Day 273 - And it comes to an end...or does it? xx

Monday 30th September

This chick has been rewilded!  30 days of spending at least 30 minutes in the wild doing all sorts of interesting activities is now finished.  What a truly memorable month September was and I would recommend anyone to have a go.  The challenge starts again tomorrow for the month of October and let me tell you it will change the way you think.  I work outdoors much of the year on my horticultural smallholding but I had quite forgotten how to use to outdoors for leisure.  As a result of the challenge I am now walking a good distance every day and I also engage in the outdoors in a far more restful way.  I have come to love being outdoors and hate being indoors.  A proper, fully qualified wild chick.  From the absolute bottom of my heart I want to thank the entire rewilding team but a special thanks  to Alissa who came up with the idea in the first place.  I am hoping to do some writing for the team in the coming months and I will remain part of the facebook group for a while to see where that takes me. 

I have sat under a tree, hugged a tree, taken long walks, made natural sculptures, watched wildlife, completed a scavenger hunt, climbed hills, put my feet in lots of different water, photographed, stood in a storm and a lot more besides.  It is almost like being a child again as I rediscovered the resource that is the great outdoors.  George and  Max have done most of  the challenges with me and loved them too.  They have had to rescue me a few times and I did find one of the walks a real challenge but they were a comforting back up when needed. 

Thirty days in a row is long enough to make it habitual and that is the genius part of the project.  Once it is built into each and every day it is not something you can easily let go of.  The journey has been further enriched by an online community from all over the world and the sharing of pictures and stories has been so a real education.  As a result I have a new friend, Lisa, who lives in Canada and Alaska has become a 'must visit' location.  I have a feeling that many of the September group will continue on with their sharing of experiences and that is testament to the quality of the project.  A number of my friends have now joined up for October as have a number of readers of this blog so word is spreading. 

It is easy for me to identify my favourite challenge as that was the night we wrapped ourselves in blankets and went outside at night to gaze at the stars.  They tell you to allow for 20 minutes so that your eyes will adjust and it was so worth the wait.  It was a stunning experience and one that will remain with me forever.  I think many of the challenges encourage you to change perspective and to then begin to fully appreciate your place in the world and beyond.  I found many challenges very humbling and so it is much more than just simply reconnecting with nature.  Perhaps we all need to spend some time considering our place in the world to appreciate who we really are?  It has helped me realise what was missing from my life but always what is still to do and, in that, it is completely energising. 

This 30 day rewilding challenge is a joy to do by yourself and helps you to appreciate time alone.  But it is also a joy to do with others, especially family members.  For me the next logical step would be to produce another rewilding challenge but this one would be specifically for families. Of course, families can do the existing scheme but I do think there I scope for a family centred one to encourage families to spend more time together in the great outdoors.  As is my way I did adapt a few of the challenges to make it more engaging for the three of us to do at the same time and we did have a whole heap of fun. Perhaps another  extension of the project would be to devise four separate ones; one for each season.  I am a massive fan of the seasons and love all four of them.  I am aware that many of my friends hate the winter and wonder if a 30 day challenge in January might help them see the season differently?  It I just a thought. 

The learning that takes place is not to be underestimated.  We are fortunate with home school because our children have spent a lot of time learning about the wild and we always learn as a family where at all possible.  That is, perhaps, not always the case for other families.  We have learnt all sorts of interesting things as your time outside invariably draws questions and when back insides you are on the hunt for the answers.  It is in the 'seeing' that the biggest change occurs.  Over the course of the 30 days it feels like you are opening your eyes further and taking in more of the landscape.  I notice far more now and not just by using my eyes.  I recognise particular bird calls and can even smell out places that I know will offer up mushrooms.  As a result of the full 30 days you just feel more alert and that can only be a good thing. 

Of course, the fact that it is only 30 minutes a day is what makes the challenge so achievable and appealing.  If we can't find 30 minutes in our day perhaps we are over-filling our day?

So, I end the 30 days considerably fitter than when I began and full of new knowledge and appreciation.  I have reconnected with the wild in a deep and life lasting way and I feel more at peace.  It has changed the way I think and the way I spend my time and it has even shifted the way I see my future.  Not bad for a 30 day challenge.  I do hope that I have convinced more of you to give it a go.  Those that are already signed up do let me know how you get on.  How incredibly exciting for you.  If you want to sign up it is completely free but the additional ebook that costs just $6.00 is the best of reads and, I think, makes the experience more focused.  Here is the link to sign up.

Until tomorrow.  xx

Day 272 - Clinging on with their fingertips. xx

Sunday 29th September

The most beautiful day arrived on the island today but with it came an unmistakable autumn wind.  I love how Mother Nature plays with us in these early autumn days.  Us islanders know full well what is coming as autumn storms are legendary here so it is a time to be on standby.  High winds from the west with bring the inevitable cancelled ferry crossing and that feeling of being rather cut off.  That slightly isolating notion is, I think, rather healthy as it serves to remind us what island living is about. There are times when the ferry can not sail and it can be an occurrence often in the winter months.  In those times the community has to rely on each other to keep daily life ticking over.  The  Co-op lorry is not trundling off the ferry so provisions can run low very quickly.  Emergency services are always at the ready with the helicopter on standby to take emergency cases to mainland hospitals. 

So, as we await the first real run of the ferocious westerly winds we enjoy some late and warming sunshine.  I am not blessed with continual good health so some days can be a bit of a struggle.  Today is not one of my better days following a very long and painful night.  My life, however, is enriched by having almost completed the 30 day rewilding challenge.  Even on my poor days I  must do my 30 minutes and it often grows into much longer. If, like today, I can't venture far I am grateful to have 10 acres to gently stride about in and, at this time of  year, I rarely miss a harvesting opportunity.  I see the curry plants have sprouted seeds to collect and dry and the blackberry harvest knows no boundaries this year. 

My parents planted this pampas grass which is a little bit of a throw back to the 1970s (no offence Mother).  I love it because the birds take their daily bounce on it as it moves in the breeze.  It is their personal fairground ride and I can sit for ages and watch them.  Our front garden is sizeable and needs a bit of autumn cutting back once all the plants have released their seeds and bounty.  I am losing my view of the sea so that must be remedied.  Last night I lay listening to the waves while everyone else slept. 

George would like to thank everyone for their kind birthday wishes.  He had a lovely day and his big cousin came over to build his bike so that he could have a ride to the village and back.  We missed Molly, of course, but she was with us through Skype for all the important bits of the day.  She kindly bought him a comprehensive dog care book for his present and last night he was stretched out on his bed deep in concentration with this new found knowledge. 

