All aboard for Raasay

I’ve done it again! I’ve been sidetracked. I’ve broken my blogging habit. Not on purpose you understand it just sort of happened and during this time there were lots of interesting events going on and I had planned to write about them and share with you but … well life and work overtook such events. Note to self - need be more disciplined with my writing.

So my blog is running not in front of time, nor in time but behind time. The blog has veered off the time line perhaps in need of some inspiration, deliberation and creativity. Yes, it’s out of sync. Quite frankly I’m not sure that it ever was in sync. I did try and keep it updated on a fairly regular basis but sometimes I get sidetracked like now and I have to say that it’s quite a challenge getting back into it again, blogging I mean so please forgive my feeble efforts.

Some bloggers blog daily and that’s impressive. I truly admire such discipline. One such example is Paul At the end of the Road. I just love how he manages to write daily and usually something witty that adds a little smile or chuckle to the reading of his blog. He is based on the Scottish island Raasay, an island between the Isle of Skye and Scotland and if you can’t manage a trip there soon consider a virtual trip there today. It can be a great way to see Raasay, and escape from the hustle and bustle of the city too.

The Valley Gardens

A couple of years ago I read 'The Artist's Way' by Julia Cameron. It was recommended to me by a colleague I met on a training course. Strange how some books keep cropping up in conversation and 'The Artist's Way' was one of those. In turn, I bought the book and used it as a aid to 'recover my creativity'. I was encouraged to write 'morning pages' every day for several weeks and schedule an 'artist date' for myself every week.

the artist dates are times for receptivity, preplanned solitary hours of pleasurable activity aimed at nurturing the creative consciousness.

I do enjoy writing and always have loved writing ever since I was a little girl. At 5'2" I haven't grown very tall but I do believe that my writing has improved greatly. I must confess it was a challenge making a habit of writing at least three pages of A4 every day, however when I now look back and read it through at times it can be quite enlightening! Writing can be a very therapeutic exercise too, I've found. If you haven't already tried it out do so. It can work wonders if you've had a bad day at the office!

Anyway, the 'artist's date' was something I particularly enjoyed and I visited some delightful places in my quest to 'recover my creativity'. Last week armed with notepad, scribbling pen and picnic I went off to visit The Valley Gardens. I persuaded The Man and his camera to join me. The Valley Gardens is part of The Great Windsor Park and if you have the opportunity to schedule an 'artist date' there I encourage you to do so before all the blossom falls. For those of you unable to make a visit I hope you enjoy the pictures courtesy of The Man and his camera at frasersfotos.