Hi there

Thanks for popping in. Got back from the States this morning, after a three week break. It was the first time in a long time that Dave and I have stepped away from Clarity for that long, and although our time abroad was a healthy mix of business and pleasure, it has certainly been hugely beneficial – at many levels. Creative overload too. From art galleries in Santa Fé to ceramic exhibits at Philadelphia airport – it’s everywhere you look if you take time to open your eyes. And so many different cultural flavours!

Many many thanks to Paul for holding the Clarity fort, looking after the cats and the house while we were away. What a good friend that man is.

When the kids were young, every summer they would spend the entire holiday with their father in California. Then, just before school started again, they would come back to England. Uniforms cleaned, shoes polished, pencils sharpened – and Mum got to take over again! But what I remember best was that when they got back to the farm in Kent, they would spend a couple of hours walking around the house, touching everything – especially their toys. Much like Dave and myself today. Paul dropped us off, and after a bath and a kip, I also mooched round the house, unpacking and putting away holiday stuff, but also appreciating the home decor: the pottery and artwork everywhere. And Dave went straight into his music room and picked up a guitar to play. We’ve been staying in very arty places abroad, and I guess we soak up all that creativity as we go, don‘t we. I’ll share more about the arty places during the coming weeks, but today I just wanted to say hi, and comment on today’s observation, that we humans are funny creatures. We leave our cave, explore other caves, then come back to our own cave and reconnect with it by touching and establishing ownership again, I guess.

Loved being away. Very glad to be home too. It was time to go away, soak up some different perspective, taste some different food, meet some strangers and kooky characters, stare out at some different panoramas. Also makes you appreciate your own cave and your own tribe. AND YOUR OWN BED!!!

Quote for today:

There’s no place like home

No SHAC tomorrow. I am walking straight back into hours of TV shows on Friday and Sunday, which require lots of prep. But we will meet again next Monday, October 2nd.

Must dash. Want to watch the Wales – Australia rugby game. The Welsh certainly got off to a great start. We have been away for the whole World Cup Tournament thus far. Our Mark flew over to Nice from San Francisco, and met up with a bunch of his old school friends for a week. Watched 3 great games – England V Japan was one – but had to get back to work. Tell you what though. I am blown away by the opening art graphics for the TV shows. Absolutely phenomenal !! The way the game has been cleverly superimposed on iconic buidlings in France! Brilliant !!

Anyway, it’s good to be home. I shall get back in the Clarity saddle tomorrow.

Love always,

Barb x x x