Several years ago, a good friend suggested I make a list of experiences I would like to have life & places to visit. Touching a whale in Baja was no 1 (which I accomplished in Feb 2020) & sunrise at Angkor Wat, Cambodia was second. So, it was no surprise that a tour of Cambodia & Laos was the first big trip we took once the world opened up. I set my expectations too high Our trip was 20 days & Angkor Wat sunrise was scheduled for day 17, our last day of temple exploration. I thought we were saving the best for last, especially after our guide told us that it was his favourite place. It was a disappointment. It wasn’t the most colourful sunrise ever, but it was more than that. It was crowded, noisy & to be blunt, it’s just the sun coming up behind some towers. On reflection I set my expectations too high & thought somehow it would be life changing. It wasn’t even the best sunrise. And this time I set them too low On our final day in Laos, we visited our first Angkor temple, Wat Phu at dawn & I really didn’t want to go as the guidebook gave the impression it wouldn’t be worth the effort of getting up at 4am. But this time it was magical. Every moment brought more gifts, taking a small boat across the Mekong in the dark, the silence of the temple as we climbed to … Read more
The one thing I’ve learned this year.
Is it just me, or is your mood mirroring the grey weather here in the UK? On balance, we’ve had a good summer, but I often find this time of … Read more
Finding Joy Beyond Childlessness, 5 things I’ve learned in 5 years.
It’s 5 years since my book, Finding Joy Beyond Childlessness was published. It was a huge milestone, when I announced to the world that, despite being childless & my life … Read more
What DOES your heart want?
London recently experienced its first 5pm sunset of the year, a visible sign that Spring is on the way. But it’s taking its time, one day I feel energy rising … Read more
How to start the year in a way that supports your deepest intentions
As we head into another year where there are so many unknowns, you may be tempted to try & control those things which are in your domain & set yourself … Read more
What’s of value to you?
It’s the time of year when nature leads the way in harvesting what it’s produced during the year, storing what it values to tide itself over the Winter & shedding … Read more
What a difference a dress makes
A couple of weeks ago I bought 2 dresses, had a lovely time with a dear friend trying them on & then a few hours later couldn’t stop the tears … Read more
How much is your life controlled by what will people think?
When I was 10, I was prescribed glasses because I couldn’t read the blackboard at school. Every morning my parents put them in my school bag & there they stayed, … Read more
Kintsugi – the art of repairing ourselves with gold
Several months ago, I spent a lovely day with friends on a warm glass making workshop. Only a couple of hours after I’d got my pieces home, the laptop slid … Read more
Welcome to Spring, the time to start moving
After several false starts, it seems that Spring is finally here & following the still & quiet of Winter, nature has begun to move. And maybe you also feel the … Read more
Time for me to make a new map
I’m writing this shortly after turning 60 which, I can tell you is not for the faint hearted. Before stepping forward into the new decade, I had a long, hard … Read more
Four things I learned from (almost) 8 years of journaling
A friend recently asked me how long I’d been journaling & when I replied that it was almost 8 years, she said ‘so you must find it helpful.’ I guess … Read more
What do you want to take forward to next year?
Autumn or Fall is the time when nature leads by example, by shedding what it doesn’t need, retaining only what’s necessary to sustain it through the winter & when seeds … Read more
What my back taught me about acceptance
Three years ago I wrote a blog about acceptance & I guess I thought (or hoped) I had it nailed. But looking back I realise there was one crucial piece … Read more
What will your contribution be?
This year World Childless Week runs from 13th to 19th September & I’m very proud to continue to be an Ambassador. I hope you’ll join me in celebrating our community … Read more
The Unexpected Gift of Sharing Our Stories
Today I have a guest post for you by Kathleen Guthrie Woods who is a long time member of the childless community & you may have come across if you … Read more
