First post in 2012

I've been trying to get back to my blog for weeks!  I finally managed this evening and was horrified to find it's been 2 months since I've written anything on here.  The number of people, I was pleasantly surprised to see from my stats, seems to have increased hugely over the last month which is massively encouraging.  So big apology to anyone who is checking out my blog on a regular basis and I promise to do better............

Writing regularly is one of the things I'm going to make a much bigger effort to do this year.  Talking of this year - can anyone believe we're already at the end of January!
I don't know whether it's my age (my mother says I'm at the age where time will be going faster - according to her once I retire it'll start to slow down again so I'll be clinging to this rapidly speeding train for at least another 12 years before I can look forward to having the time to catch my breath!)

Well - in my last post I was just starting to think about Christmas.  True to form, I ended up wrapping most of my presents late Christmas eve, even leaving a few until after Christmas.  You know, the ones for family and friends you're seeing after the actual 'big day' for another 'big day'. 
But once again I had a great Christmas and wonderful time with my family.  My daughter and son-in-law were great hosts, we spent a fabulous couple of days all together, laughing, eating great homemade food, playing games and just enjoying each others company.

But that was a month ago, everyone is back home and back to work and the new year is well under way.

I'm not a great one for making new year resolutions  - like most people I end up breaking them before the end of January. But I promised myself some time ago that I would work on making more time in my life for just being with people.  It's so easy to say 'I haven't got the time' and get caught up with work, church, housework (OK - I can hear my daughter laughing her head off at that one as housework is my number one pet hate). I do what I have to do and most people who visit me don't run screaming from the flat in terror so I guess it's fairly clean and tidy........most of the time........well, some of the time.............ok, ok, occasionally.......when I know someone is coming and I fly round like a demented Mary Poppins (without the magic tricks.)  
Anyway, I digress  - my point is the dust, clothes not hung up and a bit of general untidiness will always be there.  Precious friends and family won't so, I would rather have a bit of a messy flat, or leave a few things undone at work than miss an evening with a few friends enjoying their company, or offering a shoulder to cry on, or planning a family get together. Those times are what real treasure is all about.

So I'm pleased to say I've made a pretty good start.  I've met up with girlfriends the last couple of weekends for coffee or lunch (or both!), arranged to visit my brother for a weekend in February and even made some new friends after going to a 'singles' lunch last week. I did feel sorry for the one lone 30 year old man who turned up.  He got a bit of a baptism of fire with half a dozen very strong 40/50 year old women -the phrase 'rabbit caught in the headlights' sprang to mind as I caught sight of him at the end of the table.  But I think he survived and might even enjoy having a few older opinionated women giving him the benefit of their experience.....

Well, it's Sunday evening and as most of my 'regular' readers know I normally write in the mornings so this is a short, yes I'm still here post before I hit the sack ready for another week at the office.

Hope you've all had a great start to 2012
God bless and I'll be back soon
Jules x

Glorious time of the year

This is going to be one of those quick 'Hi, how is everyone' as I really should be getting ready for work  - and this is the second time I've started this post in the last week!
When I startd this the sun was still shining and like most people I'm sure I couldn't quite believe the amazing weather we were experiencing.  Having got organised and put all my summer clothes back in their box, shook out my autumn jumpers and found my gloves I needed to raid my boxes for summer tops and sandals!  But it was worth it. Sitting weekend before last with my brother enjoying a coffee outside a little Italian restaurant in Wellingborough, soaking up the sun and enjoying the beautiful autumn colours so vibrant in the sunlight. 


I played a concert that Saturday night with friends - light classical music, which was enjoyed by all, including us performers.  I've just heard today we raised over £1000 for the Bromham Elementary School in Wardhannapet in India so we are all delighted and I'd like to say a big thank you to those who came and supported us.  Watch out for more concerts in the future.


On Sunday we visited a friend in her new home and then on to my daughter's for a fantastic Sunday roast.


What struck me most about the whole weekend was the people. The food was lovely,the scenery spectactular and the weather amazing.  But the best part of all was sharing those things with people.  Some were family, some friends and some complete strangers. Like the owner of the restaurant who we spent a long time chatting to and found out he is a well travlled man with lots of interesting stories to tell.  Or the elderly gentleman sitting on the seat who was happy to have his picture taken (my brother is an enthusiastic and talented photographer).  He loved it when I said I'd post him a copy for his family and my brother has already printed a copy off. Or the ladies in the haberdashery shop who couldn't believe how wondrful a simple basket of woollooked as a photo with it's amazing variey of colour.

