I am under instruction to explain first why you aren’t getting your beloved Jamie writing to you again, so soon after she was taken away from you for a whole week (the instruction, I might add, was from a source other than Jamie). Jamie and I are both members of 20 Something Bloggers and we’ve all decided to throw the blogging world into slight (and by slight I mean total) disarray with The Big Blog Swap. So today you’ll find Jamie on over at my blog, Crazy Brit Heaven, and y’all are stuck with me… (mais ne panique pas, it is just for one post…)

Now that the introductions are out of the way…

I was wandering through my town tonight on my way home. I generally love walking at this time of night, at this time of year, because the world begins to calm down. A gentle breeze picks up, people are strolling instead of power-walking, laughter flows freely and the world takes on a mystical glow from restaurant fronts and street lamps. Tonight was no different.

Except for one thing.

Tonight I realised that, despite being a Londoner through and through, I really do adore living in a smaller town. On the way home I passed by at least three or four friends, all of whom took the time to stop and say hello. I had such a clear sense of belonging to a community. I know there are downsides to that. The gossip. The people living in each other’s pockets. The quintessential claustrophobic downfalls of a ‘village’. But I have come to understand that it is just about possible to steer clear of that, to keep your head screwed on and above water, and only to appreciate the care and genuine interest, which bounces off the people living in your neighbourhood.

One annual event took place last week to mark an historic moment which happened in our town. Although admittedly the history was glossed over, the “townspeople” showed up en masse, with kids and with families, to relax and enjoy. I honestly never thought I’d be describing my home town as a place where I could refer to the inhabitants as townspeople…

I love the life of the city and I’m glad that it’s still only 40 minutes train journey away - it’s still within grasp. London will always be where my heart lies. The electric buzz and indescribable, magical pull of city life will never leave me.

But tonight, with my window open, watching the silhouette of the world and revelling in the total calm of this breathtaking evening, I’m proud to call this home.

Much love,
xx