Escape to Paradise
It’s been a long year. Yesterday we finally went through the front door, stepped into the car and drove for a while. At the other end we stepped out… and found ourselves in a different world – a Paradise.
I basked in the warmth of the sunshine, bending to look at the wildflowers as we wandered the woodland – anemones and celandines, bluebells, violets, primroses and tiny wild strawberries. Orange-tip butterflies floated through the air like petals on the wind.
We heard the falls before seeing them through branches, the rushing roar of water as it tumbled downstream.
Finally we were free.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleJust what we all needed after the endless lockdowns. Even for those of us who don’t have a paradise to escape to, this story still lifts us out of our sense of isolation. Beautiful descriptions. Book us all tickets, please!
Thank you. I’m ready for another trip out very soon. Ready to blow some cobwebs away ?
Wow! Does this mean that you’re finally out of lockdown? Great story.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleYes, a couple of weeks ago now. Although I’m still shielding until I’ve had my second vaccination, so being really careful not to go anywhere with too many people. I actually wrote this for the ‘doors’ competition, but missed the closing by about three minutes, it’s apt that it fitted this theme too! Some more of our restrictions will be lifted from Monday. I might actually be able to see my daughter… Read more »
Paradise indeed Carrie and some freedom at last. You’ve described it so well. Lovely story.
Hope you’ve managed to make an escape too. Shops and restaurants etc don’t bother me, but that freedom to go where we like again is awesome.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleCarrie, I love the descriptions of the waterfall and the wild flowers. It sounds idyllic! My first thought when I read this was that it must have been the first outing after lockdown. Well done.
Thanks Marianna. We treated ourselves to a beach run in the same week (to the place that inspired my ‘A Sense of Being’ story https://voice.club/story/fiction/7178/2020-flash-04-a-sense-of-being Then winter came back! We did have a lovely couple of days out though, and gave me that burst of inspiration that I really needed.
Wow! How happy I am to know that you are finally out of lockdown and finally free. It is now easy to travel and explore paradise. A well-written story.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you Lotchie. Yes, it was so lovely to get out of these four walls and breathe some real fresh air. I do love to be close to the water, and it was so nice to see some of the lovely wild flowers and birds. The dogs had a wonderful time splashing around in the river!
Yes, Carrie. I can feel how you love to be close to the water and nature as I could vividly imagine the beautiful description of waterfalls, wildflowers, and birds in your story. You love nature, as I love nature too.
Ah yes, Carrie, it has been an exceedingly long year. How nice to read about your newly found freedom! I hope we are out of the Covid woods and into the real woods, with their gorgeous wildflowers and waterfalls. Thanks for sharing!
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThanks for commenting Julie. After shielding for the last year and a bit, its so nice to see something other than home. I’ve always loved Aysgarth Falls. Very restorative.
Yes Carrie, freedom comes in so many different ways ?.
That freedom to travel to different areas is wonderful. Now I’m fully vaccinated, I’m free to see my Mum, Dad, daughter and grandchildren too and I really can’t wait ?
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleWe are nearing the end of a dark time. This is a beautiful way to welcome the new happy times. Brilliant writing (as always! ? )!
Cheers Daisy, glad that you enjoyed it. Can’t wait for the nice weather to come back so that we can escape again 🙂
Now, there’s a difference! I can imagine the joy and sense of freedom you felt, finally being able to enjoy nature and wildlife after that long time indoors. Great description of your experience.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you Christer. It still puts a smile on my face just remembering ?
Released into summer as well as from the lockdown. It was very constricting not being able to travel to beauty spots in the winter, but we have been out and about a bit in the Spring.
Yes, unfortunately the end of lockdown means my hubby has gone back to work, so days out are limited now. Never mind, we take what we can get!
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleA lovely story, Carrie. Hope you’ve been to visit your daughter and parents since you first “escaped”. We’re all so ready for “Normal”!! Congratulations on your win.
Hi Julie, thank you. I managed to visit my Mum and Dad for a few days last week, so that was lovely. Such a relief to be able to see them again after such a long time. I’ve seen my daughter and grandchildren a couple of times too. I do love my cuddles ?
Congratulations, Carrie.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThanks Lotchie ?
You’re welcome, Carrie.
Congratulations Carrie, a very uplifting story.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThanks Linda. Not quite the same achievement of yours but hopefully other people found it pleasant to read too.
Congratulations, Carrie! Every time I read your story it makes me wish we can get into the car and go on a trip. Great story!
Thank you, Marianna. It is lovely to go on a journey. I think that artists of any kind, be they painters, photographers, poets or just general wordsmiths, have been blessed during the pandemic. At least we have had a safe haven to escape to within our minds to get us through the difficult or lonely times. I can’t imagine what it must be like to not have this sort of comfort, or… Read more »
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleCarrie, that is so true. I appreciate this community of writers who, even during a pandemic, can take each other on trips to other times and places. It really does give me comfort.
Carrie, you always give us such gifts in your stories! Congratulations on your win, but also on your newly-found freedom! May we all find our own paradise this summer!
Thank you, Fuji. It is lovely to have the freedom to travel again. There are so many places of Paradise out there, we just have to open our eyes to see the beauty ?
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleDefinitely a story we can all relate to, Carrie! Every small step is paradise now and I hope we never forget how lucky we are to have precious freedom; the small things, the big things, ALL things. Well done!
Thanks Sandra. We live in a beautiful world.
We certainly do, Carrie, and how lucky we are to be able to write about it 🙂
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleCongratulations, Carrie! With your beautiful choice of words, it is easy to see and feel the experiences described in your story.
Thank you, Christer. Mother Nature paints a beautiful picture. I’m not sure my words really do her justice; but I try!