Don’t they say travelling helps to get a fresh perspective on things?

We came back yesterday from the most perfect bank holiday weekend trip to Norwich, the higher purpose of which was to look at my future alma mater, but the result of the experience was that real enjoyment awaited for us at every corner, it seemed. On the way from London we stopped (look at this suddenly spontaneous me just digging out Google Maps in response to a glimpsed “Linton Zoo” road sign, then a u-turn and ten minutes later, we’re…) at the Linton Zoo, such an unexpectedly exotic, small but oh-so-mighty reserve, where we saw snow leopards, tapirs, hornbills, an amur tiger, talkative macaws and flirting grey parrots, and the most friendly bird in the world — a white cheeked turaco, who ran up to the fence to meet us (have you seen birds do that? ever?) and then showed off its branch-hopping skills (truly impressive!), and aldabra giant tortoises which you almost can’t believe are real until they move, among other rare animals, all endangered.

Then an hour later we’re walking around the centre of Norwich, eating the most delicious fish and chips, absolutely charmed by how happy people seem to be on a Saturday evening, in nice weather. Speaking of weather, it stayed benevolent the whole time, allowing us to explore the city, to rent a boat and swim along the Norfolk Broads, taking turns at the wheel, and to just be out, out, out the whole time.

Yesterday, before leaving, we went to an organ recital at Norwich Cathedral, where Cathy Lamb, Director of Music Outreach at Lichfield Cathedral School, played the perfectly chosen selection of pieces, which  my kids were able to enjoy without tiring, and where I discovered for myself Percy Whitlock’s Plymouth Suite Toccata.

So anyway, first day back home, I sat down in front of the laptop to work on my portfolio long fiction piece, and no, I have not been that productive, but instead what I felt was a shift in perception. I was relaxing into the work, and it seemed that — gush — I was starting to even enjoy myself, cautiously. Taking things as they come. Dispensing of that ruthless, nudging bore behind my left shoulder who kept going on and on about things that I needed to do, making me stressed for no apparent reason, and as I gathered enough frustration to finally speak up, I turned around and of course there was no one. And of course I knew that all along.

I was just afraid that the absence of that demanding voice would mean cessation of everything. That I would have no motivation to go on. How simple of me, duh, to think that motivation only comes from necessity and pressure. How joyful to remember that it can be rooted in desire. I’m so overcome with lightness that I’m afraid to even write about it here, afraid to scare away this gentle wild animal that had come of its own accord — would it stay? Would it change if it does?

Frame this frame of mind, keep it on the wall, look at it every day, hope it never leaves.

And also remember that getaways are always, always good for you.

Image: can you imagine I haven’t got a single good photo from the weekend, so I had to borrow one from Matt Brown on Flickr, of the Norwich Cathedral Nave and Organ.