EPISODE 14: Mondays, Pedro, and Silence

Summary

Strangers on a Bench - Episode 14: Mondays, Pedro, and Silence

Host: Tom Rosenthal
Release Date: December 16, 2024

Tom Rosenthal, renowned singer-songwriter and host of the heartfelt podcast Strangers on a Bench, delves deep into the life of his anonymous guest in Episode 14 titled "Mondays, Pedro, and Silence." Over a candid conversation spanning nearly 33 minutes, the episode explores themes of personal sacrifice, parenting, mental health, environmental consciousness, and the healing power of nature. Below is a comprehensive summary capturing the essence of their dialogue.

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1. Embracing Mondays: A Personal Decision

The conversation begins with the guest's unusual preference for Mondays, a day typically associated with the start of hectic routines.

• Guest (00:50): "I lately like Mondays because I made a decision not to work Mondays anymore... it's just so nice that I don't have to be a part of that rush that one day."

This deliberate choice stems from the guest’s desire to prioritize personal well-being and family time over the conventional workweek bustle.

2. Prioritizing Family Over Work

Tom probes into the catalyst behind abandoning the typical Monday work routine.

• Guest (01:25): "I've got a child that struggles with emotional and mental well-being... it's just not worth for me to be pushing myself and working and losing time with people that are really important in my life."

The guest emphasizes the importance of being present for their child, highlighting the profound impact this decision has had on both their lives.

3. Litter Picking: A Commitment to Nature

Transitioning to the guest’s environmental efforts, the discussion unveils a deep-seated love for nature.

• Guest (03:16): "I have love for nature and outdoors... I just don't trash our living room, you know, but you go here to relax and then you come pick up things."

This commitment is not merely an activity but a reflection of the guest's upbringing and values instilled from a childhood marked by scarcity and appreciation for the environment.

4. Pedro: A Canine Companion’s Influence

Central to the episode is Pedro, the guest’s dog, who plays a significant role in their life.

• Guest (04:33): "Pedro... he's the best buddy ever. Lots of hugs and it's that unconditional love."

Pedro's presence has transformed daily dynamics, providing emotional support and fostering a routine that benefits both the guest and their child.

5. Minimalism Rooted in Eastern European Upbringing

The guest shares insights into their upbringing in Eastern Europe during the 1980s, a period marked by economic challenges and a culture of minimalism.

• Guest (05:33): "I grew up with an appreciation of the things I have... recycling, upcycling, fix it rather than buy it."

This background has shaped the guest’s lifestyle choices, emphasizing sustainability and frugality.

6. Parenting Amidst Mental Health Challenges

A significant portion of the conversation centers on the guest’s role as a parent to a child grappling with anxiety.

• Guest (07:27): "The transition to secondary school for my child was during COVID... a lot of young people lost almost two years of education."

The guest reflects on societal pressures, the impact of social media, and the erosion of familial connections as contributing factors to their child's struggles.

7. Personal Struggles and Seeking Help

Opening up about their own mental health journey, the guest discusses seeking support amid overwhelming responsibilities.

• Guest (10:51): "I was just like, you know, I'm going to go there... I felt like I cleansed myself."

This vulnerability underscores the importance of self-care and the transformative power of seeking help.

8. Navigating Relationships and Solo Parenting

The guest touches upon the challenges of single parenting and the absence of extended family support in the UK.

• Guest (12:50): "I have a partner... but most of their life, I was by myself or in relationships that didn't last."

This solitude has necessitated resilience and adaptability in raising their child.

9. Self-Expression Through Piercings

A lighter yet insightful segment explores the guest’s history with body piercings as a form of self-expression.

• Guest (17:50): "I was born this way... I've had my first piercing when I was 7 years old."

These piercings symbolize individuality and the guest’s enduring commitment to personal authenticity.

10. Impactful Work with Young People

Discussing their professional life, the guest shares poignant moments from working with troubled youth.

• Guest (22:56): "I work with a young boy who was completely excluded from school... he keeps asking whether I will come back."

Such interactions highlight the profound, albeit sometimes unseen, impact they have on young lives.

11. Cycling and Building Resilience

Cycling stands out as the guest’s sanctuary, offering both physical and mental respite.