Anyway as I said since then I just haven't had time to finish the post as I've had another wonderful weekend away with my church family.  100+ of us went to a beautiful hotel in Bucks and had a fantastic time together - from 8 months, to 80. Will tell you more about that next time and also get some piccies uploaded. 
Going to quickly get this posted now before people think I've disappeared of the face of the earth!

God bless and hope you're not finding the inevitable autumnal air too chilly
Luv
Jules xx 

Enjoying a few simple pleasures

I had such a great morning today I just felt compelled to sit down and write.  I’ve been very conscious that once again it’s been about 3 weeks since I had the time to compose a blog post.  And to manage that I had to take 2 weeks off work!

Haven’t got that luxury at the moment but I did decide to have some time to myself this weekend to get on top of a few things.  I’ve got some big commitments in the next few weeks and needed to get myself organised. My friends and colleagues who know me reasonably well think I’m a fairly organised person but like the proverbial swan – all serene and calm on the surface, my family and friends who really know me can testify to the frantic, mad paddling that goes on most of the time in my life!

But hey, I always seem to get there in the end and always deliver when I’ve made a commitment to someone so as the song goes I just get on and ‘Do it myyyyyyyyyyyy waaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy’. (imagine me belting that out, arms outstretched, hairbrush microphone in hand aka Shirley Bassey.....get the picture???.............)

Talking of belting it out, the reason I’ve had such a great morning is I’ve been practicing for my performance next Sunday at the Bromham Show (near Bedford if you fancy a lovely day out).  Now it may not be Wembley Arena (did you see Rock Choir last night – fantastic!) but it may as well be to me.  I love playing, I enjoy performing for others (for those who’ve not read my earlier blogs I play trumpet and flugel) but I have to admit the nerves do get to me.  Which isn’t too handy being a brass player as it makes my mouth go dry (not good as you need the spit!) and my breathing can be affected (do I need to say more????).  So the fair people of Northamptonshire are being treated (not too sure they think of it like that) to daily renditions of my programme to make sure I’m as fully prepared as possible. And I’m drawing some very funny looks whilst practicing my breathing driving the car and walking  round the supermarket.........

I’ve just spent a wonderful hour playing along to my backing CD’s, windows wide open with such classics as Summertime, Tuxedo Junction and some selected movie themes wafting over the rooftops.  Living on the top floor of this old shoe factory means I’ve reached loads of people this morning!  One advantage of being high up is if anyone took it into their head to lob something through the window to shut me up they wouldn’t be able to reach - so I can play on blissfully unaware.....  None of my neighbours have banged on the walls so hopefully they enjoyed my playing as well. Either that or they’re all out!

As with many of us life is a bit tough at the moment on the financial front but as I was playing this morning I realised that many of the things I love doing don’t cost any or very little money.  Fortunately I bought a new trumpet a few years ago and although it’s by no means a top of the range instrument it has a lovely tone.  My flugel is a basic instrument, sold to my Dad by a local brass band who no longer needed it as they’d ‘upgraded’.  But again it does the job and I get such a kick out of its beautiful, fat, sexy sound.  It’s a sort of short, tubby version of a trumpet but has the sexiest sound of all the brass instruments – I always think of it the trumpet as the Audrey Hepburn of the brass instruments (tall and elegant) and the Flugel as – well me! I’ve got stacks of music, some with backing CD’s and other accumulated bits like mutes and stands.  So I have everything I need to get on and play to my hearts content.

So in some ways I think not being able to go shopping as much as I used to, or holidaying abroad, or looking for the next job opportunity (so few and far between at the moment) is not all bad.  It’s made me re-visit so many things which I enjoy, which stimulate and motivate me.  I mentioned in my last blog I’d used my 2 weeks holiday not to go and lay around in the sun abroad but to spend time with friends, then to have a week to myself courtesy of friends who leant me their flat.  I walked, played trumpet, read, wrote and generally re-charged by batteries.  I had such a fantastic time!

