Monday 31 August 2015

a stormy day and a cautionary tale!

Ollie and I woke up in the middle of the night due to the rumbling of thunder. Ollie is getting much braver than he used to be in a storm.
The rain cleared a little so we went out for walkies. When we got back I loaded some things into the car including a large weeping fig. It was so large I wedged it on the front seat and put the seatbelt on it.
We drove along in the rain listening to the radio. ( Well I can't be sure the plant was listening but you never know...)
All of a sudden I noticed a flash. I assumed that I had somehow gone through a red light but was pretty sure I hadn't. I wasn't speeding either. I felt pretty surprised and fed up. I drove a bit further and there was another flash. I was even more certain I hadn't committed any driving crimes this time and drove on. At the third flash I realised it was lightening but with no accompanying thunder.

I got home and checked my emails and so discovered a media marketing company had taken an unauthorised payment on my debit card.
This is a bit of a cautionary tale when using debit cards. Be careful folks!

I have been on the phone to the bank who have been very helpful and I am optimistic that they have managed to stop any future payments going out to this company.
I was very impressed at the way the bank calmed me down and responded to my problem.
I definitely feel there are far more good people in the world than bad.

The journey home was rather flooded. I was looking at the way the roads are designed though. They are curved to allow the surface water to drain into the verge as quickly as possible.
Being a marshy area floods are to be expected but it is amazing how quickly the water clears. People are clever. If you think about it we use roads every day taking the completely for granted and yet someone has to design, build and maintain them.
I am very impressed at the determined spirit of the campers at the site here. despite rain being torrential they seem to be having a good time.

Have a lovely day everyone!


Sunday 30 August 2015

an inspiring walk!

I got up early and went for a walk with Ollie. I love this place. Despite being in the middle of nowhere it is full of life. There are campers, wind surfers, kart lovers, weird birds, miniature horses, odd plants, beautiful open water, huge skies....
As I walked along I started thinking about books I have read recently and how reading one has altered my perspective on the other.
After reading The Presence Process by Michael Brown I have gone back to reading A Course In Miracles.
Before The Presence Process I was unable to grasp much of what was being said in A Course In Miracles but now it is starting to make sense.
This got me thinking that a lot of other people may start off reading a book, get stuck and abandon it, particularly if nobody around them has read the book but if they had a group of avid readers to turn to they may decide to press on.
I love reading personal development books and some have more impact on me than others. Discussing these books with people who are interested could be very rewarding.
I have posted on Facebook asking my friends if anyone would be interested in joining such a group.
If people are interested in such a thing I would be very happy to create the group.
What do you think of the idea?


Friday 28 August 2015

no place like home!

I am back at my caravan. I have been in Plymouth visiting my daughter and had a really good time. I have been spending the last few days with my son too and I have also been camping in The New Forest. I have spent time in my lovely holiday caravan and have visited my parents in Norwich.
I have walked the dogs in Essex and driven about all over the place.
The weather has been mixed. Some days the sun has shone brightly
and on other days there has been torrential rain. This is fine with me.
One of the things about living on an island is that the weather can be very changeable.
I have noticed the blackberries ripening along with other fruit and seeds.
I really enjoy this time of year!
Ollie and I have been home a few hours now. Ollie is relaxing on the sofa and I am catching up on emails after doing a lot of washing in my mini washing machine. My neighbour dropped by and gave me a package that the postman delivered a few days ago.
It is my coaching accreditation certificate.
I am very pleased it has arrived safely.


I have also heard from the editorial department regarding my book. I have some editing to get on with over the next few days and then I will be a big  step closer to getting it published.
These are exciting times.
I am working on effective ways of letting as many people know about my coaching business as possible so that I can reach the people who would benefit most from my support.




Wednesday 19 August 2015

Everything is happening exactly as it should!

I know this can be hard to believe when times seem tough but everything is happening exactly as it should be right here, right now.
If people seem challenging around us then we can see them as our teachers. We learn from everything we do which means that if something doesn't work out the way we planned we can grow and develop from the feedback we receive so we haven't failed after all.
I keep reading this time and time again in the personal development books and am coming to believe this myself.
At the moment I am reading The Presence Process by Michael Brown. I started reading it about a week ago and it has started to fill in some gaps for me so that everything is starting to make sense.
I love the fact that one book read can provoke us to ask more questions and then another book comes to light that moves our thinking on. 
This book is a real eye opener and I am really glad I stumbled upon it.



Tuesday 18 August 2015

whatever the weather!