• Guest (24:57): "Being on a bike is my kind of relaxation... it's my space."

Through solitary rides and challenging multi-day trips, cycling fosters resilience and self-reflection.

12. Cherished Memories and Future Aspirations

The guest reminisces about memorable experiences, notably a cycling trip to Scotland with their daughter, reinforcing the bond and shared love for nature.

• Guest (28:11): "The first time I went to Scotland with my daughter on bikes... it was so beautiful, I feel like I'm home."

Looking ahead, the guest anticipates more cycling adventures with Pedro, blending personal passions with family life.

13. Embracing Silence and Present Moments

In a reflective finale, the guest contemplates the essence of silence in a noisy world.

• Guest (30:25): "Blue skies... happy people... there is silence. Silence is on the verge of extinction."

This appreciation for silence underscores a yearning for peace amidst the chaos of modern life.

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Notable Quotes:

• "Change is constant. And I think we are afraid to make changes because we used to our routines, but changes are good." (11:00)
• "When you're cycling, the greatest euphoria is having a conversation with yourself." (26:24)
• "Even for me, I was... going to opening festivals for days. And being there with my kids, seeing their favorite band... just rad." (21:42)

Conclusion:

Episode 14 of Strangers on a Bench offers a profound glimpse into the life of an individual balancing personal sacrifices, environmental activism, and the challenges of parenting in a modern, fast-paced society. Through honest dialogue, the guest illuminates the complexities of mental health, the importance of meaningful connections, and the therapeutic power of nature and cycling. Tom Rosenthal masterfully captures these intimate moments, inviting listeners to reflect on their own lives and the silent struggles that often go unnoticed.

Transcript

[A]

Hello. Sorry to bother you. Can I ask you a slightly odd question? I'm making a podcast called Strangers on a Bench where essentially I talk to people I don't know on benches for 10 or 15 minutes. Are you up for that? Do you want to give it a go? What's your favorite day of the week?

[B]

I lately like Mondays because I made a decision not to work Mondays anymore. Everyone is in a rush on Mondays to get to places, but I'm not. You know, I normally come here and do like Lisa picking with my dog. And it's just so nice that I don't have to be a part of that rush that one day. And I like it.

[A]

What made you decide to stop? Was there a moment when you thought, that's the end of Mondays for me as I knew them?

[B]

I think I got to the point, like, I've got a child that struggles with emotional and mental well being. And I thought, you know what, it's just not worth for me to be pushing myself and working and losing time with people that are really important in my life, you know, so. And I know it's. It's not always easy for many of us because we live in London and it's expensive and everyone has to get through their life somehow. But with everything that is happening in the world in general, you start to rethink what is actually important. So I thought I can give that day for myself and also for my child to help them to get into the week. And yeah, it made a huge difference.

[A]

For both of us. So it made a difference to your child as well?

[B]

Yeah, definitely. Definitely.

[A]

Can you describe how that made a big difference to your child?

[B]

I think it's because they struggle with a huge anxiety with a lot of young people do these days. And I also work with children and young people, so I think it gives them the comfort that I'm here on that day. You know, it's difficult. You have to go to school and start the week and. Yeah, I think they just take it more easy now knowing I'm here and it makes me feel good for being able to be for them.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I've got lots of questions for you, which is always a good sign. But off the top of my head you say you go litter picking.

[B]

Yeah, that's.

[A]

What can you tell me? You know, there's so many people that don't do that. There's so few people that do it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

How did you become someone that does it?

[B]

It's been always a part of my life. I don't know I grew up having little and I grew up with appreciation of the things I have. And I have love for nature and outdoors and with everything that is happening to the planet. It's just extremely upsetting seeing that we still can't see that this is our home. You know, you don't trash your living room, you know, but you go here to relax and then you come pick up things. I mean, it's not that I enjoy picking somebody's rubbish, you know, but people come in here for a romantic day out and they leave the. Come on, you.

[A]

Hello. This is your dog?

[B]

It is my dog.

[A]

What's your dog called?

[B]

Pedro.

[A]

Hi, Pedro. You're the first person I've spoken to with a dog. We've got a dog on the bench as well.

