the mascot & the bucketlist

 

there are many boats here with prettier name; the "brite spark", the "lady moar", the "ellora". each rather large and majestic, each with the capacity to easily plough through gallons upon gallons of the chantilly water filling this river. my eye in particular, howe'er, has been drawn to a junior-sized triumph of a ship titled "mascot". it's blue would be pleasing as a paint splodge on a white palette, but appears drab upon this little effort. a master boards with his pup. the little boat now has purpose, and floats with a gallant propellent down towards the open harbour. late evening racing commences, and though it's not the annual oxford vs cambridge, it still makes for a decent bit of sporting entertainment. the men ardently row onwards, and the lack of readily available distraction assists their speed. the sun, still sporting a strong glow, kindly permits the buildings opposite to borrow it's warmth for a short while longer; a dishonest replica of sinking Venice. 

for you see, i write to you dearest reader from a rather sleepy, and almost untouched, nook. it's been a while since we've addressed each other my most dear one- perhaps a safe option for now- but let me write a small and kind piece for you today. i always thought, growing up, that the main priority was setting goals and achieving them, and although this is true in a sense, it doesn't account for the actual living of the life. i never dreamed that when i started my blog it would reach 7000 views (thanks, by the way holy crap), and i never dreamed that i'd still be here after pretty much five years of it. but the funny thing about time, as we all know, is that it passes anyway. so maybe it's worth setting the goals of the life-living. does that make sense? i can hear you now saying that's wanky bullshit, but as i say- the time will pass anyway. 

dearest reader, what do you want from this? what do you want? 

so, from my hushed and calmed location, i shall endeavour to discover for myself what i want, and hope that it in turn makes an impression upon you. and then maybe you'll know what you want. and then maybe, just maybe, the time will pass and life will have been lived truly well.

hence.

1. Eat a Beef Wellington
2. Walk from North to South across England
3. Learn another language fluently enough to be easily conversed in
4. Play an O2 Academy
5. Understand how light actually works
6. Attend a masked ball
7. Visit Japan
8. Sew an item of clothing from scratch that's actually wearable
9. Bake a fabulous cake
10. Own a pair of Manolo Blahnik heels bought with my earnings
11. Throw a surprise party for someone I love
12. Be a part of a month long treasure hunt
13. Win a pub quiz
14. Do a set of standup comedy
15. Give birth
16. Ring a church bell
17. Publish a book (that's readable)
18. Learn how to make a latte with cool foam
19. Forgive my first boyfriend
20. Climb a very large mountain
21. Visit the swiss alps and eat swiss chocolate there
22. Go skinny dipping
23. Ride an open-top bus through london
24. Headline a festival (we can dream, right!)
25. Learn one full ballet dance
26. Own a house
27. Hear my mum sing "evergreen" live
28. Drive to the lake district in one go
29. Marry Tom
30. Create a meaningful piece of art

for now, dearest reader, the sun has set on the harbour-side. my fingers have numbed in the now persisting evening chill, and i conclude my bucket-list of 30 things to do in this life. the mascot has sailed onto more languorous pastures, and i shall endeavour to do the same. i'll keep you posted, dearest- you do the same.

sincerely, the caravan girl.