I have been lucky. The rain was really bad when I drove to pick Jack up from Hastings on Thursday but the next day we had sun so walked in the country. We then dropped Ollie in Essex and went to Norwich to see my parents. The weather was beautiful with lots of sun until the last day when it rained. We were still able to go to the park with Toffee their lovely dog.
It is raining lightly now that I am back at the caravan with Ollie and Jack.
I like all kinds of weather and try not to let changeable weather put me off doing things I like doing. I would have enjoyed my visit whatever the weather was like but having all that sun really did mean we were able to really make the most of our time outside.
It was good to spend time in Norwich and Yarmouth as I have a soft spot for both those places...

Friday 14 August 2015

Family

Some people live close to their family and others live a long distance away. Despite distance some families are close and others are less so.
I am very lucky this year as I have had some lovely meet ups with members of my family and have more planned!
At the moment my son is staying with me. Yesterday we went on a lovely walk with Ollie. I originally bought Ollie six years ago as my son kept begging for a dog. I kept saying No again and again but one day I suddenly and unexpectedly relented and we went and collected Ollie that very day.
It was an impulsive decision but he has brought a lot of joy and hilarity to our lives!
Ollie will always have a soft spot for Jack. He may not see him for months on end but to him he is still a main member of his pack. Dogs are such loyal creatures. Yesterday we watched a film and Ollie spent time sitting on his lap and licking him in the face. That's the way he rolls!


Thursday 13 August 2015

Questionnaires

Quite a few people enjoy filling in questionnaires. I like them if they don't take too long and they are about things that interest me.
Questionnaires can be short, focussed and get right to the point.
When I coach people I start by sending them a questionnaire. It only has a few questions and it helps them and me to focus on the things that are important for them.
If you would like me to send the questionnaire out to you then let me know. It may help you to decide if coaching is right for you.

Wednesday 12 August 2015

gardening

I am not the best gardener. I didn't see the point and must admit I haven't shown much interest in it until recently. Today I was at the Supermarket and some perennials were on offer. I had been putting off buying plants until today as they all seemed rather expensive or at least that was my excuse!
Today I couldn't use that excuse so I came home with quite a few plants in my car.
I bought some Sea Pink, a Clematis, a Passion Flower, French Lavender, an Acer and some Snow in Summer amongst other things.
I have always liked Sea Pink.
Derek Jarman mentioned it can grow very well in some areas and as he used to live near here I figured they might do quite well here.
I saw that plant growing when I went on a very marshy Geography field trip when I was about 13. It grew perfectly well there too so I have high hopes for my little plants.
Wish me luck!
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/oct/19/plant-of-week-sea-pink http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/oct/19/plant-of-week-sea-pink

Tuesday 11 August 2015

Nature is so inspiring!

I am loving being back at my caravan. Last night I woke up as the rain was pelting down outside. I lay there in the dark listening to the rain and it started me thinking about all the lovely landscapes I have explored this past year together with the extremes of weather.
The ruggedness of Dartmoor during a gale, the vastness of heathland on a hot, sunny day, the sheer exhilaration experienced when I stand at the top of a cliff looking down at the crashing sea.

There are unusual plants growing everywhere around here. I don't need to go on holiday to be surrounded by nature. It is literally on my doorstep.
I walked Ollie this morning and he spent time sniffing and socialising with some of the other dogs living on the site.
(Two puppies were called Cash and Carrie!)
As I walked away from people and got closer to the fields of sheep I watched a rabbit hop past and then a butterfly fluttered around me.
There was a little cool rain sprinkling down on me and I stood still as Ollie sniffed. I was thinking how amazing Nature really is.

Sunday 9 August 2015

Books

I have been reading a brilliant book by Dr. Joe Dispenza. It is called Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself.
You may well ask why anyone would want to stop being themselves and that is exactly why the book initially gained my attention. Dr. Joe explains quantum physics, neuroscience, brain chemistry, biology and genetics to help us understand how the mind works and how our habits completely influence our lives. He shows us how to make measurable changes in our lives to help us live the lives we choose. It also manages to bridge  the gap between science and spirituality which is quite a feat.
I love reading and when I find a book that inspires me I love to let other people know in the hope that others will gain from the book too.

Saturday 8 August 2015

Returned!

We have just returned from a lovely holiday in The New Forest. It was great to spend time with my son, the hairy dogs and the lovable G! We experienced every type of weather and explored some lovely woods and heath-lands.
We had some meals in dog-friendly pubs and also did some cooking on our camping stove.
I had one glorious Scrabble victory and one defeat.
All in all I couldn't ask for more from a holiday. Camping is such a lovely thing to do.


Sunday 2 August 2015

The New Forest

The dogs are unaware but will soon be as excited as me. We are off to The New Forest! It is one of those places where everything is so simple and yet so lovely. Ollie will be looking for the blackest muddiest puddle to flop down and roll in so will be a frequent visitor of The Dog Wash!
The Dog Wash is a very handy facility for people who have dogs who have habits as disgusting as Ollies. It is basically a shower for dogs.
You would think Ollie would learn from his mistakes but he never does!