Autumn in the lakes
Last month I escaped for a few peaceful, grounding days to the lakes. We stayed in a village called Mickleton, surrounded by sheep-dotted hills and winding country lanes. It was a week of red skies and smoking chimneys, falling leaves and antique shops. I also collected a lot of visual inspiration with my camera, attempting to capture the magical landscape that I couldn’t bottle up and bring home. It’s been two years since I’ve truly been out in nature, and I’ve been tired of city life for a while. I hope this post brings a little peace to your day, wherever you find yourself!
In those short few days I did everything I wanted to do for the longest time. I planned to really switch off from the outside world, watch the sunrise, and paint plein air. I befriended a deer, played chess, and enjoyed doing nothing but watch the clouds and the crows. I tried locally sourced bread and coffee, and explored a medieval castle. The whole trip did me the world of good, but I’m glad to be back, feeling recharged and well-rested for the darker seasons ahead.
The weather was mild for Autumn, but we had a mix of rain and fog, so each day was unexpected and wonderful. The first day we had gentle, steady rain. We visited Kirkby Stephen, a small market town with an old sweet shop where I bought a bag of pear drops (officially the best boiled sweet out there). The rest of the day was spent following the Tees river, which we eventually found after a long few hours spent losing it. In the evening I made a pile of mushroom pasta - needless to say we ate the lot.
The second day I woke up before the sunrise, which is a FIRST. But there’s something magical about sitting with nature before the world is awake, and truly appreciating the present moment. This was a day of crisp blue skies, and I decided to try something other than drawing. The problem with doing what you love every day is that some days it can really feel like a chore. So I decided I would paint a canvas! Something I haven’t done since my college days. I planned to not plan my painting, and instead allow myself to be inspired by the moment, letting go of any expectations. I was rusty to say the least, but I guess that adds to the charm. And it was fun to feel like a novice again. For lunch we made homemade toasties, and walked away the afternoon through country lanes, armed with a flask of tea and chocolate. On the Thursday we visited Barnard Castle which, for all you geographical novices out there, is a castle AND a town! The weather was unexpectedly gorgeous that day, and I explored the ruins, sketchbook in one hand, ice cream in the other.
Although it wasn’t a whirlwind trip, it was exactly what I needed after everything that was 2020, and I’m glad I didn’t put pressure on myself to capture everything I saw onto paper. Being in nature truly grounds me when I’m feeling low, and I hope that even if you are unable find some sort of calm right now, that this post adds a little calm to your day. For now though it’s back to the drawing table, but I’m sure I’ll stay inspired by those few days in the lakes for a good while yet.
Bits and bobs…
*I FINALLY watched Howl’s Moving Castle (I know, I really don’t know why it’s taken me this long). I’m still a Ghibli novice but I definitely enjoyed this one. The colours and aesthetics are always perfection. One to watch again I’m sure.
*This laptop stand doubles up as an easel! It’s lightweight and a great size for carrying in your bag if you have limited space!
*My Shop Around the Corner print has been super popular this year! There are still some left if you fancy getting your hands on one before the Autumn season bids it’s farewell. I suggest pairing it with a cup of hot cocoa and bouquet of sharpened pencils.
So long for now friends. Happy sweet Autumn.
Catherine