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  the mud on the road


How Do You Know if a Place Is 'The One'?

24/11/2017

5 Comments

 
Moving home is always going to be a challenge. Moving countries even more so. And so many folk are on the move right now. All over the world. Changes have taken place in the way nations and superstates are organised. They resonate with some. They don’t resonate with others. And if you aren’t resonating with your surroundings, you are left with a stark choice. Stay and adapt, or pack your bags and leave. The common sensation is displacement. And the reason for this is that we are not isolated lumps of flesh, but woven into the very tapestry of our environment.

But what next? If you are looking for a new home, how do you choose where it should be? How can you tell if any given spot is ‘the one’?
                                                                              ***
I dug a toe in the sands of Galicia. The beach was a geological masterpiece. Over the millennia, the Atlantic had chiselled the rocks into monuments. At this end of times’ long trajectory, they towered over the shoreline like a backdrop of Gothic abbeys.
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Yes, the aptly named Playa de Les Catedrales wasn’t built in a day. What the hell of any value is?

It was here I sensed a slowing down. I had been driving along northern Spain’s A8, which while presumably not the most dangerous highway in the world, definitely qualifies for a place in Europe’s top 10 insane road engineering projects. It’s basically one very long, very high viaduct. I always imagine the road planners meeting for the A8 proceeding thus;

“Right folks, how can we build a highway through Asturias? It’s 200 km of sheer ravines and peaks.”

“I know! Let’s just slap the thing over the top!”

“A highway on stilts?”

“Yeah. The mountains can be the stilts.”

Slow nods all around the table. And the A8 was born.
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But I was out of Asturias now. The A8 had come in to land. Grassy hills rose and fell like the body of a snoozing green bear. The road was an elastic band that my van was pulling. I knew as soon as it reached its stretch limit, it would ping me straight back.

Within a week I found that limit. Unsurprisingly, it was Santiago de Compostela. End of The Camino. End of so many things. As I wandered about the cathedral for the umpteenth time, gazing up at the intricately sculpted nave, the stone pillars and porticos, I saw the mirroring. From one catedrale to another. The inspiration ricocheted from rock to basilica. From nature to city to nature.

So back I pinged. Back to the shores of Galicia and the structures the Atlantic had carved. Back along the A8. I waited for gravity to drag me down and let me fall somewhere. But where would I settle? Where?

Finding a new space doesn’t happen in a day. Nothing of any value does.
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To arrive somewhere, anywhere, and decide in an instant whether or not its ‘the one’, is the mental equivalent of bulldozing a plot of land before you’ve even set foot in it. Because there is no ‘one special space’. There are infinite spaces. Infinite homes. Infinite new worlds to create. It’s down to us to connect with them. And eventually commit to them.

Finding a new space to live is to start a relationship. First there is attraction. Then tentative invitations, accepted or refused. We begin a conversation with our surroundings. We listen, and we speak. With each passing day we learn a little more. The land learns a little more. The folk we encounter learn a little more. Do we trust? Do they trust us? Thus the relationship begins.

                                                                        ***

The leaves turned brown. Chestnuts appeared. Rain began to fall. I circled between Galicia and Asturias. Round and round. Feeling. Smelling. Sensing. As the season turned from late Autumn to winter, I noticed I was still here.
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Many thanks as always to our growing group of Mud Sustainers and all those supporting this site on Patreon. If you'd like to follow this journey as it happens, or to simply express that you value this blog and would like it to continue, consider pledging and joining the Patreon feed where I post more photos of my journey in real time and my thoughts as they arise.

In this blog I openly share my personal experience. Generally it is met with kindness and generosity, and I am always very happy to hear your comments, ideas and experiences. Whatever your opinion please voice it respectfully. I don't engage in rudeness or negativity in my life or on this site. It is simply deleted.
5 Comments
Sandi Berumen
26/11/2017 02:31:47 am

Ahh, the picture at the very top with your truck parked on the cliffs by the road side. Wow -- if I could wake up to that view every morning I would consider myself a lucky woman -- it is sort of like being on top of the world.

