This week is reading week.
That means I have a lot of work to do and a week off university to do it in. And that's all well and good, except... I've come home.
The call of Devon was far too strong and the offer of a free lift meant that I packed my little bag and came back to Devon for the week. I was supposed to be here until Monday... and then I extended it until Wednesday... and now I'm thinking I may stay here until Saturday. The thing is, although I know I should be doing more work than I am (I'm fooling myself that my open Word document is actually being used) but the lure of Devon life is a little too much.
And so here is my top 3 things that I love about coming home.
You're welcome, goddammit.
1. The Calm
For those of you who don't know, Devon is pretty much one large field. We have farms and we have country roads and we have cows. But you can't deny that it is beautiful. It's a place where nothing really goes on and it had absolutely nothing to offer young people but a terrible bus service, but it's bloody pretty. I never really realise how busy Bournemouth is until I come back home and I don't really think that I need that slow pace of life until I'm back here. It's safe to say I am a country girl through and through and the moment I see that 'Welcome to Devon' sign, I feel myself relaxing. Clique, right? Mhm.
If you want a takeaway here, you have all of one option. If you want to catch a bus after 5pm, you can't. If you want to go to a club, that will be a 45 minute train ride. But you can go for as many country walks as you want! Hurrah!
It's a slow life, but who doesn't need to just slow down and breathe sometimes?
2. The Food
My mum was never really one to have the cupboards piled high with sweets and goodies, but since I've moved to uni she's started having little treats absolutely everywhere. And it's like she wants me to eat them all. Every day is full of 'oh there's some milky ways in the kitchen' or 'I brought you some crisps' and boy is it delightful. I'm not one who eats 24/7 or anything, but when you're being told there is a kitchen full of everything you like? Yeah, I can get into that!
Also, evening meals. Now, I love to cook and I do a lot of it in Bournemouth. I do nearly everything from scratch and I do really enjoy it, but there's nothing like home cooking! My mum is a brilliant cook and to have meals made for you which you don't have to pay for is simply heaven. I am fully aware that I am saying the exact same thing as every other student ever, but it is so true! When you're told that the highlight of your year is going to be when you're taken food shopping, you roll your eyes and nod and think that student life isn't really like that. It is, my friends. It really is. But no matter how much you enjoy the food shop, you'll enjoy the home cooking more.
Delicious.
3. Of course, the parents.
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Tis true.
Tis true.
Both my mum and dad are amazing. I really don't think I have to explain why seeing my 'rents is the best thing in the world. They may nag me that I should be doing work and they may buy the hell out of me by asking if I'm going out every. single. night but you know what? I'll let them off.
My dad is my partner in snacks. We demolish bags of crisps and watch copious amounts of tv together. It's fantastic. I have to tell him every five seconds to stop jiggling his leg up and down because it drives me crazy and he apologises like it's the first time I've said it. But it's our thing. There is nothing he wouldn't do for me and to me, he keeps the world spinning.
And of course, I absolutely love my mum. She's an incredible woman and my inspiration (yup, I said it) but we argued a lot when I was living at home. I don't think that's uncommon. Living away has made the time that I spend with my mum that little bit extra special. I feel like I have barely seen her at all this year, what with being away the entire summer, and so being able to come home and just chill around the house is awesome. At the risk of sounding the a complete sap, even making a cup of tea for her is pretty cool. I don't know how much I miss her until I know that I'll be coming home and then I need to see her then and there and it absolutely sucks to have to wait those extra couple of days.
I know this isn't exactly a revolutionary post. I will certainly win no awards for reporting. But that's okay because I'm home and I'm enjoying every second of it.
M x
