Feeling much gratitude...This beautiful house has become our second home this year and it's funny that we dreamed of living in a thatched cottage many years ago and now here we are.
We never imagined that when we first visited six years ago on a pet sitting assignment, that the owners would fast become such good friends - they offered to take care of Mabel while we are pet sitting and our arrangement is working out perfectly. We have visited frequently throughout the year and get to take over the kitchen and cook up vegan feasts for us all using fresh veggies from the garden.
This time, we've been here for a couple of weeks - pet sitting their sweet chum as well as Mabel and today and we are heading back to Cornwall.
I've found myself enjoying morning rituals again (I go through phases of
starting the day around 6am). I love early mornings and feel there’s magic in
the quiet stillness, especially in this quintessential English country cottage garden, which is a joy to spend time in.
I make myself a herbal
tea, then meditate, write, read and attempt to make progress with the courses I’m doing.
It very much depends on whether we are working or pet sitting and what time we
need to kick in, but I try to adapt my routine to fit in with what we are
doing. If we’re looking after dogs, then we tend to have an early morning walk
and that’s also a great way to start and I love that too!
To get up at 6am,
I need to be in bed by 10pm. I usually sleep well and like to have 8 hours, so
being disciplined helps. It’s worth it – I find I’m eager to get going and with
intention and mindful positivity, I find the days roll out smoothly.
Here the doggies are
not keen to get up early, so they sleep on with Sime and I get a couple of
hours to do my thing. Our days have been pretty relaxed, although instead of being paid to do the pet sit - we wanted to return our friends' generosity, but they didn't want us to lose out and so together we agreed that they can pay us to carry out a deep clean of their 300 year old cottage...which we have loved doing and they are so thrilled with the result!
It's been wonderful having an abundance of garden produce to collect every day and we've enjoyed simple meals made from scratch each evening, it's a lovely gentle existence...along with lots of lovely woodland walks from the garden gate. A few days ago, we were excited to see a herd of Muntjacks and before we knew it - Rex had joined them and was trying to round them up! Luckily, there was no harm done and he soon gave up. He's a gentle boy and would never hurt them, just his Huntaway instinct.
We leave here rejuvenated, we always do and it's another bye bye to Mabel again for a while, as we have more pet sits coming up.
Our lives really are rich with an abundance of love, kindness and great food at the moment. We feel blessed to have such wonderful people around us, to have our cosy little caravan to go home to with such kind and generous neighbours. We have an unusual life, but it suits us and we are grateful to be so blessed.
Seeing the good, feeling gratitude goes a long way.
Love, Kay and Sime xx
Aw how lovely. Sometimes long time friends turn into the family you choose for yourself. It is good to ground yourself for the coming day and little personal rituals help confirm that. Your lifestyle suits you and that is all that matters. There is much treasure to be found in the unusual and confirmation as well of a gentler simpler way of life that many of us have lost through no fault just circumstances. Always love to see your posts and hopefully you will not be away from Mabel for too long. Hugs to you both Pattypan (Tricia)xx
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