Being mindful when exploring a local park on my soul stroll:
Needing to banish my January blues and hormonal grumps, I practically forced myself out of the house this morning.
With the perfect winter’s day of crisp blue sky and smiling sunshine, I borrowed dad’s car and went on a mission to find some soothing nature to lift my spirits.
I decided to go and explore a nearby park which I’ve never been to before. The crazy thing is that the edge of the park is probably only a 5 minute drive from the house, but the main entrance and car park is right over the other side of the park. But still, is only around 15 mins drive.
I’ve also felt a little apprehensive about visiting on my own as it’s near a rather unsavoury area, but today I was feeling brave and courageous.
And it was the best decision ever!
Immediately after driving through the park gates, I felt soothed by my surroundings of lush green fields and trees galore.
After parking up, my inner water magnet pulled me towards the fishing lake and I set off down a magical tree-lined pathway, with the glorious sun dappling through the trees:
As the pathway ended, I crossed the empty football fields, and with the early morning frost crunching underfoot, I spied my shadow and fulfilled my curiosity to see how I’d look with longer legs:
I reached the two fishing lakes and was heartened to see them filled with ducks and a couple of magnificent swans. As I wandered down to where they were to say hello, they glided over to me to make friends. I gently explained I didn’t have any yummy treats with me today, but promised to bring some swan-friendly fodder with me next time. They seemed ok with that…
Well maybe not so much as they immediately ducked into the water to show me their behinds!
Enough said!
As I walked around the lake, I was excited to hear some gushing water and went to explore: I found a brilliant waterfall and climbed down the slippery, muddy slope to get a little closer. The sound was music to my soul; hypnotic and deeply soothing:
I continued my journey onwards around the lake, and up alongside the adjoining lake. I inadvertently disturbed two little ducks hiding in the reeds (doing what, I do not know!), and they zoomed across the water in an attempt to escape:
As I followed the stream, the path took me into the woodland area to find more peace and tranquility:
Leaving the woods behind, I began my walk back towards the carpark, pausing to reflect on the magnificence of this tree:
And taking in the brilliance of this blue sky:
Before heading back home, I enjoyed a cuppa in the park’s clubhouse and vowed that I would return again, very very soon.
So with this in mind, my happy for today is being mindful when exploring a local park on my soul stroll.