Since coming home and back to work it has made me appreciate some of the simplest pleasures in life so much more.  And I am determined to make time to go on enjoying them.  Many of us talk about the work/life balance but how many of us actively try and pursue it?  I got caught up last year in a re-structuring at work which resulted in many of us applying for new jobs both in and outside the organisation.  I wasn’t successful in the interviews I had and was slightly puzzled as I had tried to seek God’s guidance as to what I should apply for.  Then earlier this year I had one of my ‘light bulb’ moments and realised if I had been successful, particularly with one job I applied for, it would have taken over my life.  And that would have been disastrous, for me, for the organisation, for everyone.  It would have drained me both physically and mentally but more importantly it would inevitably have damaged my spiritual strength as well.  I would have found it very difficult to start each day with the time to read my bible, direct my thoughts to others in prayer, and just connect with God before plunging into the maelstrom of each day.  

And that, my friends, is not worth risking for any jump in salary and a fancy job title.  I’m not saying with the right opportunity, ensuring I can keep the balance right, I won’t apply for something if it comes along but at the moment I bring home enough each month to pay my way, keep a roof over my head and have the odd treat.  I don’t go hungry and am able to keep my car on the road, despite MOT & Tax all within 3 days of each other-ouch!  I’m reasonably healthy (could do with losing a bit of weight but am trying....) and as I’ve said many times before have an amazing network of friends and family who encourage me constantly. 

I recently went to the Good Food show with my daughter (her treat) and had an amazing day out. I bought a sushi making kit complete with knife (fantastic bargain at £20) so can’t wait to try that out on her, my son-in-law and assorted friends.   This month it might have to be cucumber and rice fillings but hey next month who knows, it could be prawns, creamy chicken and even smoked salmon! 

So yes, to me the work/life balance isn’t something I vaguely dream one day I’ll achieve.  It’s something I actively pursue because there’s an old saying.  No-one on their death bed ever says ‘I wish I’d spent more time at the office’.  I for one want to be able to say ‘I’m glad I didn’t spend more time at the office – I’m glad I spent my time living and enjoying the simple pleasures of life’. 

As another week starts look out for opportunities to give as well as receive those simple pleasures. I guarantee you’ll enjoy them all the more because they are just that – the simple pleasures in life.  

God bless

Jules xx

Views along the way........

      Someone said to me yesterday ‘I have a life and I have a responsibility to live that life’. Now as you read that, what does it mean to you? Are you thinking ‘Well, that’s flippin’ obvious – isn’t it?’ But it was in the context of what we were talking about that made it stick so much in my mind.

Tommy as a puppy
(he's considerably bigger now!)

I had a fabulous day. To start with it didn’t involve going to work (good start), I’d spent a very enjoyable evening with friends the night before, stayed overnight and had been made a huge fuss of by a very excitable young man called Tommy. No, contrary to what many of you may be thinking right now I haven’t found myself a toy boy. Much better – he’s a gorgeous black and white cocker spaniel who insists on giving me lots of frenetic attention whenever I visit my friend. We did discover, however, a laptop and Tommy first thing in the morning is not a conducive combination. It’s never taken me so long to check my emails! He’s so lovable though he knows I’ll forgive him anything.

Then it was off to Southampton for the day with someone else to see our artist friend. I’ve only recently met her but as we said on the phone the other night there are some people you meet in life you just know are always going to be friends. You might not see them often, you may not speak to them from one month to the next but somehow you know they will always be a part of your life, and you’ll be part of theirs. This was my first trip to her house and I was excited to see her, meet some of her family and see where she works and produces her amazing prophetic pictures – oh, and meet Mr Duck.

So, off we set. It was the most gorgeous sunny day and we spent the next 2½ hours talking – virtually non stop! The sat nav really didn’t stand a chance......... And yes, we managed the same all the way back as well!

It was a wonderful day, it was great to see everyone and relax in the garden with a cuppa, bask in the sunshine and swop stories. Needless to say there was an abundance of laughter as well. Despite lots of distant quacking Mr Duck never did put in an appearance. Perhaps he overheard me saying crispy duck is one of my favourite dishes??? He was quite safe though as I hadn’t packed my chef’s knives (that reminds me, I must remember to take them next time I go Mmmmmmm........) - before I get a barrage of comments I am joking folks, honestly. It’s obvious from the mansion size ‘duck house’ complete with ramp down into the pond this is a much loved family pet so I think they may be a tad upset if I suggested serving him up with pancakes and shredded spring onion!

