If you need somewhere to store all your important dates, here is my calendar for 2024 featuring photographs in Abington Park, Northampton. Every year has its seasons and one of the most beautiful is Autumn. Nature at its best as the trees shed their leaves and produce a stunning array of colours. Every month, enjoy these park views during Autumn in Northampton! This 2024 calendar will make the perfect gift for anyone who loves nature and the changing seasons.
Last week’s ‘thought of the day’ was – smile. The next thing I got from Thich Nhat Hanh’s book – ‘Peace is every step‘ is – hope.
I am a hopeful person. I am someone who hopes that everything will work out in the end. Indeed one of my mantras is that everything DOES work out in the end.
We say things like:
‘Let’s hope for the best’
‘Hopefully it will be ok / Hopefully it will work out’
‘I hope it won’t be too long…’
Thich Nhat Hanh states:
‘If you can refrain from hoping, you can bring yourself entirely into the present moment and discover the joy that is already here’
Is hope an obstacle which stops you being in the present moment?
Whilst I want to enjoy every moment I have on this earth, I don’t think there is anything wrong with hoping!
For me, to hope is to keep positive, to work towards my goals, and to know that everything will work out in the end!
A friend of mine told me about a book by Thich Nhat Hanh – Peace is in every Step, so I bought it. I can’t remember if I have read it from start to finish (I plan to (again!)), but I wrote down some things that resonated with me.
The first one is – Smile.
When I am out and about, I look at people that pass me by. I sometimes smile at them and sometimes I get a smile in return.
When I lived in Surin in Thailand, I’d often get annoyed at people because they kept looking at me (there weren’t many foreigners in that part of Thailand when I lived there the first time), but I soon realised that they were simply curious and if I just relaxed and took it in my stride and SMILED BACK, I was always rewarded with great big smiles and such enthusiasm. It really made my day and I hope it made theirs too!
“Sometimes, your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”– Thich Nhat Hanh
I sat down and thought of some of the things I find truly fascinating in life. So, in no particular order, here are a few things that amaze me.
Nature
Nature is nothing short of wonderful. All the different animal and bird species, every one designed and adapted to their environment. The Earth and all its beauty – the weather, the sea, the sky, the land. The vibrant colours of nature – all different shades and hues, from the azure blue of the sea and the verdant green of the rolling hills to the red sand of deserts and the brown falling leaves. What about the sounds of nature? Sit still long enough and you will hear the chorus of the insects at dusk, the chirping of birds in forests, the crash of the waves onto a beach or the rustle of leaves in autumn. It’s nice sometimes to take a break from our busy lives and just be in the moment to appreciate what is around us.
Be present – see the hidden beauties
Cosmos
The history of the Earth and how we got here is mind-blowingly fascinating. The fact we are on a spinning ball in the middle of the black universe is hard to get your head around. It’s hard to fathom that we are but a speck on Earth’s timeline – if you can imagine the history of the universe as a 12 month calendar, humans appear just a few minutes before midnight on 31 December.
I was never interested in architecture before, but now I find it so interesting to look at all the different types of buildings and structures that have been created. The castles with their turrets and the palaces with their fountains. The ornate details and the arched windows, the porticos and the columns. Sometimes, I sit outside these buildings or look up as I walk passed, so I can marvel at the thought and creativity that has gone into constructing some of the beauties in the places I visit.
My favourite piece of architecture in Bangkok – Mahanakhon
History
It’s funny how what bores you in the past becomes a subject that you are enthralled by – that’s history for me. I studied Mythology in the Greek and Roman World as part of my degree and I couldn’t get enough of it – stories and legends about Poseidon, Jupiter, Venus and Aphrodite to name but a few. The Egyptians and the history of Thailand and other countries, the wars, people and places – it’s all totally captivating.
Egyptian Mythology – The Nile
Art
I love creating my own art as much as I love the creations of other artists. When I lived in Bangkok, one of my favourite pastimes was to go to an art gallery to see an exhibition. I like to appreciate the creativity and forethought of the artist and look at how the paint strokes have metamorphosed into a beautiful painting. Three of my favourites include Salvador Dali, Vincent Van Gogh and Oleg Shuplyak. Sometimes, I paint or draw and create something of my own. I don’t know why, but I find if I haven’t drawn or painted for a while, I end up doing a good job! I find it relaxing and it’s one of those things that I should do more often.
Vincent Van Gogh – created by Oleg Shuplyak
Air traffic control
I would love to spend a day in an air traffic control tower. I find it amazing that these people are responsible for controlling the air traffic and they do it very well. I know they have exceptional technology to do this, but people can makes mistakes and have you seen the amount of planes in the sky at any one time? Take a look at one of the plane trackers like Flight Radar 24 or Flightaware – it’s crazy. Did you know that the people who do this job are on shifts of just 30 minutes at a time?
Which brings me onto flying! It still amazes me how that big hunk of metal with wings can get into the air and take you to your destination in a relatively short amount of time! In the air, you are flying at over 500 miles per hour, but it appears you are hardly moving! The wheels disappear into the undercarriage and the flaps on the wings change position to slow you down upon descent. The pilots take the plane up and bring it down – in the meantime, the aircraft is honing in on a beacon at its final destination. And, don’t get me started on the people that work at the airport, getting the luggage on board, serving food and drinks and filling the plane with petrol – I find it all very interesting. I may be in the wrong job!
The Changing Seasons post, hosted by Su at Zimmerbitch.
Still off work, I went to meet my mum, sister and niece in the park for a picnic. It was lovely to spend time with them, enjoying the sunshine, playing Frisbee and looking at the birds. For me, the simple pleasures are always the nicest.
