This post was inspired by a trip to the coast with my friend and fellow mental health blogger Aimee Wilson. In what’s become something of a tradition we’d arranged to visit the Christmas Market at Spanish City in Whitley Bay. I was looking forward to the day. There’s always something to take away from our get-togethers, be it a new blogging idea, a collaboration to pursue, or just some great conversation and laughter.
We weren’t meeting until early afternoon, so I spent an hour or two at my favourite coffee shop before heading to the coast. I arrived in Whitley Bay with an hour or so to spare. Fran was online and I took her with me on a video call as I set off to explore a little. I pointed out a few places I know including The Fire Station pub and Sambuca, an Italian restaurant I’ve been to with Aimee. I found myself in the vicinity of the Park View shopping mall and remembered a coffee shop I’ve visited a couple of times before. There was one free table next to an enormous Christmas tree decked with red and gold baubles. Someone in a Grinch costume was entertaining passers by. I bought myself a drink and we sat talking awhile. Me with my double espresso in a Whitley Bay mall, Fran with her filter coffee three thousand miles away in Portland, Maine.
Aimee messaged that she was on her way, so we headed off to meet her. Fran loved the views from the promenade. I pointed out the turbines of the Blyth Offshore Wind Farm and St Mary’s lighthouse away in the distance. I took photos and Fran captured her own memories by taking screenshots of our video call. It’s fun to see things through someone else’s eyes that way. We met up with Aimee outside Spanish City. It was a merry meeting, with selfies of the three of us and the chance for Fran and Aimee to talk together for a few minutes. Surprisingly, they’d never done so despite having been friends with me for many years. I’d have liked to take Fran around the market but I knew from experience how little space there is with all the stalls and people. We ended our call with a promise from me to take plenty of photos!
Aimee had bought our tickets in advance, so within minutes we had our entry wristbands and were inside. Almost immediately she fell into conversation with one of the stallholders, a brilliant photographer called Phil Benton. I stepped back and soaked in the atmosphere. Spanish City is an amazing building and it’s always decorated splendidly for the festive season. I took photographs for Fran including a selfie with one of the huge Nutcracker mannequins. Aimee was still talking so I headed off around the stalls on my own. Around is the appropriate word, because the market stalls were arranged on either side of the circular balcony, overlooking the thirty-foot Christmas tree and Trenchers restaurant on the floor below. I remembered several of the stalls from previous years. There’s a rich mix of art and craft work, Christmas decorations, food and drink, and regionally-themed gifts of all kinds.
Paying more attention than I was to what was on sale and chatting to stallholders as she went, Aimee hadn’t moved far by the time I caught up with her. One of the many things I love about Aimee is how naturally she engages with people. It’s a joy to watch, all the more so because it’s something I can’t do at all. I’m okay once the opening has been made but I can’t do that initial bit. I’d completed a lap of the room having said no more than “Hello” to anyone.
As I re-joined Aimee she was talking with Stacey and Jamie McNeill of Fox Under the Moon. Aimee introduced me as her friend who also has a mental health blog and has written a book. I was blown away by the generosity of the introduction and felt instantly at ease. I told Stacey and Jamie about my transatlantic friendship with Fran, our book High Tide, Low Tide: The Caring Friend’s Guide to Bipolar Disorder, and how our blog focuses on mental health and supportive friendship. I even remembered to offer one of my contact cards, something I learned from Aimee a long time ago. Stacey shared some of their personal journey that led them to found Fox Under the Moon which features her words and artwork. The following is excerpted from their website.
My ‘Fox Under The Moon’ artwork series is for all ages. It is inspired by the simplicity of everyday life, and the complicated emotions that go with it. Through my artwork you will meet an anxious, but inquisitive fox and the wise old moon. Along with their friends, I hope that their warm and whimsical world can bring some encouragement and love to yours.
I treated myself to a pack of greetings cards and a desk calendar, both of which are simply stunning. Their website is also beautifully designed and a delight to navigate. They happily posed for a photo, Stacey holding a copy of her book Fox Under the Μoon: Seasons of Comfort and Hope. Before we moved on I asked Stacey if she’d like a hug and was delighted to receive big hugs from them both!
Aimee and I looked round the rest of the market then went for a meal at the restaurant next door. The food and conversation were excellent. We enjoyed showing each other the items we’d bought at the market and planning our next get-together. When we parted I was struck by how peaceful and still the sea and sky appeared. As I headed home I reflected on how wonderful the day had been. Sharing time with Fran. Fran and Aimee meeting in person for the first time. (I’m pretty sure it won’t be the last!) Meeting Stacey and Jamie. Marty and Aimee time together. Days like this — moments like this — remind me how good life can be and the value there is in connection.
Thank you.
You can find Fox Under the Moon on their website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Find Aimee Wilson on her award-winning blog I’m NOT Disordered, Instagram, and X/Twitter.
Photos by Martin Baker
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