It really is my August Break starting today!

I've been playing along with Susannah Conway's August Break 2021 on Instagram as usual this summer. Instagram is my preferred social media hangout these days, I love the simplicity of taking a photo a day when I am busy in the real world. It helps me reflect on my day and keep track of memories that my mind might lose in the whirlwind of days. 

I am glad to have some head space to come back to my blog again, and to get me into the swing of posting I thought I would post some of my photos so far from the August Break photo challenge. 

The world news is really grim at the moment isn't it? I wanted to post about all of that but couldn't find the words. My heart and mind are holding the people of Afghanistan, and all those affected by the news who have lost loved ones in the armed forces over the period of the conflict. Also thinking about Haiti and the people affected by the earthquake. 

Day 1 - Window 

"Music is critical in our lives and culture. It's the inspiration that drives us. It's also the window to our souls. It's a reflection as to who we are, what we stand for and where we're going." 

- Bill Walton

Day 2 - Heart 

Day3 - Turquoise 

"A turquoise given by a loving hand carries with it happiness and good fortune." - Arabic proverb

"Turquoise is a purification stone.  It dispels negative energy and can be worn to protect against outside influences or pollutants in the atmosphere.  Turquoise balances and aligns all the chakras, stabilising mood swings and instilling inner calm.  It is excellent for depression and exhaustion, it also has the power to prevent panic attacks.  Turquoise promotes self-realisation and assists creative problem solving.  It is a symbol of friendship, and stimulates romantic love."

Day 4 - Where I live 

Day 4 - Where I live 2

Day 5 - Bicycle

Bicycles and me... a history.

I always wanted a bike when I was a child. My older sister had a beef with our dad about a bike he bought her. She refused to ride it. My Dad once rode that bike down to the park to look for me when I went off as a tot with the bigger kids without permission. I recall him riding red faced down the hill towards us as we were coming home.
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So later on my brother in law and other older older sister bought me a second hand bike done up for my birthday I think. I was about 14. My friend and I ride our bikes all around the town that summer. She went over my handle bars when we'd swapped bikes one day, and broke her collar bone.
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When I worked in London aged 19 I used to ride a bike into the centre every Wednesday to go to the public records office. I was tracing my family tree. Then I would ride it at weekends barefoot around all of the green places in London.. commons and parks.
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During the pandemic someone lent me a bike and I reconnected with the joy of cycling.
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I have a new friend who has also had a long love affair with bicycles... we now go riding out together. ❤️