Despite cooking on fumes today I have managed to draft the next month of my Meditation through Writing course and I always amaze myself at how this comes together.  It is an example of years of practice taking a permanent and lasting hold on you so that the process of theorizing becomes effortless.  It still takes quite a while to type 12 pages though....  This coming month we are focusing on the uniqueness of a writer's voice and the students will have lots of opportunities to play and become creative.  I hope that it will be a lovely well to welcome in the autumn season. 

Now that is written I can focus on the last couple of weeks build up to the launch of One soul many hearts.  I have something for every page but only a few pages are ready to publish so I have a bit of editing and chasing to do.  After some really engaging discussions with owners of small businesses I have decided that those wanting to establish a long term relationship with the site will be known as Ambassadors.  They will promote all that we do and in return I will promote their work at every opportunity.  Of course, that means I must choose these businesses wisely so it will not be a quick process.  Once chosen though these Ambassadors will be a real asset to the promotion of the site and will even get their own shiny one soul many hearts web badge.  I have already got a couple of businesses in mind for such a role so watch this space. 

In a similar way I have begun a mini campaign to pledge my support to small businesses that make their own products in the run up to Christmas.  I will be running a feature on One soul many hearts that will point readers in the direction of lovely products that are perfect for Christmas presents.  If you make your own products and would like to be included please get in touch asap.  This will be a joint publication as it will also appear here as part of Scottish island mum. 

I do not have as much control over my mind as I would like.  Just as I should be concentrating on the launch of One soul many hearts the migration of Scottish island mum keeps popping into my head.  The migration will, I hope, be welcomed but I am so going to have to reign myself in on this one.  I am, however, very clear on the difference between the two sites.  One soul many hearts is, essentially, a platform for sharing and I hope that will filter through to every aspect of the site.  Scottish island mum is going to be just for me.  It will migrate into a streamlined space that allows me to share my life journey in a more organised, accessible and user-friendly way.  So, I have the affirmations in place now I just need to create the look and feel of Scottish island mum as she moves into 2014. 

Pete and I are going through a period of re-structuring work commitments to allow him to spend more time on the smallholding and pick up more freelance work.  I am focusing on my writing as we move into 2014 and limiting my craft work to joint projects with Angie from Sugar and Spice.  We have enjoyed doing events together in 2013 and it does seem to make it much easier on both of us.  Those who know me well will know that I am up to something with all this restructuring and  I would tell you but then I would have to kill you.  Suffice to say I have picked my life up and given it a shake and have the beginnings of a plan emerging.  You will be relieved to know that thee child held on well with their fingertips and so will have a place in the plan. 

Until tomorrow. xx

Day 271 - George, a very special soul. xx

Saturday 28th September

Our George is 16 today and I just want to write my own dedication to him.

This is easy for me because I consider George to be the heart beat of the family.  He makes us all tick and he is the most loved member of the family.  We all adore him and we all know that it will always be this way.  We have to give Harry and Molly and even his little brother Max some credit for setting fantastic examples as human beings.  But, that said, George would still rise to the top all by himself.  When souls were being given out George got an extra helping of goodness and that penetrates his whole life and speaks through the whole family.  Life is relatively simple for George.  He knows what is right and what is wrong and this guides all he does.  He doesn't do what the rest of us and get into shades of right and wrong to defend our behaviour.  He lives by a simple but very real sense of right and wrong and I have learnt so much from him as I have watched him grow. 

George, second from the left. 
 

From a very early age George began asking questions.  Most of them related to how the world works and he quickly developed a strong sense of fairness and natural justice.  As he turns 16 he has developed into a young man that simply can not and will not accept injustices.  He can't understand why there is poverty in the modern world so this motivates him to do what he can to help.  George is almost constantly involved in one charity project or another.  He likes to drill down to identify the main issue and then do what he can to help.  Compassion is, of course, a huge part of that but I think that George just sees a problem and a solution.  I sometimes think the rest of it over-complicate things.  George doesn't do over complication.

In the family we all beat to George's drum.  He makes almost no demand on the family and is a constant source of joy.  His respect for others is exemplary and if any of us behave badly we always feel bad if George sees it!  George and Max do everything together and are what I would describe as great pals.  But I might argue that the closest natural bond is between  George and Molly.  I think they are wired in a very similar way and they just get each other and that is always so evident. 

Most people who know George know that he can bake.  I mean he can really bake.  His cakes are now legendary and I have had ladies sign up for my courses knowing that George will be baking.  George can often be found in the kitchen baking dozens of cupcakes for a charity event and he may not even be attending that event. 

Perhaps less known is George's affection for dogs and in particular his own dog Fly.  Fly adores George and they are often seen tramping across the fields together.  George wants to work with dogs and recently helped out on a dog grooming session and really enjoyed it.  I don't think George will become a dog groomer though.  When we were looking for 'Fly' we visited a number of rescue centres.  In one there was a dog constantly running around in circles.  We were told that the dog was suffering from stress and I could feel George wanting to help.  I think George will eventually return to this and work with stressed dogs.  We shall see. 

I am proud of all my children and I feel that they have all developed into wonderful young people who have a great deal to give to the world.  With George it is somewhat more than that.  He seems to have the blueprint for life and I am thinking we should all simply download it and follow. 

That is our George.  We call him Mr George in the family. 

Happy Birthday George. 

Until tomorrow.  xx

Day 270 - we are cleansed. xx

Friday 27th September

What do you do the day before your 16th birthday?  You bake 60 cupcakes for a charity event for MacMillan Cancer Support.  Well you do if you name is George Doubleday.  If I was any more proud I would burst.  The fact that my children do so much for charity has been a defining feature of their childhood.  George was born six weeks before his Gramps died of cancer and you just know he would be looking on with pride.  It was a lovely event held by Bev at Bay News and Gifts and very well supported. 

It has been a non-stop day though which starting very early paddling about in PJs and wellies cutting flowers for an arrangement for the event this afternoon.  I was continually distracted by water droplets suspended on spiders' webs.  Regular readers will know that I am a bit bonkers when it comes to spider's webs and once the frosts come I will be out and about very early with my camera. 

Flowers completed and finally dressed, the cake icing was underway.  I smiled as Pete and I lined up to take our instructions from George.  It is the right way round I feel.  Quietly and calming we all helped Head Chef complete his tasks and the results were stunning.  Then began the usual discussion about how they were to be transported. 




