Moments of Calm

We are currently in the midst of decorating.  Thankfully on this occasion we are not doing it ourselves, we have decorators in.  This is very good as it is long overdue and will result in some lovely clean fresh rooms.  However as you will appreciate any form of decorating is disruptive.  No matter how many rooms are being decorated, the whole house seems to become affected.  Possessions and furniture from those being painted piled into those which are not.  So coming home does not feel especially calm at the moment.

Thankfully I have been able to find much needed moments of calm in other places this week.

Pensthorpe Nature Reserve

Pensthorpe is a nature reserve in Norfolk, made famous in recent years as the setting for the BBC’s spring watch.  It is  a large open space inhabited by all manner of wildlife but especially birds.  I was there a few days ago with my mum.   We had a lovely time with some gentle meandering around the wetlands, watching the birds come and go.  It wasn’t the warmest of days, and being mid week there weren’t too many other folk around, so lots of the time we felt like we had the whole reserve to ourselves. Daffodils were in full bloom and blossom ( a little behind ours in London) was just starting to burst through.  We had a lovely few peaceful ours surrounded by wildlife and the nature.

On The Black Hill by Bruce Chatwin

I had never read anything by Bruce Chatwin before so this came as a lovely surprise.  On the Black Hill is the story of twins growing up on a hill farm on the borders of England and Wales.  Bruce Chatwin clearly has a wonderful affinity with the natural world.  His descriptions of the harsh lifestyle set against an even harsher landscape where the natural elements regularly confront its inhabitants are evidence of that.  This was a relaxing read, and one I found myself looking forward to every evening.

Westbourne Garden Square

I wrote about this square in my feature a couple of days ago on London’s Garden Squares.  I was in Westbourne Garden Square on Friday (escaping the decorators) and it really was a time of tranquility.  Warm sunshine, gentle light, spring flowers and blossom and barely another soul to be seen.  Just what was needed.

Whatever your plans for the week may you know good times and moments of calm.