What have you learnt and unlearnt over the years of being on this planet? Have you any good tips?

Can you pick a timeframe where you could identify stuff that you thought was bad to learn or unlearn but turned out to be in your best interests? Since being up here (10 years this November) I have learnt a lot about myself and other people – here are some examples. 

That the people you initially meet and think you have perhaps as lifetime friends, aren't all that and the subsequent people you meet even through friendships made after the initial ones, will be the ones who will stay. 

That a small town mentality can exist anywhere and it's best not to be a gossiper (not that I am) and stay faithful to your true friends. 

That the winters are bloody long up here (5 months) so Spring is most definitely my favourite season, even though it's sometimes 4 seasons in one day and can tease you frequently thinking it has begun. 

That wearing t-shirts when you leave England and go up to the mountains and get out of the car to take the dogs for a walk wondering why everyone is toggled up to the nines, is not a good idea and that the local Sainsbury's have jumpers and cardigans that will fit the bill. 

That moving within the same town can be more stressful than country to country! 

That not booking a removal company is perhaps a foolish move, seven solid days later our bodies felt broken. 

That saying “Oh the next house we move into will be all complete” is a nonsense when you fall in love with a garden! 

That people do love a good drink up here and our town has the highest number of bottles in the bottle bank at any given time over any other town in this county. 

That you can waive estate agent fees and sell your house to friends but said agent has already had people round with no success and you get a gift of the most expensive wine glasses ever after “the sale” (which you did anyway). 

That a house nearer the beach and the golf course is much more windy and things will fly if not battened down. 

That it is a great idea to sell when they are building a whacking great school right behind where you used to live (and right in the middle) and it is way higher than original plans and looks like an Amazon warehouse!

That you will miss your family and friends but are only a plane ride away (and a car drive) and it gets easier. 

That it will be difficult to establish a new business in a different area and you will have to do second jobs that you never thought you would do, to bring money in eventually. 

That many English are called “settlers” and “incomers” and that not all Highlanders welcome people who have come from the South (even if they are Scottish!). 

That it's best not to bitch about others because it's a close knit community and you might be slagging off their half sister (not that I have!). 

These are just a few of mine related to the move. Feel free to add yours, whether it's a learning experience or an un-learning experience, that you have found valuable, on any subject. Looking forward to hearing your replies.

Liz

A Moodscope member