One of the qualities about something being ‘timeless’ is that it is slightly bitter – so says Christopher Alexander in his book, ‘The Timeless Way of Building’. I wondered what he meant by that – I found it peculiar especially since many of the other qualities seemed understandable (alive, comfortable, free, exact, etc).
But I think I now understand what he meant by slightly bitter. It’s a kind of future-longing in the present, knowing that it’s just right, right now.
I noticed first in a beach in Oman. So many other beaches had been bought up and redeveloped by international hotel firms and are now private. Ruined in many ways.
As I sat in this beach, which was in many ways perfect: It was deserted. The sun shone on the hot white rocks and the sea shell sandiness as the water lapped created endless curves of wet sand by the shore. Beyond in that, in the water, turtles swam about in the slightly cool depths along the coral.
As I sat there, I knew that at some point it would be bought. I felt this slight longing and sadness even though it hadn’t happened.
I enjoyed being there but asa I left, there was a slight bitter felling, like that of coffee or chocolate, which caused me to want it even more. I
I felt it again at a campsite and old pub in Norfolk. It was an old pub restored by a couple, with a few spots for camping behind in the garden. Restored with low cost but much creativity, the place was peculiar, unique lovely different and I wanted to come here often, and started worrying about what would happen to this place if the owners left.
After washing up my metal plates in the outdoor kitchen, I noticed a sign on the noticeboard, saying that they were open to selling the site. I was immediately saddened and went over to the owners to speak to them. Noticing my worry, he reassured me that it was not going to be any time soon but that they wanted to spend more time with their family.
I miss you.
We know that feeling so palpably as children and sometimes a place evokes that, too. We cannot wait to be back and we worry about the place. We want it to be just the way it is forever – timeless.