‘To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.’ Bertrand Russell I’m sitting cross-legged on a beach. It’s almost seven o’clock in the evening and the sand is already wet with dew. The huge sky above my head is purple, almost black, and the air is cool, borderline cold. I’m wearing layers, including a t-shirt, …

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‘The trouble with our times is that the future is not what it used to be.’ Paul Valery I am one hundred metres above the sea, and like a hovering bird, I can see for miles and miles, or kilometres and kilometres. And after so long on the flatlands of the coastal plain at …

Continue reading "Me and Michel Chapter Nineteen"

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‘The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing.’ Marcus Aurelius The time has come to say goodbye to naturism and hello to clothes and convention. It’s ten o’clock in the morning, and I’m standing at the gate leading from La Jenny to the familiar painted green cycle path of La Velodysée. My …

Continue reading "Me and Michel Chapter Eighteen"

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‘The only journey is the one within.’ Rainer Maria Rilke On my last day here among the Lotus Eaters at La Jenny, I’ve taken myself to the beach. I have a makeshift picnic with me, leftovers and some bread, and a bottle of wine. It’s good to breath the sea air and today the weather …

Continue reading "Me and Michel Chapter Seventeen"

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‘A day without laughter is a day wasted.’ Charlie Chaplin There is a German woman staying in the chalet just across the way from mine. We waved to each other in a cheery way as I moved in. She is alone it turns out, and we chatted briefly as I unloaded the bike, both …

Continue reading "Me and Michel Chapter Sixteen"

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‘Neither should a ship rely on one small anchor, nor should life rest on a single hope.’ Epictetus The very lovely people at reception give me a map. With 756 chalets on site, I’m sure I would struggle to find my new home without it. The setting is quite beautiful. After the flatlands of my …

Continue reading "Me and Michel Chapter Fifteen"

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‘The past is never dead. It’s not even past.’ William Faulkner, Requiem for a Nun I’m standing on the jetty at Arcachon, waiting for the ferry that will take me and the bike and a dozen other passengers across to Cap Ferret. Today, putting all other thoughts behind me, I begin the journey again, …

Continue reading "Me and Michel Chapter Fourteen"

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No one saves us but ourselves. We ourselves must walk the path.” Buddha The sky is copper-bronze, and the sun a burnished shield of cadmium orange. Streaks of thin black cirrus clouds are black silhouettes, as if painted on a Greek vase. Homer, it seems, can be addictive. I am atop the Dune du Pilat, …

Continue reading "Me and Michel Chapter Thirteen"

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