Winter Sun

I was an extremely lucky lady this month, to have been taken away for a week of winter sun, to the beautiful island of Madeira. The trip coincided with a) one of the drearier weeks of the year and b) with my birthday! In case you're trying to place in your mind's world map where exactly Madeira is, I'll help. It's north of the Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean, and therefore closer to Morocco than Portugal (which it is part of). So although Madeira is in the EU, it is blessed with beautiful sunny, warm weather all year round. Which explains how I ended up there! I have to say, having a blast of sunshine in January really does lift your spirits. I know we've had a mild winter in England (compared to the last few years), but it was just wonderful to feel the sun on my face again :) I will be sharing lots of my pictures in up-coming posts, so you will get to see a bit of what it's like.

On my actual birthday I really wanted to visit Garajau, a seaside town near the capital Funchal, because of the beautiful statue which stands at the headland. It is a miniature version of the Christ The Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, which I have always wanted to visit. 

Christ the Redeemer statue, Garajau, Madeira

Ponta do Garajau, Cristo Rei, Canico, Madeira

Sunshine + statues = enjoying my birthday!Incidentally, I just heard a report on the news today about the possibility of London having its very own Christ the Redeemer statue placed at the top of Primrose Hill to mark the end of the London Olympics and welcome the 2016 Rio Olympics. The idea is still being discussed, so we will have to wait and see what happens!

Early Christmas Countdown

Hand-made advent calendar made by Charlotte

This year the Christmas break is going to be a bit different for me as things are a bit up in the air with regards to moving home. So I decided that I am going to get prepared with gifts and put up my decorations super early, which explains this post. It is probably (and hopefully) my last Christmas in this house, so I am going to make the most of it. Pictures to come soon!

A Change is as Good as a Rest

Hello everyone! As you may know if you're a regular reader, I have been away for a well-earned restful holiday in Turkey and have now returned refreshed and ready to get back to work :) “Rest when you're weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work.” - Ralph Marston

While I was away I allowed my mind to have a total break from work, as I wanted a to come back completely refreshed and energised. I did however continue to ponder over how to further improve the quality of my life and enrich my daily experiences. I have made huge strides over the past few years to take a look at life when it is getting too hectic. I have tried to examine the situation, identify the problem and acknowledge it. I have then been more able to work on the problem area and improve it. 

Just before I went away on holiday, things in my world of work were getting very hectic (which is normal I guess as I had various deadlines to meet), but I was also starting to feel I couldn't wait to get away, which is not how I want to feel about my life! The time away allowed me the mental space to explore the issues that have been bubbling up. It also gave my body the amazing opportunity to rest and recuperate in a warm and comfortable climate. My arthritis was all but gone. GONE I tell you! I was left wondering: How much of the symptoms that present themselves are to do with what I think and how much are to do with what I do? Which part of 'the illness' is a disease, and which part can be influenced by how I live my life? This conundrum is one I have been playing with for years.

One of the best parts of my holiday was reading: one of the pleasures I am going to make more time for. A friend had just given me Tim Park's book 'Teach Us to Sit Still' which I would recommend for anyone who has lived with or is living with chronic pain. It is beautifully written and although I found Tim to be rather moany and negative at times, he really does find a resolution in the end and learns to relieve himself of pain. 

Another INCREDIBLE book I read was Tiger, Tiger by Margaux Fragoso - one of the most gripping, shocking and honest books I have ever read, about her years growing up in a relationship with a paedophile. Not the most relaxing holiday read, I grant you, but inciteful and haunting. (As someone who works with children, I found it to be of particular interest in terms of warning signs.)

I haven't had a total relaxation holiday for ages as most of my holidays tend to be more rough and ready 'travel' ones so you can imagine my heart was singing with joy as I made the most of the facilities at the hotel :)

Talking to the sports trainer after an early morning yoga lessonRelaxing in the bar area in the evenings

Cushions, hammocks or chairs - a wonderful place to admire the view

Below the resort lies the town of Turunc and The Mediterranean