For 40 days I’m giving up ‘Giving Up’

A recent conversation with the lovely Jessy of Jessography prompted these words about giving up. We were talking about behaviours and as it was Pancake Day the concept of giving something up for Lent came up. I’ve never really given up anything for Lent before. Rather than giving up say sugar, meat, complaining or smoking which seem to be the most popular, I’m giving up a behaviour. 

That behaviour is Giving Up to soon. Quitting. Throwing in the towel before I’ve really got past the starting blocks, stopping something after only three sessions because I'm bored. Not FULLY committing to what I was doing (or said I was going to do from the outset...I’m sure you get the idea. Sticking, you know like a stamp sticks to an envelope.

I'm interested - are you a giver upper to sooner? Or are you a keeping on keeping on no matter what-er until I’ve done it kind of person? Or somewhere in the middle?

Don’t get me wrong, I can stick and see things through but I find somethings like learning to handstand or play the guitar difficult and I am more prone to giving up too easily.

As a result of this conversation with Jessy, I’m challenging myself for 40 days to ‘Not give up’ on something. And that something is Handstands.

Handstands? Pha? Is she serious…???

Yes I am.

You see ‘Do a Handstand’ is no.12 on my 40/40 project list and it’s something I’ve been thinking about for months but as yet have not actually taken any real action on.

I signed up to Chris Salvato’s 28 day Handstand challenge on the 03 December 2014. DECEMBER 2014!! It’s now February 2016!! The daily emails arrived. I looked at three of them, then just let them pile up. I wasn’t really committed. I still have the emails though...

After I completed my epic Brecons 2 Morwenstow Adventure, doing a handstand was the next goal…but that hasn’t happened as I’ve stopped training with Team Breakthrough in Bath. It just went back to being one thing on my 40/40 list to do.

Now and again I’ll watch a you tube video of ‘How to do a handstand’ but my hands haven’t touched the floor.

I even went to see a short film at the Adventure Film Festival of a chap doing a handstand on the top of a tower on the Isle of Man to inspire me to get on with it…but that was weeks ago and yet again I’ve not started. It was Too Hard.

Today I’m committing to spending the next 40 days of lent on not giving up learning how to do a free standing handstand.

This is a challenge for me as a result of the stroke I had when I was 12, my left leg feels heavier and I have much less control over it. Sometimes it even seems to have a mind of its own!

Actually, I think part of not getting further with this is that old pal fear. Fear I’ll hurt myself.  I’m not as light and flexible as I was when I was 12 (the last time I actually did a handstand) I don’t want to end up in a crumpled heap having done myself a mischief that's for sure. 

This means that in my mind I’m struggling to actually believe I can do this and to see myself doing a handstand. Considering this, I’m going to combine the daily handstand activity/exercises with visualisations and instilling a belief that I CAN DO A HANDSTAND and see where I get to in 40 days. 

Yep you spotted that - this will allow me 12 days longer than the 28 day challenge created by Chris Salvato and possibly/hopefully more achievable for me. Will just have to see.

My ultimate goal is to do a handstand at the top of Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales – which I’ll be climbing in August (no. 31 on the 40/40 list). Research shows that if you stick at something continuously for a period of between 21-30 days it is more likely to become a habit. Now, I just have to DO IT! (or JFDI right).

Here we go…

How about you – is there a behaviour you could benefit from giving up for 40 days? 
What would it be? Maybe going to bed too late, eating badly, being too hard on yourself?

I'd love to hear from you!

If I can help you by coaching you through these next 40 days with your own challenge – let me know ;-)

Pip Pip!

Morwhenna

xx

Audio books, knitting & the joy of new to me discoveries

I’ve recently discovered a love of audio books.

Last year I re-started knitting. First some small hats for innocent to get me started and then on to a bigger project. A Fox Scarf for a Christmas present.

I discovered that I wasn’t actually able to knit AND watch TV at the same time as I needed to keep my eyes on the knitting! I wonder if I'll get to a point of being able to knit and chat and watch TV at the same time? (doubtful!)

Having discovered I was able to borrow audio books for free from the library - downloaded direct to my laptop I thought I’d give it a try. I'm a big fan of the library.

Ooh it’s rather brilliant! (I’m sure some of you are already aware of this treat and have been enjoying this for years!) For me, I’ve discovered a new joyful activity.  

I’ve listened to a few now and my current favourite is The To Do List by Mike Gayle. Being a list lover and also a fan of Danny Wallace’s Yes Man, this book appealed to me. I loved it, so much so I even tweeted Mike Gayle to tell him (love twitter for this kind of thing!)

