You may have noticed by now: I have a lot to do. Nine weeks from now, we’re moving to Westacre. That really isn’t very long at all. Before that, we need to finish rebuilding and decorating Roger’s bungalow, get quotes from contractors on the big Westacre project, pack up our house in Harrow, do some [...]

Do you sometimes overthink things? I know I do. As a spiritually minded person, I have spent hours meditating just to become more aware of my emotions as they pass through me. My temptation is to start questioning these emotions, to try and work out why I’m feeling sad or angry or downright miserable. There has [...]

How often do you get the chance to totally change the way you live for the better? How lucky do you have to be to be able to align your life with your deepest values and beliefs? I am immensely grateful for the circumstances of life that have given us this once-in-a-lifetime chance. What we will [...]

My train is hurtling through the country between Harrow and Westacre. Out of the window I can see fields of old stubble and brown earth ready ploughed for winter wheat. This year’s harvest has been brought in and is making its way to our kitchens. Six months ago, as the year turned to spring, Alex and [...]

It is the time of Equinox, equal day and equal night. Now, the balance tips towards darkness, and winter will follow. Even now, the leaves are beginning to colour scarlet and gold, and there is a definite nip in the air. I’m warming my hands on my cup of tea. For me, time is going way [...]

Yesterday, I was at our friends’ handfasting party and got talking to an acquaintance. We were comparing notes about living the life of our dreams. We agreed that it could be hard, but we need to remind ourselves that, actually, this is it. This is what we had said we would do. This is the [...]

The most powerful thing I have done for myself in the last year or so is to see myself through other people’s eyes. The woman who is looking back at me from the mirror of other people is completely different from the woman who looks out. Yet they are both me, and both very real. Whenever [...]

We’ve spent lots of time at Westacre these last few weeks. And that is a good thing. I am getting to know the garden much better, meditating on the lawn nearly every day. The earth there is beginning to recognise me, and welcoming me as I put down roots for stability and strength. It will [...]

I grew up in a house on a small country street. At the time, there was a field opposite my parents’ house, surrounded by tall canada poplars. My bedroom was at the front of the house, so from a young age I was lulled to sleep by the sound of the wind in their leaves. [...]

Isn’t it weird how everything goes around in circles? I seem to always have to learn every lesson many times, repeating the same thing over and over. And I know I’m not the only one. Last week’s OBOD Lughnasadh Camp was themed for the inner child. I loved the idea. I was looking forward to letting [...]