Odies Reviews & Rants. Reiki & Spiritual Healing, Photography , Art & Creativity

Beautiful Retro Gplan Chest of drawers Bureau /Secretaire

2012-02-03T08:01:00.002Z

More Glastonbury Photos

2011-11-15T15:56:00.006Z

Glastonbury Somerset

Here are some photos taken during one of my many visits to Glastonbury this year. Photos taken using my Canon EOS 400d Digital SLR camera. Note all photos are exactly as shot and not edited at all. I have not edited them for one of two reasons. Firstly, I like the photos as they are and secondly I have not mastered photo editing just yet. Photography is a new hobby and I am still learning to use my camera and indeed learning about photography.

I may take a course on the subject some time in the future but for now I am enjoying just playing around with and experimenting. You can click on any of the photos to enlarge them.

A Beautiful view of the Sunset from the top of Glastonbury High Street

The Skies over Glastonbury

Evening views of Glastonbury Tor

Thames Festival London UK

2011-09-11T09:24:00.004+01:00

Yesterday I went to the Thames Festival.

It is a wonderful annual festival that runs for the weekend. The best day is usually the Sunday as that includes the grand finale of a spectacular firework display and night Carnival.

Mr Weatherman I feel like kicking your butt, big time..... Saturday, 20% chance of Rain, Sunday 60% chance of rain.... Not no more !!! All that seems to have changed, Mr Weatherman LIED !!! It looks like today is glorious and the odds on Rain have been washed out by the rain. I am happy that the weather will not spoil the day for those that go today but I chose the wrong day based on the forecast YESTERDAY.... Okay, I am angry but I will get over it. I am truly happy that the Night Carnival and Fireworks should be rain free today. :-)

Despite all my moaning , I had a wonderful day.

The day was full of colour , entertainment and food galore. It was a feast for all my senses.

Certainly my idea of a good day out. Thankfully it turned out to be a mostly beautiful day with less rain than I expected.

They are running a photography competition this year and I will be entering so fingers crossed, I may be the proud owner of a shiny new Nikon D7000 camera, If only.....

Mind you when I was trudging around with my Canon EOS 400d plus lenses yesterday, back breaking stuff, I may have said Stuff the Nikon D7000 , this photography thing is not much fun.

Weird really life behind the camera is a little less exciting at an event such as that. It is great to take photos but it sort of removes you from what is going on around you and although you may be enjoying taking the photos, you can be missing out on the pure enjoyment of the day. It can also be a little frustrating and very difficult to get the perfect shot with so many thousands of people around. Okay, I am probably waffling on now and not making much sense. :-)

There came a point in the day where I said, 'Okay camera in rucksack now'. All I need next time is someone to carry my rucksack :-) Wouldn't that be great.

Now I need to choose 5 photos for the competition. Lots to choose from :-)

The Healing thing, Reiki , Seichem and Spiritual Healing

2011-08-26T10:58:00.003+01:00

I am a second generation Healer within my family.

I have been aware of healing since I was a very young child as my Mother is a healer.

It was a normal and regular occurrence for my mum to lay her HOT hands on me for tummy aches, headaches in fact any aches and pains.

As a very young child, I was surprised that other kids got medicine and not Hot hands !!!

I always felt drawn to healing but I ignored the calling possibly even resisted it and got on with other things in life. Perhaps the timing was not right then or that was just my rebelious nature !!

In 2000 I completed Reiki Seichem 1 Certification at my local college.

I then moved out of the area so did not continue with the second attunements, although I would occasionaly heal friends and family with some surprising results at times.

In September 2010 I came back to healing, almost by chance and that is another story in itself !!!

I started a course in Spiritual Healing at my local spiritualist church. For one reason or another, life has taken me in a slightly different direction and I have completed my Healing as a Reiki Practitioner.

Personally I believe that Healing is Healing, and all comes from the Source. All we are as healers is channels for that energy from the source as it needs a channel to make contact with the patient.

