many per day, so much time wasted and no room to express yourself.
But at the end of a working day I’m coming home, step down into my little shop, have a cuppa and listen to the noise of the tool I’m actually using.
Anyway, hope we can see the new videos soon.
Cheers,
Stefan
I’m not sure what I liked best about your post: That it just finally arrived (like a lurking crab suddenly looking out of its shell), that it has a photo of a crab on it, that it was a personal note resonating with me or that Hellen and you are going to indulge us with – not just one but many! – more videos!
It was definitely the crab 😉
Still writing a book?
Yep, it’s very project heavy and still in the works. We will do an update soon on that one.
Is that a literal “10 or so mile walk?” That would take me 2-1/2 hours. Hard to imagine taking that much time on a daily basis — maybe I need to learn more about your way of thinking and ģetting away from the embedded American mindset. Really appreciate all you give us, brother.