Living Slow in Ringmer: Pets, Progress & a Website Launch

This week wasn’t what I expected.

No road trips. No big adventures. Just a sleepy village, three unpredictable pets, and a lot of quiet. I launched a website. Got barked at before sunrise. And reminded myself that progress sometimes looks like stillness.

I came to Ringmer to look after Siri, Chaos, and Panda - two dogs and a cat who weren’t quite sure about me at first. Chaos, despite her name, is the calmest of the bunch. A tiny Chihuahua who became my couch companion within hours. Siri took longer to settle, flipping between total stillness and full-blown zoomies. Panda didn’t warm up until night five... then promptly climbed me like furniture. Classic cat.

They’ve given my days structure - morning walks, meal times, toilet breaks. It’s not glamorous, but it’s grounding. Even the 5:30 a.m. wake-ups have their charm… sort of.

Between muddy paws and tea breaks, I finally launched my photography website.

There was no dramatic countdown. No viral reveal. Just a quiet click and a soft exhale. If you’re reading this, you’re already on it.

This project has been months in the making. And while it wasn’t loud, launching it felt like planting a flag - something real, something mine.

I’ll be honest - I’ve felt stuck this week. Online, other solo travellers are climbing mountains, meeting strangers, capturing perfect sunsets. I’m drying wet dogs and reorganising photo galleries. It’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind when your life isn’t all highlight reels.

But here’s the thing: slowing down isn’t failing. It’s recovering. And that matters too. I did manage to get out. I took a short trip to Lewes and explored the old castle ruins. It was quiet, sunny (okay there were a few clouds), and just what I needed. I topped it off with tea and a pastry from Flint Owl Bakery - highly recommend. Even a short wander can reset your brain.

This week didn’t go viral. It didn’t move fast. But it moved forward.

If you’ve ever felt like you weren’t doing “enough,” you’re not alone. Sometimes, building something; your site, your self, your story - takes a week of rain, dogs, and small wins.

If you’re curious about what I’m building, you’re already in the right place.

New home, new pets