Safely delivered I headed off to Brodick to collect two ladies who wanted to attend the event and when we got to the flat it was already full of ladies chattering.  Lots of teas and coffees and stair climbing later and then back to Brodick to drop the ladies home.  Driving home it occurred to me that this is really what makes the world go round.  It is about people coming together to support an outstanding cause and having fun at the same time.  Pete and I have been talking of late about me giving up work completely so that I can devote all my time to working for charities.  It is not for now but it might well be for the future. 

It has been a damp and misty day on the island and I feel that we have all been cleansed by the mist as it drifts off the sea.  Yesterday I found out that my dear friends Mark and Russell who run Coast in the village are selling up with plans to leave the island.  I knew it was coming but it still stung a bit.  It is business as usual as the sale could take a while but it is a real case of rolling stones as they discover something and somewhere new to capture their imaginations.  Let us not dwell on them leaving the island at this stage.....

Tomorrow I get to write about George as he turns 16.  I had so many emails after I wrote my dedication to Harry as he turned 18 but you need to prepare yourself.  No one in our family is loved more than George and we are unanimous on that fact.  He holds an incredibly special place in all our hearts so get the tissues at the ready.  Tomorrow you will really get to know our George. 

Until tomorrow.  xx

Day 269 - Giant spiders in the shadows. xx

Thursday 26th September

Another day, another walk.  This time down to the village and back but I have to confess to coffee and cake as well!  It was only a small piece of cake but it was rather lovely.  This morning I had an excellent 1:1 session with Max in home school.  He is a natural storyteller but he needs to develop his vocabulary and he was pleased with his result.  I am a firm believer in children being able to respond at a pace that fits their natural rhythm and this is the right time for Max to be extending his writing ability.  All of a sudden he has found a writing voice and his excitement is palpable.  One of my favourite starting points is the book they are reading at the time.  We were reading about a cave with crystal rock formations and a giant spider lurking in the shadows.  Very quickly we moved from there to Max creating his own cave and creature followed by a beautiful piece of creative writing.  The whole thing was bound up with anticipation and excitement as it emerged that Max's ideas were better than the ones in his book.  We topped the session off with a look online at caves on Arran and a walk booked in the diary for next week.  That, for me, is home education and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

George, meanwhile, was in the midst of a mammoth bake off in the kitchen as he created 60 cupcakes for a charity coffee afternoon tomorrow.  All the cakes are lined up ready for the icing in the morning.  How he keeps turning out these delights day after day I will never know.  You will, perhaps, understand the need for walking though!  When it comes to George's cakes all will power departs. 

I managed to squeeze some time in the tunnel today firstly to harvest tomatoes and yet more sweet peas and then to take off seed pods.  I now have about 6 bags of sweet peas seeds ready so if anyone would like any just message me your name and address and I will happily post them out.  I confess they are a mix of Spencer and Mammoth variety but both varieties have been excellent this year so I am sure you won't be disappointed.  I don't think I have seen the hedgerows so bountiful for quite some years.  Blackberry picking is now a daily occupation for freezing and jam making.  I also spied some wonderful rosehips today to make rosehip syrup.  Both fruits are packed with vitamin C and are lovely to enjoy at this time of year.  We shall not dwell on our complete lack of hazelnuts this year.  We do well with autumn fruit but I miss my apples from our last house so the plan is to start a small apple orchard with maybe a plum tree for company.  Plum chutney is one of the best chutneys so we don't want to deprive ourselves. 

The cup of coffee and cake was partly work, partly pleasure but really all pleasure.  The lovely Angie is going to be one of my sponsors for my new site One soul many hearts so I was getting details for her feature editorial while trying not to drop any cake.  Angie and I also have some Christmas events coming up and shared the panic of not yet being underway with the making.  Time enough....

Since yesterday I have had lots of very productive chats with owners of small businesses about sponsorship options and as I result I am hopeful of running a couple of creative competitions from the site this side of Christmas.  Plans are well underway for innovative sponsorship options and this, I feel, has set the right emphasis for future negotiations.  There is much to build on.

I had a conversation with someone today about the dangers of life becoming just about work.  Walking back from the village I, once more, felt incredibly grateful that my life is as it is.  I do work hard but I work from home and I am freelance so I get to make most of the decisions.  I have more than one set of friends that constantly talk about their pensions as if that is what life is about.  I find that view difficult to digest because we might not live that long.  Thankfully my father semi-retired in his late 40s because he sadly died in his early 60s.  I feel that I have some more madness brewing in me and I dare not even tell the family because I fear for the eyes rolling....  My motivation comes from the belief that there is much still to do but sometimes we need to turn everything upside down and see what falls out.  My children will, no doubt, be hoping it is not them!

I have a very dear friend who has a birthday today but he is not one for much fuss.  So I am gently whispering 'happy birthday' in the hope that that is not too painful. 

Until tomorrow.  xx

Day 268 - the promise of so much. xx

Wednesday 25th September

A little bubble of excitement is sitting in my chest as my new site is taking shape.  I really think that everything in my life has led me to this point.  I feel incredibly honoured to be on the brink of sharing life affirming writing and inspirational creativity.  I have always been interested in bartering and the potential for a moneyless society.  Earlier in the year I was inspired by Mark Boyle's book The Moneyless Manifesto and I have taken his principles into my new site.  I am attempting to establish an innovative approach to the sponsorship of this site where as little money as possible changes hands.  I am offering my considerable readership reach in exchange for all sorts of engaging ideas for sponsorship and have already the bare bones of four agreements in place.  I am passionate about small businesses and believe that they are the bedrock of our economy.  I want to use this site as a way of promoting small businesses and the work of inspirational individuals.  I am, however, acutely aware of the limited funds available in small businesses so the idea of bartering becomes appealing.  I am offering short and long term sponsorship and will consider the longer term commitments as partners rather than sponsors.  This opens up the possibility of joint projects in the future and that is very exciting.  If you know of an individual and/or individual who might be interested do get in touch.  In time the same opportunities will become available with the new site for Scottish island mum early in 2014. 

