What a treat this recent weather has been.
On the first day of my week off, I walked up to a local garden centre to meet a friend for what turned out to be THE most delicious green soup. Like ultra tasty. It was also accompanied by equally nourishing conversation, all enjoyed under God’s great sky.
After the refuel, we took a casual meander through the local woods where we ended up overlooking the blue lagoon. The stunning blue backdrop of sky combined with the sun shimmering off the water was the only incentive needed to scramble down from where we were to where the water was.
As we drew closer, the wind dropped, the sun beamed and the invitation to enter the water was simply too appealing to decline.
Whilst I whipped off my boots and socks and paddled around in the cooling waters, my friend whipped off everything and I do mean EVERYthing and proceeded to go for the whole body immersion approach. Yowsers!
‘Is it as cold as it looks?’, I enquired.
‘Yes, even more so’. He replied complete with a very manly roar and a proclamation that, ‘it’s good to be alive!’.
Agreed!
Indeed it is.
Especially on days like those spent amongst the majesty of God’s great playground.
In fact, as we lay on the shore surveying the scene of shimmering stars bouncing off the water, there was a distinctly summer holiday-esque feel to the moment.
Free from schedules, responsibility or time checks, how wonderful it was to simply stop, look, listen and savour it all.
Fan-blooming-tastik!
Following another day of freedom to roam the countryside at leisure, I spent the next day in London where we celebrated a friends’ 60th with a trip to the Freud museum followed by a delectable lunch. Yum.
After one more day of wild field roaming, it was time for my trip to the Isle of Wight with a friend.
What a truly stunning place.
A lazy if uncharacteristically hot first afternoon was spent at a Donkey Sanctuary. Noisy buggers when they get going.
I was delighted to discover a gift shop and tearoom on site; two of my favourite places. Here I indulged in a super tasty cream tea.
After checking in to our accommodation we headed straight to the beach where the scenes we entered were fresh off a postcard.
An early start on Saturday morning enabled me to take a horse riding lesson on the beach under the glow of the morning sunshine. Just fabulous.
I opted for a leisurely meander back to base along the coast where I stumbled upon a quaint cafe and gift shop overlooking the harbour. I whiled away some time sipping my tea and savouring the view.
One of the things I love most about the water is the way it gets me to simply be still, to immerse myself in the sight of the sun upon the water. It never loses its appeal.
The next day saw us off to the National Trust site of the Needles where we took a chair lift to the beach and a boat ride to photograph the Needles. Although the rock after which they were named has long since been destroyed by a storm. So they don’t look anything like needles.
Back on the beach I tentatively stumbled across the stony beach to paddle in the sea which obviously saw me coming and produced an enormous wave which soaked my dress!! Fortunately, the whole ‘hottest Easter in 70 years’ thing meant it was quick to dry.
It was a wonderful weekend made even more so by the fact that it was Easter. Beyond the eggs and holidays, it is a time of such hope and renewal that in spite of all the trials and tragedies of life, we can still experience the fullness and richness of all life has to offer. How grateful I am that Jesus endured what He did that we don’t have to settle for some half hearted life but can instead embrace and enjoy it all.
The gift of appreciation is totally priceless.
Monday saw us encounter a Roman villa, a small art exhibition, more tearooms, more food, more gift shops, a waterfall and a straight forward journey home.
How wonderful to make time to play, rest and explore.