Dreams and Ramblings

It's funny how things fall into place, especially when you least expect it. Not even a year ago I tried out windsurfing for the first time. And since then, I've been absolutely hooked. It's changed my life, and I adore it.

Recently I found an old post on my Livejournal (ha!) from a few years ago, saying that I wished I had the courage to try out windsurfing, and get over my fear of the sea. And here I am, a few years later having done that. Strange how things turn out isn't it? I never thought I would be so keen! And I was thinking earlier that it was strange that I did ballet for 10 years, and although I was never that good, it taught me a lot, and some of the things I learnt are oddly relevant to windsurfing - the balance, the feet, all of that. Weird how you don't know how something you do when you're little will affect you or benefit you later on!

Anyway, so while I'm itching to get back on the water again, and dreaming of longer, sunny days, and with my birthday around the corner once again, I was thinking about other things I want to do, or wish I could try out in the immediate future.

Unsurprisingly, most of these things involve the sea - I'd love to try out surfing, especially while I'm still in the West Country, because it's so iconic, and I'd love to have at least tried it. I'd also love to try out paddleboarding. I'd also love to visit more places in both Devon and Cornwall, while I'm still down here. It suddenly feels as if I don't have long left here, and even though I want to live here for good one day, I know that's not in the immediate future, as I work out just what it is I'm doing (and that's another separate list of dreams and wishes I won't write here!!).

I think I wrote last year about trying out things that scare you, and I suppose this is an extension of that. I overcame so much last year, and so many good things happened because of that.

I also want to plan a trip to the Du Maurier/Fowey Festival trip this year. Last year was amazing, and I want to do all that again. As I wrote before, my beloved Fowey has been rather battered recently, and I'm longing to visit again. But with no train links at the moment, I'm a bit stuck.

Since watching the Winter Olympics (something I've never really been into before), I've become a huge fan of snowboarding. That's another thing that I think it would be cool to try one day. I know right - me, who hates snow with a passion. But then, I used to be terrified of going into the ocean, so who knows! Although, I think windsurfing is where my passion lies. It's all about water and the sea, and I adore the coast <3

I'm planning a trip home for my birthday this year, as I think I've had like two birthdays at home in the last ten years - crazy I know. I'm looking forward to it, it'll be nice. I can't believe that time of the year has come around so quickly!

Everyone to Platform 9 3/4...

The Hogwarts Express is about to leave.

I've opened blogger several times int he last couple of weeks to write a new post, started writng something and then been distracted by SUNSHINE and summer things. I was going to write about the fact that I felt like I hadn't done all the reading I wanted to do this summer, and how it has just zoomed by, and then I had another idea for a post yesterday, but of course I can't remember at all what I wanted to post about.

But now, as it is the beginning of September, and summer is gradually fading away (I refuse to let that happen yet, I mean we're not going on holiday till next week and it's still SUNNY AND NICE and there are still summery things to do, 'kay?), I figure it is time to reflect and consider that whole going back to school thing. Today, as twitter, tumblr and probably facebook are aware is the day the Hogwart's express traditionally leaves (don't tell me it's ficitional, OKAY?!) and it is back to school season. Even though I left school ages ago now, September still brings the back to school feelings and thoughts always turn to school. Although this year the summer just seems to have absolutely flown by, I don't know where it has gone and I still feel like there are so many things I meant to do this summer - trips and baking and writing and reading. I have read quite a lot, but somehow I don't feel like I read everything I wanted to. I hate that feeling. It's the same with writing. All summer I have been torn between editing, writing my new story, writing short stories, and poems, and therefore I probably haven't done enough of either, becuase I have been so unfocused. Typical. As always of course there are previous summers to compare to, previous months and that's not good. It's always when you have more time to do things that they don't really happen, right? Always happens. It's the kind of things I should be used to by now, but I'm not.

I still feel like there are things that should happen summerwise, and I suppose because we're not going away until next week (FOWEY!) that doesn't help. Yet, I have been swimming, windsurfing, on trips, done lots of cooking and eating courgettes (and trying to come up with inventive ways to use them!) and watched and played lots of tennis and other summery things like that. I have done lots of writing and lots of reading too, despite what I think. It has been a wondefully hot summer too, which has been amazing. And the harvest has been happening this week, one of my favourite times of the year, and that is always very nostalgic with the strawbales and everything, and I suppose that is tinged too with the expectation of going back to school. It's a strange feeling really. There is that thought of summer beginning to come to an end, and the looking forward to the next academic year, and all that. It's a strange time.

It is blackberry picking time too, something that is so associated with going back to school.

The end of summer is always sad for me. I love the summer, and all that it entails, but at the same time I am looking forward to getting back to Exeter and getting on with things again.  

For now, I refuse to believe that it is the end of summer, quite yet. Even if the Hogwarts Express is leaving today....

Revisiting Fowey (Again)

Arriving in Fowey feels like coming home. I went back with my aunt last week, just for a night and a short break and it was wonderful.

It's always reassuring to see that everything is still the same, and it is all so familiar it is wonderful to be there again. I find that it is such an inspiring place and I alwys come away again feeling revived, and that I want to go straight back. I never want to leave. I want to live somewhere like that and just write books all the time (*dreaming*). That would be magical. Sigh. Maybe one day.

We were lucky enough to enjoy sunshine on the Wednesday and were able to run around on the beach playing catch and wander through the town, seeing all the familiar sights.


We visited Bookends and the lovely Ann and David and I got a copy of 'Daphne du Maurier and her sisters' by Jane Dunn, which is fascinating to read and I'm really enjoying it. Great to read something new on du Maurier!

We were staying in The Fowey hotel, which is a wonderful hotel, that doesn't seem to have changed much over the years! Was great to be reading the Jane Dunn book there and come across a mention from Angela du Maurier about staying at the hotel! Fantastic.

The next day was raining, so relieved we had had the sunshine of the day before, we holed up in Pinky Murphy's for a lot of the day and wrote weird poems and drank strawberry smoothies.

As always, I was very sad to have to leave Fowey, but am hoping to go back very soon. Really want to go to the Literary festival - it used to be the du Maurier festival, but it is now the Fowey Festival of Music and Words. REALLY want to go. It's finding somewhere to stay though. Maybe I can persuade some friends to go too... *hint*

Here's some more pictures from the stay:

Now, there's only a few days left of term and I will be home in under a week. It's gone alarmingly quickly! Scary really.

And I'm impatiently waiting for my copy of Requiem by Lauren Oliver to turn up.... hmph.