Grounded Conversations

I've come from my caravan in Hanley Swan, but I live in Smethwick. I’ve had the caravan for two years. I love the view from the window that overlooks the Malvern Hills, so that's what I wake up to whenever I come here.

I've never seen so many clouds as I do here. I don't know if it's because I've got more time, or because everywhere's open, or because in Smethwick all you see is the back of houses. I'm not sure. But it's absolutely beautiful in Malvern.

I love being outside. I love the fact that it's dog-friendly. I've made friends with people, a few. Most shops are really accommodating and very friendly. Scenery, the greenery, the fresh air, the quietness, the wildlife. The birds.

My dog Audrey is 16 and a half, and she's now got a stroller because she doesn't walk very well. It’s just me and the dog. And we walk from the caravan along the track.

Being here lifts my spirits. It makes me glad to be alive. I just love looking at the landscapes, and I quite like walking in them as well. It’s just a feeling of well-being, being lucky to be alive and lucky to be here. I really appreciate it.

I can remember when I first came here on a youth hosteling trip. So I would have been about 10 or 11. We haven't got many photographs because you didn't take photos back in those days. So I've always been aware of Malvern and the area.

I come down most weekends, midweek if I'm not at work, and lots more in school holidays when I can bring my family with me. When I get off the motorway, when I get past the dual carriageway into Powick onto that little road that leads me into Hanley Swan, I just relax a little bit. And then when I'm going home and I get past junction four, I just start to see rubbish. I start to see angry people and I just want to turn around and come all the way back. It's 50 minutes door to door.

When I worked in Tipton there were days that it took me 50 minutes to get from Smedwick to Tipton. So I don't feel as if it's too far away. It's accessible for me to get here.

I'll tell you what I do really enjoy. I enjoy watching the paragliders. I think that's what they're called that jump off the hill. And I like to sit on a Saturday afternoon or a Sunday when they're jumping off. And I've actually been a little bit further off the hill and seeing them land.

Also the weather. I like to watch the weather coming in, going out, the sunrise and the sunset. And I enjoy watching the lights. I've got some binoculars in the caravan and I just look up the hill, see what's going on, wonder what's going on. There’s just always something to look at. Lots of birds of prey. I enjoy that.

I didn't know until I came to Malvern that the cyclamens don't just come out in spring. There are autumn ones as well, which is beautiful. I am constantly on the lookout for elderflower and elderberry for my mum's winemaking. And I just send a message back home into the family WhatsApp of particular flowers and ask what's this, what's that. And that's nice. So that's it. I feel as if I'm on holiday and I'm excited by the things that I see.