My Somewhere

* This post was originally posted on January 25th 2016 *

I recently saw a campaign started by Mind that focuses on finding your ‘Somewhere‘. This is the place that you visit to relax or calm down – somewhere that helps you get grounded. Its a lovely campaign and its more important than first glance, you see we all need these places. And the stories about what makes that place important are stories that need to be told, not just for the feel good factor but also to show people something they might not realise they have.

“…show people something they might not realise they have”

So here is the story of My Somewhere.

I love the sea. I love the energy it brings when its wild and the tranquility it brings when its calm. Having these two factors so close to me (I live not far from Swansea Bay) made finding a Somewhere pretty easy. When I was feeling troubled or in need of direction I would wander around the docks and feed off that energy and windchill until I was feeling myself again.

Around 5 or 6 years ago I headed down there to find a nice place to sit and write. I spotted a bench near a big red and white lighthouse boat (named Helwick) – something about this bench drew me to it. I sat down and I didn’t move for about 2 hours – I wrote and wrote. I noticed that there was a commemorative plaque on the bench “This bench is dedicated to Ronald James Owen” the captain of the Helwick.

This bench had such a positive energy about it. I had a great view of Swansea Marina, the sun adding a glisten to the steadily moving sea. Hundreds of boats personalised to each owners lives, telling stories with just a name. It wasn’t a busy area, but also not a deserted part of the city. Families would walk past, couples on a romantic stroll, dog walking groups. I felt like part of the scenery. I felt like I was observing this wonderful area in complete invisibility.

I didn’t just sit here to write. The bench and the area around it held lots of memories for me. The phone box near by that I shared cigarettes with a friend when it was raining. The penny arcade that I have dropped lots of spare change into for plastic key rings and disappointment. The museum next to it is somewhere I love going too.

I felt like I was observing this wonderful area in complete invisibility. 

It is my somewhere. It is my personal garden of eden where I feel safe and at one with my surroundings. I have always been quite protective of who I bring to the bench. Christmas Eve 2014 I was out on a first date with a girl I had a great connection with, after some shopping and a drink I decided to head down to the bench to add another great memory to the already brilliant list. As we approached the Marina we could see the Helwick.

“Thats my grand-dads boat” she said.

I thought there must be some kind of mix up, but I was wrong. This girl that I have a great connection with is the grand daughter of Ronald James Owen. We got the bench and she told me about her grand dad and how much he meant to her – we shared our first kiss on the bench.

Now a year and a bit later that girl is Sara – my fiancé. We are expecting a baby together. She is my best friend. I like to think the energy that I felt around the bench helped bring us together. Now I get that same energy and direction the bench gave me, but at home.

So that is the story of how My Somewhere became my Everywhere.

Do you have a Somewhere? If so – get involved with the Mind – My Somewhere project.