Something special happened to me this morning. I’d spent an enjoyable hour missioning around York and was walking to the bus stop, laden down with my wares; boxes and birdseed. The bus was already there. I love it when that happens. I got on and asked for a ticket. I reached for my purse to get my card (you can pay with contactless now…yay) and went to pay. The bus driver said I couldn’t pay like that - he’d already put the ticket through as ‘cash’. There was no other way. I’d have to get off the bus, walk to a cash point, and come back. I had five minutes. He didn’t even give me a chance to get my card out. I was too flummoxed to be annoyed.

Then, my guardian angel stepped in.

She was a lady who had seen my quandary. Her name was Antya. She offered to pay for my ticket. I felt awkward inside somehow. This was a new experience for me. Being paid for by a stranger. She told me she’d just finished giving a guided tour of York and had been given lots of tips. It all happened so fast and before I knew it I’d accepted her offer. Wow. She paid for my ticket.

I felt overwhelmed with gratitude. Enough that my heart could have burst. It was almost too much to bare - taking kindness from a stranger. I just kept saying thank you as I looked into her eyes and asked her name and said thank you again. I was a jibbering wreck by the end of the encounter : ) It made me feel strange at first and then relieved she was there. She was my angel.

Now I’m reflecting upon how important it is to let people help you. It’s a good lesson - to receive gracefully. I enjoy giving. Receiving is more difficult. Giving helps to heal the world. Accepting the help does too.

I’ve never had French toast, berry compote and mascapone cream before. I’ve concluded it’s definitely going to be a recurring theme through my life. Oh yes 👍

Bells chimed out and ice-creams were devoured. It was an emotional moment.

Oh golly. I’m in love 🥰

27 degrees here in the UK and everyone’s feeling it. I’m loving the hotness and embracing the sweat. I adore this delightful garden we’ve been staying in and appreciate the two days of balmy weather we get a year. Hooray! 🌞🙏🌞🥳🌞❤️🌞

Cappo on doggo: a study in cuteness.

I do love an allotment full of love and care. I saw some magical ones this evening.

You know you’re getting healthy when a plate of salad excites you and a plate of pancakes doesn’t.

Ooooo what have we got here? Mmmmm my favourite yum smell. Ok. Feeling a bit frisky now. Zoomies are upon me. Here I go…..

I’m rather excited. Because after a long time of talking about, looking at, trying on, deciding on, ordering, not receiving and sending back two inferior laptop bags from an online store, today we purchased altogether new and improved bags, from an uber cool leather shop and we’re totally loving them. @macgenie had a part to play in the purchases (thanks honey!) when she posted a gorgeous picture of her lovely leather travel bags at the airport. It got us thinking about leather - we’d never thought about it before. We’d also started seeing classically weathered leather bags around the city. They looked perfect. Then it dawned on us. It was time for leather. It was time for sophistication. It was time for class. It was time to buy two leather bags (in the sale yay) and honour and cherish them for years to come (love you thank you cows). The smell is alluring. The touch so soft. These little babies look the bomb. Now we just need leather jackets to go with them. 😉

York on a Thursday.

What do you do in York on a hot summer’s day when you realise you’ve only got a few days left in your favourite city and are about to head off into the countryside again? Pick out your future, uber cool winter coats of course. They felt so good and are made by a company who care.

I love this place. For one thing it’s so photogenic. The colours are soft, warm and inviting. It’s in one of the gates that make up the medieval wall surrounding York’s centre so it feels extra cool with the added history and thick stone walls. The staff have to be fit here; there are three levels including a roof terrace. They’ve got to have strong, coordinated legs to whizz (calmly) up and down the wooden stairs. I’m comfortable here on my snuggly couch. I feel peaceful and soft. Leather and wood abound. It’s primal. Like an inn. Done 21st century style.

My cappuccino came extra hot. A rare occurrence. So it’s lasting longer (also a rare occurrence). It’s creamy and bright. They know what they’re doing with coffee. Their Instagram barista videos are wonderful to watch and pleasing on the eye. I’ve been naughty this morning and had a salted caramel chocolate slice too. When made with love, they are sweet, light, buttery slices of epicness. This is one such as those.