[B]

He is. And he's the best buddy ever. Yeah, he's been rehomed. So I've had him for the last six months.

[A]

You're getting on really well.

[B]

Yep. Yeah, yeah. Lots of hugs and it's that unconditional love, you know? Well, maybe for treats.

[A]

Mostly unconditional.

[B]

The odd treats. Mostly unconditional.

[A]

How has Pedro changed your life?

[B]

I think again, coming back to my child, my child was hardly living a house and now we have a dog. So, you know, we're taking him for walks. So that changed dynamics in day life, in my life, it's that love, that animal kindness, a simple, simple joy. Sometimes you feel like, oh, I don't really want to do anything, but I do have to take my dog out. And once you're out, you start walking and you just walk and walk and walk and then it's two hours gone.

[A]

That's fantastic.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You mentioned you grew up with very little. Can you describe more about that to me what that growing up was like?

[B]

I feel like because I'm from eastern Europe and I grew up in 80s and it's not that we had nothing but like I'm from times when you had to wait for your birthday to get new shoes or Christmas to get new jeans. You know, we had a lot of second hand stuff. And then when I was a teenager I made this decision myself too. Like I don't need to be spending money on a lot of things. Less is more, you know, and like recycling, upcycling, fix it rather than buy it. Pre loved stuff.

[A]

Like your dog.

[B]

Like my dog.

[A]

Although maybe not pre loved enough.

[B]

Yeah, I think. Yeah.

[A]

Can you upcycle? You upcycled the dog?

[B]

Are you upcycled?

[A]

Upcycled.

[B]

Pedro.

[A]

Are there any traditions from your upbringing in eastern Europe? That you've kept for your child to do or things you've tried to keep alive?

[B]

No, I don't know. I feel like I grew up just being out, you know and I'm trying to encourage as much as I can my child to be a part of it as well. Hiking, cycling, being out there and obviously they're in that age now, a teen and also struggling with their own well being when they're like I don't want to be doing stuff with my mum, I don't want to go out with you, you know. But I hope that because we did it at some point it would get back to them, you know, or they will get back to it.

[A]

I mean, tell me if this is too personal a question. How do you think your child kind of became to be feeling anxious? Was it?

[B]

I tell you what I question, I ask my that so many times. Sometimes I think where did I do it wrong? But I think the transition to secondary school for my child was during COVID and I think that affected a lot of, lot of young people and children. From there it just went downhill to the point that my child lost almost two years of education. So I guess, you know, we're all going through this age hormones and stuff so that probably contributed to it as well. You know, it's the age when you try to figure out who you are, what you want to be. And on top of that these days there's so many labels, tags and pressure from social media and around, you know, that you just get lost so easily. I work with young people and a lot of people say like I wish I lived in 90s, you know, when we didn't have social media and having to perform almost, you know, for the likes and stuff. And I think it's just not easy to be a young person these days it might seem like, but I don't think it is. And I think a lot of young people and children, they don't have really connections with their parents and again it's something I didn't have as a child but maybe it's partially cultural that it's just not much love at home. So I hope that I've changed it. In my own family life there is a lot of love and support and especially communication but a lot of older people and young people, children, you know, because the parents work, kids spend days at school, then in some after school clubs and you know, barely sees their parents and when they come home they just sit on the, on the computers, laptops and all this stuff. When I work with kitten I would ask, what did you do in summer? What was the best part? It was like, oh, I played on my iPad all day, you know, and it's sad.

[A]

It's really sad.

[B]

It is.

[A]

Well, I suppose it's a product not just of their parents, but of what society does to their parents. So if their parents simply don't have any time, or have barely any time to connect, then that's a societal issue, isn't it?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

As well.

[B]

It's hard, but in general, we're losing that. People just don't talk anymore. And it feels odd when someone approaches you with like, oh, can I ask you an odd question? And you're just like, what's gonna happen next? You know.

[A]

What if there was a kind of. I don't know how this would quite work, but imagine, you know, they say, look, Tuesday the 7th of July is going to be National Talk to Someone Day. See if you can chat to someone you've not met before in a safe way. So everyone's kind of, like, ready for the possibility that is definitely being approached.

[B]

Yeah, that would be cool.

