Foraging …

Hi Guys

How is everyone?

Thank you for joining me for this week’s on-line Gratitude Journal.

Well what a week it has been. The island is officially open and buzzing. The roads are packed and so are all of the go-to visitor attractions. It is so lovely to see everyone soaking up some Vitamin D and some coastal air, the same air that we have a daily dose of.

The seagulls are happy too. During Lockdown it was very noticeable that they were flying inland, to see if they could replace their normal seaside feast of chips, with alternatives, due to the lack of any eateries being open to provide their normal diet.

We are still enjoying a daily mindful walk. The diary now has dates in it. We have even had real appointments this week. The main thing is that the mood has lifted. Everything is starting to bloom and so are us humans.

This weekend we found another element of happiness, when we went for a guided forage walk. This particular walk took place in a very pretty village, where it really is quintessentially British. Our walk started off with homemade elderflower cordial. We were then guided around a meadow and it really was fascinating what an abundance of things could be foraged. Nettle, Ground Ivy, Plantain, Sorrel, Blackthorn and wild Garlic to name but a few, were some of things that we got to sample. A good afternoon which ended with a cup of homemade soup. We also took home a “party bag”, which contained wild garlic pesto puff pastry pinwheels, nettle butterfly cakes with elderflower cream and dandelion honey, and a dark chocolate truffle with nettle dust - Yum

Such a lovely relaxed way of easing into our new life.

In other news and views. This week has, as always, incorporated a little coast, country and wildlife. These baby calves were delightful and still young enough to be inquisitive rather than easily spooked. Next to this calf is one of our new walks this season. Absolutely beautiful, even more than this image perhaps portrays.

“If the sight of blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive”. Eleonora Duse

That was this week’s feature of finding elements of happiness with nature.

Thank you for reading.

Stay safe.

Jules xx