I liked the fact it was about those ordinary jobs that tend to get put off. Those little niggly jobs that are on our minds but never seem to get done? Not the BIG lists (like the 40/40 list or having a bucket list) things like – getting that picture framed that was bought on holiday a few years ago or painting that piece of furniture picked up at the charity shop….you get the idea? If you've not read it - or listened to it - I think you might enjoy it. ;-)

Actually this isn’t a post just about that particular book but more about the joy of ‘new to me’ discoveries. What are your 'new to me' discoveries?

Are you an audio-book lover? Have you discovered a new joyful activity recently? Or re-discovered a love of something?

Love to hear from you

Morwhenna

x

ps I've been listening to an audio book this morning as I work on my Sketchbook project

The fox scarf knitted whilst listening to an audio book! ;-)

Wish List

Hi! Hi! OK Yes I know I have my 40/40 project list that I'm working my way through....However, this is a different kind of list. This is a wish list of other adventurers I'd like to go on at some point. 

I'll add to it as and when and really its an open invitation to be involved with some of them if you'd like to...

1. Stay in all the Landmark Trust buildings in the UK

Reason: The fascinating buildings and their stories. So far I've stayed in one on Lundy Island in 2015 when I took a fabulous group of ladies to Lundy for a Creative Adventure. 

We stayed in the Old Light Upper and from that moment I was hooked! I'd actually come across an article about the Landmark Trust years ago in a magazine that I'd cut out and kept. What a fantastic adventure that was! I'm going again this year if you'd like to join me? see Lundy 2016

www.landmarktrust.org.uk

2. Visit and stay on (if possible) all the islands around the UK

Reason: I have a bit of a thing about islands! I think its partly due to all the Famous Five books I read as a child (erm and as an adult!) And when I say Islands I don't mean all the little bits of rock jutting out of the sea willy nilly and only big enough for one person to perch on whilst standing on one leg. I mean 'Island' as defined by the British government in 1861 when they set out the parameters for classifying an island. It was decided that if it was inhabited, the size was immaterial. However, if it was uninhabited, it had to be "the summer's pasturage of at least one sheep" - which is about two acres. 

I've yet to establish an exact list of which these islands are - that will be my next task. 

So far I've been to (and stayed on) The Isle of Wight, Lundy Island and Burgh Island. So three down out of a possible thousand.....!

3. Stay in all the Tree houses in the UK (and then the world?) Let's start with the UK!

On the Canopy and Stars website there appears to be 23 tree houses in the UK you can stay over night in. Are there more to be stayed in?

Also, isn't there a restaurant in a Tree house somewhere?

Reason: I love tree houses. I stayed in one when I was in Thailand in 2014 and at that moment had a desire to stay in lots more (and of course have my own at some point!) Well the desire to stay in a Tree house was there way before I stayed at the one in Thailand - that's what got me into the tree house in the first place!
Plus who wouldn't want to stay in lots of tree houses? I'm seeing this as 'research' for my ultimate dream of having my own woodland which has tree houses galore and a central meeting/healing hub where lots of exciting and creative things happen. It is also a place where people who are suffering from depression can come to experience the benefits of being in a creative and natural place. 

4. Walk The Way of The Gull

Reason: After my Brecons 2 Morwenstow adventure last year I discovered how much I love walking and how much it actually helps my mobility. Yes, my knees did hurt a fair bit with all those darn steps and I did get a few blisters. BUT my hip pain went! As you may know I had a Brain Hemorrhage when I was 12 which is a form of stroke. As a result I was paralysed down my left hand side and had to learn to walk again. I still have a limp and reduced mobility which is helped with the aid of a STIMuSTEP implant. 

So I'd love to do more physical challenges. (I did do a 350 mile bike ride in 2006 with a specially adapted bike. Well, the amazing chaps in the workshop where I worked at the time made me a special pedal. Without that I wouldn't have been able to completed the bike ride). Heck that'll be 10 years ago this year! 

So yes more of that kind of thing! Climb Machu Picchu is also 'on my list'

5. Drive Henry my Nissan Figaro back to Japan

Now then this might be one of those adventures that never happens. (esp having done some research into it and being put off by what I read about taking cars on the Tran Siberian Railway...) but with a team of the right people, a film crew, funding...this would be totally do able. The Figaro celebrates being 25 this year...

Reason: A few years ago, on my way to work one morning I was stuck in traffic and I started to wonder 'what's the furthest a Figaro has ever driven? What would it be like to drive Henry home? as in to Japan???

