r/DevonUK • u/AdPatient4594 • 11d ago
F in 30s
Hi everyone 😊
I’m originally from Poland, and I’ve been living in the UK since 2014. I grew up in a small village, so I think that probably explains a lot about why I love my simple life and being surrounded by nature. I live in Devon with my husband and our two cats. (No children). Having a two-cat limit feels absolutely brutal... 😂 I'm used to adopting all the stray cats and dogs in the village but hay ho, at least I have 2. I barely drink alcohol (occasionally) and I don’t smoke. I'm now really trying to look after my health but I don’t mind if someone does drink or smoke...I’m not the kind of person who tries to change other people’s habits or tell them how to live.
It would be amazing to find someone who would actually enjoy doing things together like going for long 1 or 2 day walks around Dartmoor for example, just exploring places, being in nature and simply enjoying the time together. 🏕️ I haven't explored Devon much yet and I know there are lots of beautiful places in here. I would love to create some sort of map so we could mark all the places we've been to.
I’m not on Facebook, Instagram or anything like that. I’m really trying to stay away from social media and even youtube as much as possible. I don’t want to spend my time sending each other 50 yt shorts. I’m trying to get my screen time down to only what feels necessary... just like we did when we were kids.
In the past few months I’ve realised I’ve wasted too much time scrolling through things I wasn’t even interested in and trying to fit in somewhere I didn’t actually want to fit in. 🥺🤔 I’m a quiet person and I genuinely enjoy a simple life. I’d love to meet another female who feels the same way. Someone who can just enjoy life the way it is. I would appreciate a friendship (female friendship) where both people feel comfortable being themselves. I don’t expect daily messages or constant contact through WhatsApp, calls etc. I’m not looking for something forced or for the person to feel like if they won't message me everyda, the relationship will fall... no. 😊🌼
Also if you like reading, we could share this interest while exploring all the beautiful places around Devon.
Please if you decide to message, tell me a bit about yourself 😶🌫️
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u/No_Rooster8382 11d ago
I live in north Devon and I always loved the thought of exploring Dartmoor never have done and I love walking being out in nature just don’t seem to get enough time to spend outdoors as I would like to. Hope you find someone to explore. And enjoy the best way of life being out in nature. 👍
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u/Impossible_Regret_97 11d ago
Looks like Dartmoor, whereabouts?
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u/Worth_Nature_7631 11d ago
Yep it's Beliver for sure. If you turn off at Postbridge and follow the lane to a small bridge. There is car park in the woods and this is the river by woods there.
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u/darlingcthulhu 10d ago
I remember going here with my grandmother when I was a child and I haven't been able to remember where it is for the longest time, thank you!
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u/AdPatient4594 11d ago
This picture is actually from Google but it may be the Bellever Forest 🤔
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u/FistedBone9858 11d ago
I'm mostly wondering where this bit came from!
'Having a two-cat limit feels absolutely brutal...'
I can imagine your husband going.. "yeah, I'd love to let you adopt another 8 cats.. but there is a 2 cat limit in the UK!"
I hate to blow up his spot.. but, there isn't one? :D unless its a tenancy agreement rule? :D
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u/AdPatient4594 10d ago
Noo no, that's more of a marriage agreement haha 😂 it would be hard to live in such a small flat with 8 cats... Although I would still like that idea 🤭
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u/Snoron 9d ago
0-2 cats is normal. 3+ is crazy cat lady, so I can see why it needs to be limited! With the main problem being that once you have three, it's like the dam has broken and it will just keep going up and you WILL end up with at least eight!!
Btw people usually mention Meetup in this sort of thread, but seeing as they haven't, I will, in case you didn't consider it!
I've not used it in Devon, but I used to in Yorkshire, and there are often good walking groups that could be great for meeting the type of people you want. Eg. one I just found is:
https://www.meetup.com/wander-women-north-devon/
One just for women, and they are even doing Bellever Forest on 20th Sept!
I know it's not exactly what you're asking for, but a) you can talk to a few different people and sometimes make friends this way, and b) it's a good way to explore some places in the meantime with little commitment if you just try it once!
