I’m at the Lowther show in Cumbria and boy is it wet! The craft marquee has a small river running through the middle, and I doubt we will see many visitors. I feel enormous sympathy for the event organisers when the weather is like this as they do a thankless task. They take all the blame when things go wrong, even when its not their fault and receive none of the credit when things go right!
The showground is very wet, and from the vantage point of my warm, dry caravan I watch an ice cream van get stuck in the mud. A pickup truck soon arrived and towed it, slipping and sliding into position. I don’t imagine he is going to be selling much ice cream over the weekend with gale-force winds and more torrential rain expected. But that is the show lifestyle. We take the good with the bad.
I expect that will be me on Monday morning as my caravan is in a deep bog of mud and slime behind the craft marquee. I drive a transit van, with front-wheel drive and its easy to get it stuck at the best of times. I have zero chance of towing the caravan uphill and out of its position with a heavy stock laden van, so I won’t laugh too much at the struggling ice cream van!
Then it’s off to Southport Flower Show, and my weekly routine repeats itself. A day or two of office work, then load up with fresh stock, drive to the show, park the caravan, unload the van, set the stall up ready for four days of selling. I love this transient lifestyle with each week in a different part of the country. I get to explore our beautiful countryside and enjoy the vibrancy of the different people I meet.
I believe it is this love of the process, of the everyday activities that are the secret to success in any venture. Sure, everyone enjoys the flag-waving big success days, but these make up such a tiny part of our time on this earth. Most days are mundane, simple and just like so many others. For us to find happiness and peace, then we must take pleasure and pride in these “ordinary” type of days.
It’s so easy to wish your life away thinking about the future, thinking about some distant summit that would crown your achievements, but this is a mistake. Instead, focus your energy on enjoying each moment of your life.
You need to find pleasure and pride in all the simple things you do. Spend your time learning and growing and seeking out the activities and the people that will bring you joy. You have the power in your hands to choose the life you lead, make sure you embrace it with both hands. You never know what tomorrow will bring. The life you lead is defined by the choices you make today.
Together, we climb the mountain, not in giant leaps but one small step at a time.
Thank you for your daily blog. At this point I am going through a period of change and self doubt and I find your thoughts uplifting. Thank you
It’s hard for me to find words to express how much your blog means to me. I look forward to reading it. I feel it reaches out to me and helps me to keep going. Thank you.
I first saw your stall at Hampton Court this year and you were handing out cream samples. Hence the link you to your website and blog etc.
I think your writing is fabulous. Normally I would have deleted these types of emails, but I find your words truly inspiring and find I can totally relate.
Looking at other people’s comments it seems this feeling is widespread.
Thank you
Love yr blogs Luke , you should write a book ? on ur adventures ,
It is so true enjoy the most simple things in life as they do bring the most pleasures,like u watching from yr caravan window I love sitting by my window eating my breakfast watching people and the world go by and wondering where they r all going , and travelling around the country for work can be exhausting but ar the same time exciting . Hope u get out of the mud ok Luke, look forward to ur next adventure ,
Couldn’t find you ar Shrewsbury Flower Show. Spoils my day. ?Sue Anderson
Hi Luke
I enjoy hearing about your highs and lows through the blog.
I have a query about the peppermint product. I had a candle a few months ago which smelled strongly of peppermint but the one I have recently had doesn’t. Has it been changed? This one has verbena and peppermint whereas the earlier one may have been pure peppermint.
Just want you to know having suffered recent bereavement, although I read you with interest before you are now my go to for my soul. Lovely interesting stuff, I pass them on to troubled daughter who has no direction in life, so as I`m not computer clever, how do I buy stuff from you ? never bought anything on line before.
Keep up the good work helping old ladies get through the day, lovely stuff.
Hi Luke. Just teturned from a very wet and windy st annes. The kite festival had yo be cancelled and people travelled ftom new zealand to take part. Blackpool aeroplane festival aldo had to be cut short hope it is better in southport this week
Hi Luke
You moved to tears with this blog, which is not a bad thing. I am enjoying your musings very much 🙂
Will be taking advantage of your special offer on a body scrub too, am sure more purchases will follow.
Many thanks
Hi Luke
I don’t know how else to contact you so apologise if this is not the right way.
I have bought your products for some years at shows but decided to order something for a friends birthday in May on line (set of candle, diffuser and room spray). This was received by my friend in Addlestone, Surrey and she was delighted. However on checking my bank statements l see that you have charged me €28.00 twice on 1st May 2019. I was hoping to see you at Stonnor Park last weekend. Please be so kind as to either refund this amount or send another set (rosemary and) to my address in Pangbourne Berkshire. Many thanks