This week I’m at a bit of a loss as to what to write about, I simply don’t feel the love. It’s June already and in the UK the summer passes so quickly. I mean to make the most of each and every day. So here, I’m taking time out to simply appreciate the beauty I’ve been enjoying close to home while we wait for the world to right itself. Where have you been exploring this week?
Continue reading “This week… summer in the cities”
Are you ready to dip a toe into the wider world? As I sit at my laptop writing this post, for the first time in the long, wet month of May the sun is shining in a clear blue sky and the birds are singing with gusto. With the French doors open wide, the light is bright and the day is full of hope. It’s an unfamiliar feeling of late but I like it. The past year or so has reminded me to take the small pleasures where I find them. So today, I’ll enjoy the sunshine, a good cup of coffee and the pleasure of exploring the possibilities for travel. Come join me.
Continue reading “This week… rabbits, rugged coastlines and caravans”
What is it about a celebrity name that grabs a headline? Celebrity status has been around since forever. Rome’s first emperor Caesar Augustus knew the power of endorsement back in ancient Rome, adding his image to coinage that circulated around the vast territories. His personal ‘brand’ mimicked Alexander the Great by adopting an eternally youthful clean-shaven image, with a carefully ruffled ‘fringe’ (or bangs, if you’re a US reader, Hello!). This week the industry has rallied together with their favourite celebrities to entice us all out of lockdown.
Continue reading “This week… name dropping Rick Stein, Cecil Beaton and Napoleon”
While there doesn’t need to be a special reason to enjoy time in a garden, as we tentatively emerge from lockdown, like a bear out of winter hibernation, let’s celebrate with some garden love whether that’s a few acres, a cherished lawn, or a balcony with potted herbs. Gardens and gardening have long been recognised as beneficial to our wellbeing, and even more so in recent times. Digging your hands into the earth and tending a plant is as natural to human beings as breathing, and exposes our bodies to beneficial bacteria. It could be considered one of Maslow’s physiological hierarchy of needs. So to kick off the summer season here’s a round-up of horticultural tidbits to admire and inspire. Happy gardening!
Continue reading “This week… Garden Day UK”
So the UK begins to unlock again and so far, so good. With 47% of the population having received at least one vaccine dose, the numbers across cases, deaths and hospitalisations continue to fall. It’s early days. After more than a year of this nightmare it doesn’t feel realistic to breathe entirely easy yet, but I dare to hope we’re headed in the right direction. It’s self protection, of course, this caution in letting my dreams get out of hand. The disappointment would be too much to bear, and I don’t want to jinx things. Nonetheless, this week I packed away the heavy winter clothes and switched my wardrobe to lighter items, imagining I was packing for a perfect weekend away.
Continue reading “This week… Blonde Hedgehogs, blossom and going underground”
A glorious spring week with longer days of sunshine as everything starts slowly warming up, including me. As I write this I have Abba blasting in the background and I have to keep stopping to dance around the living room. The news remains up and down but I’m definitely feeling upbeat. It’s been awhile. Hello optimism.
Continue reading “This week… pizza, photography and life on Mars”