So, two days work has pushed the project on and I feel nicely 'caught up after my holiday.  I have also been responding to writing that has been coming in from students on my Meditation through Writing course.  It has been a joy to see the writing develop through the course and some of the latest pieces are, in my view, publishable.  That is deeply rewarding for a first offering of the course.  Meditation opens and trains the mind and this can be recognised in our writing which grows in depth and authenticity.  You know when you have read a piece of authentic writing because it comes back to you again and again.  It is important not to confuse truth or fact with the concept of authentic writing.  Authentic writing can be completely fictional but the characters, setting and plot must feel real; they must connect with each other and with you, the reader.  For me the most authentic book I have ever read was To Kill a Mockingbird.  This book speaks to readers in ways that I wasn't sure was possible before I read it.  Harper Lee takes you on a journey where your views, opinions and values are silently tested and, at the end, your conclusions can be drawn. 

There have been other books that have traced authentic stories and The Colour Purple springs to mind instantly.  This books opens a window through which to view a lifestyle that was beyond challenging with deep moments of despair.  The characters say and do what you understand them capable of doing and, thus, offer you an authentic reading experience.  My course Meditation through Writing aims to break down writing into its simplest form and encourages students to stop focusing on flowery descriptions.  The aim is to be clear about the message(s) being conveyed and let the language speak for itself.  If there is no flow peppered with moments of staccato there is no authenticity. 

So, I am thrilled that writing of such quality is emerging but I am also pleased to see how far the students have come with their meditative practice.  We rather delude ourselves if we think that controlling our mind is easy.  Mindfulness training teaches you just how big the challenge is before slowly and steadily teaching the tools to start an internal dialogue with your mind.  It is this dialogue that starts to shape our thinking and takes us into our subconscious mind and there lies the scope.  By bringing meditation and writing together I believe I have created a unique opportunity and the feedback from students has been incredibly humbling.  I am busy making slight modifications in time for the next delivery of the course in the new year.  Do message me if you are interested in joining the next group. 

This afternoon I went for an amble with a new walking pal and her lovely dog.  It was a gentle stroll through the woods and it was incredibly relaxing.  We swapped stories and got to know each other better and parted with the promise of another walk asap.  I have a number of walking pals set up which means I have lots of opportunities to walk.  Excellent.  The leaves are on the turn in the woods on the island and there isn't a better time to walk among the trees. 

I haven't forgotten that I owe you a second account of my forest walking in Herefordshire and I will try and post that in the next few days.  Suffice to say that the second encounter was a natural set for the Merlin series so it is shrouded with magical cloaks and mythical adventures.  If any of you manage to get out to the woods over the next few weeks perhaps you could take your camera?  I am currently collecting photographs of autumn for my new site and always give full credit to the person who took the picture. 

Pete has just returned to announce that, while we have been away, the squirrels have taken all our hazelnuts.  Gorgeous red squirrels 1 - Doubleday family 0!

Until tomorrow.  xx

Day 267 - perfect mussel shells before a moving tribute. xx

Tuesday 24th September

A day of working on my new site punctuated with a lovely walk on Kildonan beach to collect beautiful blue mussel shells for my Christmas wreaths.  I try to include a little bit of Arran in all my wreaths and I have some lovely white and silver hearts to work from.  The mussel shells will be perfect. 

At this time of year I don't think a day is complete unless I have foraged for something.  Autumn is a time to gather and share and it is one of my favourite times of the year.  September is my favourite month on the island as the visitors return to their lives and the island returns to the islanders.  Everything seems to slow down and the stillness on the calm days is broken by raging autumn storms on other days.  The contrast is what makes island living so refreshing. 

On the beach today we were lucky to see a large group of seals, a heron and lots and lots of oyster catchers.  Kildonan is a magical corner of the island and I think the wildlife know that and gravitate towards the bay.  A large black seabird glided across the bay but it is yet to be identified.  The boys are searching the books as I write.  I have always been a fan of the colour grey as it has so many shades to it.  On a day like today it is the greys that dominate but in a way that puts the view into infinity.  The stillness and calmness wraps itself around you and you can not help but relax and let go.  It was the perfect walk.  The walking continues tomorrow with a new walking pal and we are off to the dye mill.  I am hoping that the turning colours in the trees will give me some captivating autumn images. 

The rest of the day has been lost in a whirl of editing and emailing as the site begins to come together.  As I re-read all the pieces that will appear on the launch I am truly moved by the writing and I instinctively know that One soul many hearts has a place to fill.  In a world that is not always kind or loving this new site will provide a little virtual haven where we can all disappear to in search of inspiration.  The images that are being collated are all capable of making us pause, look and reflect and that is an essential element of the site.  One soul many hearts is not like Scottish island mum.  It is not something you will feel the need to check on every day.  It is a place that you can visit when you need to feed your soul and take some time out of your daily activities.  I am working on a commissioned piece at the moment based around the concept of sabbatical and it is proving fascinating.  We perhaps understand the term sabbatical differently but we all understand the essence of it.  We all understand the need to suspend daily life from time to time to create time to just 'be'.  One soul many hearts will have its own sabbatical essence and I do hope as many of you as possible  stop by from time to time. 

I am particularly keen to showcase creative work from young people.  It might be a piece of writing, a photograph or a creative project but if you know of anyone do point them in this direction.  I am lifting a key saying that I hear often from young people as the theme for my first photographic gallery in November.  'Keeping it real' is the inspiration behind the gallery and I am looking for photographs that speak to that phrase.  They should not be subjected to any changes via software as I am on the hunt for authentic images.  They can, however, be on any subject.  I just need the photograph, a suitable caption and any relevant web links and/or contact details.  Please pass this opportunity among your friends if you can - many thanks.

I have also put my first call out for sponsors for the new site.  I want to look at sponsorship innovatively and not just focus on monetary exchange.  There are lots of ways that sponsorship can work and I am looking for individuals and/or small businesses who might be interested.  In return your work will be featured on the site in a sensitive and responsive way which will include an editorial written by me.  There are short term and long term opportunities available so do get in touch for a chat.  Scottish island mum has had over 27,000 page views since January of this year and has upwards of 250 readers who visit the site daily.  It should provide excellent exposure opportunities for your work and I am delighted that I already have someone who has offered to sponsor the site. 

The areas I am still light on are the 'small corners of the world' page and the 'inspirational books' page.  The former is focused on short reviews of places you have visited that have truly touched you in some way.  It can be from anywhere in the world but off the tourist beaten track is probably more engaging.  The latter is a small book review based on a book that has made you stop and think.  A book that has spoken to you in a unique way is exactly what I am looking for.  Both these pages strike at the heart of the site as they are about sharing.  You need never have written before as this provides a platform for us all.  Do contact me if you think you have something to share. 