The idea was planted and it keeps popping up now and again. If you are reading this and thinking - heck yes that sounds cool I'd like to do that too, then message me. With a team (and some funding) I reckon its doable! ;-)

As you can see these aren't all going to happen this year kind of adventures. I guess they could be done in a year if I wanted to - but this isn't about the speed in which these are done. It's going to be more about getting folks involved to join me on these and to be apart of them in some way. Folks like you. 

Hmmm now then I could run a Creative Adventure on each Island I want to visit/stay on - that would be fun, or see if I could stay at all the Landmark Trust places in one year (late last night the idea crossed my mind about'How do-able would it be to start at the top - i.e Scotland and walk between each Landmark Trust property all the way down to the bottom which would be the Nicolle Tower in Jersey....which would also be a tick in the 'stay on an island' box....This would take a rather long time...How long though I wonder?

OR....well there are lots of different ways to do these wish list items....(as there is with pretty much anything we approach or decide to do. There is always more than one option)

These are a few things that have been buzzing around my head that I wanted to get down on paper and 'out there.' I'm sure you know as well as I do that as soon as you start talking about something you'd like to do, things start happening to help 'make it so'...

So that's me, for now, how about you? What's on your wish list? 

Bye for now!

Morwhenna
xx

04 Feb 2016

Lundy 2016 – Your invitation to join the adventure!

This June I’ll be returning to the magical Lundy Island to run another Creative Adventure and this is your invitation to join me.

After the success of last years I honestly did hesitate slightly in running it again as I knew it would be a different experience. Those pesky ‘What ifs’ were getting in the way (I’m not immune to these, it’s how you deal with them that makes all the difference) I stopped and I asked myself ONE question ‘how would I feel at the end of 2016 if I hadn’t run it? There was my answer. YES Of COURSE I‘d love to do it again and take four ladies with me! How can I not?

Will one of those ladies be you? 

Note: Chaps I’m sorry. As the Lighthouse is on a shared room basis this trip is a ladies only affair. If you’d be interested in future trips – please let me know so I can consider different places to stay.

How does spending two nights in a lighthouse on a small island off the coast of Devon, exploring, creating, laughing, being inspired, having time to yourself with no distractions and adventuring with like minded people sound to you? You may also glimpse some Puffins…

As you may know I have a love of Famous Five books (and Nancy Drew) so think of this as a Famous Five style Adventure (can’t promise any mad professors mind!) 

If by this point you are jumping about and clapping your hands then you’ll know this is right for you. 

If a part of you is quietly saying YES – oh I’d LOVE to do this ….but…I’m not creative enough….It’s a bit out of my comfort zone…I’m not sure I’d like sharing a room…stop for a moment and listen to the Yes. Does that little spark need listening to this time? You’ll know.

You don’t need any drawing skills or previous artistic experience. This trip isn’t about learning to draw. We’ll of course be doing fun creative explorations – like doodling (if you’ve done any of my courses you’ll have a feel for how I work already) it’s totally about experimenting, exploring, enjoying the environment (it's very different to the mainland) and the company of like-minded people in a small friendly and supported group. Having time to figure some stuff out in a creative way!

What’s included?

• Two nights accommodation in a shared room in the Old Lighthouse Upper (glorious sea views)
• Return Boat ticket on board the MS Oldneburg (sailing will either be from Ilfracombe or Bideford – I’ll know nearer the time)
• Art materials, paper and anything else required for our creative adventures
• 6 Creative Adventures spread out over the three days (some as a group some individual)
• Two 45 mins private coaching sessions* with me. (valued at £100)
• Food. Whilst at the self-catering accommodation will be supplied, prepared and joyfully cooked by me. It will be local, fresh & organic (where possible) and meat free (note: Option to eat at the fabulous local Tavern will be at your own cost)
• Tea, coffee, fruit juices and some celebratory bubbles....!
• Fun!
• Time to stretch yourself – mentally and if you wish physically. The island is surprisingly big when you walk around it.

Being on Lundy gives you the opportunity to change the lens of how you are looking at your life. Use it as a time for a Life Audit, as a time for fresh inspiration, as a time to pause and consider which direction you want to take next. How often do you give yourself this kind of time, freedom and support to do just that? Plus of course it'll be Fun with a capital F!! Did I mention there'd be Ginger Beer?

*Coaching Sessions - One will be whist we are on the island and one as a follow up within 6 months of the trip.

Dates: June 21-23 2016

How much for this Creative Adventure?  

The total cost for this Creative Adventure is £395 

As there are only four places available a £100 deposit will secure your place. 
Payment is by bank transfer – so if you’d like to secure your place today please let me know and I’ll send you the booking details.

If you are thinking YES but have some questions – please drop me a line! 

