This is Spooks. I’m totally smitten. I’m currently playing As the World Falls Down by David Bowie to him on the harp. Softly. The Prince needs his rest. 😻

Got taken out to dinner tonight by our new housesit family. What a super generous couple they are. I ended the evening with a snuggly cuddle with catto ‘Spooks’ having drunk a Butterscotch Espresso Martini. I totally melted when he looked into my eyes. Can it get any better?! 😻

Selby Power Station. The biggest one in England. Once a huge smokey blot up North. Now a forward thinking biomass production facility. Good work Selby. Love the nature around here too. And the juxtaposition it has with industry.

My last walk in York for a while. Old and new. Our car of blue. Ancient walls. Bye bye York. See you again soon I hope.

Yes I’ve got a thing for strawberry sponge cakes at the mo. And yes it was as good as it looks. 😍

Moving out of a housesit always presents a different set of challenges. Here are a few examples:

The place could be cluttered so a lot of time and concentration are needed to locate everything in all the rooms.

There may not be parking right outside the house so every trip backwards and forwards takes ages.

It may be raining cats and dogs outside then all the bags/boxes get soaked.

There may be inquisitive cats jumping into your car as you load up, ready to spray all over your luggage and claw up your seats.

Sometimes we end up working as a kind of defensive relay team through the house to make sure our things are safe from the territorial beasts. We’re getting it down to a find art now. I love the process actually. It means a new adventure is on its way in a new area, in a new house with a new catto. I get excited.

It’s exhausting too. I packed and organised and cleaned to an eclectic and edgy dnb soundtrack today. It gave me some energetic attitude. I danced and lifted and loaded and felt strong. I also listened to this song and wished for a few extra helping hands/tails. 😃

The Little Coffee House, Selby. Strawberry and White Chocolate cake for me (nom) with a cappuccino. Super friendly vibe on the outskirts of York. Happy atmosphere, smiley people. Great coffee. Squidgy cake with sweet butter icing. My fav.

I connected with my inner child this morning. With memories of innocent youth. I sat on the shore as ripples of water caressed my legs. I dug my hands deep into soft, squidgy sand and smeared it all over my legs. I played in the gentle waves slowly floating further out into cold, crystal waters. I float easily. I’m a seal. It’s useful. It means the rhythm of the tide can take me and do as it pleases. I fly through sun dappled water gliding to and fro. I watch crabs marching on by. And do handstands. And feel bubbles tickling my face.

I thanked the sea once again. For making me weightless. For teaching me new things about my body. For reminding me I have more power and energy than I think. For giving me a break from standing on the ground.

And I told her I’d be back as soon as I could. To be held by her once again. Because I always feel so very held. By that shining blue expanse.

Photo

Mamãe Yémanja

The Queen of the Sea

I have so much gratitude for this place. What a gem of a bay. Cayton. I never knew Yorkshire beaches were so beautiful and the North Sea could be so clear.

Bramble the sunshine doggo. Part Jack Russell, Lhasa Apso and Poodle, she’s the friendliest little thing with the sweetest of temperaments.

My heart. In ripples. In crystal waters and soft sand.

And there were spiders. Lots of them. Everywhere. On my body, in my shoes, setting up camp in my bag. Making webs. Building houses. Hundreds of them were even walking on top of the water as we swam. It was surreal. Maybe we’re about to win the lottery?!? 🤑🕷🕸

Cayton Bay, Yorkshire. A northern beach. Wow. Pristine and fresh. Very fresh. So fresh I squealed. Often. And so clear and serene. With the softest sand. I’m grateful to have exercised my mermaid capabilities up here despite it taking longer than usual to dunk under. 😁🧜‍♀️

Late night birthday paddle.

Whitby by night (famous for Bram Stoker’s Dracula).

Happy Birthday to me.
Happy Birthday to meeeee.

40 feels positive. This year feels big. I’m looking forward to dancing through it all yeeeehaaaa.

A bright walk, dancing to tunes on my wireless headphones (by Jabra - best thing ever!), basking in nature, breathing in the late evening freshness, leaping about a bit when no one was looking. I can’t help but dance when I walk, especially when there’s a funky tune on.

And here they are from the front. 🎶

Totally loved this today. Tatanka. 🎶

Checked our housesit’s allotment and met Syd next door who gave us some beans and told us he’d been in York 70 years. He worked in the Rowntree’s chocolate factory for 40 years and had a wealth of knowledge about all the best places to live in York. And the places to avoid. 😃

Simon bought me a present. A happy gingerbread man yay!

Oh yes. It truly is what you think it is. An ice-cream boat!!! And they did vegan flavours. And they took cards. Well that’s heaven on a stick right there.

Dance you say? Around the kitchen in a light-footed, joyful like manner? Leaving behind inhibitions. Gaining freedom. Getting your shine on? I’ve got just the thing. Escape with the Clouds 🎶