Once the site is launched on October 11th I can breathe a little more deeply for a while.  It is not a site that requires daily input and I do want the launch format to sit for a while to give time for it to breathe as well.  Daily updates including all opportunities are already being posted on the sites facebook page so if you haven't popped over to hit the 'like' button you might want to just do that.  One soul many hearts has a different currency and flow from Scottish island mum and I would hate for anyone to miss out.  I would, of course, be grateful if you can then share the facebook page with your facebook friends as this will help the spread of the site in the run up to launch day. 

I don't want anyone to think that I am neglecting planning for Scottish island mum because that is also underway.  I have decided on a draft format for the site post 2013 but this may well change when I get feedback from you guys.  I am aiming for ask for feedback in November that will help Scottish Island Mum move into 2014 but if you have any gems of wisdom do message me anytime.  I am always so grateful for all your feedback.  A week without wifi last week did make for an interesting couple of days but I have managed to catch up so I am cooking on gas again. 

I just want to end by sharing a small piece of feedback that I have just received from a student on my meditation through writing course.  She has kindly allowed me to share and to let you know that her life has been a real challenge for the past few years.  She wrote 'this course has taught me many thinks but the most important of them all is that I have a voice and it can be heard.  It might be tiny but it is growing each and every day through the exercises on the course and for that I will always be grateful.  Recent years have been really tough and I had rather lost my way.  Now I have found a path that I can walk down and feel a growing sense of happiness.' 

You will know that I cried....

Until tomorrow.  xx

Day 266 - a small nudge to the left. xx

Monday 23rd September

If we are sitting comfortably et us talk forests, woods and, more specifically trees. 

My week with the trees in Herefordshire was memorable.  I left Arran behind but carried with me some distressing thoughts that I could not shake.  They had their roots in a crisis of belonging but they had grown into darker and more hostile feelings.  My mind is not always kind to me and this was one of those times. 

Early into my time in Herefordshire I found myself in the depths of the Forest of Dean and completely alone.  So I walked and then I walked some more.  Following the sculpture trail ensured small rests along the way but the weather did decide to grit its teeth at me on more than one occasion.  At one  point the hail stones were so big they actually hurt my head but still I walked.  I wrote about the history of the Forest of Dean last week but I couldn't post pictures and they tell their own story.  This piece of writing is about my personal history with the forest, however brief. 

Through the walking and through the sitting I began to relax and let my mind wander off by itself.  This is not always a good idea but on this day it seemed like a good decision.  As autumnal dappled light escaped through the tree tops I felt the closeness to the sun.  A closeness that you get when you know summer is over and you are clinging on to the sunshine as hard as you can.  The gentle warming and the shards of light made for a great companion as I walked.  My mind did not consciously rest anywhere in particular but a growing sense of reconnection grew from within.  I was in the middle of a 30 day rewilding challenge and had brought some new wisdom with me on this walk.  

 

 

I could hear, see, smell, taste and feel better as a result of the work in the rewilding challenge and this allowed for a deeper understanding of where I was.  The Forest of Dean is an ancient English woodland which is peppered with a huge variety of trees.  I live in Scotland and this is not the case so the variety was a real and enduring blessing.  For much of the walk I thought that that was what I was connecting to and feeling enlivened by.  I was wrong.  Some way through my walk it dawned on me just how many wonderful oak trees I had seen.  The shape of an oak leaf is one of my favourite shapes in the natural world and I had quite forgotten how much I missed the English oak tree. 

Almost as I was thinking these thoughts I came across a sculpture made out of a single oak tree trunk and I was captivated in its presence.  The size of it spoke much about the scale of the tree but the patterns within drew my eye and then my full attention.  With the lightest of touch I traced each and every pattern awakening myself to the messages hidden deep within.  I have always thought trees to be spiritual entities with their roots deep in thee ground and their branches high in the sky.  Earlier in the rewilding challenge I had sat under a tree for 30 minutes and this experience had changed the way I view time.  I had thought that 30 minutes would  be a long time to sit under a tree but the reality was quite different.  30 minutes flew by and I wished I could have sat for longer. 

Standing opposite this relic of an magnificent oak tree that had lost its roots in the earth and its branches in thee sky I felt a little sad.  Quickly this sadness evaporated as I traced the patterns and could hear the heart beat.  It came from a place deep within the ground and travelled through every pattern and out into the space around the sculpture.  The legends of trees tells us that oak provides us with inner strength and aids clarity.  In this wordless exchange I understood the message and I did not question it.  Reluctantly I left the oak sculpture in search of more walking and I let my mind continue its wanderings.

This walk was to set the tone for the entire week as I lost many hours with my trees.  Losing time was not the only thing I lost.  As the week unfolded I lost all the feelings of sorrow that I had felt back on the island.  I did not do this consciously and I can not tell you much about my thinking during this time.  Walking among the trees had helped me in ways I do not fully understand but I am not sure I need to understand.  In my heart the willow tree has always held pride of place as it is the tree for inspiration and intuition.  Now, however, it has to nudge to the left slightly to allow the oak to take its rightful place in my heart.  It gave me strength and, for that alone, I will be eternally grateful. 

Until tomorrow.  xx

Day 265 - a solitary bee for company. xx

Sunday 22nd September

It has been the most glorious autumn day on the island and the sun has shone for the entire time.  The honey bees are swarming my cosmos and verbena for last drops of summer while a solitary bee kept me company in the tunnel.  To come home to find sweet peas still flowering was a delight and tomatoes managing to ripen in this late sunshine.  We are lucky. 

First day back is always busy with lots of little jobs outside but my mother has done a great job keeping it all going.  I harvested blackberries quicker than my naughty dog could eat them so it will be apple and blackberry crumble for tea.  Our holiday home in Hereford was awash with fruiting trees with much of the fruit going to waste.  So we have brought some apples home as we do hate waste.  Herefordshire is a fruit growing county and I think almost every garden had at least one apple tree.  Good for them. 

The absence of Wifi did result in a lovely holiday but I do have a fair bit of writing sitting in a metaphoric pile looking right at me.  I also had more emails in my inbox than is sensible and I spent most of last night working through them.  I have not finished yet so if you are waiting for a reply from me I will get to you, I promise.  Absently going through my emails while half watching the telly I almost missed one that got me jumping.  When I began this blog one of the main purposes was to get into the discipline of writing every day.  I had been writing for a few years but it was always a bit sporadic and, thus, I failed to move forward.  If I had any ambition left in me it was to one day be able to call myself a writer.  Lurking in an email was a writing commission that will allow me to do just that.  A regular writing job that I was immediately drawn to has presented itself and I have already accepted it.  As Scottish island mum unfolded during the year my obvious passion for writing about growing through the seasons has grown and developed.  My blog has given me somewhere to park that body of knowledge.  Moving forward Scottish island mum will be changing and so I was keen to find somewhere to place this growing body of knowledge where it would be well received and appreciated.  I have now found that space.  I can't say anymore than that at the moment while details are thrashed out but I am completely thrilled. 

