MID-ATLANTIC MAN: Travels in England and Wales searching for home

Torn between two countries, I've always felt like a fish out of water. I've come to love Canada which has been my home for decades. The vast distances, the quiet lakes and forests, the unspoiled wilderness have become precious to me, yet part of me has never been able to completely abandon my English roots. I ache for the old churches, the friendly pubs, the tiny, winding backroads. When I'm in Canada my thoughts often turn towards England, yet when I visit England I pine for Canada's wilds. I feel tugged in both directions, my mind hovering somewhere in mid-Atlantic.

In February 2026 I returned to the United Kingdom intending to spend the month hiking while exploring these feelings. My trip didn't quite work out as I expected...