I think you have found your basic area. I have to say I no longer have the dark heavy feeling when I think of you any more -- it lasted about 3 days and then disappeared into the atmosphere -- so it must have been where you were on that day or people that you were around. When I look at the picture(s) above I get a very positive feeling that you belong. I think we all have had that feeling at one time or another. I know when I bought this travel trailer I knew as soon as I walked into it that it was the one for me -- I had looked at a number of others and I really wanted one 40 ft, this is only 36 ft. but it just seemed like home and it has served me well for the past 18 years and basically, except for the tree coming through the roof, it has more service in it yet. I started working on rebuilding it today. So we shall see. So now I need to start looking for a place to put myself.

I have toyed with the idea, if I prevail with the house, of staying on the property and fixing the house so it is liveable and renting it out and parking myself on the back forty -- it is already set up to be able to do that, but I really do not like the neighborhood -- so we shall see. I just do not like the neighborhood, I never have.

Anyway, the church is pretty impressive as well. Your travels there remind me of the northeast, specifically Maine, I have often pondered living in that area. I have been there often on business when I was working and there is just a feeling in the air. It is basically where this country started and there is a karma in the air -- if you are open to that sort of thing -- that draws one in, at least it does me. When the dust settles I might take my camper van and travel back there and check it out. I have to be sure my medical treatment would be available there as that is pretty much what tethers me here.

As always, I look forward to your next chapter. In the meantime, God Bless, Take Care, and Stay Safe.

Sandi


Reply
Atulya
27/11/2017 12:42:48 pm

Ah Sandi, yes Santiago de Compostela cathedral is quite something. And both Spain and Portugal really are camper van heaven. You can park right up to the beach for free and no one bothers you. Now I'm just waiting for that karma to edge me to a piece of land:)

Ah if you get the chance to roam in a van, go for it:) Wishing you well and a fast recovery as always.

Reply
Dee
27/11/2017 09:33:21 am

Oh Atulya ... I am so excited for you! Keep us posted as always; we can't wait to hear the next thrilling installment of your adventure.

Dee

Reply
Atulya
27/11/2017 12:43:32 pm

Hello Dee!
Thank you. I'm also excited:)

Reply
Edmonton Small Movers link
29/12/2021 01:16:41 pm

Love the way you have explained everything in so much of details. Keep posting more such blogs.

Reply



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    Atulya K Bingham

    Author and Natural Builder.
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Disclaimer: All the content in The Mud Home website is provided for informational purposes only. The author undertakes no responsibility for any person or entity who chooses to use the information on this website. It is not intended to be a standard and should not substitute for the exercise of good engineering judgment by engineers. It is the user’s obligation to make sure that he/she uses the appropriate practices and consults the appropriate experts when building. It is the user's obligation to make sure they are following health and safety guidelines. The author is not responsible for any accidents, injuries or damages to persons or property incurred while using the information presented in this website.

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The Mud Home  Copyright © 2013  Atulya Kerry Bingham
  • Home
  • Building
    • Earthbag >
      • Rubble Trench Foundations
      • Earthbag in Extreme Weather
      • Earthquakes and earthbag
    • Earth Plaster
    • Using Lime
    • Cob
    • Straw Bale
    • Wattle and Daub
    • Inspiration
    • Off-Grid Living >
      • Off-Grid Prep Course
    • Mud Building Blog
  • Books
    • Dirt Witch
    • Mud Ball
    • Mud Mountain The Book
    • MUD BUILDING PDF PACKAGE
  • About
    • Contact
    • Mud Home Facebook Group
  • COURSES
    • ATULYA's In Person Workshops 2025
    • Perfect Earth Plaster Online Course
    • Lime for Beginners Online Course
    • MUD BUILDING PDF PACKAGE
    • The Off-Grid Roadmap
    • Consultation
  • Blogs
    • Mud Home Turkey
    • Barn Life in Spain
  • My Projects
    • The Earthbag Home in Turkey
    • The Barn in Spain