wool catcher : dream catcher
Dream Catchers are used to encourage only good dreams for those that sleep under them. They’re usually placed over the place you would sleep, so that the morning light shines on the catcher when you wake.
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Breamish Blossom
Beautiful Breamish blossom
One of my favourite films is the 2003 movie ‘The Last Samurai‘. While I find it memorable for all sorts of reasons – the stunning panoramas, the evocation of a strange and often cruel cultural practices – there’s a quote that sticks in my mind. The samurai leader Katsumoto (played by Ken Watanabe), is grounded in the old samurai ways and the Bushido code of honour. In contrast to his relentless warrior instincts, when confronted by Spring cherry blossom in his courtyard, he says:
Wall to Wall Sheep
It’s wall to wall sheep down our way!
Yep…says it all. April is the month for enjoying the new-born lambs in the fields. And it’s a wonderful sight to see so many sheep.
My Old Dene
My old Dene is where I walk
Mmm…anyone having that ‘Groundhog Day’ feeling? Like you’ve walked this path before? Like you’ve cycled this route before? Like your once-a-day exercise takes you pretty much around the same places…as beautiful as our surroundings are?
Well, perhaps we’ve just got to see things differently? So, I took my own advice and I looked at my green Dene afresh today…
Valley Ride
Valley ride along the Breamish
Got to keep going – got to keep exercising – but so much easier when we have such beautiful surroundings – – –
Sand Martin in the Valley
Sand Martin in the Breamish Valley
On my walk around the stunning yellow Hedgeley yesterday, I also happened upon several sand martin that appeared to be in the process of exploring the banks of the River Breamish to choose the best spots for excavating their nesting tunnels. Being a social bird, hundreds of pairs can readily nest close together in a colony. On my walk, though, I’d guess I saw around 20 sand martin exploring one bank in the bend of the river.
Yellow Hedgeley
Yellow Hedgeley Lakes
So, what’s the colour of Spring for you? As a resident of the Breamish Valley I can’t help but think that you’ll say it’s ‘yellow’. I mean, just about everywhere along the Breamish Valley is yellow right now. The whole valley is smothered in flowering gorse, giving a wonderful scent of coconut drifting on the Spring air.
How to Clear Your Head
How to clear your head out exercising
Work-related stress, worries about loved ones, or broader existential crises associated with the uncertainty that’s accompanied the coronavirus pandemic are contributing to heightened emotionality.
Wired (12 Apr 2020)
Your once-a-day outdoor exercise regime (walking, cycling, jogging, whatever), as well as improving our physical well-being, could also be an opportunity to clear your head. This clever Pixar animated short film caught my attention recently:
Blooming Valley
Blooming valley of beautiful flowers
For my once-a-day exercise today, I took a walk around the Branton Lakes Nature Reserve. It was particularly pleasant, as it was such a sunny day. And it’s so obvious that Spring is now well and truly springing – flowers are starting to bloom everywhere.
Butterfly Butterfly
Butterfly butterfly, flutter around
Lots of butterflies to see in and around the Breamish Valley at the moment, in our gardens, in the hedgerows – just fluttering around.