Tuesday, 24th March, 2026

Just about finished the Hermit book. Wow. What a tale and what a life and what simple but deep understanding of what it is to live.

He says “don’t let life pass you by while you wait for some imagined ‘best time’ in a future filled with so many unknowns. Go and do it now”.

Many times have I thought to myself about things I’d like to do but that will have to wait until later. Occasionally, I’ll do them and it’s been good.

He admits he has no dependents, although many friends, so it does enable his way of life. I can’t help but think that it’s fine for him to start living in the wilds in the early 80s but could someone go and do that today?

There’s always a balance. He still went shopping and many trips to the hospital with cancer and a stroke, and he lived in a cabin in the woods by the loch, growing some food and cutting all the wood to keep him through the winter. I don’t want to live in an isolated cabin in the woods. But I do enjoy the outdoors…but we’re not going to move house as school is so close and the small walk across the playing field is so much more enjoyable than driving the school run. A brief spell of fresh air, seeing the daylight become earlier each day and hearing the trees susurrations is pleasing.

Chopping wood and having a stove would be nice but not having to do it constantly for the worry you run out in winter and you freeze to death.

Later in the book he talks about going on his big trip into the town to get supplies but hears of “the internet” and now how people buy stuff from their computers (of which he’s never used one) and don’t go into shops. He asked the reader who is the hermit now?

Life is full of choices and he made his. One doesn’t have to do the same but he’s right about being good natured and caring to others, to not be greedy, to respect the world, to think twice before using things. But modern life makes it all too easy to forget and get caught up in everything.

I love he’s kept diaries for his whole life and takes quotes from them into the book, from 70s, 80s, 90s. The chapter on his cancer are just select quotes from those years. The story couldn’t be more powerful. He’s taken many photos as well, things so rare and unique that can only come from living in the wilderness for so long.

If you can’t tell, I really enjoyed the book. I love the Scottish highlands, even if I do race around them to keep to my schedule and have been (and still do) driven by imaginary internet radio points. But it made me get out and see it and feel it. Even wet and windy and snowy.

I’ve often thought that my friend Fraser has a good life and knows what’s best. He and his wife live in a cosy wee cottage in a small village in the country side. I think it says a lot when their main lounge has no tv. Only a hifi and log stove. He gets out every day, cycling walking etc. he’s very handy at everything and is very passionate about land rovers and has been for 35+ years. Friendly and generous. But it’s easy to see all the good things, and I’m sure he’s had hard times and difficulties. I wonder if I’m trying to replicate his life (suddenly wanting Land Rover for example) as I don’t know what I want myself. Maybe I just wish I was retired too! But there’s that excuse about how I can’t do those things because of money or expectations.

Probably it’s just late and it’s time for bed. I don’t like typing this on my phone but if I turn on the computer it’ll be midnight and I’ll have written nothing more but wasted time on who knows what. I’m very fortunate for many things in life and I should appreciate those more.

My X4 finally shipped.