Mapambo Adornments - Edition 2023:1

Although I’m all about maps, I also live a life. I document that living in a unique way. I capture the moments I connect with. Welcome to my fortnightly "adornments" where I share some of that life.

Welcome to the first edition of Mapambo Adornments! I’m so pleased you’re here.

Why Adornments? Just as the mapmakers of old used to add embellishments around the edges of their maps, I like to think of all the bits in this letter (always under the same four headings) as adornments to the other journeys I’m sharing here.

This letter will come out every alternate Sunday, so keep an eye out for it in your Inbox. It is free to read. Let’s get started!

I haven’t downloaded photos taken with my “big” camera for weeks. So when I did today, I found there were 427 to deal with. Now that was overwhelming! You’ll be glad to know that I’m not going to share 400 odd photos - just a video tour of snippets, in less than a minute, taking you from a boat trip around the Isle of Wight on the Waverley Paddle Steamer to the forests and beaches of Norfolk.

Here's the video

A poem

My Isle of Wight friend Suzy is a poetess (and fellow sea swimmer). Here’s one from her about our mutual love of sea swimming. You can listen to the audio or read it below

Sometimes we bob
Sometimes we swim
Sometimes we natter
Atop the water
And share our fears and wins.

And no-one cares about the shape of skin you re in...
Save that your beating heart keeps filling with the love of Mother Sea.
You! are a fellow traveller of that blue uncharted place
And with good grace
You take your rightful place to be...yourself and pleasure seek.

Immerse!! - For YOU and you ALONE!

And what deep joy discovering jewels in swimming friends who dabble there and never stray too far from reach.

Sometimes we swim
Sometimes we bob
Sometimes we natter
Atop the water...
... then wander back, together, up the beach.

by Suzy Jacobsen

A piece about charging for subscriptions

Also, I enjoyed reading this piece from

Astrid Bracke

“We need to talk more about money in slow business” this week. It made me think about how I want to feel empowered by earning money, as I venture down the road of running my own business and charging for services and subscriptions.

Can you help me out with something, please?

So… deep breath.
This week I started thinking about online shops. I’ve had a Redbubble shop for ages, but it is a bit neglected and out of date, and I’ve been yearning to set up and stock an Etsy shop with something, but have not known what.

But…

My recent reconceptualisation of this Substack space, has given me a definite focus, which now seems to be flowing into everything I do! I’m certainly not there yet with either of these online spaces, but I could do with your help as I sit in planning mode.

➡️ If you click on this link, it’ll take you to a 1-minute survey, where you can choose what type and style of maps you’d like to see in my shops. More info and instructions at the link. Thank you and I’m really keen to know what types of maps appeal to you.

And finally, here, all in one pace, are the most recent letters, posts and notes from this Mappery space, in case you missed any of them!

• An invitation to get involved with Collective Mappery

• Excited for the first collaborative story writing -

  Susie Mawhinney - A hill and I

  Guest Writer’s post on The Curious Questers Road Trip

• Journey One - Curious Questers Road Trip

  • A commotion at Tenich Outpost - Story One

  • Jalisse - Story Two (written by Susie from

    A Hill and I)

  • Story Three is due Tuesday 3rd October, when we continue our road trip at the city of Hexton. Join us!

• Journey Two - My Personal Atlas

  • Of ox bow lakes, sailing and GIS

  • Next edition is out on Sunday 8th October

I’ve so enjoyed sharing my “adornments” with you and delighted that you are here. If you’ve enjoyed them (or a particular aspect of them), I’d really love to hear from you (either hit Reply or leave a comment below). If you read via the Substack app, you can also share, like or restack this - all are welcome and appreciated!

By sharing this letter and by referring friends you’ll receive special benefits such as complementary paid subscriptions.