Monday 11 May 2015

Haunts



Those of you who follow me on Instagram will know that a) I'm pretty inept at it and b) I managed a little escape on Friday morning.

When you're busy (who isn't these days?) and feel as though you're constantly juggling priorities and demands, any free time is precious. If I know there's a chance of an hour or two of 'me time' (don't really like that phrase but still...) I usually opt for one of a very short list of places to take myself. Sometimes I'll stay at home and Get Things Done, but more often than not I get out. You're probably familiar with some of my favourite haunts; moorland walks or woodland wanders alongside the river. Occasionally I head back into civilisation and go to the grown-up section of the library to peruse the shelves at my leisure. Or I visit the antiques place to admire all the old kitchenalia and furniture.


But, having worked for such a long time in the heritage sector, I can't resist a museum. And the fact that our little local one has re-opened (complete with a lovely new cafe) means I very occasionally treat myself to a coffee and cake and a bit of people-watching. Like I did on Friday. I also scribbled in my notebook, wandered around the gardens with my camera, and visited the art exhibition upstairs. This time around it was lots of nudes, painted in murky oils, with four-figure price tags. I actually liked one or two of them. The ones where the subjects were wearing clothes. This does not make me a prude, I promise - it's just that the dresses were quite nice. 

I'll never be an art critic.


Anyway... Once I'd had my little escape I ran a few errands, visited my brother and then returned home in time to take Joe up for his mid-afternoon nap. But I felt refreshed and rested. And extremely grateful to Joe's grandparents for taking him off my hands for those few hours.

These places which take us away from everything, these opportunities to clock off for a little while: they're very important. I relish them and try not to waste a single second. And if I can head somewhere which not only relaxes me but makes me feel inspired? That's where I'll go. Often it depends on the weather but usually it's all about my mood and what I feel I need at that particular time; solitude and nature or culture and company (from a safe distance).


I'm interested, do you have anywhere you escape to when you're alone? Maybe during a lunch break or when the children are being taken care of for a little while... Perhaps you run for the hills. Or sit in a teashop with a book. I'd love to know.



31 comments:

  1. I run for the hills, or Mary's secondhand book shop, but mostly the hills. Not that I have small children I need to be relieved of responsibillity for first, but there are plenty of people making demands on me and I need to get away sometimes.

    I do hope Joe is all better now.

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    1. Thankyou Annie, he is much better now. Second hand bookshops are wonderful places - I love that sense of never knowing what you'll find.
      I hope the hills are offering you some respite at the moment.

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  2. I like all these photos which are quiet and restful (and green with new growth). I no longer have small children, but I still crave solitude sometimes. Often, I'll just walk up the trail behind my house or down a deserted dirt road nearby. I'll let my mind wander and try to be present. I find alone-time very rejuvenating.

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    1. I know a few people who constantly crave company and who struggle to spend time alone. But a bit of time out, as you rightly say, is very rejuvenating.

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  3. I'm so glad you had a chance to escape, Sarah. When I have time to myself, I usually go for a cup of coffee, taking a book or stack of magazines with me. Sometimes, I go to the park and sit in the shade with a cold drink and something to read. I haven't been to a museum alone in many years but I think I'd like to do that again soon.

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    1. It's a great thing to do; same with art galleries and exhibitions (particularly if you need inspiration). Hope you manage a trip out soon.

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  4. A little alone time is essential I think isn't it. I'm not very good at getting out and about when I have time, I'm always Doing Things around the house. Looking at your photos I think I should follow your example. I know that whenever I go for a walk in the countryside I always come back feeling better than when I started. It has some mystical magical quality to it. I'm glad you managed to have a little time for yourself, a little space for your thoughts. I hope you enjoy the rest of your week Sarah. CJ xx

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    1. Same to you! I think the countryside is always my first choice but sometimes I'd like to wander around a beautiful park or garden... Must plan a few excursions while the weather's nice x

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  5. I don't have any where particular that I escape to, other than my home, which I escaped to today after having it confirmed that I too will never be an art critic and am not sure that I will ever have the skill to be an art tour guide either! Glad that you have great places to get away to! xx

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    1. I do like to be alone in the house but am definitely overly sensitive when it comes to other people's noise. Now DIY season's upon us there seems to be constant drilling, sawing and hammering so I've been escaping.
      One day we'll live in the middle of nowhere!

