Things are coming together.

I have spent quite a bit of time in my garden clearing the ground ready for slate chippings. I intend growing hardy plants in pots which will be low maintenance and will suit the marshy environment.
I have encountered a few obstacles along the way including problems with the chippings delivery and issues with broadband connection but I believe that these things are sent to try me and make sure I want them enough!
I have started my life coaching course and it looks like it will be very useful and rewarding.
I will be looking for guinea-pigs to test out my newly emerging skills on so let me know if you might be interested.
Life coaching is not therapy. It is good for people who are ready to make positive changes in their life.
Some coaching is face to face but increasingly people are coached on the phone and by email.
I am planning to offer all three methods depending on the person, their location and requirements.

May~ What a lovely month.

Today is the day I start making concrete plans for creating my garden at my residential caravan. I need to decide where to put the fence and make final decisions on plants etc. I also will hopefully get my TV working as the aerial will be moved into the right position.
Ollie will be staying there overnight for the first time. I am getting him gradually introduced to our new home as I don't want to rush things and have him unsettled.
I am hoping that he will like it.
His mates Burt and Rufus are staying over too so it will be a dog sleep-over!

bluebells

I have just come back from a lovely walk in nearby woods. I was with Graham and the dogs and the woods were packed with bluebells! You really can't beat this time of year. Bluebells are absolutely one of my favourite flowers. They produce a stunning carpet of colour for a relatively short time so I like to make the most of it!
The dogs are sleeping now and I am enjoying crisps and a lovely glass or two of red wine.
happy days!

UK weather, landscapes and seasons.

I love the different weather we experience in UK. Today I was walking Ollie in a field in brilliant sun shine and a few weeks ago I was wading in mud in the same field with rain pouring down.
My holiday caravan is sited on cliffs surrounded by sea and sky which turn from icy steel grey to crystal clear blue according to the weather and season.
I love the fact that we have changing seasons and the weather changes the whole mood and appearance of the landscape.
I love camping in different settings at different times of year. Camping keeps you outside for much of the time and puts you in touch with what really matters in life.
I particularly like walking with dogs as they enjoy most settings in all weathers and help me to appreciate the simple things in life.
Walking on Dartmoor recently really reminded me how quickly the weather can change and showed me how dramatic and beautiful our landscape can be.
I hope that we are able to preserve it for future generations and that we are able to teach our children to appreciate the joys of being outdoors.

Meeting up!

This holiday has been a perfect opportunity to meet up with friends and family as well as to explore new places. I have really enjoyed visiting Dartmoor and meeting up with my kids, sister and niece.
Yesterday I visited my friend that I have known 25 years and it has been great spending time with Graham and the dogs.
It has been incredible enjoying hours and hours of sunshine and it has been wonderful to see all the spring flowers putting in an appearance.
Happy days!

sunny!

I am looking out of the window, it's Easter Sunday and unbelievably I think I can see sun!
Ollie is happy as he is with Burt and Rufus so no doubt before long we will be running about in a nice wood somewhere. Ollie hopes to find and catch The Easter Bunny but I think he is long gone...
It won't be long until my caravan arrives on the site and I can move in. This is very exciting for me and marks a new beginning.
I am even enthusiastic about creating a small garden which will have to be low maintenance as I really am no gardener but the thought of creating things my way is exciting.
It sounds like I will be able to connect to The Internet there too but I am not anticipating fast broadband speeds as apparently the slowest speeds in UK were recorded in that part of the county but it will be good to be able to start the Life Coaching training once I settle in.
Happy Easter everyone!

mental health

Recently in the news we have heard about people have carried out extreme acts that have led to a lot of sadness and fear for other people. I am thinking most recently of the plane crash in The Alps where it appears that the co-pilot was suffering from depression.
It also appears that he was hiding this fact from his employers. There may be many reasons why this happened but the end result was tragic.
I think mental ill health is not understood as well as physical ill health.A real taboo surrounds mental illness and people worry about letting others know that they are ill in case it affects their relationships and employment prospects.
This is an area that is very close to my heart as I know an increasing number of people whose lives are affected by mental health problems.
Young people appear to be struggling a lot with mental health possibly due to the unique strains and uncertainties of Modern Society with many young people feeling disconnected and lonely.
Unfortunately at a time when the need for support is high the support services are faced with budget cuts and so there simply isn't enough preventative work being done.
We cannot afford to let this continue as in the long term failing to address the issue at an early stage leads to bigger problems and an even greater strain on the services in then near future.
There are so many lonely people out there of all ages and I think if everyone spends just a little more time looking out for and communicating with people that they know who seem lonely or isolated then gradually the issue will be addressed.
I obviously don't know the details of the plane crash and am unable to say if anything could have been done to prevent it but it has really set me thinking that mental health issues will not reduce until we change our approach towards people suffering with them.
I realise that in many cases medication can help but I can't help feeling that this is only one part of the solution. For many people it helps to know that people like them, want to understand them and do not judge them.