I allocate a few hours some afternoons for a walk through the woods, on my way to the town of Newton Abbot where I might stop for a coffee and a snack from Greggs. It's an old Market Town with a train station, butchers, opticians, pharmacies, card shops, charity shops, and a handful of high-street clothing stores.
The layout of the city is conducive to walking, and I particularly love that the pedestrian path from my base is a 15-minute walk through the woods.
Some days there's no one in sight, but today I saw some familiar faces of dogwalkers with their dogs. There were blue skies that counteracted the blues, and everyone was in an engaging mood, which was uplifting and put a spring back in everyone's step. Here you can get a general idea of the population of Newton Abbot.
Some areas that I went by.
It's a lovely walk as the town is geared towards pedestrians, and a quick stroll across a park takes me out onto the main road leading to the town.
I dodged the shopping street and stayed within the residential areas since there was nothing that I needed to purchase. My main mission anyhow was just to break away from the computer, go outside in nature and get some exercise, bearing in mind that it's uphill going back home.
The UK is of an ageing population, which you will observe in this town and many others across the UK. It's not surprising though because in more developed countries like the Uk, there's pretty good healthcare under the National Health Service, and the elderly are looked after.
So, many of those that I encounter on my walks, are older people who live alone with a dog or cat, as their only companion. They have little human interaction, and crave conversation, just a quick chat. As I was returning home, I met an elderly lady and we said hello and commented on the weather, a usual topic of conversation here in the Uk. Her face brightened up and I noticed that she used sign language to communicate with her 16-year-old dog who is now deaf. The elderly lady said she was happy to stop and chat with me because she lives alone and goes long periods without speaking to anyone.
I choked up hearing that, and made sure that my body language said "I've got time for you."
There is so much to learn from the elderly, and I love the spark they have when reminiscing and sharing stories from their past.
The lady expressed that times have changed and that people no longer say hello or smile at each other. I agreed with her.
I think touchpads have replaced the human touch and people are losing the ability to interact with each other. The same was that the younger generation seems to have forgotten how to write because everyone only types on computers.
The lady said, that her grandchildren don't use commas and punctuation anymore and that maybe she's being a tyrant by trying hard to hold onto the English language. Don't you think some things are worth holding onto? Do you think the elderly are wise and that their "voices" matter?
I enjoy these walks whenever I'm back here, and these encounters are fulfilling and always worth my time.
Thanks for stopping by:)))
All images belong to me
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I must say that here in the countryside people are still friendly and generally will stop for a chat. It's completely different in the city of course.
Technology is certainly robbing us of many of our life skills including writing and, to some extent reading since many can no longer decipher cursive.
I found the Dutch to be friendly in general, even though my Dutch housemates explained that Dutch people are only friendly when the weather is nice.
Everyone in Leiden, and Amsterdam was conversational and polite to me. Also on the outskirts of Leiden where they spoke less English.
Everywhere I got - Goededag, and a joke about me being optimistic for wearing my sunglasses 🙃
I always joked back that my future is so bright, that I have to wear them. 😆
I was one of the older ones in my batch (30 years), and all the students (even "A" students) requested to type their exams because they could not write. That's when I realised how old I was.
Haha, I get the idea about cursive. I write using both cursive and script well, and my handwriting differs. So if I write a letter, you might think that it was written by 3 or 4 different people. When I read my handwritten notes or letters, I can identify my moods and my emotions at a particular time.
I still keep hard diaries, and I work with a note pad... but I love the languages and pick up the psyche of people from their writing, and can do so by analysing handwriting too:)
What a beautiful place to walk in the woods! I'd love to have something like that near me! That's an adorable cap, too, and your smile is always fabulous! 😊
Thank you! Yes, it's amazing how easy (and quick for me) it is to get to the woods.
Thanks, my friend purchased the hat and then discovered that it is adjustable at the back but does not have a gap for her ponytail. So, I got lucky. Thanks for your compliments.
I trust that all is well with you:)))
I walk around my village for what I think will be a 10 minute walk, but return an hour later. One of my neighbours told me I'm good for the community as he always sees me chatting to someone. I have noticed that when someone's dog dies the owner stops coming out for walks. It's such a shame.
