WINTRY WALKS ALONG THE THAMES

Photo: Lindé Davies

Yesterday I took my usual walk along Chiswick Mall - with The Thames to my right.  I love this walk because the landscape can change so drastically depending on the tides.

Its cold and windy and wintry but the landscape somehow comes alive in all this freshness and cold
Sometimes I guess its only when our hearts start to open we really feel the cold of the world again - but also the warmth of just being human... and the freshness of the air on our skin.

So I guess with the Chinese New Year just gone - there has been some build up of emotions over time - over time and time and time - sometimes we get so busy trying to get away from our feelings or for some like me, the lack of the feelings and emotions - to always be strong, to not let things get to us - that they go and hide somewhere deep in our subconscious mind - and then one day - they just all come to the surface and well up and stream out of our eyes - like a cloudburst drenching some fertile lands.  To feel the vulnerability of being human and to allow the tears that are to come could actually be quite healing.  I just had no idea there were so many hidden within

I think I needed exactly this experience and what has led up to it - to catapult me into really starting to feel things again - to feel sad and sit with it, to feel vulnerable and sit with it, to feel happy and sit with that - to feeling content and sitting with that.  I think in some small part the walls are coming down and this will be a time of personal growth and development, to go make some changes and to go make some things happen, and to be open to the challenges of being human and being fully participating in this thing called life and to align myself spiritually and emotionally each day to the opportunities that may arise.

I read this lovely quote yesterday and it just made so much sense for me right then - 

If a train doesn't stop at your station then its not your train.... so so so true

I guess that's exactly how I felt yesterday - I guess if the station is closed - there will be no trains stopping either - so here's to no more walls and fully embracing what this life and what this year may have to offer - with hard work we will reap the rewards, putting in a little bit of effort will go along way.  I have not forgotten, but now I have really remembered.... thank you for reminding me again

And now it kind of makes me feel happy that I could have felt so sad - and I am feeling excited because this is all good all round - to feel again.

Photo:  by me

THE COW SHED : SUFFOLK : BY NASH BAKER ARCHITECTS

I love this project by Nash Baker Architects


Photo credits:  Nick Guttridge
Images via:  Nash Baker Architects

LIGHT AND BRIGHT FAMILY HOME IN HOLLVIKEN SOUTH OF MALMO

A dream home come true for the Waborg family who designed and had this beautiful lightfilled bright home built for them in Hollviken in the South of Malmo

Natural
Beautiful
Feels like home


More info and Images via:  Elle Decoration Sweden
Photos by:  Petra Whips (Bindel)

WINTER LANDSCAPE MUG - PAPER AND CLAY STUDIO

Beautiful winter landscape mug popped up in my Pinterest feed ... this mornings pink hues on the horizon reminded me of this lush and lovely wintry find

Available here etsy

Image via Pinterest

VILLA KUBU SEMINYAK: DESIGNED BY DEE MYTTON - BALI TRAVELS 2016

As the first month of the new year is already in full swing - I do what I normally to best this time of year.... revisit my past travels and starting to plan the next big trip!  As you all may or may not know - I LOVE BALI - absolutely truly badly deeply - so join me on this trip down memory lane - my recent visit to Villa Kubu - my favourite luxury stay on that beautiful magical isle.... I wrote a little blogpost especially for them which you are welcome to read here at the Villa Kubu Blog

Photo:  Lindé Davies

I wanted to share some of the reasons why I keep returning here, to Villa Kubu - even though there are so many other amazing villas and resorts to choose from in Bali... and I do get to see a fair bit of those too.

But Villa Kubu is somehow just one of those beautifully understated yet wonderfully luxurious tropical villa resorts that have been around for a while - a good 16 years to be exact - but still feels contemporary and very much on trend - and a place that really draws you back time and time again.   

My first stay here was also the very first time I visited Bali in 2015 - a bit of a late Bali bloomer I must admit, and yet I won't have it any other way.  I stayed at an amazing villa towards the end of the lane, one of the last villas - but somehow also one of the most beautiful, I thought back then ... My stay at Villa 11 was quite out of this worldly .... a true luxury villa with a beautiful private pool and perfectly landscaped gardens.   Koi ponds and big stepping stones and nature sounds all round.  The bathroom is open-air and has that jungle feel - fabulous lava-stone jacuzzi overlooks yet another koi pond with the water gently streaming down the stone wall surrounding this idyllic bathroom space. 

And yet - when you arrive at your home sweet home away from home, and you close the heavy wooden gate behind you - you truly feel like you are home just a little bit more beautiful, a touch more tropical and a whole lot more luxurious! 

Even though nestled somehow in the hart of hustling bustling Seminyak - driving down the lane as you make your way towards the entrance of this lush and tranquil resort - you somehow beautifully forget the rush and business where you have just come from and you enter a haven, a peaceful retreat, a tropical paradise…

So last year I stayed at Villa 7 - and I must admit I had a moment of absolute wow - can this be even more beautiful, more luxurious and more perfect than my previous stay?  Oh yes it can!  The design and layout is so unique and stylish, it felt a tad more traditional somehow which I loved, but still very much contemporary and tropical.  You enter through an antique Javanese gate into a little tiny outdoor lobby I would say - and then from there you step into your lush tropical garden - sweeping all the way along the left and around to the back of the villa. To your right a perfectly cut lawn and a couple of frangipani's that have fallen to the ground throughout the day - their beautiful fragrance sometimes still linger in the air.  And then the curved private pool, inviting and cool just waiting for you to take your first splash or gently wade in, whichever you prefer .... and a wonderful traditional bale towards the back overlooking this lush tropical paradise await.  Here you can relax and enjoy just being present in the moment,  or as I found a very good spot for a delicious breakfast, which can be served at your villa or enjoyed at the Oasis restaurant onsite and just a few steps down the lane.  I had the Eggs Benedict both days - somehow breakfast outdoors in these surroundings are what makes trips and travels just ever so much more special if you are being served overlooking your own little piece of paradise (for a few days)  And it was off course 5 stars all-round!

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies 

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

The Spa Venues was just across the way from my villa and my dreamy treatment really sent me off into a very deep and relaxed state - I was floating for the rest of the day, my body felt renewed and my skin super soft for days.  The concierge and staff at Villa Kubu are always very friendly yet remain professional and whenever I left the grounds the security guard always said hello, and asked what my plans were for the day.  It didn't feel intrusive at all, but sincerely interested in where I was heading out to.  I never went very far mind you.   He saved me from a very long detour one afternoon and I'm happy that I took the time to say a little hello on my way.

My next trip to Bali I am planning to take my mum - I cannot wait to share all the magic all the wonder, and all the beauty of the island, it's people - the customs and traditions, the culture - and beautiful places like this one, like Villa Kubu - with her....

I'm sharing also a handy link to their current rates and some tempting offers so don't delay, 
book yourself a rejuvenating tropical paradise stay!

villa-rates: villa kubu