[A]

You know, something like that. Just to get people going a bit.

[B]

But we loosen it, I think. Personally, I feel like everyone is in their own bubble, you know.

[A]

There's good news, though, something that I've learned from doing this. Once you start talking to someone, it only takes, like, a matter of, I don't know, a few minutes before you kind of develop a certain trust, a certain understanding. You realize how actually people are quite open and ready to chat.

[B]

Yeah. And I think we just generally need it, you know, I'll be honest. Like, again, going a little bit onto personal staff, I got referred to icop, which is like mental health support for adults, because obviously, naturally I do struggle with my child's health. And, you know, it became heavy for me and overwhelming and tiring. And I was thinking, like, what else can I do? So when I got referred, I was just kind of like, you know what? I'm going to go there. I'll be back probably in 15 minutes. You know, I was saying, like, oh, I don't know why I'm here. I feel like I'm taking this space for some. Maybe someone needs that support much more than me. You know, I'm dealing with things. And I sat there and it's the same like with you. A random, odd, strange person starts to ask me questions. And gradually it's like 15 minutes, 20 minutes, over an hour. And I ended up crying. And I was just like. I felt like, you know, like I Cleansed myself. But every time when we were talking, I was bringing my child into the picture, and then she just kept asking, like, but where is you? What do you do for you? And I'm just, well, but when I see my child happy. Yes, I know you. When you see your child happy, you're happy. But what about you? And I just like, boom, okay. Yeah, that is my space in all of it. And I think it was shortly or around the same time when I decided not to work Mondays. And, yeah, it's good. Good. Change. Change is constant. And I think we are afraid to make changes because we used to our routines, but changes are good.

[A]

Can I ask another slightly personal question? Is the father of your child in the equation?

[B]

No, but I do have a partner.

[A]

Yeah, but no, I was just wondering because it seemed like as you were talking, that you were kind of on your own with it.

[B]

Yeah, most of their life. They're 15 now. Most of their life, I was by myself or in relationships. That didn't last.

[A]

But, yeah, so that's a lot to do all year on your own.

[B]

Yeah. And, you know, you learn a lot, how the system works. And I'm in this country by myself. I don't have any family here. So there were tough times. Yeah, definitely. So then seeing my child going through all the struggles breaks my heart because I'm just thinking, oh, have I done something wrong at some point somewhere down the road, maybe, you know, I wasn't enough, and you start questioning it. But I think it's just. It's not just me. I think it's everything. They're really sensitive, and they just take everything as they see. And because, you know, I always talk to them, I'm super open. So there's nothing, absolutely nothing that they could not ask. Sometimes I think I'm too forward, which is like, mom, okay, I get a picture. You don't have to explain it to me to such detail, you know, but, yeah, I mostly was by myself, and I had to grow up really fast and get a lot of strength and.

[A]

You know, can you tell me about your decision to leave home or what was then home? I was kind of.

[B]

I was kind of told to go.

[A]

Oh, really?

[B]

Yeah, I finished my uni, just going out, and at some point my parents said, like, we can't feed you anymore. You're big enough. And my older sister used to work here in the uk. She was in London and got me a job. I'm just gonna go for a year, you know, save up and whatever. Come back. Nope, nope. Still Here. But if I ever was in a position to live, I probably would like to live in Wales.

[A]

Well, maybe that's something to aim for.

[B]

Yeah. Just need to find a back door to the bank.

[A]

Yeah. Just rob a bank.

[B]

Just rob the bank. Although there's probably not much cash that stacks in there. Right.

[A]

That'd be devastating if you went all that trouble to rob a bank. There's nothing there.

[B]

Oh, shit. There's like 100 quid. Yeah. If I ever did, I would love to have a sort of campsite for bikepackers, because, like I said, I love bikes and cycling is a lovely community. It is a positive vibe.

[A]

Well, you could do that.

[B]

Yeah. I'm not sounding very confident.

[A]

It sounds achievable. Just walk around. Walk around Snowdonia and just see if there's any little places you can.

[B]

Can I squat some cottage? Yeah, that would be nice.

[A]

What do you think the greatest bit of luck has been in your life?