A few weeks ago, again I went out for a quick walk and ended up helping a neighbour carry a cooker from a friend's house to his. My friend had purchased a new cooker and she let the chap down the road have the old one. Neither of us are young so we had to keep resting. I just kept having a chat to him leaning over the cooker. We had quite a laugh in the end. I honestly, never know what's going to happen when I go out. That's the beauty of it.
These things make our days brighter. It's great to have people like you in the community. I know it's a cultural thing here, but people live right next to each other for years and don't know each other's names. They meet and the road and fidget to look away. Anywhere I live, I know everyone in the "region" 😅
Doing little deeds like helping your neighbour with the cooker despite not being strong and muscular are good for your well-being.
Time flies and I don't know when I'll go, but if I'm privileged, I will be that old lady with a trolley very soon.
Don't ever change the person you are.
My friends hated walking with me on the town in high school because I was polite and mannerly. They told me it wasn't cool. I'm happy that I have a strong character with no worry about being cool.
It's grey and raining on my side, but I have lunch in a few hours with a 90-year-old man and a lady who is in her 80s. Both live alone and they enjoy these meetups.
Oh good for you! I still feel young now lol. Unfortunately, everything is done online so people don't always get to chat to other people queuing up.
Enjoy your lunch. ❤️
That's another point. The elderly here do look forward to their little outings to M&S and similar outlets. I think that's sweet and kind of a part of their heritage in some way.
Thanks, lunch is always a nice breakaway.
Have a great day too ❤️
Lovely adventure Milly. Yes, these darn touchpads. Man, youre really getting some posts in this week, thats good. Hive is pretty fulfilling, good people, these little bits of tokens to add to our stack. Glad to see youre rockin, see ya on next posts.
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Hey Captain,
Yes, I was in a writing mood. It must have been a side effect of whatever ailment it was, that wiped me out. I've recovered now, and my brain seems back to normal 😆
Yes! Absolutely true! I grew up respectful of the elderly, it was one of the things my parents instilled in us. Respect, integrity, and being a good citizen. Like you, I have moved all of my adult life, my three kids in tow. When I moved into a new place, I always met my immediate neighbors because that is what you do, don't you? Until I found out that not everyone does. That is actually quite appalling to think you could live somewhere and not know who lives right next door. I personally have never let that happen, but, it does. You are right though, I have seen people look everywhere but at your face so they don't have to connect. I mostly notice by the younger generations, anything to avoid conversations. I don't like sounding a little impolite about it, but, I am a little worried about where this is all headed.
My kids are wired a little differently because they were homeschooled for many years. They still write cards to their elderly great-aunts and grandmother and grandfather. I still do too. They like getting mail. It is the highlight of some of their days. When you talk to an elderly person, you can see the light shine in their eyes. They are always interesting, I learn something new every time I speak to one. They are engaging and have the best stories - and they are warm and welcoming. I see them every time I leave my house. I can't even express what I mean here. I'm sorry. My mom always had elderly people in her life, aunts, uncles, and grandparents x 5 - most of these grandparents weren't related, but we called them grandma out of respect and my mom talked to each of them for a few minutes every day. Every day. To make contact and say hello. She had nine kids and we learned by example. Parents can say that it is just how their kids are, but, we are failing our kids, in so many ways.
By the way, my kids hate when I go to the market because I talk to so many people. My daughter says, "You just cannot help yourself, can you?" LOL It takes over an hour to dash in for a minute.
I loved this post and I apologize for always running off-topic. It is like I just cannot make myself quiet or stay on one topic. Sorry!
Le Sigh.
I think this is lost in today's new generation. I people watch and observe young people as they go about their daily lives, and I wonder what the world will be like in the next 20 years.
It's appalling for me too. Wherever I live even in a rented flat, I always get to know my neighbours and enjoy friendly chats and look for their best interests. It doesn't have to be anything extravagant, but a wave and a friendly smile are always nice. It takes more energy and effort to avoid people than to be polite and friendly. It baffles me every time I witness it.
Absolutely! Kudos to you for raising your kids the way you have.
My husband is the same. He speaks to everybody, so when I lived on the boat and he ran errands, all the 5-minute jobs lasted 2 hours or more. I'm used to it though and I've heard his repeated stories and I sit home and smile at the thought of him repeating them, in his element 😆
I got it from my mum 😍🌺
Looks like a nice place to go to unplug.
