On being surprised by joy

Close up of a beautiful coral pink flower - London Pride

The thing we don’t expect in times of significant shift or transition is joy. Or colour when we think that everything is dying back. Or a sense of overwhelming relief when we finally let go of something that has shaped us in the past. Yet, along with the realisation that we are not alone – … Read more

Delighting in the abundance of nature

delighting-in-the-abundance-of-nature

The riotous abundance of buttercups on the old paths underneath the old trees expands each year. Re-wilding gives nature a chance to breathe. NATURE’S OFFERING Beautiful spacecreates beautifulspace createslife createscolour createshope. + Sue Heatherington Pause. See differently. Re-story 🌿

And here comes the colour

and-here-comes-the-colour

I am blown away by the vibrancy of the greens in the valley this spring. More than I remember in previous years, there’s brightness and nuance as I wander the green paths. Yet, it also takes light to bring the colours alive. And maybe that’s why the greens are more green, and the yellows are … Read more

Lines for autumn

lines-for-autumn

I’ve been waiting to share these delightful few lines from Gideon Heugh for a while. And now is the time. Enjoy the smile. LINES FOR AUTUMN Leaves make their golden turnunhurried,then in cooler airwaltz to the damp groundand in sweet-scented crowdmake happinessfor wellington boots. + Gideon Heugh, from Devastating Beauty, 2018

The colours are different this year

the-colours-are-different-this-year

Have you noticed the colours are different this year? Autumn here in the valley has arrived. Seeping across the landscape rather than splashing about like a toddler with a paintbrush. And the greens. Vibrant, verdant greens announce there’s still life here. When usually, the greens are tired and dried, looking forward to the rest of … Read more

On the riotous celebration of autumn

on-the-riotous-celebration-of-autumn

No season is as lush as autumn. What colours and what abundance! We couldn’t even dream it up if we tried. And when the sun shines, there is a riot of richness at every turn. We feast on the sights and smells, knowing that this harvest will replenish our souls for the months ahead.

Looking for light

looking-for-light

Wandering up the valley in early evening, I was looking for light. It wasn’t that dark, but I was curious to see what changed as the sun’s angle dropped. Tones shifted, contrasts became clearer and normally obscure vegetation had the limelight for brief moments. And as I looked around, I realised that the whole colour-scape … Read more