damsel in distress

Everyone should have an 'oasis' to escape to now and then, however briefly. For some people, this may be a real place, like the bottom of the garden, a favourite walk, a view from the train window - or it may be a refuge deep within your mind's eye, like a meadow on a summer's day somwhere, or a remembered beach walk, stretching endlessly to nowhere in particular.

The place I like to go when I am upbeat and energised, and equally when I am downbeat and desolate, is the river. Our stretch of the river Dove, is perfectly beautiful , whatever the weather, or time of year. When I first visited the farm, (a long time ago!) after meeting Henry, I could not believe that he did not walk along the river every day - how could he not? I immediately made this my favourite bit of the farm, having always found it both a calming and a nurturing place. Now of course, I don't get the chance to walk along the river every day either, but when I don't, I feel the worse for it. I miss the rush of calm ( if that makes sense) that immediately reaches up to you from the ground, if you let it.

This summer, I have noticed great quantities of damselflies - 'banded demoiselles', I believe. The female is brownish, (typical of the natural world!) while the male is an exquisite blue/black creature, which looks strikingly delicate with wings outstretched. They are so in keeping with the 'riverside oasis' theme, as they have this simple, defined and primeval beauty about them.

It's worth the walk, just to see them - so try to make time if you are staying with us. And if you have not yet found your personal 'oasis' - I urge you to search out a place and make it especially yours. After you have 'been there' and are once again restored and re-focused, the people around you, could be glad you did!