A Misty Mevagissey

During half term we visited my childhood home and of course this trip wouldn't be complete without a visit to the sea.  It renews my being and feeds my soul.  It's so strange - I literally feel a wave of calmness come over me.  The weather wasn't fantastic which meant that a beach wasn't the best idea - so we chose a local harbour - Mevagissey for our jaunt.  

In the inner harbour the boats were literally jostling for space.  They were moored up in their over wintering positions protected from the worst of the winter weather ahead.  Some of the little boats were lined up like soldiers in smart lines yet with different uniforms; their design, colour and size all varied.  We love to look out for boat names which often have meaning like 'Our Dream' or 'Sea Breeze'.  Little Lady found a boat with her christian name and was completely delighted.

The still water in the inner harbour reflected those beautiful colours even though the sun was nowhere to be seen.  It was such a grey, misty wet day yet there was so much colour and texture around to enjoy.

The outer harbour below was less packed but the mist was much more pronounced.  There were a couple of large (expensive) yachts moored up alongside the little fishing boats.  I do enjoy looking back towards land from an outer harbour wall.  The dwellings look nestled in so efficiently to the shape of the landscape.  They literally mould to the shape of the cliffs where people must have originally dug out a home straight into the side of the port.

This house in particular fills me with wonder.  I don't know much of the history of this architecture but it looks old and original!!  I love it for its quirkiness.  Many of the houses are largely covered in Cornish slate - partly because it is a local material and partly because it protects the surface from the attack of the salty elements.  The harbourside is like a jigsaw, carefully fitting its pieces into the slopes around the sea.




This cormorant was drying himself with his wings outstretched.  I'm not sure if this action actually dried him on this occasion - by this point the weather had deteriorated to 'Cornish Mizzle' - a mix of mist and drizzle which is ridiculously efficient at making anyone or anything very wet!!

Although the weather deteriorated we did enjoy our little visit to the Cornish seaside.  The little aquarium has been recently refitted and entry is by donation so that experience added to our enjoyment.  As did the delicacy of Cornish ice cream - to be relished even on a cold, autumn, misty wet day... Why not?!

Why not indeed.

J9 x

Date Day: Coffee & Crutches

The Hubby and I managed to squirrel away some 'us' time after dropping the children in to school this week.  Although his achilles is improving he is still on crutches and so we look like a right pair together and it means that we needed to choose something simple for our Date Day.

Coffee with a view was the obvious choice.  At the sea front the tide was out and the little fishing boats looked like they had been lulled to sleep on their sides in the autumn sunshine.

The sand sparkled as the sun hit the surface and whilst we sat sipping our coffee in the unusually warm sun, I did feel extremely content with our simple life.  I needed that moment - to refocus ourselves on what is important; to try not to worry about what we can't change and be fully present and appreciative of this goodness.

It's been a strange time at present with my health and continuing searches for additional diagnosis.  I have decided to just go with it and not worry.  I have had these symptoms for a good while and a label will not change the reality so I'm trying to be more relaxed about the process.  

Coffee and a chat can help reestablish perspective - and great company and a good view doesn't hurt either!!  Thank you all for your kind comments and wishes for my health.  I'm alive and happy just struggling a little with pain at present but this is nothing new.  All will be well.

I do so hope all will be well with you all too,

J9 x

Beautiful Blue

I find the beauty in nature is sometimes breathtaking; colour, texture and pattern are so inspiring.  There are moments when I can see such beauty, appreciate it and move on and there are others when I literally just want to drink it up.

My Father developed this enthusiasm in me - awe in the miracle of the world.  I feel very connected spiritually when I am emerged in the outdoors.  It makes me feel alive and part of something wonderful yet at the same time a small part of a much wider picture.

Growing up... the sea was always my go to place - whatever I was feeling the sea re-centred me.  It's power, energy and beauty I find awesome - and the colours are my favourite tones in the world - from deep blues to emerald greens to turquoise.  They do feed my soul.

The colours in this Beautiful Blue made me feel so immensely happy.

The deep jewel colours set against the back drop of autumnal browns was outstanding and perhaps even more beautiful because of this contrast.  He was tame too so fed from the children's hands, which of course they LoVED.

Enough to make my heart literally sing.  

Simple Things.

Hope you are finding colour in your part of the world,
J9 x

Delightful Dressing Up

As a family, we don't normally embrace Halloween as an occasion beyond sculpting pumpkins and eating too many sweet things!  This year however, the children were desperate to dress up and had even practiced their costumes (and face paints) a month early to extend the fun!!  "Trick or Treating" is not encouraged in our neighbourhood so we were happy to join in a local organised party where the children paraded with pumpkin lanterns around the grounds of a hotel - largely under the dark of night - which my Littlie's found extremely exciting!

The excitement of dressing up combined with being out in the darkness with other children meant that they enjoyed the experience immensely.  It was lovely to see this innocent and harmless celebration of Halloween.  Just an excuse to dress up and eat sweets...

The hotel staff had sculpted a pumpkin each and you could vote for your favourite.  It was very inspiring actually - I need to put more effort in to mine next year!!  The top three in the collage below were our favourite pumpkin designs completed by the staff and the bottom row is our own little pumpkin display.

We sculpted these whilst down in Cornwall, where photos of our previous efforts hang on the wall prompting nostalgia in us all.  I love to listen to my children converse whilst sculpting at the dining table in my childhood home:

"Look... I did a friendly one last year" (LM)

'Oh yeah...' (LL)

"I'm gonna make him more scary this year.  But not too scary.  He can still smile and be scary... right?" (LM)''

So SWEET!  

Take care 'til next time!
J9 x