[B]

I think, for me, like, it was the hardest thing to do to become a parent, and I never wanted to be a parent.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Not at all.

[B]

Not at all.

[A]

You were like. So not only you would. You weren't even curious, like, I don't.

[B]

Want to do it, I don't want to.

[A]

You were kind of vocally like, I.

[B]

Don'T want to do it. But at the same time.

[A]

So what happened there?

[B]

Kinder surprise. But at the same time, once I became, obviously, it was so difficult. I do think it was the luckiest thing ever because it helped me to just see things from different perspective and grow. And then just, I think, thanks to my child, probably sitting here on the bench with you, you know, I was a little bit, like. I wouldn't say reckless by going out and trying things that are not always healthy for you and stuff. So maybe the things could have gone not as good.

[A]

What was your most reckless episode? Is that a big question to ask? Can you look back at a time and thought, I can't believe I did that?

[B]

Taking the drugs from the drug dealer who offered it for free. And it wasn't really for free and having to run and I never thought I could run as fast. Yeah, it was quite terrifying. Yeah. Oh, you.

[A]

Am I allowed to ask about your ear piercings?

[B]

Yeah, there's quite few.

[A]

There's just a lot of them. I just. I'm just really intrigued. What, like, can you hear?

[B]

I'm a sensory toy for, you know, autistic children. They love it. They just, like.

[A]

And you let them just touch your ear?

[B]

Yeah. As long as you don't want to pull too much, you know, And a lot of questions. Why do you have all these things in your face? Can you take it out? And I'm like, no, it's glued.

[A]

I was born this way.

[B]

Yeah, I was born this way. Exactly. It's like I used to have different color hair, yellow hair, and then a week later I had blue hair. And they were like, why is your hair blue? I'm like, it's yellow. No, it's blue. I'm like, I love it. Yeah. I don't know. I've had it for most of my life. I had my first piercing when I was 7 years old and then just did most of them by myself with the safety pin at home before school. So every time when I came to the kitchen, see my mom, she'd be like, you have some more in your ear. No.

[A]

Why? Have you pissed it yourself?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Would you. I guess you Would you advise that?

[B]

No, but, yeah, no, I would sterilize safety pin and vodka and then put potato at the back of my ear and just get through it. And then my friend said, like, well, you know, you can do it with the needle. So then I just got a proper medical needle, which made a difference, you know, And I pierced my nose myself before school.

[A]

Oh, my God. Well, I mean, most people before school, just watching a morning TV program or having breakfast. You're piercing your nose?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Anything else you did before school?

[B]

No.

[A]

So you never did it for other people?

[B]

Basically, No, I did. Couple friends, the same technique, needle, potato and hope.

[A]

Has your child followed in your footsteps anyway? Of doing?

[B]

In some sense? Yeah. So they've got a few piercings. And it's funny because, like, obviously some parents just always project some our ideas onto a child. I believe that children do not belong to us. We just help them to find their own path and obviously give some good values and ideas of what their life is like. But not too forced. I want you to like what I like. I want you to go to school. I went to. Or, you know, have a job. I do. I just want to be their support. I'm a bit like, do not mold yourself into, you know, the same shapes that everyone else is. But I never said, like, you got to listen to what I listen or, like, what I like. We're very similar in some ways. They're a bit more heavier. They're more into like sort of heavy metal music, but it's cool. And. And I already taken them to see their two favorite bands in London, which was incredible. Like, you know, Even for me, I was, oh, my gosh, it's been a while. I took them. I don't know if, you know, there's like, new metal band, Korn. And it was just awesome. Like, so good. It just reminded me, like, when I was young, going to, like, opening festivals for days. And I was just like, this is just amazing. And being there with my kids, seeing their favorite band and even the band, the people I just came on the stage and generally were, like, just cool and rad and, like, loving and had such a good vibe. Then I went home and I was like, I just loved it. And then I was to my daughter, I just want to go back. And she's like, me too.

[A]

Fantastic.

[B]

Yeah. Like, I borrowed some of her T shirts and, like, you know, sort of new metal socks and stuff, and dressed up as a 90s kid. And we went to that gig together, and it was just rad.

[A]

Really great.

