Sundays should be about relaxation and today has been. It has also reminded me about the relationship between well-being and nature. It is something that in some respects is a luxury; nevertheless is important to each and everyone of us.
Sometimes on a Sunday we treat ourselves to almond croissants. I think they are probably even better than they sound. I am gluten intolerant and cannot eat wheat based products but I am very lucky because our local bakery makes them to order with buckwheat flour. So having ordered them I suggested that we walked over to collect them. It is probably about a mile from our house to the centre of the village.
As we stepped out of the front door the heavens opened and we had what can only be described as a cross between hail and snow start to fall on us. Undeterred we decided to carry on with our walk and not resort to using the car. I surprise myself sometimes. Recently I have found that I am happy to go outside in all types of weather. We don’t live in a house with gas central heating and a shower that has instant hot water. Getting warm has to be planned. Yet despite this I find that I am more willing to do these things and that I am certain that it helps with my well-being. Being in the natural world is so important in connecting with our surroundings.
We have an elderly neighbour here who seems to like her gardening. However she has an obsession with grass being kept neat and tidy. And I don’t think that she’s keen on dandelions either. Having recently read about the importance of dandelions to the bees, we are making a concerted effort to not remove them. I think that she is happy with our tubs out the front of our house. However the dandelions are not something she is so keen to see.
My French isn’t good enough, nor my Breton she moves between the two languages, to share with her my views on conservation and the very real need to ensure that bees thrive. Now that we are trying to grow fruit and vegetables we are focused on looking out for bees and other pollinators. This focus on the bees further cements my relationship with the natural world which undoubtedly supports well-being.
Have you been outside today? Have you spotted any bees or any other pollinators?
Tales from the Sheshed France 
Oh dear 🙄 she’s not trying to get you to cut the grass in front of our house again is she?
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She’s actually quite bothered about the grass in front of our house. Bless her 🤣🤣
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Been feeding my mum today while the bees feed on my dandelions!
It’s interesting the weather thing! As a child it never occurred to me to avoid any kind of weather and so rain, snow, fog and blistering sun days were all the same.
SO I got to thinking; when did that change? Probably around puberty when my ‘hairdo’ became important and then appearances were reinforced when I started work and the ‘presentation of self’ became an issue Thinking back: I was always careful on the way out, and always cavalier on the way home – so – perhaps the child inside is always there, but as always it is the judgements of others that suck the joy from living a life closer to nature (and force us to dig up beautiful flowers like dandelions) 🐝🐝🐝
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Glad to hear that your mum is still doing ok. And yes I think you’re probably right that it is about presentation and hence we become disconnected from the natural world.
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We have had lots of bees, solitary bees in particular feasting on the spring flowers. Loving watching them as they forage.
People’s views on engaging with wildlife is really interesting. We have logs 🪵, that we will not burn for the bees to over winter in and watching them emerge has been a delight. Enjoy Mother Nature at her best – even though we have had snow today!
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Like you we’ve had snow. However late afternoon was like a different day altogether. I haven’t seen many bees yet but I’m keeping my eyes peeled.
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It sounds like a lovely restorative day for you both. We went for a lovely walk and then came home to have a jam session in the Lounge. Making music together as a family is a really special thing for us. It’s one of the reasons that realistically having neighbors would be a bad idea, especially on Sundays !
The garden is alive with bees at the moment and all manner of cheaply crawlies. The grass is alive with yellow dandelions and fruit tree blossom and butterflies. The hawthorn blossom is particularly attractive to the bees this year and the burst of white in the hedgerows is beautiful. In September as the dandelions store sugar in the roots we normally harvest some to turn into coffee. It is a bit of a task but the dandelion keeps us sustained for about 9 months of the year and with carful harvesting and allowing them to flower and set seed we have now got a field full. The leaves make a lovely bitter salad, the stems make natural straws and a cordial or balm is made from the flowers. I use almost everything I harvest.
This evening has been spent chatting on Skype to friends and catching up. Having a giggle and a natter is a lovely way to spend a couple of hours. Now I must get Dylan’s things together for a live zoom science class tomorrow morning at 10. Dishes washed and the table in a suitable co diction to be transformed into a science station ! Hahaha
So pleased you had a lovely day. Those almond croissants are amazing !!! Xx
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Sounds like you’ve had a wonderful family day. I shall have to go foraging with you at some point.
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YES ! X
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