After a fabulous day, including seeing another painting from a collection currently being produced (breathtaking) we said our farewells, disconnected the sat nav (we were pretty confident of getting back OK...more or less, and as I said he hadn’t faired too well on the way down) we set off home. It was on the journey back we started talking about how some people, despite years of trying to deal with an issue because they recognise it’s affecting them negatively seem, almost, to hold on to it. Like some sort of comfort blanket. Its part of the baggage they carry around and despite their and lots of other peoples efforts, whether friends, family or professionals they still can’t ‘move on’.

And that brings me back to the statement I made at the beginning of this post. On the return journey we were talking in general terms about ‘life baggage’. I’d been talking about the fact I could think and even dream about my first husband without it affecting me negatively now because he passed away 30 years ago. I thought of him on the day my daughter got married, obviously, but I remember the day as being such a wonderful joyous, laughter filled day. But there was a time when it was still very hard, very painful to think about him. Believe me, I know what it is to grieve, to feel abandoned, to be angry, frightened, worried. To feel lonely and as if nothing is ever going to go right again or I’m never going to be happy again. I know what it’s like to be scared of the future, of stepping out, of ‘going it alone’.
         But each day I wake up and it never ceases to amaze me - I’ve been given a brand new day. This day has never happened before in my life and never will again. It’s unique, uncharted territory, stretching out ready to be experienced.   Certainly the last couple of weeks I’ve woken to warm, vibrant sunshine pouring through my window. My relatively good health (baring the hot flushes and the dodgy knees!) means although I don’t exactly leap out of bed I can get up early, make my cuppa and settle back to start each brand new day full of expectation - ‘Where is God going to take me today?’ It might be just through an average day at the office or it might be one of those extra special days like yesterday full of friends, laughter and fun. It might turn out a day full of problems which I’ll be relieved to see the back of.


But as I sit drinking my tea – at that point in time – I don’t know. And at that moment I know ‘I have been given a life, not just an existence, and I have a responsibility to live – and I mean LIVE that life. To the best of my ability, keeping others in my heart and prayers, helping people when I can, being grateful for the abundance of my life whether it’s jetting off on some exotic holiday (not too likely....) or sitting in a beautiful garden just spending time with others; to live this life, today here and now with positive expectation and a grateful heart.


Too often we can let that baggage, which lets face it, we all have to one degree or another, so drag us down, so obscure our view we forget we’re on a journey. And a journey by its very nature will take us from one place to the next, with different sights, sounds, people and experiences. And sometimes we’re so focussed on the destination, especially when we think once we're there, finally we'll be happy, contented, 'sorted',  we don’t realise it really is the journey which is the most important thing. It’s the journey which often is the time in which we learn, grow, experience something significant and become who we are meant to be. And it’s on that journey we have the opportunity to ditch the baggage.


So, we can choose to either concentrate and in some cases insist on lugging our baggage around and miss out on the abundant life we’re meant to live – or we can choose to say ‘You know what, today, just for this moment, just for now, I’m going to put that baggage down, sit on top of it and drink in the view’.

We may go on our journey having picked the baggage up again, but tomorrow, or next week , or next month we may put it down for a bit longer. If we approach each day, week, month with the same attitude, with help from those we meet along the way, from those who love us and want to help us, one day we may be able to leave that baggage behind – then just think how much of the journey we’ll really be able to experience. Free from the weight, fears, anger and soul destroying power of our personal demons.

Wonderful waterfall

It’s not easy. Most of us can’t do it on our own and in our own strength. We need help from others. We need help from the God who loves us beyond all measure. We need to be willing. It is possible – but only we can make the decision to let go of the baggage, which needs to happen before the healing can start. Before we can look at the view and say ‘Wow!’



I’ve shared before how I love sitting here in the mornings, with my cuppa, with my bible, spending some time with Jesus and letting my mind wander. It’s been one of those lovely times this morning and this week I received a couple of emails from people reading my blog saying how much they’ve enjoyed them. So I’d like to say a big thank you for that encouragement to me. As you know I’ve always enjoyed reading and only started writing seriously in the last few years and sharing my thoughts publicly so if others are enjoying and getting something from those thoughts then I’m grateful God has laid this on my heart to do this and to continue doing it.