[B]

Yeah, I love it. Those moments are just. Just incredible to have. I can't wait for all the bands to come. Hopefully we can go. And every time it's a surprise. The first band we went to see, I didn't tell till, like, literally days before. And I said, like, make sure that you don't get too comfortable after school because we're going out. And it was like, where we going? And I said, well, we're going to Deftones, which is her other favorite band. And it's just the cry of happiness and like, oh, my God.

[C]

Oh, my God.

[B]

Oh, my God. You know, I was like, just brief. But, yeah, it was amazing. Awesome. Awesome. It's beautiful. I love it.

[A]

You say you work with young people.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Can you talk me through a moment with a young person where you feel you've had a real impact, something that's worked you didn't think might work?

[B]

Sometimes it's really hard to see. I often feel like, do I actually make any difference to their life? Because a lot of young people I work with are very complex with a lot of issues. Young people who are, like, excluded from school that have social services, they might be from households with, like, domestic violence and all this stuff. So sometimes it's really hard. But I think I work with a young boy who was only 8 years old and was completely excluded from school. So I was seeing him four days a week for, like, four hours each session. So that's a lot of time together for six months, and he gave me a hell. But then, like, I could see he would be more comfortable. And, like, I know it's not a big thing. But he would say, oh, I'm gonna kill everyone in the world and I'm gonna have this plane and I'm going to take my family. And then he would say, you can come and swell. Which means like, okay, so you're not going to kill me. I'm not as bad anymore, you know. Eventually he got to another school and he's doing so well, as much as I know. And the lovely thing is like he keeps coming to another scheme when I don't work, but he keeps asking whether I will come back, which is lovely. Then you realize, okay, I probably made some difference.

[A]

I think it's, you know, when you, quite often when working with other people, especially people who are troubled in some way, you know, you. Someone has to do the hard yards, meet them when people are at their lowest.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And you don't get that much from that. And you have to battle through the kind of mud to get to the point where things can start to grow again.

[B]

Absolutely. And it's not a job that you just check out, go home, put your feet on a table and relax. And I'm learning not to kind of take it back home, but sometimes I'm just like sitting at home and thinking like, what else can I do?

[A]

How do you relax? Like how do you try and unwind?

[B]

The kind of bikes, Being on a bike is my.

[A]

Where do you go when you're on a bike?

[B]

I mean, when I'm just here, I would just go like Richmond park or just sometimes wander around London. Especially like you know, in the evening or super early in the morning when not everyone is out yet. Otherwise I would just go very canned for like a day of cycling. And then if I do bigger trips, I mean, I've done Scotland, I've done Lake Districts, Wales.

[A]

And you go on your own sometimes?

[B]

Yeah, most of the time. I did a few trips with my daughter, but I do go by myself often. I love it. That's, that's my space. And it was so funny cuz when I went to that mental health support and they were asking what I do and when I did cycling and they were like, oh, do you cycle in groups? And I said like, mostly by myself. And I was like, why is that? I said I don't do drugs and I don't do people. And they just, and they just laughed and I said like, I just, there's so many people all, everywhere. Every day I'm going out there to switch off, disconnecting from that and connecting what really matters to me. Stop saying that. I'm Escaping to go there. I'm actually returning when I want to be in places that make me happy.

[A]

When you're cycling, what is the bit of it that gives you the greatest euphoria?

[B]

Having conversation with myself. That actually makes sense.

[A]

You're talking to yourself as you go.

[B]

I do, I do not. Maybe out loud, but I'm processing my thoughts and I love that. And definitely, obviously like getting to the viewpoint or being in an element, you know, you ride sometimes and suddenly it's raining and being me at my most vulnerable, you know, I do struggle there. Things are hard, physically hard, especially off road and you're fully loaded, you know, you have bike. And if I go for multi day trips, it is a lot of moments when you just feel like I just want to go back home. I hate it. I don't want to be here. You know, you might have a moment and you cry, but the beauty of it is like you are there within yourself. And I think that's how you build the resilience. And for me, resilience is to recognize my own feelings and emotions and then see where it takes me.

[A]

Okay, I'm going to ask you two more questions and then I'll leave you alone.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

If I ask you about the greatest day of your life, what comes to mind? Nice easy question that the greatest.