Over the next few days I will be doing posts that relate to my time in Herefordshire as blogging was so limited in that time.  I have taken some photographs that I do want to share as well.  Top of my list is a couple of posts that will relate to my time spent in forests and native English woods.  These were very special times and made all the better for having engaged in my rewilding challenge prior to the visits.  I am delighted to announce that the rewilding team are repeating the 30 day challenge in October so if you would like to join just click on the link.  I am in the final stages of my challenge and can safely say that it has changed the way I view myself.  Although I work outdoors I had lost touch with spending leisure time in the natural environments.  The rewilding challenge has convinced me of the importance of just being in the outdoors and I have loved every minute of it.  I will be offering a final piece at the end of the month which attempts to capture the spirit of the 30 days and my place within it. 

I am currently on the hunt for autumnal images for the launch of my new site One soul many hearts.  If you have any you would be willing to share please do get in touch.  Many thanks.  There is much to be done before October 11th but I am confident it will all be ready in time.  I said that very quietly.  I will leave you with some images from a lovely time spent in Herefordshire. 

Until tomorrow. xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 264 - a holiday is for.......xx

Saturday 21st September

Saying goodbye to Molly never gets any easier but I know that she is itching to get back to university so that helps. We dropped her off at Ledbury station very early and she will be in Lincoln by lunchtime. Meantime we will trek up the motorway and back to our island. We have had the best of holidays and Herefordshire has been very good to us.

Our final day was spent back in the city doing the necessary bits and pieces that you have to do when you live on an island with very few shops. This did include a lovely revisit to the sewing shop to purchase yet more ribbon for this years Christmas collection and some beads for my new embroidery. I have grown very fond of Hereford as it is not a big city and everything is in manageable chunks.

Herefordshire is the least populated English county and that is very evident as you travel around. It is also very appealing. Less people suits me well and if I ever left the island to live on the mainland again this area would be an option. Ross on Wye is my town and I felt very comfortable there. The Forest of Dean supplies the escape that we all need from time to time. There is an 11 mile cycle ride through the forest villages that I would like to try on my next village. With such close friends living in the area we know we shall be back quite regularly. The 16th century pub on the river the Symond Yat was an excellent watering hole and I could lose hours in there.

I like that Malvern, Worcester, Gloucester and Monmouth are all within easy striking distance and I also like that house prices are not out of control. We could, of course, live on a canal boat in the area.....

Spending the week with the family was a joy and a time to be treasured. We are fortunate to be able to holiday outside school holiday times so the time away is always very gentle and everything happens in its own time. Being without wifi was probably a good thing as it meant I worked less than I would have and feel more refreshed as a result. The plan is to get to the end of this year before taking stock on plans for 2014. The place of writing in my life has grown more and more as the year has progressed but it can't just be added on to an already busy schedule. It needs to occupy its own space now so any planning needs to take account of that.

Holidays are a good time to reflect and I have been able to see things more clearly. In a matter of a few years home school will be more or less completed and that will release a huge amount to time. George is taking his exit qualifications over the next few months before following Harry into vocational qualifications. That only leaves Max in full time home education. Although I love living in the moment I just have a sense of a future plan brewing and perhaps a final shedding of my skin. I have also come to understand my illness more and can see where my frustration lies. If I am too sedentary my body seizes up and if I exercise to prevent that happening it is very painful. I can, therefore, understand why so many sufferers end up in a wheel chair. The seizing up isn't painful. I have never taken an easy route in my life so I have no intention to doing so now. Living my life in a wheelchair would not only be a burden on everyone else but would also be very dull. I don't do dull either so the plan is clear.

I think holidays are useful things to do and this one has been particularly useful. Scottish island mum has only a few short months to run and then I will have achieved what I set out to achieve - a blog post every day for a year. As Harry said to me recently, 'that was quite a challenge you set for yourself.' Indeed it was.

Until tomorrow. Xx

Day 263 - simply enchanting. Xx

Friday 20th September

This holiday has been defined by trees and forests and yesterday possibly topped it all. We went to a small wood that was completely enchanting and magical and we all feel in love with it. I want to do a piece dedicated to it with the photographs I have to share so I won't say too much at this stage. It was beyond question that iconic dramas like Merlin and King Arthur were filmed there and you can feel the magic round every corner and through every root. I have been in the tree tops this week but this visit was among the twisted roots that crept along the paths asking us to gently walk within them. The hour we spent in that wood was lost in time and place and the silence was, at times, quite deafening.

The rest of the day was spent in the very pretty town of Ledbury. This town has done an amazing job of holding onto is uniqueness and it should be congratulated. It has also resisted the march of the charity shops with just one or two taking their rightful place. Ledbury is a very old town and the Tudor buildings dominate as they assert themselves on the landscape. I am not a fan of Tudor buildings but Ledbury looks all the better for their place. Off the main street you discover the most exquisite cobbled paths leading to yet more Tudor courtyards and it is an absolute delight. The shops are often unique and the family spent a lovely hour investigating traditional sweet shops, cider shops and unusual gift shops. I found a good copy of the ladybird book about the Lord's Prayer that I will cherish for a while before passing on.

We managed to seek out a cafe with wifi and caught up with the world for an hour. In the market street cafe I tasted the best cup of coffee I have ever had. Well done them! We have all coped well without wifi and had the best of holidays. With our last day we are back to hereford for some last minute shopping before supper with our dear friends. We drop Molly at Ledbury station early Saturday before the joyous trip up the motorway and island bound. Of course we shall miss Molly, as always, but it is time she returned to university and all her friends. The boys have their studies to continue and I have a stack of writing waiting to be completed. I think this holiday has been about fresh air, walking and trees and lots of time together which is always so very precious.

I have managed to keep up with my rewilding challenge while on holiday so my growing commitment to becoming a bohemian wild chick remains in tact. I am in light discussion with Pete about a space in the trees and also an extension for my studio. And we have some more walking planned. It might not be in beautiful old English forests but we shall be swapping them for the drama of the coast and the lochs perched high on the island that is our home.