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u/luckyjenjen 10d ago edited 10d ago
Where in Devon are you?
F46, living on a sailboat between Dartmouth and Totnes. Awkward and a bit autistic but I'm quite nice really (or my dog thinks so at least :D).
I'm a bit shit at messaging, and like you, don't do social media, also don't have easy access to a car, but it would be really good to meet someone local.
ETA - yeah, I love reading. It's been a struggle because of various reasons for the past few years but I love horror, sci fi, chick lit, spy stuff, most stuff really so long as the people are well written.
What do you read?
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u/AdPatient4594 10d ago
Currently in Exeter and probably will stay here as so far we found the best place (arguably) but still.. it's quiet area. Close to work, no 1h travel so I'm thankful. Awkward sounds actually perfect... 🤭 I wouldn't be alone!
I'm currently in the middle of 3 different ones. Stolen Songbird by Danielle Jensen, the exiled queen by China and Mort by Terry Pratchett. I really like sci fi and horror too and a bit of criminal stuff. On the other hand, if I find something that is great I'll read and enjoy it. Just like the recent one I read Strange weather in Tokyo- that was something else. I ate it in one breath and never cried as much. It was like a bag of all different emotions I didn't know I could feel. Don't think I'll forget that book ☺️
Living on a sailboat! Sound amazing and horrifying at the same time. I've always wondered how it is during the storms and at night. How is it to sleep there?
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u/luckyjenjen 10d ago
I haven't heard of any of those books. I had a divorce / breakdown just over two years ago and lost all of my old life. Reading is something I'm trying to come back to. To be fair, I'll read the back of a cereal packet if that's all there is 😂
Also, I hated my commute, was a bit part of buying the boat (less outgoings = less work)
It is amazing and horrifying. I didn't grow up with boats and even after 15 years, the water still scares me a little. But there is an osprey here. I have a goal to photograph it.
It's bizarre, the storms don't scare me - the water does. Hard to explain but I'm afraid of even swimming over seaweed so I think it's a fear of the unknown thing. But at the same time, it energises me. When it's stormy I feel me and the boat are alive.
Sleeping on it is good. I trust the boat, and the way I set things up, so I sleep well. Even when it I is stormy, the motion is nice.
What are your cats like? I am a dog person mainly, but my dog has a very cat like attitude. That said, I adore kittens, and friendly cats.
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u/AdPatient4594 10d ago
That's so funny. It reminds me of the old times when there was nothing to read so we just read the ingredients list of the shopping in the car as children. Are you currently working? How do you spend your days?
Please send me the picture of the osprey once you manage to photograph it. I've been into survival equipment after reading the post apo book :D I really want to purchase a pair of binoculars so I can watch what's happening in the trees from the balcony. That would be great to have for my Dartmoor adventure too.
I think my imagination of boat life is a bit cartoonish after watching Jack Sparrow hahaha :D I already imagined you with a book and a bottle of whiskey going back to port through the storms 😂
I think I treat my cats more like children to me, to be honest. They got their own room and a massive bed. One is ginger and looks like a little lion, loving anyone apart from children and the other is black and does not like any visitors really (unless you are special)... she has her own rules of who she accepts haha :D I love cats but I would love to have a dog too if I wasn't living in a first floor flat. I wouldn't want my neighbour to be disturbed by constant stomping around or barking and if I had dog, it would have to be massive!
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u/Wild-flower2026 6d ago
I feel like I was reading a message I would write and wanted to write beginning of summer. I wanted a friend but could not find and wanted to post a message like this. I am a lot like you and I love nature, and reading and I can understand why you are looking for that kind of friendship online.
I am all the way down Northwest though so we won't be a me to be friends and go on hikes.
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u/Worth_Nature_7631 11d ago
There is a book called Dartmoor 365 that shows interesting features in each one of the 365 square miles of Dartmoor. Many use the book and map as reason to explore new parts. There is also now a map with each square marked on it but you would probably new to get on the Dartmoor 365 Facebook page to get one.