ᐰᐱ four hours by train

last week I went to spend time with my sister

she lives in one of the most breathtaking 

places we have in England

I will never tire of slate walls

dry stone, lichen and ferns

one day we set off in search of this gravestone

I read recently that Schwitters had died in Kendal

and he was buried in Ambleside

although he was exhumed in the 70's 

and buried in his hometown

his gravestone remains in his last living place

this curious little house is not where he lived

but is owned by the National Trust

thought to have been an apple store

now an information centre

a short drive from there 

we visited Dove Cottage which was 

William Wordsworth's house

at Grasmere

"the loveliest spot that man hath ever found"

he rested his notebooks on the arm of this chair

considering desks "an abomination"

most of his works were transcribed by his wife Dorothy

her garden was her love

her own journals full of plans 

and notes 

the Lakes really do Autumn in spectacular colour

even on the dullest days

the sun did appear on my last full day

in time for a hearty brunch at Kitridding Farm

a stroll around the lake

dodging sheep and smiling at the rubber duck

floating aside the real ones

there's layers of history and inspiration

in those hills, helms and scars

poet, writers and artists have known it for centuries

Ж of trees and bright skies

I'm still blending in

but looking up

And when I awoke, I was alone, 

this bird had flown 

So I lit a fire, isn't it good

 Norwegian wood 

☯ time for change

last month

we dropped my girl off at University

tears with fear of the unknown

anticipation at adventures to come

our home is different without her

my role as Mama has a new meaning

we had never been apart for more than 7 days

my life revolving around her needs

she has flown and settled into a new chapter

and so must I

and I will in my own time

just busy yourself doing what you most want, 

among the choices now before you, 

and before long your life's purpose will find you

I took at trip to my friend Suzie's

her family always make me so so welcome

and who can resist an invitation to absorb

the beautiful light of Southern France?

olive groves

cameras

 picnics by the lake

 layers of light and colour

rickety roofs

 doorways

and washing lines to gladden my heart