Until tomorrow. Xx

Day 262 - skyward moments. Xx

Thursday 19th September

I have had a pair of Buzzards keep me company every morning while I drink my morning tea and reflect on the events of the day before and anticipate the day ahead. Their flight patterns have been quite captivating as they glide on the thermals and soar up high before turning to pursue a a different direction. These skyward patterns have become the metaphor for my week as it has been punctuated with skyward moments before travelling on to visit new destinations. It is in the skyward moments that I remain suspended and perhaps the ultimate experience of the week was a quiet moment in Hereford Cathedral.

Max and I always light a candle in memory of my father. My father never knew Max so it is our way of connecting the two souls and it is always such a peaceful and knowing moment. Yesterday we decided to light two candles; one for my father and one for my dear friend Paul who passed away quite recently. Max took up his candle for his grandad lighting it before placing in in the holder and stepping back to suspend the moment. Meanwhile I lit Paul's candle and went to place it in the holder but with no success. So I moved it along to the next holder but with still no success. If I had left it in that holder it would have fallen over so I moved to the next and so on. This little ritual went on for quite some time as Paul's candle refused to find a home.

Eventually a home was found and I stepped back smiling inside and out. One of the things I loved most about Paul is that he had an enormous capacity to think out of the box so I was not surprised that his candle took its own time to find a home. But once a holder had been found that the candle liked it shone the brightest of all the candles and I smiled even more. Good for Paul.

So my skyward moment in the cathedral was drenched in a sense of knowing another soul very well. Even when the soul has departed the connection and the knowing remains and that is such a comfort. Hereford cathedral was a delight and a very contented hour followed wandering and appreciating the stories around every corner. I have a passion for stained glass windows and the examples in this cathedral took my breath away. The building is to be recommended for a visit and I ended my time there in quiet contemplation.

There are signs that Hereford is rising from the ashes of the recession and that is so uplifting to see. New developments are underway and there is a real sense of anticipation. I love that the city has held onto its small independent shops and not completely sold out to the chain stores. Church street is to be recommended for a gentle stroll as it is packed full of lovely little shops. There was even one empty that would do me quite nicely......

Today we have two options to present to the children and, typically, I want to do both. The first is to visit part of the Forest of Dean where they have used willow trees to create tunnels and natural sculptures for an engaging walk. It is also where Merlin was filmed so the boys may well opt for this option. The second option is to visit the town of Ledbury which is awash with independent shops and a traditional print maker's studio to visit. It is also blessed with a natural Heath on the outskirts that boast some serious conker trees. You see the dilemma?

Just to confuse further this post might not be posted until tomorrow if I can't find any wifi. What will be will be.

Until tomorrow. Xx

Day 261 - A true sense of being. xx

Wednesday 18th September

I spent a lovely couple of hours in the local library studying the history of the Forest of Dean. The imprint of the history accompanied me on my walk on Monday but I wasn't sure why. Now I know why.

I was right to be curious because the history of the forest is, perhaps, what defines it. I felt very much in a world cut off from the rest and that would appear to be how the forest has been viewed through time. Traditionally, a source of oak for the English navel ships the forest industry was established layered with enormous feelings of pride.

The forest workers were known to be tough souls and not ones to mix beyond the confines of the trees. When mining began and took hold in the 19th century still the pride remained. The forest economy was booming but on the backs of men whose daily work schedules would test the best of us. Micro industries like charcoal extraction came and went but still they worked and still the pride deepened.

I came across more than one story about outsiders who ventured into the forest and committed cromes against some of the community. The response from the rest of the community was immediate and frightening. The foresters own justice took hold and the stories that unfolded ensured less and less outsiders entered the forest. I felt that as I walked. I could feel a chill round a shadowed corner and felt my pace quicken in response. I had wondered whether I felt this as I was walking alone but now I understand the sense of presence brooding against the old oak tree or hiding behind a holly bush.

Mother Nature softens the experience as the early autumn edibles makes their show and the books are full of references to the spring bluebells. Foxgloves romped across the shady edges in the summer as the leaf canopies spread their natural and very definite stories. Today the forest is a pull for tourists but also the film crews for historical dramas like Merlin. You do expect to hear horse hooves thundering up behind you at any time. The forest now celebrates its industrial past with sculptures to tell the tale. However stunning some of the sculptures, it is the deep and authentic sense of history you feel as you walk the paths. Having changed boundaries constantly through history the Forest of Dean is often referred to as a country in itself and I can quite believe that. Once you emerge from the forest you can't help feeling that you have left something behind. Was it the harsh voice from an angered forester as you trespass his land? It may well be but whatever it is you know you will be back one day.

When I return I will understand the test of the forest more keenly and appreciate the sculptures that tell their own historical tales. I already understand that the moment spent with the woodpecker and the half second of light on the willow as it rippled the pond is only part of the story. The rest is told by the people who lived a hard but deeply belonging life. In my studies on the concept of belonging I have accidently stumbled on a true and integral sense of belonging that is contained by physical boundaries but also expressed through historical rhetoric. I am glad I took the time to study the forest and converted vague feelings into known tales that, I doubt, I will ever forget.

Day 260 - a little wander. Xx

Tuesday 17th September

I am in the middle of a gentle wander around Ross on Wye finding myself by myself again!  The family are, I hope, flinging themselves off things from great heights.  I have had a lovely morning though so I mustn't grumble.  It began with a visit to the very old church which was a delight.  Although not a Christian I do find churches very peaceful places and it is always a chance to sit quietly and think of my father.  He was certainly not religious but strangely I feel closest to him in these environments.

A wander down the town and I spied and art shop.  Oh dear!  Quite a while later I emerged with more bits and pieces for my Christmas collection this year.  I must have been in there a while because they gave me a membership card.  I could now live here with my art shop membership and my library card.  I do love the area and Ross on Wye is my size of town.  I am so looking forward to my riverside walk later before meeting back up with the family.

We all watched the film Senna last night and if you haven't seen it you really must.  It was an amazing story about a man against himself.  He was beyond driven and beyond help.  But he was the greatest FI driver I have ever witnessed and I loved every minute of his journey.  I was watching the Grand Prix with my dad when the fatal accident happened.  We were silent and then my dad said 'that is it, his journey is over.'  It was the perfect thing to say at the perfect time.  Senna wouldn't have been able to retire from racing and live a more normal life.  The accident was his destiny.  All we could do was watch and mourn the most talented of men.  The film pulls together footage from his early days in karting right up to the accident and it is a story to end all stories.  We loved it.