I’m so pleased to be here with chilled out, laid back music pitched at the perfect level. You know when something is done so well and with such care, that it becomes quite emotional? I’m kind of in that space right now. Feeling grateful for people, love, life, lessons, good design and lots of fun.

The elusive orange one 🧡

Been embracing bus culture since our car is still in hospital (and the next house-sit looms). I like the bus when it’s quiet. It gets ever so hot with many people on board and no-one opens the windows which makes no sense to me (no air con here). I use Uber when feeling wealthy.

Day 28 - We are all sculptors. Sculpting our own bodies and our own futures. We chisel away, exploring and discovering new things our bodies can do. If we treat our body kindly it feels wonderful. If we challenge it, it repays us by getting stronger and happier. Love your body.

After lying down, I used to find getting up again a challenge. Physically. My arms were weak, my torso heavy. I’d use my arms to lever myself up onto my side and from there I could push my way up fully to a sitting position. My back would twinge and protest. The lumber region was weak. Now after all my dancing, getting up seems so different. I can twist however I want. Whichever way I want. My stomach muscles engage and then it takes no effort to rise. My supple strength means it’s easy. I’m so grateful for what I’ve discovered. Getting stronger, through dance, taking it one day at a time is the best decision I ever made.

Day 27 - It’s funny how little I’ve thought about my upper body over the years. Now I’m playing with it, moving it, it feels important. There’s definition up there and everything’s waking up. It’s not just something for my legs to bear the weight of. Having a flabby upper body doesn’t serve a purpose. So I made it more lithe. More toned. And now it has a purpose. It has jobs to do. It reaches for things with ease. It stretches and opens out. It twists and turns in a fluid motion and without pain. It allows me a bigger space with which to breathe in oxygen. It works with my legs to make me graceful and soft as I walk and dance. It’s no longer a burden but a joy.

Working it more has brought me back to life. Lifting up my chest feels amazing. Holding it there naturally feels regal. I’m tall and elegant. My shoulders don’t shrug or curl forward anymore. I have no shoulder pain. I have more space and strength vertically. This is something not to be underestimated. Vertical strength opening like a flower is like tasting the nectar of my muscles.

We had a massive rain shower. I went out to feel the raindrops. They were fat.

They smell as delicious as they look.

Popped into VJs this afternoon for a champagne and strawberry liqour. I’m not much of a bar goer but everyone’s so friendly here and bars have definitely become more civilised since I was younger. So here I am, soaking up the friendly vibe, coiffing my glass of bubbly. Cheers!

Oh wow. Let’s talk about Partisan. It’s got a vintage, rustic charm and is full of cute smiley pixies (see Coline in the picture - she’s chief sweet pixie). The staff are bright, beautiful and kind. The cakes are eclectic and bright. I’m having an extended cheat day morning and just had a piece of strawberry and turmeric cake (the cake on the far right up high). I like having cake for breakfast. Before my eggs benedict. I do things differently. Like taking pudding before my main. It keeps people on their toes and me full of cake.

My cappuccino. Full bodied Monmouth coffee. It’s creamy and silky with the oat milk I chose. I’m liking it very much. I love the cup. I can get my fingers though the handle. Bonus as this isn’t always the case. No chocolate sprinkles. What’s the deal on chocolate sprinkles? Is it uncool to put them on the top these days? Was it ever cool? Was it ever supposed to happen?

I’m loving it here. The ambiance is chilled. I’m even hearing some American accents : ) I’m vibing out on the magic of this place. I’m vibing out on historic York and funky independent cafes. I’m also vibing out on the butter icing from the cake. Oh golly. Hold on tight.

Day 26 - I got sultry today and took it slow. I played with my stretches. I went deep. Ain’t no Sunshine - Bill Withers made me feel soul to my bones and Ella Fitzgerald gave me depth and groundedness. I felt sexy and balanced. I soared like a bird into their passionate voices.

Cheat day cont. We got some sweet licquorice drops here. Pink peppercorn Belgium chocolate. Chocolate covered orange slices and a salted caramel shortbread biscuit. Oh, and there’s some limoncello cooling in the fridge for later. Yum and refreshing for this scorcher of a day.

Summertime and the livin is easy 🌞