Pausing for thought...

Happy Friday one and all!

I don’t want to know how long it is since I last blogged here but I know it’s been a while.  Sorry about that, but, well, I’ve been really rather busy, mainly putting my body through hell whilst having a bloody good time.  Those of you who read my Overground Underground blog (http://blogs.angloinfo.com/underground-overground/2013/06/05/mountains-and-molehills/) will know I’ve just been to Peru – and have since fallen in love with it – and anyone who follows me on Twitter (https://twitter.com/lovehatelondon) will also know that this week has been dedicated to recovering from a really rather wonderful weekend at the Isle of Wight Festival.  It would appear that standing in a field bopping to a plethora of bands for four days starts to hurt in your thirties...

So, needless to say, my creative endeavours have taken a back seat over the last month or so – but not completely.  Following two rejections from literary agents (FOOLS!) I have written to two more, and managed to squeeze in a writing session between my jolly jaunts too.  Other than that, I admit I’ve not done a lot – but I’ve had a break and am rearing to go.

Of course, going to far flung places and being able to take a step back from the day to day grind has given me space to reflect, gain perspective – and be inspired.  The stresses of work aren’t getting to me anywhere near as much as they did pre-Peru, and I thank the country for reminding me what is important in life – and not to sweat the small stuff.  And, as corny as it sounds, it brought me back to earth – as in it reminded me how beautiful the world can be, even when it pushes you to your limits.  So, on the way home I made this little sketch – and intend to turn it into a painting some time soon.

Pacha Mama (Mother Earth)

Another great thing about travelling (and the silver lining of long haul flights with dreary stop-overs in dull airports) is that you get time to read – and devour a book in 24 hours.  I practically inhaled Margaret Atwood’s The Year of the Flood and found myself nodding away to Caitlin Moran’s How to be a Woman – and have been inspired to get the paints out to celebrate womanhood too.  No doubt I shall produce a collage or two to record my time in Cuzco, the Sacred Valley and those amazing mountains whilst I am at it. 

Watch this space....