Went to London, Took the Dogs (Not!)

Oh Nina, I do adore you and your attitude to life

Nina soothed my heavy heart with her exciting new memoir

Perfect weekend alert!!

Well actually my perfect weekend would be back in the ‘house on the beach’, but the fact Nina Stibbe latest memoir was on the door mat when I arrived home, has now made coming home all that more acceptable. Warning: I do have the beach house blues, I am in the worst funk ever and hopefully a doubleshot flat white, lashings of Lurpak on my toast with marmalade, and a few hours reading, will sort me right out - fingers crossed eh!

There’s a special kind of delight diving into the pages of a favourite author’s latest memoir, isn’t there?  I know you're nodding in agreement. For me, it’s Nina Stibbe’s “Went to London, Took the Dog”, a title that elicits a chuckle because, in my case, it was "Went to West Wales, Took the Dogs".  Nina’s tales of embarking on a London sabbatical with her dog Peggy sparked a contrast to my own journey, one that seemed so implausible yet somehow relatable in its uniqueness.

The idea of relocating to London for a year with my dogs feels like an adventure way beyond the realms of reality.  Hand on heart it’s one adventure I would never ever participate in. But in Nina’s storytelling, and very comical dialogue, I found a narrative that resonates deeply.  Her ability to infuse humour and heart into her experiences, offers a glimpse into a world both familiar and wildly different from my own.  What’s truly astonishing is the realisation that starting anew at 60, with all its unforeseen adventures and possibilities, is not just a distant dream but a tangible reality.

Question for you dear readers, would you move to London for a year, with your dog, at sixty?!  Fair play, Nina is a legend. This is what she did after leaving London 20 years previous, as a break from married life and quite possibly a fresh start altogether, and Nina has written all about her experience.  I know I’m going to lose myself reading about her ‘fresh start’ adventures.  Now, I’m wondering, if I could hack a plan to do the same but by the sea in Pembrokeshire.  I’d definitely say YES to being someones lodger, I’d happily house sit, prune the garden, look after their animals, all whilst managing ease retreats. Like I need any other excuse to daydream about like in West Wales. Have you ever embarked to change your life up in your 40’s/50’s or 60’s? I’d love to hear all about your adventures if you have ever done a ‘Nina’, or even if you’re planning such an adventure tell me all about it, let’s connect!!

Until the next time

Take care & stay safe xx