I’m already excited and looking forward to Lundy and this year’s Creative Adventure! 

Toot Toot!

Love & Exploration

Morwhenna
x

Here are some photos from last year’s trip and if you’d like to read about that adventure please go here – Five Go To Lundy. 

Here’s what the 2015 'Puffineers*'  had to say about the Adventure:

"Morwhenna inspires with brilliant adventurers and gives opportunities to really question yourself in a fun, safe group of supportive fellow artists & puffineers! Had the best fun."

Rhian Wyn Harrison, Illustrator

***

"A delightful combination of holiday, inspiration, freedom and creative fun with a lasting impact of new directions and happy memories. I would do it again tomorrow!"

Alison Stephenson, Costumier

***

"I came needing space to rediscover me – needing to re-connect with my first love, photography. Needing to get some clarity on my work as an artist and on balancing aspects of my life and integrating them. 
And thanks to The Creative Adventurer and the magic of Lundy, I have!"

Lisa Tregenza, Textile Artist

***

"Windy, Wild, Friendly, Sheep. Had some lovely Creative Adventurers in our brief time here. Hoping to spy some puffins today and adventure some more!" 

Justina Hart, Novelist & Poet

*Puffineer 

- a person who goes looking for puffins and creative adventures on Lundy Island.

Please note – I can’t guarantee we’ll arrive by helicopter this time!  Sorry!

Up Up and Away....The 40/40 Project No.13

There are a few of my 40/40 project experiences that I’ve not written about yet for one reason or another, one of them being going up in a hot air balloon. It was the most amazing experience and I absolutely loved it! Going up in a balloon is something I've wanted to do ever since I went to Egypt as a student. At the time I couldn't afford to take that trip...so going up in a balloon has been on my wish list for many, many years.

This wish was becoming a reality. Whhooooo Hoooooo!

The first flight was booked for March, however the weather wasn’t playing ball so we had to reschedule. I’d been given the balloon flight as a 40th birthday gift from some of my family and Mr CA was able to join me as Bristol Balloons were running a 'Plus 1' offer at the time. Fabulous! Cerys Puppy and Timmy Cat had to stay at home though...

April came around and with it our second chance at a flight. Fingers were crossed. It was an early start – up and out before the sun on a frosty and misty morning.

We assembled at Aston Court to see if today was a good day to fly.

The test balloon was released. (A standard black party balloon to see which way the wind was heading - very technical!)

Ah the wind would send us towards Bristol Airport...

Not so good. We were all bundled into the land rovers that were pulling the hot air balloon kit and taken to Keynsham Rugby ground instead, hoping we’d be able to launch from here...

The all clear was given and the balloons unpacked. I’ve been to the Balloon Fiesta in Bristol before but have never been as close to a balloon as this and really appreciated just how massive they are!

Everyone who was taking a flight was roped in to help unpack the balloon which was good fun and rather hard work as the balloon is surprising heavy.

The moment finally came when we were to climb aboard and set off….

Once in the basket (it's split into four compartments around a central core where the pilot stands to control the gas) we were told to sit down on the benches and hold on to the ropes as we took off. 

All of a sudden we were lifting off the ground and going up, up, up...

I felt surprisingly safe being in a basket supported by a balloon made of fabric…!

As we rose up slowly the sounds from below changed and even though you could hear quite a lot the stillness of being above it all gave the sounds a different quality. 

As we drifted along the view around us was breathtaking. It was a beautiful day to fly.

Looking down at the landscape beneath us, it took on a new perspective and all the different patterns made by nature, animals and us humans created an artwork all of it’s own. The shadows from the trees creating delicate lace patterns on the ground. 

I really saw a different kind of beauty from this view point.

There were so many amazing patterns to see from this perspective.  It was fascinating.
It exceeded any thoughts I’d had about ‘what will it be like’ it was pure joy, magic, wonder and excitement. 

This was how we landed! We were in the 'bottom' bunk...so to speak and only tipped right at the end. We'd been warned that it might happen. We had to stay there laughing until we were allowed to get out. 

All too soon it was time to land and we were heading over a farmers field so our pilot radioed to the ground team to secure our landing site. Apparently the team usually carry a couple of bottles of ‘something’ to give any farmer whose field their balloons land in as a thank you.

The landing was a quick bump, skid and tumble…It was rather exciting to be honest.

And a couple of photos taken by Bristol Balloons!

There we are on the left at the back! It does look like 'That's not real that's superimposed' but trust me - we were there! And do you see the gas taps - they rather look like cyber men to me...What do you think? 

And Yes I’d LOVE to do it again!