I am off to the library now to access the local texts about the area because I am curious.  Posting my blog tomorrow may be impossible given our plans but I will write as always and post the following day.  The weather is being kind to us and I am sleeping really well and feeling fabulous.  Perhaps I will move here!

Until tomorrow.  Xx

Day 259 - A glorious day. xx

Monday 16th September

I now find myself sitting in Ross on Wye library such is the glory of modern technology. The computer feels like it belongs to a different time zone but all is not lost because a rather sexy biker has just rocked up next to me!

I am loving this little corner of the world and this morning I walked the entire length of the Forest of Dean Sculpture Park which was 4.5 miles long. I also managed it on my own and without a stick so I am feeling pretty pleased with myself! This was my task while the rest of my family threw themselves off high wires with Go Ape. Unbeknown to me though Go Ape was closed for a training day and my family spent hours looking for me! Oh dear. I had indicated that I would do the shorter trail so when they couldn'f find me on it they were rather worried. When I had got to the end of the shorter trail I thought I could do the longer distance so just kept going. They were convinced I wouln't be on that trail. So, I surprised them and I think I surprised myself as well. It was a glorious walk through the shadows and shafts of light and the mix of native trees were such a delight to behold.

I know very little about the history of the forest so that is something to research tomorrow morning while my family have attempt number two at the flinging thing. The sulptures were a mix of successful and unsuccessful pieces but the large hanging of stained glass was one of the most impressive. I obviously can't show photos at the moment but plan to make a photographic journal of the walk to post when I am back home. For the most part I walked on my own with only the sounds of the forest for company. I am quite sure that is the way for me. I feel most connected when I am alone with Mother Nature. I am reading two books at the same time at the moment focusing on the issue of belonging and so far I disagree with both of the thesis established at the beginning of each book. I think they both miss the point, or at least how the point refers to me. For me belonging is a sense of a deep and sustained connection with the natural world and it is nothing more or less than that. The simplicity of my thesis does rather lay it open to criticism but I am not sure I care. There was a moment today when I heard a very faint knocking sound so I stood still. A few seconds of rustling later and the knocking sound was much closer. A woodpecker had grown as curious about me as I was about him. So I stood and he knocked and, in that moment, that deep connection took root and all was at peace in my world.

Eventually, I moved away in search of new experiences and soundscapes. There are several glades to visit and just sit for a while as the light dazzles you through the trees. A high viewing platform over a pond provided those silent moments as a willow branch drops its leaves in the water and makes the smallest of ripples. The forest floor was a mass of edibles and I quite expected to see a few squirrels but they must have been elsewhere. The trees here are just on the turn and I love the early autumn colours and the bright sunshine. I loved every step of the walk even when the signs took me off the trail and I couldn't find my way back. I just waited until a dog walker came along to direct me back.

Almost at the end of the walk I turned a corner to see Pete coming towards me with a very worried looking expression. I felt awful when he told me the story of his morning but I must admit nothing spoiled the joy of the experience or the sense of achievement it gave me. I shall visit the trail again one day just to see the bits that I am sure I missed.

We pottered around in Ross on Wye which is a delightful little town on a beautiful river and we really began to feel that we are on holiday. I love that feeling when the tension truly escapes from your shoulders. Coffee and cake in a gorgrous tea room and gallery and then off the find the library to blog. Harry has taken the family off to find a supermarket as he is cooking tonight. Excellent.

So, a good day for me at least and the rest of them will have their day tomorrow and I shall come back to the library to do some research on this area. With a bit of luck I shall manage a blog post tomorrow as well.

Until tomorrow. xx

Day 258 - Living in the tees. xx

Sunday 15^th September

 

We are up in the trees in the mot interesting of houses.  Firstly, it is huge as a result of being a converted stable block and secondly the rooms are all arranged in an odd way.  Three bedrooms are off a mezzanine level overlooking the vast sitting room complete with original wooden flooring.  I have found a writing room off the kitchen in the conservatory where I am sitting among the trees.  Below the house is an old stable yard with trees planted on its boundary.  The house towers above this year so as I write I have the tree tops for company.  Sometimes life is about perspective and this has instantly provided a provocative perspective.  I somehow feel more important! 

 

The promised Wifi isn’t working so that will make daily posting problematic.  I will do what I can to get everything posted online but, regardless, I will write daily as always.  I rather think this rather random approach to online positing will sum up my week.  Is it possible to live in an odd house and not view the world differently?  This will be an excellent experiment in text and context.  If the context is the house and the text is the way we live for the week the question is what is the relationship?  The house is full of fabulous old paintings and furniture while modern life has also been provided.  I already like the juxtaposition but you will find me leaning against the aga in the kitchen most of the time thinking about being up with the trees.  You just know I am wondering whether it would be possible to build a space in the trees back on Hazelbank!  I dare not even whisper that in Pete’s company!

 

The views towards Wales are stunning and I think we have found a lovely corner of the world.  I will do a full review of this little corner for my page ‘Corners of the World’ on my new site One soul many hearts.  It might not be that far off the beaten track but it does have something very special about it.  With the motorway connection from the M5 closed we had to come through Malvern and Ledbury and with the turn of the season the trees and the views were spellbinding.  I am already thinking that autumn is one of the very best time to visit. 

 

I think I should, at this stage, make a little confession about an obsession.   I am completely and utterly obsessed with conkers and at this time of year I get far too over excited for a woman of my age.  We have a series of inter-family conker competitions which mean that long hours must disappear in the quest to find the perfect conker for the right competition.  Year after year we somehow all get drawn into this rather odd family endeavour and it seems to get more competitive as each year passes.  There are strict rules that govern the competitions with the most important being that we are only allowed to search and retrieve conkers from the ground.  There is no throwing sticks at branches allowed in our family.  My personal frustration is that every day George finds the smallest perfect conker and I am not sure how he does that.  We collect very secretly squirreling away our finds into deep pockets before others can see what we have gathered.  We only declare at strategic points and the competition is fierce.  I can tell you that we saw too many conker trees for me to possibly keep calm yesterday and today the wind is blowing at conker releasing speed! 

 

We are off to spend some time with friends for lunch in Hereford but I sense the odd little detour to investigate the ground below one or two conker trees.  It is very important to learn to play in the forest.  Tomorrow we shall have a day playing in the forest and you can not imagine the games we have built into our family traditions. 

So, my holiday in the trees has begun and I will post updates at every opportunity I can but apologies in advance if the posting is a little random. 

 

Until tomorrow.  xx