My Morning: Inspiration and Friendship

I sit in contemplation
Willing it to grace me with its presence
The harder I try the more it retreats and fades away
Tension slams the swing doors shut
A decision made, space is needed

At home in the mud and rain
Open air soothes a creased brow
A path is trodden in anticipation
To tea, coffee, cold toes, warm hearts
To the joy of sharing time with such a gentle soul

Stillness in Solitude

My Adventure in Wonderland

We leave the house early to walk the short route to the bus stop. Libby, fairly new to this life and conditioned by societies fear of the unknown, looks out into the darkness from the warmth and familiarity with some trepidation. She sees the infinite blackness and hears the force of the howling wind and the heaviness of the rain. She looks to me for reassurance. I communicate it to her without words, a smile and the eyes can say so much more, far more eloquently and in a fraction of the time.
The unknown is so often far less ominous than we imagine and more often than not, very rewarding, even life changing. To venture into what is not known, with some caution but openness, is to fill your heart with the excitement that comes with knowing that you are about to learn something new, that you are going to evolve as a person through a new experience. See life as an adventure and you will really see things thus gaining an insight, big or small, with every experience.With every insight you learn something, so evolve.
So with adventure in mind, Libby and I, wrapped up, feeling comforted and protected step out into the darkness.......

This morning it is different, outside there is peace and calm. The darkness is still. There is no trepidation as we step into the darkness this time. We cross the dewy grass, through the silence. We step past the gate into the open and Libby stops, she stands still, her whole being stares in awe and wonder of the rising sun's angelic  glow. I smile with a mixture of delight at sharing such an inspiring moment with someone so close and the relief and gladness at witnessing their openness and awareness of them connecting with such beauty. We stand and gawp like love struck teenagers may gawp at their idols, watching the wondrous colours of the sky change and move.
As Libby steps into the warmth of the bus I wave, I willingly and lovingly give her a part of me that goes with her. Now it is time for me to wander in My Wonderland.
Within my chest are those feelings of anticipation and excitement that precede an adventure, an experience not yet known or remembered. Even though a route taken many times, each time it is perceived and seen differently, creating a whole new experience.

Through the movement of my body and awareness of my senses I experience my physical, through my muses and reflections I experience my mind and through the freedom of expression I experience my spirit.

The Early Signs of Spring and the Deep Fragrance of Freedom

Day Two

A day of walking through the steep, precarious mountains of Dirty Dishes and the soft, curvy hills of Dirty Washing.

Day One

The day after the celebrations
Reality still hazy and tilted
The body shaking and unsteady
Sensible boots, hats and coats
We walk a path of mud, rain and fresh air
We share, talk and listen, connecting
The perfect tonic

My Moon

Two Worlds

Expectations hover and follow
Lists to remind and tick off
The joy and sense of a reality the falling rain brings
The inner smile at having wet legs and dripping hair
From a world of the elements, a place of life
Into a world piled high with stuff
The colours and shapes of lifeless objects
A maze of plastic crap
From a world of vibrant energy
To a world of confusion and anxiety

Sharing My Wonderland

A route usually walked on my own
The pleasure of sharing my wonders with an open heart
A new set of eyes
The freedom and imagination of youth
Unseen wonders found and enjoyed

Our 25 Mile Walk to the Full Moon

Coverack to Cury
12 hours and 25 miles
12 noon to 12 midnight
Half day, half night
Torches and moonlight
Blisters and plasters
Mud and rock
Sand and pebbles
Blue sky and grey sky
Orange sky and pink sky
A map and signs
Silence and chatter
Sunshine and showers
Calmness and breeziness
Sweaty and chilly
Rainbows and rain clouds
Poles and gloves
Hats and hair
Stomping and chilling
Sketchbooks and pencils
Bananas and nuts
Mango and crisps
Paths and no paths
Slips and stumbles
Oh fucks and oh shits
Wet feet and dry feet
Anxiety and contentment
Sculptures and kissing gates
Stiles and stepping stones
Mushrooms and molehills
Gorse and heather
Cattle and ponies
Amazing and exhilarating
Tiring and inspiring
The edge and the abyss
Hot tea and pills
Awe and fear
Imagination and reality
Jelly legs and aching shoulders
Encouragement and friendship
Smiling and more smiling


And can't forget.........

Knicker chafe and hysterical laughing! 

Shoes that let the Water in

It is another wet and windy day, it is beautiful. I was being tugged in two directions, between the place to do some work and the place of open spaces and the fresh cold wind. I knew that if I spend some time in one I would settle in the other without distraction. I did not feel the urge to flog myself today so chose to walk instead of run. Normally on such a wet day I would reach for the sturdy, sensible, waterproof walking boots but decided to go with my running/walking shoes. They are not waterproof so let the water in but are lightweight and allow me move with a quicker pace and more confidence because I can feel the ground under my feet. It was actually quite nice to feel the cold muddy water oozing in and soaking my socks, cooling my warm, always slightly sore feet, this was a quick march not a pleasant meander. How many of these little yet pleasing experiences do we miss out on because of the need to keep wrapped up and waterproof? Do we lose a connection with something essential? Surely we need to let the water in a little?