Staying at The Captain’s Cabin in Dartmouth, Devon. It’s a special place to us. A favourite home. We’re here to make the most of all the magical goodness, friendly people and wonderful coastline Dartmouth has to offer. This week is all about fresh sea air and mischief making.

So in love with these anemones.

You know those walks that are half hearted to begin with - you’re cold, lethargic, bored, hungry and want to be anywhere except here? Then they turn out to be epic, wonderful and full of magic because you slayed all your self defeating ideas and opinions. This was one of those.

Thank you for helping with the packing Catto. I know, it’s very tiring isn’t it.

I’ve become mildly obsessed with this video Dancing Pupper and the song. Now the rhythm is firmly planted and makes me giggle all time. I think Simon secretly loves me bursting into renditions of it round the house, making up my own lyrics 🤣 📷

I love spending time in The New Forest. I feel happy and at home. A soft lushness permeates the air and there’s something about seeing wild animals roaming free that brings me peace.

Day 7. New Forest belly dancing. Off road, in nature, sunrays through the clouds, wind blowing gently. It was a good dance. The ponies appreciated it. I’m enjoying the last couple of days here before the winds change and we move on.

Day 6. Had not one teaspoon of energy left last night to write about my dance. I didn’t even watch American Gods on the huge posh tv. This was serious exhaustion (in a good way) 😊 My dance was serene, strong, muscle engaging. My legs lifted higher, my waist was tight. I was able to hone in on particular parts of my tummy muscles. I have muscles down there wooo! I’m getting my shimmer on yeeeeehaaaa! I did simple things like dance from room to room - this used to feel unstable. I would wobble on my legs, perhaps bang into something. I’m moving through space now like I own it. I own my legs, my feet, my odd bits, my struggles. I’m owning them and slaying the old and flip me I feel fantastic. This, along with the low carb diet is taking me to places I’ve never been before and I’m dedicated to seeing the new me. Fav song Knight Riderz - Matrix and Future Bound ❤️ That’s a shakey booty song if ever I heard one 😊

Epic moments from Milford on Sea, Dorset.

Trying to get a contemplative look into the distance was completely out of the question. The more we tried, the more we giggled. We almost managed then realised I was only half in frame or had blinked. I love us.

A study of Catto.

New month. New hair.

Day 5. Lovely motion from my hips today. My stomach muscles have rocked and rolled baby. My demi-pointe is shocking but then that’s me, with my weird ass ankles that have managed to get me to 39 and ¾. I love what I can do. I’m keeping on going with all my flaws. I’m beginning to sense my calves. I sweat. I carry on. There’s something cool that passes through me when I look at my reflection (in the oven door) and see a bellydancing skater chick with an air of sailor about her today. Fav song was Stand High by Mind Vortex. Super fitting title and music for my body, heart and mind.

Yesterday was International Dance Day and amusingly I didn’t feel like dancing at all. Well, until 10pm when I was driving in the dark across the countryside trying to avoid donkies in the road. So I pumped my tummy muscles instead, to epic beats, in and out, all the way home.

This mischief maker is so good at bopping me awake. Firstly, her meow melts me with sweetness then her paw runs across any exposed surface. Her claws are sharp. This morning she nicked my lip. I still worship her despite now having what looks like a massive spot.

Day 4. Freestyle belly dance. As I began, I had chatter in my head until this incredible beat was about to drop and my body, hips, legs, thighs, feet, neck KNEW they wanted to be part of the action. When it dropped my whole body connected in and all the chatter melted away. My stomach is aching and tight. Happy about that. A song I loved was The Drifters by Feint and Elizaveta. So much energy and joy in this one.

Turned my back for two secs and Catto has commandeered my dancefloor. Catto you need to move a bit more if you’re staying there, not lounge around like a Sultan 🙄

‘Oooo what’s these?’ ‘Smells good’ ‘Want one’ ‘Hello plant friend. Now I eats you too, yes?’

A beautiful magical cat with her roots in Egypt and a white feather bringing me luck. I arranged a new cover song today. Radiohead - Creep. I love singing Thom Yorke’s lilting phrases. I’m looking forward to sharing. 🎶

I’ve only ever seen Wisteria from cars. This time I walked past some. Oh my goodness, the aromatic perfume blew over to me on the breeze. It smelt of stocks - sweet, heady and full. I stroked my face across those purple petals. It was worth the wait.

I’m amazed at how well I’m doing on this super low carb diet and excited to see the results over the coming weeks. But today is cheat day and there’s a jacket potato in the oven with my name on it followed by chocolate in the cupboard. I love cheat days.

One of those magical moments happened. One where reality shifts for a second and you realise the universe is talking to you. Here’s the background story.

For a few years now I thought my leg muscles had atrophised. Since birth, I’ve had a tough time with legs and leg strength. It’s just one of those things, I told myself - It’s amazing they’ve got me this far, I’d say. I’d given up on this changing and just ignored it. Oblivion was best. Exercise and movement were painful. I didn’t do enough. I didn’t find it fun. End of.

In the last year, I’ve rekindled my relationship with trance music and beautiful beats. Ooooo I noticed, that makes me feel good. I WANT to move. Wow. This is new. On my first night clubbing after twenty years, I danced for eight hours straight and did 25km. Woweeee. This is really important for me. My body can’t stop moving to this uplifting music. So I started dancing at home most days with the speakers up high.

I’ve wanted to do belly dance for a while, had a hunch that it may be good for my wobbly body. I serendipitously found a lovely online teacher. I’m on lesson 3 and last night I practised my lessons to my new thing, dnb music. I went wild. My hips shimmied, my calves burned. I can feel my calf muscles. OMG. I’m good at this! I can feel myself. I’m not so numb anymore. Who would have thought it? (not me)

So I look down at what’s playing on Spotify because my body is feeling incredibly energised by the track, and I see three tracks next to each other in the list. And I smile. They read like this…

• Atrophy - Keep Movin - Many Signs -

This is the universe talking. Gotta keep on going. It’s the only way to survive. Keep moving, keep dancing, keep your body strong. You do have muscles, they aren’t atrophised, they’re just asleep. Let’s smash these walls down, I will help you. Just. Keep. Moving.

Day 3. Something incredible happened. I ran upstairs like I’ve never run up before (basically ever). My legs felt capable. There was no holding onto the banister pulling myself up. There was forward thinking power down there in my dear legs. My belly dance sessions are working for my body. I danced to uplifting dnb today and practised what I’d learnt so far. I found my rhythm - I can really move when I love the music. It was amazing. My feet beat fast, my heart beat faster. The less I thought about the moves, the better they were. I tried to be elegant. My arms followed my shoulders. My hips swivelled, my thighs and calves engaged, I was frickin belly dancing! And Oh! did I smile and laugh and leap. Favourite song - this truly rocked my boat - Coast to Coast - Matrix + Futurebound. What a cracker of passion and funk and soul.

Catto doing what Catto does best.

What a lovely furry chin.