Well, I’m off later for lunch with friends so need to leap (OK, fall) out of bed and get ready. I’ve got dinner tonight at my daughter’s with the family, including my grandsons and I’m playing at church tomorrow morning. My daughter has also just rung and invited me to join her for the day in June at the ‘Good food show’ in Birmingham.
      Abundant life ??? – I couldn’t have a more abundant one if I was the Queen of England!

Remember, if you’re carrying around a lot of baggage today why not try and pop it down for a few minutes, clamber up on top and take a peek at the view. You may be pleasantly surprised...........


Blessings to all as ever


Luv Jules xx

Back to the day job...

Well, the art exhibition has been taken down.  The silk paintings have been rolled up and packed away in their plastic sleeves and the frames dismantled and loaded ready to transport back to Anne's studio. 

If you've been reading my blog this week you'll know what an amazing fabulous time we've had. But like all amazing fabulous times this one couldn't last indefinitely.  The realities of life, the everyday sometimes hum drum routine has to be resumed at some point (certainly for the majority of us).

But life as the saying goes is what we make it. I was not looking forward to going back to work yesterday.  Don't get me wrong, I'm very fortunate.  I have some lovely work colleagues, some I consider have become friends. I work in a nice open plan office, at a comfortable desk with all the modern technological bits and pieces necessary for communication in this emailing, scanning, bespoke software programme world we  live in.  But, like a lot of people the thing which occupies me , 8-10 hours out of every day, 5 days out of 7, roughly 46 weeks a year is not what I'm passionate about.  It doesn't 'float my boat'.  It doesn't make me want to leap out of bed in the morning and shout 'Great - off to work I go!'

But that's OK.  Because I know it won't be forever. Nothing ever is in this world which is why I love this journey we call life.  You never know what is round the corner.  Sure, sometimes you run straight into  a whole load of hassle, heartache, worry and upset.  But then at other times, often at the most unexpected times life throws up a golden moment, a precious new friend, the answer to a prayer, or the long awaited answer to many.  This week has given many of us all of those things.  Thrilling, exciting and exhausting all at the same time!

And for me that is what Jesus meant when he said 'I have come to give them Life, and Life abundantly' (John 10v10).  I know a lot of people consider they have an abundant life without the need for God, without the need of spiritual input, with no reason to think they are missing out on anything.  But oh, how much richer life is when we share it with the one who created us.

The things I write here aren't out of theoretical, theological based, bible bashing knowledge.  They're born out of experiencing life - at times insisting on 'going it alone', thinking I have all the answers, being stubborn, proud, self seeking, greedy and at times cruel.  Thank God despite me giving up on him a few times he's never given up on me.  Now I'm finally in a place where I know whatever happens for the rest of my life here on this earth I won't be walking my path alone.  He will be with me all the way, as he always has been, but from now on I won't be compromising the promises he's given me, won't settle for less than an abundant life, whatever my circumstances.  

As I've said the things which have happened this week, the people I've met, the stories I've heard and the images of those pictures will all stay with me for a very long time.  I pray it will be the same for the 500+ people who also saw the pictures this week, who stopped for a coffee and chatted, or quietly slipped away without speaking to anyone. I pray this week will be a significant one for them all.

If you get the chance at any time to see any of Anne's work I would urge you to check out her website (see link on the right of this page) for details of any future exhibitions.  Or it may be you're feeling the call to think about staging an exhibition of your own.  It doesn't have to be in a church.  I know Anne has taken the paintings into all sorts of venues including schools, shopping centres, community centres. You can either contact Anne direct via her web page or send me an email and I'll pass on your details.

Anyway, I started off talking about the day job, which I'm going to be late for, again, if I don't get this finished! 
OK, the prospect of heading off to the office doesn't exactly fill me with the joys of spring but I am grateful to have a job.  I know for many it isn't the case at the moment so I do count my blessings. 

But a I said, this is what I love about life's journey.
It's a brand new day, stretching out before me and I may not know what is going to happen today but I do know I'm not heading off into it alone....................How exciting!

Whatever day you have my hope and prayer is it will be an abundant one.
God bless
Jules xx

Valentines day

This truly is a ‘musing from under the duvet’. It’s 6.30 in the morning, still dark outside (I know because the strip above my cafe curtain in my bedroom is inky blue!) and I’ve got my cuppa the side of me. But as I sit here writing I can see how the dawn is slowly pushing back the night and there’s the promise of light, the promise of a new day, another day to enjoy or in some cases endure depending on our circumstances. But whatever they are yesterday has gone, tomorrow is still to be written, this is the day the Lord has made and I am determined to rejoice in it.


