To Be a Bee by The Sea or To Be a Bee in The City
Kernow is the place to be in the summer. Fact.
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Many say that a good summer should be plentiful in ‘sun, sea and sand’, which is why the Cornish coast proves so popular with tourists and locals alike. Personally, I’m rather taken by the tone of the land, a picture perfect sunset and the happy bird song (though the sea breeze does come in useful for a gruelling tanning session).
We all know that UK summers are notoriously unpredictable and somewhat of an anticlimax. However this one has been a cracker, and there’s quite simply no place I’d rather be. That said I’m now going to write a little about my recent city expeditions. I know, what was I just saying?
London is not the place to be in the summer. Fact.
So I willingly packed myself off to London during, what turned out to be, the hottest weekend on the year. Hello heat wave, hello underground hell. I can see why my homegirl (of fellow Cornish origins) would rather a 45 minute trek to reach the office. She misses Cornwall. She also loves London.
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I also visited another pal from Cornwall, now living in London. He hates Cornwall. He loves London. He hates London in the summer.
This got me to thinking about which location is the more desirable. At polar ends of the spectrum, both have their pros and cons, especially when it comes to the season. Having visited the big smoke on many occasions in the winter – traditionally for a long weekend of shopping, dining, overpriced gin and tonics, and a signature west-end show, I had never given it a shout in the summer.
Greeted by a bumble of smells, noise and people I was faithfully pleased to have arrived in the metropolis. But then I had to walk a considerable way, and I have to say that backpacking around London in summer is significantly more difficult than even an Asian furnace.
The hectic hustle and bustle of London town is enjoyable for all of five minutes, and then the lack of ocean takes hold. Anyone who lives by the coast will appreciate the feeling of freedom it evokes. I am by no means a water baby, and I’m actually ‘happiest in the hills’ but when taken away from the coast I can truly recognise its importance.
So, in terms of the Kernow versus city debate, the Kernow wins every time. However, what if you can have it all?
I always thought that if I ever wanted to try city life then I’d head for the capital. Where opportunities are plentiful and the richness of social delights will keep you busy 24/7. It’s a common thought process; it’s where post-grads go to have a successful career, and the ‘rat race’ is all just part of it.
I, for one, have changed my mind.
A recent trip to Brighton reminded me that there are many places offering that bridge to the debate. Here I discovered a ‘bigger Falmouth’ with equal quirkiness but better shops, and a comparatively smaller, but friendlier London. Oh, and water, beautiful water. So delighted with my surroundings I believe I actually declared to be having ‘the best time of my life’ on Brighton Pier.
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It wasn’t, but pleased me nonetheless.
So now I think about all of the incredible cities out there that really do offer you the best of both worlds: the social, culture and excitement of city life, combined with the absolute serenity and bliss of the coast. Given my experience I immediately think of Perth as being a pretty special example, where the chilled coastal-inspired Aussie lifestyle emanates throughout the city.
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Now I look forward to exploring a few more cities that really do ‘have it all’…
