A different sort of September

Its an odd feeling right now in our house, but a great one! Its that time of the year when summer is definitely over, kids are back at school, autumn setting in, cooler nights and that palpable transition feeling in the air.  

In the past, I've both loved and really disliked this time time of year, with new busy routines and schedules and everything is go go GO! But now, at this moment, this week (and last), with Tryfan done with his A levels, having started now his Gap Year, and me having started my new venture business, we have these lovely gentle mornings.  I still get up earlyish, but I go for a beautiful dog walk to start the day rather than stressing about what I might be forgetting to do.  It is absolutely lovely. Long may it last!

Qi Jong mornings

On my daily morning walks with Annie Dog, I've started adding a little bit of exercise. I tend to walk a couple of different variations of a 30-45 minute loop that goes from our house into the woods, then across a meadow, up "Bear Pit Hill", and then some variation of crossing the open heathland to get to the ancient pale on the other side and back around through Jubilee Woods. I absolutely love how each day has different things to see, hear and smell. I guess it was last year when I was feeling particularly troubled and angsty before my workday at my previous employer started, and I would really savour these morning walks.What a gift that those troubles and angsty feelings are behind me! Now I have started taking a few moments to do some qi jong movements, which involve much flailing of arms.  I have a couple of favorite spots where no passers by can see me, and I do feel like Diana Prince in those moments when she twirls with dramatic flair and turns into Wonder Woman! It is a great way to start the day.  And it is particularly gorgeous right now with the maturing bracken rainbow hues alongside the blooming golden gorse and the exuberant heather.