Cotswold Living - A Moment in Time

As a heating engineer, I travel around the beautiful area of England called the Cotswolds. Honey coloured stone buildings hundreds of years old which draws tourists from all over the world. Not just tourists, but foreigners who come to retire here, to them its a dream come true.

One day last week whilst traveling through a village called Guiting Power, I noticed a table and two chairs adorning the frontage of the local Post Office with a notice offering tea and coffee. Hundreds of these village Post Offices are under threat of closure which would be a total disaster for the local communities. It's a strange thing I thought....having driven past this Post Office hundreds of times and never been inside.

Well, on my way back through the village I decided to pull over and treat myself to a cup of coffee. I parked up opposite the Post Office and entered the store. Inside was a woman and from her accent she was from America. She politely asked for two coffees to be drunk outside in the sunshine. "No problem" replied the postmaster "will bring them out to you". Dam! I thought....that's where I wanted to sit and top-up the tan. I asked for a coffee also, which was freshly ground and smelling good. "Are they tourists" I asked the postmaster? "Oh no, the lady owns a house in the village, she is retired."

I walked outside with my coffee and sat in my vehicle. Windows down to let the fresh air in, the American lady and her companion started talking politics. She wore dark sunglasses to protect her eyes from the gleaming sun. It was nice just to sit and listen to others points of view, how the world is and how it could be improved. The moment became serene and peaceful with a sense of inner harmony. I looked down and saw my cup was empty...time to go. Pity, I return the cup and thank the postmaster.

So, what did I learn from that moment in time!. Well, no one knows when it may happen, but to break away from routine and try something different can be rewarding, just taking time out for coffee as in my case can capture moments in time that will last a life time. Less rushing around and passing by is the moral of the story. Enjoy what's around you first!.

Ok, on to my last job of the day. Some damsel in distress with no heating or hot water in a village not to far away. A small village where Kate Winslett (the actress) has made a home. The Cotswolds is England at it's best, I guess you could call me a lucky guy.