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  6. Hi Sarah, I have just found your blog - what a fabulous post! your photos are wonderful! I escape into my garden or to a local nature reserve, generally with my camera as company...there is often tea and cake involved too!

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    1. Hello, nice to meet you :)
      It's lovely to be alone with your camera, free to stop and notice things without feeling like you're holding anyone up... And cake's always a bonus!

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  7. Ah there was a time that I'd run for the hills yet an aging and neglected body is unwilling to let me enjoy the walks that would last all day on the Clwydian range, nowadays I just spend time to myself trying to make the postage stamp of our garden a tranquil refuge for myself and any wildlife that cares to drop by.

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    1. Our soon-to-be garden is very small too, but I saw a very heartening programme the other day where someone had transformed an urban balcony into a little wildlife haven... If he can do it with such a tiny space, so can we!

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  8. My place would be the park I visit most days, there are neat and tidy bits, but the place I love is the wild side of the park. Through the little coppice wood following the stream amongst the woodland flowers listening to the birds sing, many years ago there was a house here and you can still see the stones that lined the gardens, in the distance you can here the hum of the main road, but this is my place and I love it.
    Amanda xx

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    1. I love a nice park. All ours are designed with children in mind but I always remember ones I've visited, like one in Harrogate and another in Buxton.
      The wilder edges of your park sound like they'd be my favourite bit too.

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  9. There's not much I miss about the baby and toddler years, but I did like nap time. My two were champion nappers, sleeping for two hours in their cots every day, and I used to give myself permission to sit down and rest. Now, I relish time alone in an empty house and prefer to keep gallery /coffee shop visits / walks as something to share with friends.

    How lovely of Joe's grandparents to give you a break. X

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    1. It was very good of them...
      I'm looking forward to moving house and getting to be alone in it once in a while. Sadly I'm one of those people who has to be surrounded by loveliness to feel really happy, and rental properties such as ours aren't really very lovely!
      I have such big plans...
      S :)

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  10. Hey Sarah,
    A walk with Honey is my main escape. But I do love to visit museums and nt gardens too. A cup of coffee without interruption is one of life's pleasures.
    Leanne xx

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    1. You forget all about actually savouring things sometimes, don't you? Peace and quiet, or a bit of solitude. I suppose it's all about slowing down and being in the moment - something I find extremely difficult.

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  11. Sarah, a bit of an escape to indulge in one's passions and loves is vital for the soul, well done for making yourself do it, it's too easy to end up doing house stuff. I head for the hills if the weather's good. A long walk of 6 to 10 miles over several hills is tiring but it gives me such a high too. I come back alive and revitalised to be at the raw end of nature and a beautiful view. I also love being in my garden or like yourself another passion is museums.

    Enjoy the rest of your week x

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    1. Thank you! Hilly walks are the best, especially when it's a bit wild and windy - I love to get out and blow those cobwebs away.

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  12. Lovely post. Thinking about it, I don't go anywhere to escape. I just relish those quiet, solitary moments at home, either early morning when no-one else is up, late at night when they're all a-bed or when the house is otherwise empty and it's just me and a napping dog.

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    1. I love how so many people seem to be content just by being at home. Exotic holidays and spa breaks are all well and good but there's no place like home, is there?

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  13. I love early morning wandering round the garden with a cup of coffee :) I'm glad you managed a little while to yourself. Small children are wonderful but they can also be exhausting.

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    1. Oh, they can!
      I'd forgotten about that morning garden meander. I particularly love doing that in summer when it's warm underfoot and you can head out in your pyjamas...

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  14. oh we all need a little getaway! anywhere will do, where you can just transport yourself for a while. Glad you had some time. X

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    1. Thank you. I think you appreciate it all the more when you don't get to escape often...

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  15. This looks like a great place to escape too, funnily enough, I'm trying to make the lower part of my garden my sanctuary. I place I can retreat to, that's not far away but feels like im on holiday, were a long way off, but hopefully this is what it wil develop into! :) xxx

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    1. That sounds wonderful! I was watching Gardener's World last night and was particularly taken with the 'Writing Garden' (how much land does Monty Don actually HAVE???) - long grass and cow parsley and a little shed, all tucked away. Dreamy! x

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