Reunion and cake

Last Saturday I went to our first ever school reunion. I wasn't sure what to expect and I had mixed feelings about it but I'm so glad I went. It was fun to catch up with friends but meeting people I haven't seen in over 20 years was really interesting. The apparent bunch of strangers that stood at the bar on my arrival gradually seemed to transform before my eyes until I could see the people they were when we were at school.

Today I participated in the world's biggest coffee morning in aid of Macmillan. Inspired by my sister who has done it for 13 years I thought it was about time I gave it a go and a good excuse to get the lovely old tea cups out that once belonged to my Nan. With some family, friends and friendly neighbours we raised cash for a great cause and ate far too much cake!

It has been quite fun sharing my experiences online and some of the feedback I have got has been really beautiful and inspiring. Thank you so much. 



Autumn adventures

Since Autumn term has started I have been trying to make the most of any days I have with Luke and we've been on a few small but beautiful adventures...

The stunning Abbotsbury gardens where if you make the effort you can view what appears to be the whole of Chesil beach as it stretches in either direction or like Luke you may prefer the canons, large koi carp and the play park.

If you pay a small donation at the RSPB centre at Radipole Nature Reserve you can get a bag of bird seed. Both Luke and I had fun feeding the various ducks, enormous cygnets and other visiting birds while keeping watch for the kingfisher that has been seen in this area. I even had a duck trying to get the seed from my hand before the pigeons got it!

We have just spent a sunny morning at Upwey as we went to see the Wishing Well, water gardens and the gorgeous gallery. Although the well is in a gloomier part of the garden it felt magical and mysterious and the water was so clean. I saw a flash of bright blue as a small bird whipped past us along the river, I'm pretty certain that I had at last glimpsed the elusive kingfisher. Luke loved the watching the water and crossing the bridges and we were both reluctant to leave.



The Get Away

Camping in September is a gamble but then camping in this country is always a gamble...

We put our new tent up in the dark, damp evening in what seemed to be the start of a hurricane. I was trying to reassure my son Luke that everything was OK while praying that we would not take off like a parachute in the wild and rampaging night!

Amazingly enough the wind settled down and we slept soundly til morning.

The few short days away were wind blown but the rain stayed away in the daylight hours. I grabbed my camera when the sunshine poured its way through the blustery skyline. There were random highlights including a fantastic bowl of donated chips, a hastily assembled team to get our tent standing, family time in an amazing setting, seeing the buzz my son got from being on a boat and a roaring fire quelled by the rain.

There was also a massive appreciation of home comforts on our return.

Last days of Summer

Making new friends in Devon

With the ladies in Bath

Beautiful Abbotsbury

 
 I can hardly believe it's September already. I want to cling to the last remnants of summer and yet the days seem to slide by so quickly. I have enjoyed living in the moment with my adventurous companion (Luke, my two and a half year old son). We didn't venture far but we had fun. I even managed to step out of the county a couple of times; a few days in the friendly embrace of Devon and a day inspired by the wonder of Bath.

As the darkness of the evenings rolls in faster and a chill is in the air, I need to remind myself...

What do I love about Autumn again?!