It’s taken me ages to work it out, I’ve tried living on the seafront in Brighton, on the flat in Hull and Nottingham, in the smoke in Streatham, but the only landscapes that make me truly happy are hilly ones.
This is Cheshire, on the edge of the Peak District where I grew up. It’s the hill my mum scattered her mum’s ashes on, and where we scattered hers. Despite the connection to my family, I still don’t think I have ever found a landscape that feels so much like home. Forests, cities, seasides, they’re great, but they make me feel like a tourist. Suburbia makes me feel stifled. A hill though, it makes me feel on top of the world, I can see for miles, literally and metaphorically, even when it’s foggy and the sun is setting.
What about you? What landscapes make you feel at home? The theme at The Gallery is landscapes this week.
What a breathtaking view. Beautiful x
Thank you!
The Alexander Residence recently posted..Landscapes – The Gallery
You are so right, we all have our favourite landscapes. I’m happiest by the sea without doubt – preferably a bleak north sea and shingle beach. It’s the landscape I grew up with and nothing makes me feel more secure and content than the sound of the waves crashing on the shore. Which just begs the question why do I live inland?!
Beautiful description reminds me of my time in Hull and Brighton. I ask myself daily why I live somewhere so flat, but I guess your priorities change!
The Alexander Residence recently posted..Landscapes – The Gallery
the Welsh mountains, I used to say they were too far from a decent Marks and Spencers to really be home but then they opened a mega Marks in Bangor – so really I should just learnt Welsh and move! lovely post Penny – is that a place to settle then?
helloitsgemma recently posted..Landscape
At least you have the peaks on your doorstep
Yep!
The Alexander Residence recently posted..Landscapes – The Gallery
the peaks are very special. I lovely rolling green hills. I would like the sound of the sea on the green hills!
Beautiful pictures! I am happiest in the English countryside, hilly or not… One day perhaps, one day!
Emma recently posted..Seven
Very pretty. I totally agree about hilly landscapes. I went to uni in Sheffield and we often ventured into the Peaks. Now I live in Lincoln and although it’s very pretty, it’s also very flat.
Emily (@amummytoo) recently posted..Creating a landsacpe (craft)
Lincoln has Steep Hill – how can you say it’s flat?
Ruth @ Minibreak Mummy recently posted..MP3 vs HiFi
Interesting question! For me, it’s the opposite! I grew up in a desert climate with sand all around me (hey, it’s a desert!), and I certainly don’t feel at home when I go to another desert (like when I visited Australia). I feel most in my element with trees… lots and lots of tall trees. I’d love to run around in the woods and forests! Also, the rainier the better! Haha! No wonder I moved to England
Love your photos and your story behind them… it’s a special connection you have.
Beautiful landscape! Such a special family connection for you…it brought a lump to my throat xxx
Mama Syder recently posted..The Gallery – Landscape
Feeling rather chilly just looking at them. Lovely though.
Hills are what gives the landscape its character. Also its weather, unfortunately. Maybe we need to live on a hill in Bermuda…..
Helen Spencer recently posted..The Song You Snogged Your Hand To… (“Life’s a Journey” series, Week 7).
Whatever the landscape, it always looks better with children in it!
As a Cheshire lass myself, I can truly appreciate the beauty of the Cheshire countryside – I have posted a walk movie I made in the Cheshire village I lived in before moving out to LA…..I miss the green so much!
Lou
I love in the mountains so I know exactly what you mean. Hills widen your vista as opposed to flat landscape where you can only see ahead of you until the next building or tree.
Midlife Singlemum recently posted..#Listography – Happy High Five
The Peak District is somewhere I have yet to visit. Love the family connection you have with those hills x
fivegoblogging recently posted..The Gallery – Landscapes
So moving…you made me well up! I am so pleased that your Mum and Nan are at rest at place where you could all see and think clearly. It now must be a great place to visit and a chance to feel close. As Dorothy says ‘There is no place like home!’ x
I lived in Hull for a while and loved the starkness of it – and the fact that the coast was so austerely beautiful. But hills – top of the world
Jenny (@cheetahsinshoes) recently posted..You’re Beautiful – Rising in Glory
A stunning view, and one that has so much meaning to you. Beautiful.
TheBoyandMe recently posted..The Gallery: Landscapes
Such a lovely yet sad reminder, but the views make it a “smile” place. x
Ness Gorton recently posted..The Gallery ……….. Landscapes
hello
i have never visited the Peak District but i would like to as I can well imagine how breathtaking the views and scenery are. its a very special and poignant place for you and no wonder you like going there so much. will you be having your ashes scattered there too ? (i hope thats not too much of weird thing to ask you, and that i haven’t offended you ) lovely post xx
I love the Peak District too. I used to go there a lot on the train when I was a teenager living in Marple. One of the nice things about living in Nottingham is that I’m still not far from the Peak District, although I approach it from a different angle.
Ruth @ Minibreak Mummy recently posted..MP3 vs HiFi
I used to live on the seafront in brighton…..
beautiful pictures x
northernmum recently posted..Education is ruining my son….
Love your two photos. The Peak District is a beautiful place, I went several times when I was living in the UK many, many years ago and would like very much to visit again.
Funky Wellies recently posted..Landscape – Heidiland
Ooh it’s been a while since I visited here!
Lovely post. I love hearing about what means home to different people – hills, for me, are lovely but I couldn’t think of anything further from home if I tried! I grew up where it was really flat (horizons were just a straight line) and pretty sparse really. I loved it. There is nothing like those muted greens and browns, and when there was no rain, just black dirt. But beautiful.
I wonder what our kids will be saying when they’re our age? x