Monthly Archives:

September 2018

feature nature poetry vanlife

New Patreon page

September 28, 2018

Dear friends – some exciting and terrifying news: I’ve set up a Patreon page (https://www.patreon.com/sophiemckeand). I want to try a new way of connecting with the people out there who like my work. There are so many channels these days and it can be difficult to figure out how to get your art out to the people who have a genuine interest whilst also making a living from it. Being on the road is so inspiring and my biggest problem…

Continue Reading

dailyconnectionwithnature Europe nature

Mountain-muse

September 24, 2018

  I got stuck with the novel these last few weeks because the realisation hit that the novel wants to say some things that I’m not sure I want to write. But as soon as I fight it, the inspiration vanishes. Last night I dreamed of the mountains, and today walking the hounds in the valley, looking up I realise it’s time to be brave – to give the novel the space to breath and grow and trust the process.…

Continue Reading

Europe feature vanlife

Vanlife

September 24, 2018

  It’s Monday morning and a stack of work is calling, but we’re parked in the Swiss Alps, which is still pretty amazing. I have to pinch myself to believe that this is life just now. Andy took this photo recently and it sums up exactly how I feel. But I also wanted to say that sometimes it’s the exact opposite. By making the world accept you on your own terms you have to be so focussed, and also accept…

Continue Reading

dailyconnectionwithnature feature food travel vanlife

A food diary of sorts…

September 20, 2018

Today’s meal is inspired by recent friendships and travels. I suppose this is my way of processing everything I’ve learned and experienced over the past few weeks. This is a middle-Eastern spiced bean & rice stew. Usually I’d cook the rice separately but my Bengali friend taught me rice dhal (lentils, rice & potatoes all go in the one pan) and now I’m hooked. After this, spending time in the Refugee Community Kitchen and eating their delicious food got me…

Continue Reading

dailyconnectionwithnature Europe travel vanlife

European vanlife

September 20, 2018

  Finished driving for the day. Feels like we’ve driven back into summer. Now for an evening of work. So much to do. Doesn’t feel so bad when this is the view though. We’re filled with a mixture of utter elation that we’re doing this and abject terror that it might all go wrong. But then if you don’t have a plan, how can it go wrong? ?#dailyconnectionwithnature day117 #vanlife #fulltimevanlife #homeiswhereyouparkit #homeonwheels #europe #european #loveeurope #officeview #onelife #followyourfeet #followyourdreams…

Continue Reading

Europe feature food politics

Refugee community kitchen

September 18, 2018

  Today I’m working in the Refugee Community Kitchen before we hit the road towards Switzerland. Every day the team makes 1500 meals that feed refugees as well as the volunteers. It’s a mammoth task and I have no idea how they manage to do this every day with only volunteers. I’ve never washed and shredded so many lettuce in my life. I’m in absolute awe of the organisations here who knit seamlessly together to support refugees in all aspects…

Continue Reading

Europe poetry politics

Choose Love

September 17, 2018

  It’s been a blast working in Sew Ho today: stitching up split seams, sewing on buttons, and patching up jeans. But it has also got me thinking about the nature of charity, and gratitude, and what those words actually mean. Charity is about giving something to help those in need; gratitude is about being thankful. After two days working in the refugee warehouse I’m beginning to question why some people have donated items? Firstly, there are a lot of…

Continue Reading