A trip to the park
The biggest news of the month is that I have moved into my own place. A lovely little duplex apartment near the town centre. I was anxious about moving whilst in lockdown, so I waited until things had eased a bit. Then I was worried about finances, so I waited some more. In the end, I decided to take the risk and just go for it. I have always said, if I become unhappy I will do something about it. I loved living with my brother and his fiancé, but it was time to move on.
One of the things I was looking forward to was cooking for myself again and eating the things I like to eat. So far, the following dishes have been on the menu.
Akrooti Scrambled Eggs with Chapati
Lemony prawns and tagliatelle
Lentil Curry
I am so happy now, I have regained my independence which is so important to me. I wonder though, how the hell I ended up back in my home town after living in Thailand for so long. I miss living in Bangkok every day, but I am happy where I am for the time being. I have a good job, my own place, and family and friends not far away.
Let’s see what the future holds. I am enjoying travelling along my new path for now. Even more so because I know I have the resolve to change my life and move on again if need be!
About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.
If you would like to join me and the others in this challenge, here are the guidelines:
The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic)
Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them
The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):
Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them
The Changing Seasons post, hosted by Su at Zimmerbitch.
Still in lockdown, we had to find new ways to amuse ourselves and my brother Trev came home with his hair dyed blonde! I didn’t even notice at first! It was a shock, but I thought it suited him.
Hair dye number 1
We took to calling him Slim Shady. Now, will the real one please stand up!
The Real Slim Shady?
Trev then decided he was going to go one step further and dye his hair all the colours of the rainbow, so I ordered some hair dye. This is how it turned out. Rocking the rainbow bro, and his tribute to the NHS. Thank god it was temporary and washed out!
Hair dye number 2
The rest of May was all about the memories.
2008 saw me in Sydney where I spent the most amazing day at Circular Quay with one of my besties – Trudy.
Sydney with Trudy
Back in 2010, I was in Thailand and I caught up with my good friends Doyle and Mel on Koh Tao as they travelled around the country.
Koh Tao with Doyle and Mel
In May 2014, Chris and I were out in Bangkok and we met Jesse for the first time at the bar. We ordered food from one of the best Indian restaurants in Bangkok, sadly no longer there, and our new friend paid the bill.
In 2017, Chris and I went to a favourite hang out – Soi Nana – and had a few drinks in 23 Bar & Gallery, Cho Why and Wallflowers.
A night on Soi Nana. Photo credit: Chris Wotton
Also in 2017, we were at another favourite – Le Café des Stagiaires. So many cool places to go in Bangkok. I wonder why I left sometimes!
Nights out with Chris in Bangkok
Thank God for these memories, I can look back with a grin on my face.
Lastly, one of my images made it into the top 10% most voted in one of Viewbug’s regular competitions.
Top 10% most voted
About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.
If you would like to join me and the others in this challenge, here are the guidelines:
The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic)
Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them
The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):
Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them
I can’t quite believe we are now in September. Time flies by so quickly, it’s a good job we have fun along the way – and my August was fun-filled every day!
My sister and I went to my friend’s 40th birthday party. It was such a great night and I met up with friends that I haven’t seen for a long time. Every time I turned around, there was someone else to say hi to and catch up on what they’ve been doing since we saw each other last. It really was a fab night!
Me, Colette and Denz
I had the best news ever! My brother asked his girlfriend to marry him! They are both buzzing with excitement and they have already started making preparations! The date is set too – October 2020! It’s going to be one hell of a do! I can’t wait!
Congratulations Trev & Julie
I had a week off work in August too, so I went to Newark to see some good friends. We went out for a few drinks one of the nights and had a BBQ the following day – it was so good to see them again and we always have a fun time together!
Newark
A few days later, I took the Eurostar to Rotterdam to visit my best friend, Chris. It was great to be back and I saw some more of Rotterdam.
Rotterdam Central
We went to Amsterdamfor dinner and drinks too. I love this city, it’s so nice to sit by a canal and have a drink or 2!
Lovely views of Amsterdam
I hope you have a fabulous September 🙂
About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.
If you would like to join me and the others in this challenge, here are the guidelines:
The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic)
Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them
The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):
Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.
My month started with my best-est friend in the world – Chris – coming to visit me on my home turf. I saw him last in March when I visited him in his new home – Rotterdam – but this was the first time that he has come to see me in Northampton.
As always, we had a ball. We reminisced about our life in Bangkok and our plans for the future. We had dinner with my family and friends and then we ended up in Northampton’s very own gay bar.
Reunited!
Great news in June too! I got a new job! I am the new Learning and Events Coordinator at Teamscapes which is part of the Sundial Group. Not only am I working in events, which is what I wanted for a long time, but we help people become better in their jobs through team building activities. So, events plus learning is a fantastic outcome for me! I am so happy and it means all sorts of things for my future!
Since starting my new job, I have had little time for exercise because working 9 – 5 again really has taken it out of me – I am completely frazzled by the end of the day. But, the last couple of weeks, I’ve gone running around Sywell Country Park and Pitsford Reservoir. It really is so nice to get out into the fresh air.
Sywell Country Park
Pitsford Reservoir
The last thing I did in June, was to go out for Thai food with my good friends, Trudy and Jamie. I am not someone who raves about food, but this was amazing! It really was delicious!
Royal Thai Restaurant
Yellow curry with prawns
Have a beautiful July!
About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.
If you would like to join me and the others in this challenge, here are the guidelines:
The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic)
Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them
The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):
Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.