I definitely think that the elderly have a wealth of knowledge in them and that their voices matter
It is indeed. I'm one minute's walk to the woods, so if I'm here during warmer months, I'll go and hang out there in the daytime 😁
I know you're not the kind to initiate a convo with strangers, but you strike me as a compassionate guy who would give time and be attentive to the elderly:)
Although the elderly live in a world of their own and are not into the modern “standards” and technologies, they have some special wisdom that is not a very common thing in the newer generations. They have lived in some tough times, which definitely defined their consciousness. Today’s kids take everything for granted in a lot of cases but this can very easily result in some weak minds. We have to be very careful about the way we raise our offspring.
Yes, a agree. Some might have lacked exposure to some things, but there's always wisdom to be gained if one pays attention.
Yes, kids of today lack gratitude and have an expecting and victim mindset. Any sign of weakness falls under a label without the encouragement or consideration to improve or find betterment.
I cannot being to imagine what it's like for you with your 3 little ones.
They are too young to be taught life lessons, but I believe that even at the age of 2 or 3 they start understanding how the world works and what is good or bad. Tough times are in front of us as parents… 😁
Yes, but there's evidence that you are both wonderful parents, and I already see great character development in your little boys. Your little girl will be lucky to have two big brothers 😍
Oh, I like your hat, your attitude and your bleeding heart! Trust you to stop and chat like a champion and make some random person’s life brighter. 😊🥰❤️💕☕️🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
Thanks! The lady said she liked my at too 😊
It cost nothing to be nice 💛
You r so nice 🤗😊❤️❤️💕☕️☕️☕️
You are, too!😍💛
Nice photos from your walk. It is so lovely that you stopped for a chat. I can imagine how happy the old lady must have been. I do that sometimes as well - it leaves me feeling happy-when I see someone light up sometimes just from a short talk.
The old is not valued enough in some societies which is a real pity.
Thank you!😊
Yes, I don't think the old are valued enough at all by society in general, and even the way their pensions are highly taxed, but that's a whole different story in itself.
I remember hearing from an educator that learning cursive was no longer necessary because everyone was using computers. It threw me for a loop.
That's alarming and sad. Handwriting is such a unique identity for each person.
Thanks for stopping by.
Have a lovely weekend:)
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Owww... I loved this post... And I loved your photos in the streets and sidewalks during that walk!... You are what I call an "integral photography"!... But beyond that... I loved the story about the old lady and her deaf dog!... You are a box of surprises @millycf1976 friend, always with something instructive to tell... The elderly are beautiful luminous hearts that radiate love on us as soon as we get close to them... My mother lives in the house next to mine and she is 77 years old, Dad left us three years ago, but he lived to be 89 (he was much older than my mother, we still miss him)... We have a neighbor (Mr. Amando) who is 82 years old and we talk daily, has been my mother's friend since childhood... Fortunately we have each other here!... You are an excellent author and a good person!... He is always a pleasure to read you...
PS: Holy haevens, that photo with that little volkswagen beetle in the street... A poem!... ;) Great!
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Thank you @jlinaresp 😊
Yes the deaf dog and the lady's communication with him was something special. It was a beautiful encounter and the lady was simply being honest with her feelings and there was no self-pity about her reality.
Last week I was at my weekly Tuesday Pub lunch with two elderly, and the lady said:
"I have a little secret for you. Twenty years ago today I was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for my service as a prison officer."
It was so sweet and lovely to see your eyes as she humbly spoke about it. I have a keen interest in volunteering as a prison officer, as it's something that fits my personality and skills, but I understand the risk involved and took advice against it.
The VW beetle is one of my favourite cars, so I was happy to photograph it.
I bet your mum is thankful to have you living so close to her. 😇
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Such great encounters lift the soul and puts a warm glow in one's eyes. I'm sure the encounter with the elderly lady put a happy spring in her step for the rest of the day.
Thank you. I believe it did. She was ever so thankful.
I trust that you are having a lovely day too. 🌼
Thanks for stopping by:)
I'm having the best day.
Have a wonderful day too.
You're welcome.
😊