I am now a Reiki Practitioner and plan on taking my Masters very soon.

I believe that Healing should be available to everyone, regardless of income and it is my wish to balance my healing activities between those who can and those who can't afford a Healing Treatment.

Right now I am looking for places where I can donate my Healing to those in need.

Really looking forward to tonight as I will be in central London at a Healing event with London College of Spirituality.

Healing and Meditation have changed me and my life.

More on that soon.

London Thames Southbank August 2011

2011-08-21T12:13:00.001+01:00

Yesterday I had a wonderful day out at the Thames Southbank in London.

A great opportunity to take my camera out and carry on getting to grips with DSLR photography.

The more photos, I take, the more tempted I am to take a course and learn more.

Finding the time is going to be difficult because I have so many hobbies and interests.

I feel truly privileged to live in this wonderful city with so much to do and experience, often free of charge.

The day started with a fantastic dance troupe followed by a photographic performance called Stilled, involving dance,light,music and pinhole photography to make a meditative cross-artform event exploring perception.

The dance troupe were amazing and I have some photos here. I hope that they capture the movement.

Dance troupe, name to follow when I get my brain into gear.

A journalistic photographic exhibition which was very moving and some of the images were quite shocking at times. I guess they truly captured the moment !!

A time-lapse animation by an artist called Meghana Bisineer. Truly amazing and highly recommended. You will find this animation at the Saison Poetry Library , within the Southbank Centre. Wearing the Headphones is a MUST for this animation.

All of that and more, all free of charge and lets not forget the wonderful views of the Thames.

I feel so lucky to live in this incredible city.

Nature Friday Local Woods in North London

2011-08-15T21:12:00.004+01:00

Fridays are my Nature Days and I just love them.

It is the me time, the time that I can be completely free and de-stress from the hum drum of life in the office.

As part of my spiritual journey it is really important to be grounded and spending time with Nature is a wonderful and enjoyable way to do this. I have always had a great love and respect for nature, wildlife and the outdoors and now it is even more important to me.

I am currently exploring local woods and outdoor spaces near my home in North London and I keep being amazed at what I find.

I knew of the existence of Parakeets in some parts of London and I have seen one or two at a distance in Richmond park but I had no idea that they were so close to home.

A few weeks ago I discovered Coldfall Woods, a beautiful wood a short bus ride from where I live. Of course I knew of the very famous Highgate Woods which is larger, noisier and more crowded. I visited Highgate Woods a few weeks ago.

Cold Fall Wood is smaller but it has an incredible feel to it and the energy there is so powerful. You feel like you have been transported out of London, away from the hustle and bustle. It almost feels like the air is purer and that you are hundreds of miles away.

My neighbour mentioned to me that there were Parakeets in the wood which surprised me as I had been there the week before and hadn't seen or heard any.

I went for another visit to search for the Parakeets. I asked a man walking his dog where the Parakeets were and he almost looked at me as if I was crazy and said he had been walking his dog there for years and had never seen or heard Parakeets !!!

I carried on my walk to find them, my Canon DSLR in tow and a rough idea where they were. I was told by Nikki, my neighbour that I would be more likely to hear them before seeing them. Low and behold the foreign sound of Parrots squawking could be heard in the distance. It almost felt like I was in a far away Rain Forest. So not the sound or sights for East Finchley !

According to the RSPB website these are believed to be Ring Necked Parakeets and they actually originate from the foothills of the Himalayas, so they don't need it to be that warm to live comfortably and that is why they are thriving here in the UK.

I found a bit of information on the RSPB website about them.

The UK's only naturalised parrot it is large, long-tailed and green with a red beak and a pink and black ring around its face and neck. In flight it has pointed wings, a long tail and very steady, direct flight. Often found in flocks, numbering hundreds at a roost site, it can be very noisy.

Below are some of my photos taken with my Canon EOS 400D using a ES-F 55-250mm Lens.

