Sometimes you just have to stop.

taking time out

Take stock and make the most of the moment.  Walk around with your eyes closed, mind on everything else but what you’re doing at that moment and opportunities that make life all the more special  pass  by.  On this particular day when my fellow swimming pal Darren took this great photo (great because in reality I didn’t look anywhere near this good).  Having coffee out in small independent cafes I feel is a social responsibility in that we have to support local businesses, particularly in smaller villages where every coffee is as important for the cafe owner as it is for those in need of a good caffeine hit.   I hadn’t wanted to get out of my warm bed, walk in the cool, damp morning air over the hill, down the 262 steps to the coast road, down twice as many again to the sea, which was some minus 5 degrees at this time of the year.  But I did. Now  I wouldn’t call what I do swimming, rather a dip and believe me, nothing gives as much clarity as seconds, minutes sometimes  in the Irish Sea in the early hours.  Better than therapy.  Better still, to see the sun rise.dolphins break up out of the water. Share precious minutes with friends . And then yes, over a cup of coffee in the village, bounce around some ideas for a collection of ‘Portraits’.  I am proud to be one of those women to be featured, no doubt of a certain age!