33 Comments
Jan 31, 2021Liked by Andrew Ditton

Hi Andrew You never ever know what's around the corner or what life might throw at you! I never think too far ahead, I never plan anything because as you so rightly said, nothing is set in concrete. By the time plans are due to materialise hundreds of things might have happened in your life to scupper any idealistic dreams of a perfect existence, your needs and desires might be totally different in six months time or whenever. So you just enjoy life today and perhaps tomorrow, the day after that might be very different!! Everyone was sad to hear that you won't be showing us any more of your wonderful vlogs so I like a lot of others am ploughing through your back catalogue of wonderful adventures that you have shared with us for so long! I'm really enjoying them so far and even seeing clips I may have missed first time around. Have a good February and March too! Easter is the 4th April so I shall make a note and hope you come back refreshed and eager to share your life again!! Give Dougal a great big hug and I'll send you a virtual one from me! Take care xxx

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Jan 31, 2021Liked by Andrew Ditton

Dear Andrew, To live your life unencumbered by the illusionary quest for how it is "supposed to be," is to live life fully and authentically. You are a breath of fresh air, and I thank you for expressing so beautifully the importance and the power of living in the now. May you and Dougal have a peaceful evening in your "now" home. ☺ ☺ ☺

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Jan 31, 2021Liked by Andrew Ditton

Hi, really enjoyed your post, so good to hear that they took that video down, we all care about you and Dougal and it must have been such a relief to see it gone. Hoping you will come back soon as you're both missed. Even a short one on a little walk throwing Dougal his ball and the scenery would be lovely, I know you did one like that before, but I never tire of them. Hope the decorating is going well. Take care 💗

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Feb 1, 2021Liked by Andrew Ditton

Hi Andrew, I came across your site after a long days driving from Plymouth to Heathrow and back to collect my elderly mother who had managed to return from Germany on Sunday 22nd march , the day before Boris announced the first lockdown. I was wide awake and buzzing after the drive at 01.00hrs so began watching a model train feature on youtube to relax and yes I fell asleep. About 03.30 I woke with a start to see you stood in front of a motorhome mirror saying "Heelllooo" . It didn't put me off and throughout lockdown I binge watched your content and loved your presentation style. I'm sure many people say they get to know you and feel like friends without ever speaking. When I watched your vlog on that company stealing your content I got so angry, my wife calmed me down and I understood your actions . This is a very longwinded way of saying hello and I am enjoying your streamlining . Thanks so much for all your content.

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Jan 31, 2021Liked by Andrew Ditton

Haha, great to hear they took the video down! I like to think my comment there played a small part. :-)

On a more sombre note, regarding the pandemic, I'm decided to try and regard life before 2020 as a country that I used to live in, and really liked, but can never return to. I now have to figure out what the best way to live is in this 'new place', though the rate of change is still so fast it's hard to know how to do this yet.

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Jan 31, 2021Liked by Andrew Ditton

Thanks for your well written post. I too am uneasy about the concept of a "forever house." Life is a journey of change: intellectually, emotionally and geographically. Many humans don't like change, yet essentially change is all we have to avoid "Groundhog Days" of repetitive activity.

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Jan 31, 2021Liked by Andrew Ditton

Glad to know that the good has won out

You and Dougal are amazing we look forward to your honesty good or bad

Definitely live for the here and now and not the what ifs dougle has the right idea living in the moment

Take care Helen & Scott x x

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Jan 31, 2021Liked by Andrew Ditton

WoW, how that post spoke to me! I have friends that have said they will never speak to that person again, or, no - I’m never going to do that, only to do the exact opposite. I have always tried to live by the word of ‘never say never’ you just don’t know. If anything, this pandemic has taught most of us to live in the now & feel blessed by the simple riches around us. Well said Andrew & good wishes go to you & Dougal to continue your contentment with wherever you find yourself. Thank you take care, Lynda 🌻

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Jan 31, 2021Liked by Andrew Ditton

