Can I really be that excited about clumping cat litter? Yes I can. Truly. 🙃

I just went on a music adventure with KODO. This song I really love. It’s ancient yet jazzy. I felt I was in Robin Hood country too. What a mix. The grounding beats lifted my spirit. I felt full of fire. 🎶

Harp practise with Maisie-Moo.

Day 30 - Last official day of the relaxed 30 day belly dance challenge. 😁 I learnt many moves during these practices. I explored and strengthened. I made friends with new muscle groups. I got sexier. I’ll definitely carry on with the online lessons. A little at a time. Then I can integrate them into my daily movements.

I realise that to keep my body in tip top condition ie without a hint of lethargy in my day, I’ve got to work out each and every day. Otherwise I lose stamina quickly and find it hard to start again. My body needs to keep ticking over. To be oiled. My muscles need to stretch. My heart needs to pound. So do my legs. Otherwise I get floppy. That’s how I’ll keep going. Keep feeling alive. If I keep on moving.

I noticed I’ve been wanting to sit down a lot these last few days. Like I got addicted to sitting down. And I don’t think it’s conducive to having a strong and healthy future. So I’m being more aware of it. Trying to slay that lethargy. Luckily I have Simon too. He knows when I’m not giving it my all. It’s important for your companion to help you be the best possible version of yourself. And call you out if you’re letting yourself go.

It’s something I see and reflect on in relationships. It’s dangerous territory when there’s one person in a relationship looking after themselves and another who’s letting themselves go. We are most attractive when we love ourselves. So how can the other love you when you don’t even love yourself?

Health is attractive. Mushiness isn’t.

Resting on your laurels isn’t something to be taken lightly. Strength and determination and being the best version of yourself will always make the most hearts flutter.

I did a constructive rest after dancing. It felt lush. To relax everything and just sink into the ground. I can’t emphasise enough how incredible this exercise is for letting your body go to reform and regroup.

I want to discover new music. I want to mix it up. I’m looking for some pure, unadulterated drumming compilations. I need those endless beats. I want to ground and grind. It makes my body excited. I honour that beat. Deep inside. So I’ll carry on exploring , releasing, strengthening, dancing. Any suggestions of imaginative, hard, uplifting beats (I don’t ask for much right?) let me know.

I found out that while belly dance is amazing for my body, letting go and dancing to my own rhythm is just as important. The less I think about technique, the more I feel the music. In my heart. When I feel it, I flow to my own rhythm. And that feels wonderful.

Shaftesbury Fringe Festival. Kicking back. Taking it all in.

Two relaxed moose taking in the view. We were thinking, if we hadn’t made the decision to go on this house-sitting adventure we’d still be in our old house with the same old view, acting in the same old way. Now we feel light and free. Everyday we make new magic.

Day 29 - Oh boy was it hard to get going today. Lethargy, boredom (over musical choices), lack of inspiration. I needed a kick up the ass. And I got it. I went back to my trance roots. To blow away the cobwebs. To shake it all up. It worked. I blew my own mind. I shook and I stomped out that lethargy. I felt my blood dance. I dove and swam with the beats. I wouldn’t let myself give up. My lizard brain tried hard. It wanted me to sit down. Forget it. Do it tomorrow, it said. So I looked for tracks to take me even higher. I remembered this passionate tune. So beautiful. And I danced my lazy side away. Wild Wild Son

A childhood memory revisited today in real time. Shaftesbury. Gold Hill. Ridley Scott directed this iconic British advert many moons ago (1973). The Hovis Advert

Super duper back garden view. Yum.

You know you’ve got a crazy cat crush when you can’t wait til Christmas because that’s when you’re next hanging out with him 😻🙃😻

Day 28 - After walking 8km+/day in York, I’m finally back to dancing in countryside kitchens. My legs feel strong. My body’s happy to be getting rhythmical again. I feel fit and healthy and just need to carry on keeping my heart rate up over extended periods of time.

During my dance session, I noticed that when I tightened my abdominals, my lower back popped in a releasing kind of way and felt nourished. Stronger. Relieved somehow. This makes sense. If something gets stronger in one area, another part would feel more supported and the positive knock on effect of that strength. In this case my back felt more powerful but I know the more I dance, the more other areas will feel more supported too and ultimately I’ll feel freer. That’s all I could ever wish for. So I’m gonna dance my way through July to a fitter, happier body. Let’s see where I can take this : )

Today’s song that got me jigging - Magnetic Eyes - Marix and Futurebound.

Yes. I would like some special foods please. Thank you.

Darling Cookie has left this world. Goodbye little angel. I’ll miss your tiny body snuggling into mine. No more protecting you from the boys. You’ve got some peace now. Go well sweet Cookie. You were the best mum with the kindest heart. Love you. 💖🐾🐾💕

The little fluffy lamb sleeps on her big fluffy donut.

A walk in the Dorset countryside with wispy clouds and a pastel sunset.

Comfy cat bed you say? No, no I’m fine here lying on the plugs.

Squidgy white pudding of fluff with a bit of gremlin added in.

Meet darling sweethearted Maisy. She’s soft, sedate and strokable. A regal queen at 18 ½. She has lots of comfy spots around the house and also likes to sleep below the raspberry bushes where it’s cool. She’s a dear little one. I’m looking forward to getting to know her.

Oxfordshire. Halfway to our next destination in Dorset. Staying at Mollie’s Motel. Uber cool. American/Scandanavian feel. What an amazing breakfast room. My first try of a flat white this morn. I’m liking it (was getting a bit fed up of cappuccino froth!). Sun is shining. Happy.

I loved stroking this bronze lamb each time I walked passed. I used to see kids in the playground, spinning round a tree and polishing the wood as they twirled. They did it so much it was smooth like marble. The lamb would get that smooth too, if it was stroked by kids everyday.

Goodbye Catto. Hello temporary rescue van.

Last night in York. Going out in style (with a hedgehog). ⭐️

Extreme Housesitting - when your clients are getting back in five hours time and your car is still at the mechanics after 2 weeks of engine work but they’ve said it’ll be ready some time today though they’re not sure when 😬 Living on the edge yeah 🙃😉😻🙏⭐️🦄✨

Another installment of Chatto with Catto.

Catto surveys his kingdom