Town and Country

Some people  are considering moves from Town to Country, presumably as a result of the change in work patterns arising from the Chinese 'flu pandemic.

Andrew Marr's diary column in this week's Spectator magazine, contains a note about his regular walks as a London dweller in  Regents Park, which I believe is his local park. Unlike countryside brethren or sistren (the female equivalent I understand) for town or city dwellers the local park is usually the most frequently resorted to piece of open land for a stroll, run or bike ride. Fortunately London has many  such local parks and  commons including even Epping Forest at the end of the Central Line on London Underground or the new parkland in East London prepared for the very successful Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012 see for example London Paralympics 2012. Also chapter 18 of  The Wandering Soul

Andrew Marr interestingly describes the different characters he  speaks to  or speak to him, on most occasions he takes his strolls through the Park. Some of course know him by sight as  consequence of his broadcasting work but many just wish to chat in these strange times.

Hopefully I have interpreted or summarised, the relevant part of  Mr Marr's diary in The Spectator correctly but in any event, that summary is more or less similar to my own experiences as a London  dweller  in daily strolls over Wimbledon Common. The number of people who stop to chat is rather more than was the case in a year or so ago. For example last week a woman who I guess was about my age cut through the undergrowth to the (dried) muddy, usually deserted horse track I was following. We laughed and upon chatting learned that we had both relatively recently retired from our respective professions. She said that being able to walk onto the Common from home without taking a car was a great benefit with which I agreed. Before continuing our respective walks, we both said that we were disinclined to move away frim Wimbledon, for example to the countryside.

On the other hand many who have moved to the countryside do appear to enjoy life there. However there was an amusing column in The Telegraph a few days back, about how difficult it could be on occasion  in the countryside, to find a taxi or a croissant. I doubt though that such 'difficulty' bothers most farmers or longer term countryside dwellers. 

Car ownership on the other hand is almost compulsory in the countryside owing to public transport  provision being limited. In my view (no pun intended) being able to see the stars in the night sky is often a huge positive.

Probably,  the most beneficial aspect of normal life whether in  town, countryside or elsewhere,  depends less on where one lives and more on developing acquaintances and friendships with others, whether one lives in the desert, north pole, London Town, or the countryside.