I’ve been thinking carpe firm for years now plus be grateful and a bit of mindfulness. It’s served me well in Lockdown when I am shielding! I thought I was in my forever home here in Charmouth but it hasn’t turned out that way. The home hasn’t changed, the woman has 😊 Flexibility is the key to a happy life. Who knows how long that is! We all have setbacks and disappointments but it’s knowing how life is fickle and it also throws great joys. Lots of love & encouragement from “smartgran” 🙏

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Jan 31, 2021Liked by Andrew Ditton

I am so pleased to read the power of the fair minded people in this world have your back 😀 You deserve the credit for yours and Douglas hard work. Keep up the great work. Sue & Bella (my crazy sheepadoodle)

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Again quite a read and I found it quite emotional Andrew x but not in. A great place myself at the moment as so sad with all that’s going on in the world . Please look after yourself and Dougal and live life to suit you both but love to see you just walking with Dougal so please send the odd video out as it also keeps us in touch with you in a way Love to you both and stay safe ❤️❤️❤️

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Andrew, very philosophical but you need to put your mind a few feet above your house and look down. As long as you have the ability to be able to go and do what you want, you have a freedom that most people in the world don't have. I look at my 50th birthday picture holding a mug that says 50 on it and as I'm now 73, I have the advantage on you. I have a beautiful 21 year old daughter studying at Uni in Bangkok. My dream is to get out of this 1 year lockdown in Cyprus where I haven't spoken to anyone for a year now. I've had people shout at me, only the other day for using my mobile on in a public place and licking my finger in a supermarket in order to open a plastic bag. On both occasions I was threatened with the police. That's what growing old is all about.

Inspired by you, I have ordered a new campervan in Germany and it all depends on selling my house in Cyprus and stearing clear of the virus. I have planned for 10 years. Maybe like you, I'll get tired after 5. Who knows? As you say, life is too short to worry so I can only dream of a future where I can be free while I still can.

50? You're just a baby and have the possibility of new exciting chapters in your life. Get through the next few months, be happy; you're still young, fit and free and get ready for a new chapter. Do not buy a rocking chair and a pipe. Not your style.

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How true that the concept of “forever” can not only be dangerous, but also self-defeating. Putting the label of “forever” on something whether it be a home or hobby or career is a lot of pressure. And I think that as we change and evolve as people it’s natural for these things to evolve with us. Thanks for the reminder.

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Hi Andrew your post is so interesting, I have spent most of my life living in the 'hear and now' and not the 'forever'. Mainly due to my way of live through Janinism which I grew up with in Malyasia. I believe my dog Tegian who has sadly passed away at the age of 13 years a Standard Poodle also taught me to live in the 'hear and now' as well. She was such a calming influence in my own little world. Forever was never on my 'radar', this concept could not have kept me sane and manage to survive life in one of the worst bording schools in the UK (featured in the Telegraph) some years ago, we were forgotten and left in an appalling insitution. The only way to survive being so young was to live in the present, and that was escaping to a small wooded area outside the school grounds and sit under a tree watching nature, and it has been nature that has taught me to enjoy life and live in the 'present'. I also use to rock climb, which is also a way of learning to live for the present, and focus on the 'hear and now'. Forever, could never be a word I could use to escape the damage that other humans inflicted on such a young child as myself and my brother. When you are locked into an instituation, such as a boarding school gone bad, then getting through the day was the only way to live, and has stayed with me for life. I now live on the edge of Dartmoor, and watch my chickens living their days, enjoying what life has to offer them. Simple things in life keeps me strong. Take care, thank you for your thought provoking post.

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Thank you for your thoughtful post. Forever can be very limiting. As someone I knew used to say “nothing stays the same”.

Your mum’s comment about the tin hat made me laugh as it’s a saying I use quite often

I’m so delighted that there has been a good outcome with the video pirating. These digital empires really need to step up and be more accountable for their platforms.

Take care

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Happy to hear they took the video down! I went to their site and commented and I was glad to see many others of your subscribers had already done so!

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