There She Goes: Retreating and Treating in the Cotswolds
Hello From England!
This week in England has been a warm one. I’ve taken it as a permission to relax, breathe in the quiet and beautiful moments, and appreciate cool breezes. As we are in the Cotswolds, this means walking in the morning, resting in during the day’s peak heat, and walking again in the evening… plus plenty of breaks during said walks 😅 Also, this week, my partner and I, inspired by some travel-day boredom and conversations about our dreams, started a silly IGTV show called “Waking Up with She & Jim” where we just talk about our dreams while we eat breakfast. It’s reminded me to not take life so seriously and to have fun creating!
I encourage you to pay extra attention this week to what you feel like you “should” do and what will best align with how you truly feel. If you need a little “me time” or more time to chill, go for it! And, I have some songs that should go pair well with easy-breezy times.
Songs To Stitch To, Sing To, Get You Through The Week
Set Aside Some Time This Week For Some Self-Care
I. Set your September intentions! I’m not a New Year’s resolution person and prefer to plan out my goals and intentions weekly and monthly, with a long term vision in mind. Make September feel fresh by setting a new goal or by challenging yourself with a new hobby.
II. Lounge in a robe or plush towel. If you have the fortune of owning either, put one of them to use this week and spend a little extra time enjoying. While traveling, we haven’t typically had the luxury of either of these things, nor the time. However, our Airbnb has a couple of really nice towels and I forgot what a gift it can be to simply spend a little extra time lounging!
III. Turn your phone off. If needed, warn close friends and family members that you are doing so, then turn your phone to a mode it likely doesn’t see often. Take a day or a half day without being able to reach for or consult your phone, and let the magic of time, space, and creativity fall upon you.
Uplifting Things Happening Around The World
I. The Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, California is helping kids overcome pre-surgery anxiety by letting them drive themselves to the operating room in a toy black Mercedes or pink Volkswagen Beetle. I love this creativity!
II. Seven stranded dolphins were rescued in Wellfleet, MA and all of them were in good condition before being released back into open water.
III. Are you an optimist? This BBC News article says that you could live longer if so! True or not, more of an attempt to see the bright side can’t hurt 😉
Soulful Salutations
“Love yourself so fiercely that no one dare love you half-heartedly.” — U.F. Shah
“Loving yourself fully will sometimes require loving certain people from a distance” — Alex Elle
“Loving ourselves works miracles in our lives.” – L. Hay
There She Goes
It’s crazy to say this… but our European adventure is coming to a close. We decided to come back to the serene Cotswolds to enjoy some time before flying out of London. My old self would have imagined that we’d spend our last days running around and squeezing out the last drops of energy in each day. What’s really happening? Yes, we’ve hiked and seen glorious views but we’ve also whiled away time inside, working on a puzzle, writing, and cooking.
What’s next? We’ll be headed to New Hampshire to handle some projects at my home and to plan out our next adventure… which I’ll share info on soon enough! Right now, it’s time to share highlights from the week!
A shot from the canal at Camden Market
Sights that have made me say “WOW”
I. The view of Bath from Bath Skyline. I’m sure that we wouldn’t have discovered this park if we had not stayed in the University of Bath housing and opted to walk the hour, rather than bus, down into town. Boy am I glad we did! The view of the city from this meadow offers a unique perspective on the city below.
II. Camden Market. I’d heard about Camden Market, of course, but I didn’t realize what I production it really is! Did you know that there are over 1,000 shops, stalls, bars, and cafes? It’s been open since 1974 and, though there is a mix of antique and modern, the setting feels super historical. I wandered here alone and lost myself simply walking through the seemingly never ending rows of stalls.
III. The view from the hills of Uley. This is the kind of place that anyone would love to retire to, and I’m sure many do. Uley is a quiet village in the Cotswolds with an impressive amount of walking paths. We especially loved the view from Downham Hill, which is locally known as “Smallpox hill” as it was once home to a smallpox isolation facility. Since this is a small village, you’re likely to be alone on your hikes, and can enjoy the views for as long as you wish.
Delicious salad plate at Cascara
Good Eats
I. Dinner at Farmacy. Ok, this place is seriously amazing. We came here on a whim and I can easily say it’s in our Top 5 most memorable dinners on this trip. The restaurant is fully plant based, it has stunning decor, and puts out thoughtful and tasty dishes. Though it’s only in Notting Hill, they will be opening a pop-up in NYC this September! If you live in the NYC area, you must give it a try!
II. “Latte Black” from Farm Girl in Notting Hill. This ingredient list of this drink promised something special — activated charcoal, date syrup & cashew milk 😮 I had planned on a simple coffee but couldn’t stay away from this unique and detoxifying elixir. It was fantastic and I fully plan to recreate it when I’m back home. Stay tuned!
III. Salad plate at Cascara, in Bath. Yes, I went last week with my dad. Yes, James and I stopped there again on our way through Bath to the Cotswolds. I read that they had some affordable vegan lunch options and I had to check it out! I got the salad plate that comes with various salads of the day (this day it was pickled carrots, roasted and spiced chickpeas, vegan potato salad) plus your choice of dip (I chose beetroot!) and house made sourdough. I think I became a nutrient-filled superhero as I ate!
The trees atop Downham Hill
On Sustainability
Ideas on how to travel a little lighter
I. Say “no” to coffee to-go. It can be a shift from the norm of America, but takeaway coffee is actually not as popular in Europe and, indeed, other places in the world. We learned that a cafe in Stroud doesn’t even have takeaway cups, period. If you know you’re a person that likes to sip through the day and as you “go,” bring your own cup around — otherwise enjoy the cafe vibes while you enjoy your drink and reduce waste.
II. Be aware of grocery store packaging. Waitrose is a popular grocery store in England but the amount of single use packaging surrounding their produce is a bit horrifying. My partner and I have tried to be more conscientious about buying the produce that is not plastic-wrapped, or we take our shopping bags elsewhere.
III. To fly or not to fly? Since reaching England, we have been more intentional about lessening our carbon footprint as we travel. We opted-out of an idea to fly somewhere close to England for a few days, even though it sounded fun and was crazy affordable. Also, we’ve opted-in to taking public transportation or using our feet to get from place to place over quicker taxi rides. Once you make plans for it, the choice is much easier on the planet and your wallet!
Have a stellar week everyone!
Be well,
Sheila