July 2023 - Patience

Reflections: Patience
Photo-story: a walk from Hartland Quay
Summer Compass Rose Programme: "Time for You"
Book news and a new interview on Silver Tent TV YouTube channel
Dare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom 
One to One Coaching


Reflections: Patience

Like many people, whenever this card, Patience, appears, I may sigh, or even feel frustrated, haven't I been patient enough already? And yet, seeing the card here, with all the others so far this year, as we enter into the second half of 2023, the first thing I notice is that it is directly underneath Focus, and Presence. Those three words, feel as if they are offering guidance to me today. Perhaps I need to have patience in order to be truly present to what is here for me today, and then to renew my focus on what truly is important for me right now.




If you would like to join me in reflection, ask yourself the questions here and write in your journal. Or, if you prefer, read on and come back later.

• What is your first response? To the word? To the colour?
• What else is there?
• And, what else?
• What does Laughter add to Presence? How do the colours add to each other? What do all the words so far bring for you?

Photo-story: a walk from Hartland Quay

Recently my husband and I decided to take a short one night break together, ;just the two of us' as he put it. We often visit Hartland Quay in North Devon in the autumn when the weather can be wild and dramatic. This was our first summer stay there in the hotel.

On the way we stopped for a sandwich lunch at our regular stopping point, Bursdon Moor. Here is the information sign.


Our first view of Lundy Island, a zoomed in photo.

When we arrived we enjoyed a cool half pint of Korev lager (from St Austell Brewery whose home base in right next door to where I went to school). Then a short walk, and an icecream before checking in. I left my husband relaxing, reading the paper and enjoying the view from our room with Lundy in the distance.


View from our room at the Hartland Quay Hotel

Despite being such a hot afternoon, I decided to tackle the steep path back up the cliff to get onto the coastal footpath. Once on top there was a beautiful breeze - I have never walked this way before as it is so exposed that in the usual windy weather it would not be so enjoyable.

I passed this ruin that may have been built as a 'folly' to entertain the owners of Hartland Abbey down in the valley. Other accounts call it a watch tower.


Ruined tower

I continued on to the point where I could see back to Hartland Quay and down into the next valley, where the cottage, now used for holidays (and a film location) is called Blackpool Mill on the map - presumably a water mill making use of the stream in the old days.


Zoomed in view looking back to Hartland Quay


Looking down to Blackpool Mill

I decided against what looked like a steep walk down to sea level in the valley, and set off back the way I had come. Then, with the luxury of plenty of time, I set off in the other direction along the coastal path, a route I have taken before in very wet and windy weather. The whole time I was struck by how quiet the path was, very few people around, so different to the area near Padstow close to my home.



The path down towards the big hill known as St Catherine's Tor is quite steep. Here is a link to the geological history of the Tor. There is a sheltered valley inland, first I came to a small stream running down the cliff as a waterfall, then followed the path around the inland side of the Tor and across a little footbridge.


St Catherine's Tor


Waterfall onto the beach


The sheltered valley behind the Tor


Foot bridge across the stream

I set off up the next steep hill, hoping to go as far as two more waterfalls marked on the map, including the one mentioned in the link I shared above.


Steep path up, and down again to reach the view of more waterfalls



I turned back shortly after reaching this point as I was very hot and tired by then. One day I will get to see the high waterfall, the location of which I think is almost visible in the photo above.

Coming back I passed some beautiful patches of wild thyme, with many little brown and orange butterflies fluttering around the flowers.



I also passed a good viewpoint with a seat on the way back to the Quay, but decided not to stop there this time.



I had plenty of time for a cup of tea and a cool shower before dinner in the bat, and back to our room to watch the sunset. We had hoped to see it disappear into the sea but a bank of clouds on the horizon stopped that - still just about as perfect as could be anyway.


Sunset on 22nd June

The following morning was grey and breezy, although still beautiful. I took a very quick walk down to the old quay to see the stunning rock formations again.



Such a beautiful short break, we felt as if we had been away for much longer. I hope you have enjoyed sharing it with me here.

