train travel:

Cassandra Gardiner: A permit to travel

Cassandra Gardiner returns with this week’s offering. Guest opinion articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication. Ed


Experiencing sensations, smells, noises, temperature, flavours and settings in unfamiliar environments. Destinations selected to partake in delights from another, to throw caution to the wind, take the freedom and go. Unrestrained following instinct, adventure or cause the traveller becomes the visitor, becomes the guest.

Putting regularity on hold, advancing some self-centred indulgence born from the individual (or jointly), value, reasons and requirements. Wind-torn escapes, ancient tombs, sun-drenched beaches, red evening skies or city culture, when routine whithers the bearer and refreshment is sought an escape can be a liberating decision. To go outside of the familiar, a change of rhythm, pace, scenery and even language.

The view on fast-forward
Sitting on a train gazing out of the window, the view on fast-forward, snapshots of towns, rivers, fields and occasionally the coast. Smoothly moving along the tracks, speed, distance and landmarks alternate as time unfolds the journey. Perhaps a visit to a loved a one or a farewell.

Moving through the countryside, held in motion, arriving for the first view, the treat, break or get away. Instilled in the mind the traveller waits until arrival to realise why they came.

A passage into new landscapes
Wishful thinking for romance, treasures, thrills or the unknown. Adventure or retreat, diving down or climbing high, a passage into new landscapes, fresh colours and life exerts stimulation on the new-comer like jumping into a cold pool.

As the season breaks and temperatures differ, the needs of the beholder come up for inspection. Satisfaction, sustenance and purpose, exposed by the day-to-day shuffle, wait for repair. Galloping ahead craving a solution, a trip, excursion, holiday or simply ‘I’m off’, planning a journey can float the mind into a trail of exploration and excitement. With a whirlwind of options by sea, train, plane, car, bike, horse (and carriage…) or simply on foot, the horizon opens.

What if
As the light grows and darkness falls away, a warm embrace of options takes hold encouraging the user to think and consider the ‘what if’s’.

To read more of Cassandra Gardiner‘s work, visit her blog.

Image: bortescristian under CC BY 2.0

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tryme
23, February 2014 8:55 am

I appreciate that in the fast-moving world of journalism, and with a limited number of hands to prepare articles, punctuation and grammar often need to come second place. This is how it is OTW and I accept that. The gist is the main thing and we are grateful for having the pieces in the first place. But the very same type of rush is evident in transposing… Read more »

tryme
Reply to  tryme
23, February 2014 9:06 am

Basically, please follow the writer’s puntuation exactly, rather than the transposer doing what feels right to them. Thanks.

Sally Perry
Admin
Reply to  tryme
23, February 2014 12:13 pm

I’m not sure how you could even know whether I have added to or removed any of Cassandra’s punctuation (which I have not).

tryme
Reply to  Sally Perry
23, February 2014 12:34 pm

At 11.03 today, Sally, I wrote “…whether the piece has indeed been relayed exactly as intended or not”. So it was a query, which began privately a week ago. At that time I suggested that the punctuation might indeed be exactly as Cassandra intended,and asked if that was so. I have not suggested that the piece has been edited, but appreciate you want to make clear that… Read more »

Sally Perry
Admin
Reply to  tryme
23, February 2014 12:11 pm

I have not edited Cassandra’s article or removed any commas.

Cynic
23, February 2014 9:49 am

Didn’t “Stream of Consciousness” narrative style die with James Joyce? (A couple of modern authors have attempted it but usually unsuccessfully- so good to experiment and learn from it but don’t rely on it!)

tryme
Reply to  Cynic
23, February 2014 9:58 am

When I realised where some commas could go, Cicero, it became not simply a confusing ‘stream of consciousness’, but something delicate. As I said, I suspect we haven’t had the chance to experience what the piece really is.

Jonathan
23, February 2014 10:49 am

For the record, I didn’t have any trouble reading it. As always with Cassandra’s pieces, I thought the style and content fitted each other beautifully.

tryme
Reply to  Jonathan
23, February 2014 11:03 am

Perhaps we will come to know whether the piece has indeed been relayed exactly as intended or not. I emailed Sally on this about a week ago, (with much lesser ground than now, but hoping for perfection!), as I didn’t want to cause upset to Cassandra if it was simply a case of her and my own outlooks being different, but haven’t heard back, (I know they… Read more »

tryme
Reply to  tryme
23, February 2014 12:24 pm

… eg “or cause the traveller becomes the visitor”; “refreshment is sought an escape”. I’m talking of only a humble few commas, but they can ease the way marvellously. Having re-read a few times more with my own commas ready in my head, I too appreciate a lovely mesmerising quality about this piece; and poetry and prose can often repay re-readings, of course. It’s just nice if… Read more »

Robert Gray
23, February 2014 1:13 pm

We are all guests the moment we wake. I stood upon ancient oak woodland this last week gone; echoing in a gentle breeze, a thousand years or more of those forgotten who passed before. More precious than any jewel, on each moss covered branch, each twig, the the tiniest bud, rain drops did assemble for a grand shattering of the coming sun. The broken sky unified glory… Read more »

tryme
Reply to  Robert Gray
23, February 2014 9:46 pm

I particularly like “We are all guests the moment we wake”; and “rain drops did assemble for a grand shattering of the coming sun”, Robert. Thanks.

tryme
23, February 2014 1:34 pm

Any down-arrows to Sally’s posts are not mine.

Cynic
Reply to  tryme
23, February 2014 1:38 pm

Corrected with an up-arrow! :-))

impressive
23, February 2014 3:55 pm

An interestingly written piece, both in content and style.

Who cares if commas have been added or taken out, or, as seems to be the case, left alone completely. The writing makes sense as it is, and the grammar police should accept what is told to them privately rather than questioning it publicly.

tryme
Reply to  impressive
23, February 2014 8:03 pm

Not sure if you mean me, ‘impressive’, but I didn’t receive a reply privately. And of course I have accepted Sally’s response here! You have misunderstood. Never mind. As regards “who cares” (etc), there is only any point in commas if they clarify meaning and ease the flow. Where they do I think we shouldn’t tip out the baby with the bathwater and get rid of them… Read more »

Ed Mew
25, February 2014 8:26 pm

What a lovely written piece! and don’t worry about comma’s they are soon to be replaced with “innit” :)

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