Nonfiction – Page 19 – neilhayeswrites

Awareness

February 11, 2017 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

Look, listen, touch, taste and think. Be aware and present. It’s easier said than done, but if we don’t try we will never get there. Presence is a problem for me, there are often too many thoughts competing for space.

The one time I truly feel present and aware is when I am out walking and photographing. Looking for details, of buildings, of nature, of life. And occasionally you see something intriguing which sparks your imagination.

What is that across the river? Is it art, or something else? Is it just an inlet, or a passage to another world? And, before you know it, maybe you can enter that world, in your imagination. And a story begins.

Read my short story here

Daily Prompt: Aware

Lush: A Welshism

February 11, 2017 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

The people of Wales speak a whole other language. I am not speaking about the 20% of the population who actually speak the Welsh language. I mean the rest who speak English, more commonly referred to as Wenglish. A strange combination of languages; people use Welsh words, which they often don’t really know the meaning of, as part of their everyday English.

But a dissection of Wenglish can wait for another day. All regions in Britain also use a healthy dose of regional slang, and Wales is no different. For example, when I hear the word “Lush” I do not think of thick, green grass rolling across the hills. I do not think of an extravagant meal in an ornately decorated restaurant. I think of two women standing in a clothes shop looking at a dress saying, “That’s lush that is!”

You see, in Wales, lush simply means really, really nice. Nothing is nicer than if it is lush. Clothes can be lush, you can look lush, you can be lush. My new car is lush, my boyfriend is lush, this pizza is lush. It is simply the highest compliment you can pay to something. If you are ever in Wales, listen out, it won’t be long before you hear it, LUSH!

Lush

Text © Neil Hayes and neilsworldofenglish

Coffs Harbour, Australia

February 5, 2017 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

Located between Brisbane and Sydney, Coffs Harbour was my home for a few years. Having travelled through once, stayed for a few days and then moved on, I never would have thought that I would return and make it my home. My original impressions were that it was a pleasant, small town with beautiful nature. But I didn’t get to know it that well, it was too early in my trip and I was too keen to move on and discover more.

But return I did. I was staying in Newcastle when a job opportunity arose in Coffs Harbour. I remembered the town and jumped at the chance, I also needed the money. I worked and stayed at a backpackers hostel and got to know the town and its locals.

The town itself has, I believe, a perfect location. It is situated on the coast but backed by mountains which form part of the Great Dividing Range of Australia. So you live next to the beach but within thirty minutes you can be in the mountains looking at rainforest. And if you continue driving you will reach New England. With its rolling green hills and trout streams, you can see where it gets its name.

Coffs Harbour offers a lot for the traveller to do and experience. From visiting the rainforest to skydiving, swimming with dolphins or diving with sharks. For nine months of the year you can see whales breaching and jumping in the ocean. Or you can do many other activities with one of the companies offering fun and adventure. Liquid Assets is just one such company, and one I got to know well. Bob and Mal are top Aussies and always did their best for their customers. You could go whitewater rafting, surf rafting, sea kayaking or even do surfing lessons. So much to choose from.

My boss was another top bloke. Graeme made me welcome and dealt with everyone with fairness, an open heart and a smile. I have never been very good at expressing myself with spoken words, or the telephone, but I appreciate everything he did for me. If you read this Graeme, cheers for everything.

But the greatest memory of my time here has to be meeting my wife. I still remember standing outside the hostel, watching a gorgeous blonde walking across from the train station. I checked her in and starting planning how I could get to know her. We went for a bike ride and for a meal. After a long term and long distance relationship I moved to the Czech Republic. And the rest is history. Two kids and a happy life back in Europe, but it all started in sunny Coffs.

Text © Neil Hayes and neilsworldofenglish

Resist

February 2, 2017 neilhayeswrites2 Comments

How do we resist the way the world is turning? How do we resist the rise of the selfish? Christian countries behaving in a truly un-Christian way.

Religion plays no part in my life, but if people say they believe, then they should act like it. Stop looking after your own corner, your own people.

The world is full of people, that’s it. Forget the colours, the religions, the clothes that make us different. Try and remember what makes us the same.

Via Daily Prompt Resist

Replacement

January 31, 2017 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

Where do they get their energy from? Children seem to have an unending supply. Constantly on the move, thinking, doing and creating. As an adult, this energy supply seems to shrink. Many people attempt to replace this energy with something else. Replace it with coffee, energy drinks or whichever drugs they choose. These are the quick fixes that many of us go for. And, of course, these are the lazy choices. If we only ate healthily and exercised. Maybe we would still have the energy of the child and wouldn’t need these chemical replacements. I am as guilty as most, but now is the time for a change.

via Daily Prompt: Replacement