Returning to the Familiar

Going back (post Covid)

So many of us have forgotten just how much the Covid time affected us. What did we think would happen? Did we have any future to plan for? Would we survive- personally and as a species? It was all so intense at the time. Now with the benefit of hindsight- and forever being grateful for not losing loved ones, I feel able to explore a little more outside my comfort zone. I had not been abroad since 2019 and my last trip to Cadiz was well before that. I was younger- I had been dancing Flamenco for years and visiting the Feria at Jerez for a few years running, so to be visiting this place once again after a break, in different circumstances felt exciting but also a bit daunting.

The promenade in Cadiz, near the botanical gardens with its shadows of palm trees moving gently in the breeze across the tiled floor.

The weather was welcome, less a cold north wind blowing but a gentle breeze which made the sightseeing and sea swimming far more enjoyable. We have been trying to emulate the continental breakfasts here, at home for the last few days but today we decided to go out and get breakfast elsewhere, so we headed to ‘The Bubble’ as it has the best views in town. I knew we would feel disappointed about the cost and quality of any coffee we bought once home, so we kept quiet and enjoyed being back and watched the clouds blow across that amazing sea view.

The views out of the windows at The Bubble are really good, considering we are a seaside town, there are a limited amount of places that directly overlook the sea.

This view is like a picture postcard. Even in cold, windy and rainy weather this place is cosy and I noticed they do Tapas evenings, so maybe will will go again, soon.

I think what I am trying to say in this post is that things change- time passes- crisis come and go again- people out in Cadiz didn’t stop living, doing their daily chores, shopping etc- just because I didn’t visit and see it, it all still went on and that in itself is very comforting. I think that is what I really love about being able to offer different experiences through our company ‘Dwellbeinglife’; seasons come and go, the natural cycle is reliable enough to be seen and appreciated at any point in the year and I know how to invite others out into nature and really connect with that place. I have a handful of really good walks which take in the best paths, views and sights for each season and allow people to discover the some lesser known areas in Kent. We take time to wander and look at the small details as well as expansive views- a walk always puts things into perspective, whether that be a work or life problem.

Here is a link to my website to see the type of walks that I offer.

Image of a Dandelion head in white feathery globe seed form catching the light as it glowed orange whilst the sun was setting.

To me it is the act of paying attention to the little things, such as the sunset lighting up a dandelion seed head, that makes life worth living. When so much of the daily news is beyond our grasp and control, connecting with the seasonal nature around us is a revolutionary act of independence and self care. As I say ‘Go outside every day into nature and feed your soul.’ Add to this the sheer joy of coming together with likeminded others and creating art based on these natural wonders, then that is what I am offering and in doing so- I am supporting myself too.

My next Dwellbeing mini-retreat is at the Stream Walk Community Garden in Whitstable on Wednesday, the 17th of June. It runs from 11-1pm and costs just £15pp. There will be refreshments available from the tea shed for a small donation and I will supply all art materials and you can take your work home. No art experience needed. DM me for more details here.

The tea shed at Stream Walk Community Gardens, Whitstable will be open for my Dwellbeing Mini-retreat in June and serving refreshments for a small donation.

I run a monthly Netwalk session too. I have handmade a few printed cards that can be used as props to get the conversation going but my invite is to just join us and see what you think. The walk takes about an hour and ends at the hotel where we often extend the session by having a drink together in the hotel, overlooking the sea.

So, this Friday, the 22nd of May I will be running my monthly Netwalk session, starting outside The Marine Hotel at 11am. Contact me here to say you are coming or just turn up on the day. It costs just £5pp and is a great way to meet others whilst walking a gentle circular route together through a beautiful landscape.

This drypoint etching print was made back in 2017 after a wonderful walk along the cliffs and down onto the beach at ‘Valley of the Rocks’ in Devon.

This print is now for sale as I clear out my studio to make space for refurbishment work. It measures 40 x 20 cms and is priced at £70. I have many more that I have put on my Instagram page and the prices start from £15. I will be adding to them in my ‘stories’ as I find them, mount them and get them ready. You can look for them under the heading ‘Artwork Sale’, my Instagram name is ‘dwellbeinglife’ and is linked here. I am starting my art sale with prints- so far I have posted linocuts and drypoint etching originals and I will be adding paintings, photographs, chapbooks and collages as time goes on.

This one is now mounted in an A4 size white card. The lino print itself measures 11 x 17cms. I have really watered down the ink for this series and added gold leaf for a dreamy effect. This image named ‘Held in Love’, is priced at £18.

My next Dwellbeing Walk is in Faversham on Friday the 5th of June, starting at 11am. The walk will be about an hour and a half in length and circular, allowing us to discover wonderful views, history and nature together. Contact me to book a place. All the Dwellbeing Walks are £15pp- if you have a group I can tailor a walk that will suit you all.

Lastly here is a photo of a place we luckily only found on the last day in Cadiz- a pastry shop! Everything in here was beautiful- the lighting, tiles, brickwork and obviously the cakes and biscuits plus it was cool and smelt divine!

We did have to try a few things- in fact we kept a couple of almond biscuits safely until we were on the plane home and ate them up there, trying to make our holiday last as long as possible.

Now home and remembering the spices we bought from the market whilst away we wonder whether we could recreate yet another meal from our trip. We sit in the office and try and work but occasionally we discuss a delicious dish that we ate, or a scene we saw in one of the city squares, for example the sight and sound of so many swifts, screaming and wheeling around, flying joyfully around the roof terraces. I guess that is a reason to go away on holiday too, to bring back aspects of it to integrate into this life we have here-to appreciate and share cultural lessons.

The markets’ spices stall in Cadiz was full of choice; we brought back a true taste of the place and have enjoyed using them to recreate some of our favourite dishes.

We have discussed owning a cool minibus like the one our flamenco group was transferred to and from Seville airport in and ferried to the Feria in Jerez and back again. If we could use something like that to take our Dwellbeing guests further afield, maybe out of Kent and into other areas that we know well, it would be wonderful. Who fancies a trip to Wiltshire to see the sacred landscape of Silbury Hill, Avebury stone circle, the Ridgeway and West Kennet long Barrow? All we need is a black Mercedes-Benz minibus and a lovely fragrant and handsome Spanish driver and we can go! Ok, maybe we can do this without the driver (!) both Jim and I love driving and have many places we would love to share up our sleeves. Orkney anyone? Let us know what you think- use this contact form for your thoughts!