[B]

Poles. Maybe he hasn't come yet. The greatest of all. Hmm.

[A]

How about one that you just has stuck in your memory?

[B]

There's so many days that stuck in my memory.

[A]

What jumps to the front now?

[B]

The first thing that came probably was going first time to Scotland with my daughter on bikes. That was a beautiful, beautiful moment.

[A]

How old was your daughter when you did that?

[B]

9.

[A]

And she was cycling as well?

[B]

Yeah, whether she liked it or not. But I think that was, that was a beautiful day because that was the first time I went to Scotland as well myself. And you're on a sleeper on a train and then you wake up in the morning and all the sudden the views are just mind blowing, so gorgeous. And the place where we normally start from there is a train station and nothing else. Nothing. You literally. And it's just open space, mountains and lakes and it was just so beautiful. I feel like I'm home. Yeah, definitely.

[A]

I feel like maybe obviously we've just met, but I feel like somewhere in nature is calling you. Maybe for the future.

[B]

Yeah, I'm gonna be this weird thing. Something probably is gonna nest in my head at some point, you know, you never know. Maybe something is already living up there. I don't know. Yeah.

[A]

You seem to have such a passion for it.

[B]

Yeah, I do. I truly do. It's funny because I feel like, you know, being this, like, punk kid and then now I'm just turning more into some, I don't know, fairy for some bloody hippie. Always peace and love and, you know, let's smell the air. But I think I am privileged on a lot of levels to be able freely roam and explore and see things that not all of us can. And it's just I'm sitting here on the bench with you, you know, swinging my legs, totally relaxed. I'm grateful for it, but we should be.

[A]

Something I tend to like to get people to do is can you describe what we can see in front of us and also how that makes you feel?

[B]

Blue skies. And it's been a while since we've had beautiful blue skies, trees, city, Far, far, far, far, far, far away. Which is a good sign we're still part of it. But what matters is right in front of us, which is a beautiful green hills, happy people, I suppose, relaxing people. And we can't maybe see it, but there is silence. I went to one of exhibitions and there was a documentary of the guy who records silence, which is weird. How can you record silence? And he said the silence is on the verge of extinction. And these days we use headphones that reduce noise. So I know we can't necessarily see it, but you feel it. That's. You feel the silence, and that's beautiful. Is that okay?

[A]

That's a lovely answer.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

Okay, last question for you. What are you going to do next.

[B]

Weekend is coming. I'm already thinking what I'm going to do, which is probably going on my bike out of London somewhere. I'm building. I'm almost finished building bike that I can have a basket to carry my dog.

[A]

Pedro's gonna be on the bike, too.

[B]

Yeah. So hopefully very soon we'll be doing these things together.

[A]

How do you prepare a dog for a bike?

[B]

Well, as much as I know he used to be on a motorbike, so he kind of.

[A]

So he might be like, this is too slow.

[B]

It should be okay. It should be okay. Plus, we're just gonna take it easy, but for now, I'm just gonna walk and probably think what we've just done.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

I'm just thinking like, what the hell?

[A]

What's just happened?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What the hell was that?

[B]

Yeah, that was my relaxing time on a bench. Gone.

[A]

That disappeared.

[B]

I'm never gonna get back. Right.

[A]

Oh, well, thank you so much.

[B]

Thank you. Nice to meet you.

[A]

Nice to meet you too. And nice to meet Pedro as well.

[C]

I don't do drugs I don't do people who drive cars Ride my bike into tomorrow Feel the silence in my heart I don't do drugs I spend my Mondays in cause I spend Tuesday through to Sunday Helping others make a start but what about me sometimes? What about me? What about who I was and who I wanna be? What about me sometimes? What about me at 17? What about all the things that I don't get to see? It's how it's meant to be.

[B]

I.

[C]

Don'T do drugs I don't do people who drive cars Ride my bike into tomorrow Feel the silence in my heart I don't do drugs I spend my Mondays in the park Cause I spend Tuesday through to Sunday Helping others make a start but what about me sometimes? What about me? What about who I was and who I want to be? What about me sometimes? What about me at 17? What about all the things that I don't get to see? It's how it's meant to be.