For many this is an exciting, thrilling day full of expectant hope, for some a day when despite their optimism they know their partner too well to expect anything and for some of us it’s a reminder of similar days already past.

It’s Valentines Day. Oh I know, it’s too commercial now, just a money spinner and who needs a special day to say ‘I love you’. But let’s be honest girls – most of us dream of a little romance, an uncharacteristic spontaneous act of affection. To be swept off our feet aka Richard Gere in ‘An officer and a gentleman’ – although in my case metaphorically as I’m likely to give any man who tries to carry me a slipped disc!


But there will be a lot of us this Valentines Day who won’t be getting flowers, chocolates, cards or any other tokens of someone’s affection. Yesterday a friend of mine asked me if I was OK and I said I hated this time of year because it reminded me I was single. But that’s not really true. I don’t hate it; I suppose I’m just a little envious of those who at least have the opportunity to shower affection and gifts on that special person, even if they don’t take it.
But then as the day went on and I was with friends I found myself thinking ‘so what?’ I’ve had some wonderful Valentines in the past and I’m hopeful I will again. Maybe not this year but there’s always the future. And it’s true, I have many wonderful family and friends who love me and remind of that 365 days a year so why stress over just one? And on top of that I know in my heart and soul that God loves me constantly and is always there for me.


Love is essential to the human soul and as I sit here, and see the light has crept up on me as I’ve been writing I’m smiling. I’m grateful that my life whether lived as a single person, a couple, in a family with my daughter, and at this precise moment in time, as a (slightly) older single woman has been filled with love. And I know in my heart as long as I have faith, as long as I continue to love that love will come back to me 10 fold.


So, whatever your circumstances, today, tomorrow, next week – spread a little love and the world will be a better place.


Happy Valentines xx

New Year, New Start

Well, having decided to get back to writing my blog it's taken me ages to work out how to log back in! But with a bit of perseverance and random button pressing I've managed it. I love all the technology available to us nowadays but must admit it sometimes takes me a long time to work out how to use it. But that's what I've always enjoyed - trying something new, getting out of the usual routine, having a go! I think it must be in the genes - my Mum & Dad, both long standing members of the University of the Third Age have just 'gone live' on the Net. They were googling and emailing like pros in no time at all.

So I'm very proud that it only took me 2 attempts to post a Tweet this morning on my smart phone. That's why I thought I'd write this tonight - while I'm on a roll!

As I've already said in my profile update this is the year to get serious about my writing, performing, speaking and generally encouraging others in this exciting journey we call life. That's why I've decided to start writing this blog again. I'm not famous, rich, highly educated or exceptionally smart. I don't have the perfect figure (well I would if I was another 8 inches tall!), am a 'celebrity' or can speak 5 languages. I don't live in a big house,take several holidays a year and have a wardrobe full of designer clothes. Yep, I'm like the majority of people reading this - making the best of my life. And I love it. I love life, new experiences. meeting people and learning about them, their hopes and dreams, fears, aspirations, disappointments. And the best decision I ever made was when I became a Christian even though it's taken most of my life until now for me to really embrace what that means.

I've decided to leave the title of this blog as 'Musings' as, even though I work full time again now I still start my day with a cuppa, my bible and notes and my journal so the mornings are when I get most of my thoughts and ideas. I also love the handle 'Jules Barnabas' so have changed my Tweet name to that as well.

Last year I performed a 'one woman' show to a small select audience which I absolutely loved. It was an evening of music, some reflections on life and plenty of laughter. I had fantastic support from friends and family and everyone said they enjoyed themselves so I'm hoping to do something similar this year. Watch this space!

There are a few earlier posts on here I've uploaded from time to time which will start to give an idea of some of my experiences. I hope to share more of my experiences and life as time goes on - I'm a great believer that everyone has value and we all have something to offer one another. Feel free to comment on my 'Musings' I'd be very interested in your thoughts.
Bye for now and God bless
Jules x PS - the photo is a Country Park near me which is another favourite place of mine to walk, think and then stop for a coffee and do some writing (or just have a chat!).