Can We Kiss & Make Up?

With all great relationships there comes a time when it all becomes too much, it drags us down and we need to take some time out for ourselves. Sometimes its work, sometimes it's our relationships and sometimes it's ourselves. But as that last final thing pushes you over the edge and you need a few days of time out. With all significant relationships there can be too much going on or maybe there’s not enough, whatever the problems sometimes space and time are the only answer. This is also often true about where we live and there occasionally comes a time when the city gets too much and an escape is needed. Last week the city and I needed a break, frustrated and drained with the constant noise, hustle and false promises I knew I needed some time out. So when an invite came my way to go camping I jumped at the opportunity. As I boxed up my Louboutins and folded away my 7 for All Mankinds, the urgency to get out of the city and into the country began to grow. Piling the scrap heap on wheels (aka my car) up with my Hunters willies and Barbour, the boy, my hair piled high on my head like a mad woman and concealing my lack of eye make up with some over sized Chanel sunglasses I put my foot on the pedal and hit the road resembling Toad of Toad Hall slightly.

As the city and all its bright lights faded in the review mirror, the open road ahead lay invitingly free and easy. The country air flooded in quickly through the car windows, the radio was loud and Haribo kept me fuelled as we hurtled deeper into the country side. Why is it that as you start to relax the Sat Nav decides it cannot find your destination? Cursing the piece of equipment that was supposed to be helping, I swiftly turned to my iPhone. No signal. Deep breathes were required as the boy and his tummy started to grumble and rumble. Crossing my fingers that a row wasn’t brewing, it seemed the only option was to go old school. A map was found from the depths of the glove box and once the lip gloss, tissues, old parking tickets and sweets had been peeled off it seemed reasonably reliable. Thirty five minutes later however we were still in the same lay by with no campsite in sight. Eventually a teeny bar of signal appeared on my phone, grabbing the chance a quick call was made for directions only to be told we had been parked next door the entire time!! Arriving late and desperate to get the tent up we were unpacked in minutes and finally was able to look round. That’s when I realised I was a million miles behind the camping jet set. As I perched on a blanket next to our tiny 2 man tent, I couldn’t help but be a little over awed at some of the fabulous tents we were surrounding by. Just as I was beginning to be a little consumed by tent envy, my beloved friend Mrs O called me over to her state of the art tent, to ask if I could help put the lights up in her tent. That was it, I was in full blown tent envy. We didn’t even have a torch. Fitting the lights to her tent ceiling Mrs O continued to leave me speechless with her fitted carpets and chic kitchen area.

As the wine flowed later that evening and the gorgeous homemade chilli was all eaten, it felt amazing to be in the great outdoors. Even the millions of flies and fifteen minute hike to the toilet all added to the charm out the great outdoors. The city and all its little annoyances were a million miles away. It was only the next morning as I woke up cold and achy that I began to miss my bed, in my house, in the city I had fallen out with. As I packed my bags ready to take the hike to the shower block, I began to wonder if we could kiss and make up.

Later that day as the car heaved its way out of the country and back towards the bright lights of home I reflected on the past 24 hours. Some times its good to step back and look at what we have, sometimes we need that space or break away to help us to see what we have and appreciate it. We live in a world that spins so fast it’s easy to lose focus on how we feel and what is important to us. So as much as I enjoyed a quick flirtation with the country, I know my true love is the bright lighted city.