I am still learning how to use the camera, my first DSLR so not all perfect shots but I am still very happy with them. They are so very well camouflaged in the green leaves of the trees, it was a small miracle that I managed to get any shots of them.

Some of these photos have been taken by my friend Natalie who usually joins me on the Friday Nature Days.

A Trip to Highgate Woods

2011-08-06T11:52:00.000+01:00

Had a wonderful 'Back to Nature' day at Highgate Woods.

So close to home but only my first visit there. I keep being amazed at the beauty on my doorstep and now I am going to make it my mission to get out and about, to enjoy all the wonderful open spaces that London has to offer.

Don't get me wrong, I love the outdoors and have been to many local spots but I am making the time to get out and about as much as I can now.

Next weeks plan is Hampstead Heath, I love the Heath.

A few pics I took Yesterday.

More to add soon.

Out and About with my DSLR Canon EOS 400D

2011-07-31T20:44:00.004+01:00

Took a day out to be with Nature and found a wonderful local Wood that backs on to St Pancras Cemetery.

I had absolutely no idea that we had a local wood of that size so close to home.

I was so pleased that I had my camera with me as I got a few really good photos.

I love this one of the row of trees.

What a beautiful Magpie.

Below I got a photo of what looks like a very old fox.

He didn't seem bothered by us at all and I was able to get quite close to take this shot.

South Bank London UK

2011-07-18T12:42:00.003+01:00

Took my camera out for its first proper shoot last week.

I particularly like this action shot of a skateboarder.

I will be uploading more soon.

Camera Canon EOS 400D

My New Camera

2011-07-12T07:58:00.003+01:00

My new camera or New to Me Camera.

Finally, I have taken the plunge and bought my first Digital SLR Camera.

I could not make my mind up for ages and I was torn between buying a super zoom bridge camera and a DSLR.

I am now the very proud owner of a used Canon EOS 400D with a ES-F 55-250mm Lens purchased on Ebay.

I figured that I could not go wrong if I bought at the right price second hand and if I change my mind later I can just sell it on.

As I am what I would describe as web savvy, I did my homework and purchased at a good price. I paid by paypal and credit card so I have super duper protection on my purchase.

The camera has arrived as described, fully working and actually it far exceeds my expectations. Not a mark or a scratch and I am one very happy person.

Here are a few of my first shots and I am delighted with them so far. Lots to learn though but I am sure going to have lots of fun doing so.

Setting up a new blog for my Mum

2011-06-10T12:40:00.000+01:00

This should be fun.

I am setting up a blog for my mum so that she can write about her new painting hobby.

I will be showing her how to photograph her work and upload it to her blog.

Hoping that I will not go crazy in doing so !!!

Summertime Concerts Galore Buyer Beware

2011-06-10T09:17:00.000+01:00

Buyer Beware FAKE Sites

I wrote this article some time ago and I though as it is now that time of year now for all the big concerts. Glastonbury, Reading, Kenwood Picnic Concerts , Hard Rock Calling etc: etc: that I would bump this post up a bit. The Scammers favourite time of year no doubt !!!

Concert tickets are a massive problem area. Last summer I was purchasing tickets for the Hard Rock Calling CONcert, well, I was almost conned. It all looked so legitimate that I must admit I almost fell for it. It was a bit cheaper than the other tickets so not so much as to raise too much concern but the website appeared to be the real official hyde park ticket website.

Sometimes you can buy tickets direct from the venues, cutting out the agent and thankfully the SAVVY Sceptic in me kicked in just in the nick of time and I googled reviews to find that it was a well known website that was conning people. Not taken offline as it was in another country so it takes much longer for investigations etc: and it also requires cooperation with officials in other countries.

The problem when you are buying popular tickets online is the rush to secure them before they sell out so it is easy to be tempted to cut corners, NOT a good idea. If time is of the essence then go straight to ticketmaster.co.uk or another reputable known ticket issuer such as seetickets.com.