Have you been in a Hot air balloon? Would you like to? It really is superbly wonderous!

Tell me, do you have a wish list/bucket list or some kind of list of dreams like my 40/40 project? I'd love to hear what they are and if I can help you to achieve any of them by coaching you!

Love & Creative Adventures

Morwhenna
xx

Happy New Year – New You (Again?) Ditch That and Do Something Different.

Here we are at the start of a new year. All those delicious new days and opportunities yet to be experienced. Tell me, what do you normally do at this time of year?  Have you set yourself resolutions – that secretly you know you’ll never stick to as you’ve gotten so excited by the New Year you’ve set yourself WAAY too many? Or have you abandoned that practice now and take a different approach? Choosing to learn a new skill? I’d love to hear what your ritual is if you have one.

Me, well I’ve been reflecting on 2015 and starting to think about this year and what things I’d like to focus on and complete. I’ll be revisiting unfinished projects with a view of getting things finished this year. One will be finally converting the fleece from my ‘Love What You Wear’project (I’ve bought some carders) and learning to spin that into wool so by the end of the year I’ll have made something from the fleece! Hurrah!

I’m also going to be researching my Family Tree. Two things have sparked this.

• A friend of mine (who I met through my Bags of Love Project) has family in St.Ives and we thought it would be fun to discover if our families had any connections way back then – we’re talking early 19^th century! Did they know each other? Were they friends? 
•  Finally buying the book: The Road North. One Woman’s Adventure Driving the Alaskan Highway 1947 – 1948 by Iris Woolcock – I want to know if I’m related to her!

My word for 2016 is Family. The majority of my Family are in Cornwall and I’m ashamed to say that I don’t see them that often. This year though I want to change that and spend more time with my family as well as meeting extended family I’ve not met before. I’ve already discovered I have some in Bristol which I wasn’t aware of!! (shocking I know!) It’s a long story and I’m sure snippets will make it into these posts as I go on this exploration and journey.

Have you done any Family Tree research? If so, what have you discovered? Did anything surprise you? And I’m curious - does knowing more about your ancestry change how you feel about yourself?

Or maybe you’ve been thinking about doing some research for a while but have never quite gotten started. How about this year? I know some people have told me it can become rather addictive and time consuming and I think that actually puts a lot of people off. I’m only planning on doing and hour or so a month and using the local Library – as there you can get free access to Ancestry.co.uk which has pretty much ALL the records you need online (I believe!) so you don’t need to go haring across the country anymore to find out details. Bitesize. This is the way I’m going!

As I’m sure you’d expect there are other plans in the pipeline. Of course I’m also going to be continuing to work my way through my 40/40 list and get some more of those completed. Hmmm seems Completion is also a key word for me this year.

I’ll leave you now to consider what things you’d like to focus on this year and hope that I’ll be able to support you in some way or other. Do drop me a note and share what you are dreaming of creating in 2016. I love hearing from you!

See you soon!

Love

Morwhenna

xx

Dear Santa…

Is this suitably Kitsch with the candy stripe frame? Hope so!

Did you write to Santa with your Christmas wishes when you were a child? I certainly did. As far as I can recall I’d be asking for things. Certain toys (Lego!) or maybe a pet! Sometimes my wishes were met other times not. I can’t remember how old I was when I wrote my last letter to Santa - how about you? Can you remember the last thing you asked Santa for?

I do think about these letters to Santa at this time of year as I see my nieces and friend’s children continuing this tradition. It also makes me wonder – If I was to write a letter to Santa this year what would I wish for?

Would I wish for things? Or feelings? Or Experiences?  What would I like to see in my Christmas stocking?

How about you? What do you wish for this Christmas?

Would it be things or experiences? Maybe half an hour to yourself? Re-igniting a lost dream you have kept buried that’s starting to glimmer again? Travelling more? Writing that book? Changing your job? Spending more time with family? A simpler life with less stuff? Finishing the projects you’ve started? Or even starting a project you’ve been thinking about? Or.....?

Take out a sheet of notepaper (the nicest you have) and write a letter to Santa (or the Universe or God or Goddess whatever works for you) this year with your wishes.

I’ll be doing just this myself and tucking myself away to reflect on the year that’s been and my wishes, hopes and dreams for 2016.

Before I go into my warm cosy hibernation cave I want to say a huge thank you for being a part of this adventure so far and I look forward to new adventures with you in 2016.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Joyful New Year.

Much Love

Morwhenna

x

ps I'd love to hear what your wishes are so do drop me a note if you'd like to share. 

pps Thing is you don't need Santa to make your wishes come true. Taking Action is the key and you can do that...! x