Eccentricity is a wonderful thing
I’ve been thinking recently about the word eccentric. After a quick Google, I found that eccentric means ‘out of centre’ and…
Capturing the view from the window
The view from my window is so incredibly varied, and I’ve got a little project going where I’m capturing it 100 times in 100 different ways…
Baking a squishy warm banana bread
It’s a real luxury nowadays to be able to take your time with anything. In this, I recognise my significant privilege…
Music as poetry, philosophy, preacher and prayer
Recently, I’ve been playing the same artist’s full collection non-stop – while I potter around getting ready for work, taking a shower, smashing out a tough task at work…
Being struck by the simplest beauty
When I go out walking around Hataitai and Mount Victoria, I’m quite often struck by the beauty of the smallest and seemingly most insignificant things…
Finding my roots from afar
When I moved to New Zealand, I moved from Brixton, London. I went from living off one of the most polluted roads in the UK to living among native bushes…
Poem: Where do I go?
My lovely friend Ali and I are doing a 52-week creativity challenge. Ali is a wonderful singer-songwriter…
The textures of a rocky coastline
I’ve recently discovered my new favourite spot. All along the south coast of Wellington is a fantastically rocky coastline with craggy cliffs…
Seed pods of the akeake tree
Short one this week. The other day I was working from home and decided I needed some mini-breaks throughout the day.
On spending more time outdoors
It’s hard to spend abundant time outdoors nowadays, unless you are someone who works outdoors or doesn’t work at all – walks and birdwatching galore!
Being not very good at something
Recently, I’ve taken up painting leaves. It began when I went to a workshop a few weeks ago by Dr Tabatha Forbes, a New Zealand botanical artist…
Buttery morning light
Of all the overused adjectives I’ve come across in writing and poetry, the one I like the most is ‘buttery’. There’s just something about buttery that is so evocative, so precise…
Back with some coastal meanderings
It has been a LONG time since I’ve written a blog post! For the last 6 months of 2022, I was finishing my Master’s thesis, and everything else got put on the burner right at the veee…
The wonder of churches
All my life I’ve been staunchly atheist. Both my parents have always been mocking of religion. My family are from one of the most atheist regions of the UK. This…
The joys of a beach at sunset
The baby pink sky reflected onto the glistening wet sand. The roar of five metre-high waves, the mist trailing behind them, the tiny people, seal-like in wetsuits braving…
On facing fears
Like most people, I’m scared of lots of things – some big, some small. Big hairy spiders, bungee jumping, public speaking, getting a cold, creepy dolls. One of the fears I’ve…
Winter is closing in
Winter is closing in in Wellington, the fingers of its autumnal cousin pulling down the leaves of the few deciduous trees, its winds causing hands to draw scarfs around bare…
Meeting my plant neighbours
Do you know the names of the plants that line your garden path? Do you say hello and greet them by name as you dash to work or saunter off…
When pain rises up
On Thursday night, I reheated our pasta pomodoro and set the table for two while I waited for my boyfriend to return home. As I saw him trudging up the…