Summer Compass Rose Programme: "Time for You"

This will be the next full six week turn around the Compass Rose, full details are available on the website, and there are two taster circles, on Wednesdays 5th and 19th July at 11.00 am UK time. To receive the Zoom link contact me or find the events on Facebook, by clicking the link on the date you would like to join us.

Even though many people are busy at this time of summer holidays and family gatherings, that can be just when it is most important to allocate at least a little time, even if simply the one hour a week for our Zoom calls, just for you. 

And for other people this can be a time of feeling lonely and a little lost, friends and family who you would normally spend time with may be away or busy. Regular routines may be disrupted, and so this structure of the weekly and daily flow of prompts in our turn around the Compass Rose, and the weekly live gatherings can be particularly valuable.



The fee is £144 for the six weeks, with six Zoom gatherings on Wednesdays at 11.00 am, and a private Facebook group with weekly and daily prompts. If you would like a chat to decide if this is for you, simply reply to this email, or use the contact form here. We will start in the week beginning 24th July. There is a discount for members of the Stay Connected group who have taken part in previous programmes.

Book news and a new interview on Silver Tent TV YouTube channel

Thank you to everyone who has already bought a copy of Your Compass Rose Speaks: Rediscover Your Inner Wisdom, either direct from me or online. 

I would be very grateful if you would like to write a review. I know from my own experience that I often intend to do this, and then never get around to it - yet I do my best and I know that is all I can ask of you, and thank you in advance if you do find the time. It will be very much appreciated.

Trish Covich sent this beautiful photo of the book taken at her home in Hokianga, in the North Island of New Zealand, literally on the other side of the world..



If you do write a review, please will you send me a link when it is online? You can do that simply by replying to this email, or through the contact form here. Alternatively, rather than posting on GoodReads or Amazon, you can email it to me with your permission to share it - and how you would like to be acknowledged.

As you see below, I now have plenty of stock to send you a signed and dedicated copy, or you can buy online wherever you prefer to purchase your books.



The e-book is very close to release now, and I am also making good progress recording for an Audible version. 

Recently Francesca Cassini has been hosting panel discussions and interviews to celebrate the success of the Silver Tent (a network for women over fifty). I was a fairly early member, joining in 2017, and I loved my conversation on this interview  



You will also find many other panels and interviews on the Silver Tent TV.

Dare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom - a choice of day and time

The drop-in circles are held twice each month. The next is on Saturday 8 July at 11.00 am, and then Monday 31 July at 7.30 pm, UK times.





You can find the events on Facebook,  or simply reply to this email and ask me for the Zoom link. It is always pleasure to welcome those of you who prefer not to connect via social media, all you need to join us is the Zoom link that I send to you in advance of the time.

Payment is by donation, depending on your circumstances. People offer from zero to £60. I host the circles with no expectation, simply deep gratitude for your presence. 

The full schedule of dates for 2023 is on the website.


One to One Coaching

For many people, the deeper connection of one to one sessions is perfect for them once in a while, either for a short block of six, or an on-going arrangement as and when required.

Either way, I would love to have a Zoom chat with you if you would like to explore the option of one to one coaching with me. There is no pressure, simply an opportunity to find out what would be useful for you, and if my approach would be good for you. 



If you click on the 'Book Now' Passionflower, it will take you straight to my calendar to book a twenty minute complimentary call. If you prefer, to read more about the Rediscovery Coaching process click here,  Current pricing is £45 for thirty minutes and £90 for a one hour session.

“I have found my sessions with Mary to be a good balance of ideas for the practical things I can do, and the bigger picture reminder of what I want to achieve. This has helped clarify the direction  I want to take and also sparked ideas of how to get there. Mary helps as a reminder to stay true to my experiences and has allowed me to be comfortable with who I am and having balance in life and my work.” 

You can read more testimonials here on my website.

I send wishes for health and happiness for you and all you love.

Thank you for joining me here this month, any thoughts, feedback, or questions are always welcome.

 

Mary