During my last minute investigations, I stumbled upon a fantastic website www.safeconcerts.com

There you can check the known legitimacy of a website and there is also a green and red list of ticket suppliers along with some excellent information on buying tickets safeley and a user forum.

Here is an example of some comments on the forum of people who have been scammed :-( This is the reality of it and unfortunately it is a commonoccurrence.

Below are some comments from a forum of people scammed.

Scam site

Written by Jill | 20th Jun 2010

I brought Stevie Wonder tickets and was so looking forward to this much needed day out. I also received the e mail about not having tickets. No reply of course - I paid by credit card and I only paid £100 but HOW can these people get away with this. I run a media company and I am so surprised I got caught by this scam. I thought it was the official website for Hyde Park and if I can get caught so could many other people, How can this be stopped. The website is still active - can no-one close it down!!!!!!

(0)

I have lost £300 to this "company" / website

Written by Jen Allan | 17th Jun 2010

I bought tickets for Kings of Leon and received the email advising they cannot source the tickets. I had exactly the same email for tickets I bought for Bon Jovi a couple of weeks ago on BonJoviLondon.net. There is no phone number on either site and it looks to be run by the same group as the emails were almost identical. I spoke to my bank about the charge back they mention but my bank don't do this so unless you paid by credit card it looks like there is little that can be done to get the money back that these scammers owe. I have sent them numerous emails but surpise surprise they never replied.... I don't know whether I'm more gutted at missing the concerts or losing that much money to a bunch of con artists....

More information to come soon.....

Your Britain - Bing Homepage Photo Competition

2011-06-07T20:34:00.005+01:00

Please vote for my photos.

The one below is a wonderful view from the top of Glastonbury Tor.

Taken using my blackberry torch mobile phone.

Your Britain - Bing Homepage Photo Competition

Your Britain - Bing Homepage Photo Competition

2011-06-07T20:34:00.004+01:00

I have entered a few photos in a competition.

Please click to vote for me. The photo is below. Thanks :-)

Your Britain - Bing Homepage Photo Competition

This one below is of the Red Spring at Glastonbury Chalice Well

Your Britain - Bing Homepage Photo Competition

2011-06-07T20:34:00.003+01:00

I have entered a few photos in a competition.

Please click to vote for me. The photo is below. Thanks :-)

Your Britain - Bing Homepage Photo Competition

Your Britain - Bing Homepage Photo Competition

2011-06-07T20:33:00.003+01:00

Please vote for my photos. I have just entered them in a competition.

This one below is of the beautiful gardens at The Chalice Well in Glastonbury.

Click on the link below :-) All taken with my Blackberry Torch mobile phone !!

Your Britain - Bing Homepage Photo Competition

London Green Fair and Volunteering

2011-06-05T11:04:00.000+01:00

Off to the London Green Fair aka Camden Green Fair ( Regents Park London ) today.

http://www.londongreenfair.org/

I am hoping the rain stays away, although it's looking like it's trying very hard to. I dare say we can do with some rain but please not today :-( so fingers crossed.

Last year I volunteered on the day and really enjoyed it.

It was my first experience of volunteering and I then went on to volunteer at Volunteer Centre Camden who were at the Green Fair , promoting volunteering. It was a fantastic and hugely rewarding experience. Right now I am busy with other things but aim to get back to volunteering soon.

Here is a link for more information on volunteering and you will probably be surprised at the voluntary roles available. http://www.do-it.org.uk/ , Go on give it a go even if you can only find a few hours spare. There is something for everyone.

Now off to the Fair :-)

The Glastonbury thing....

2011-05-30T17:09:00.003+01:00

Just returned from yet another wonderful trip to Glastonbury. I am so nackered, pulled every muscle , even muscles I was unaware that I had !!!

So much walking but it was amazing.

One day I woke up at 5am and I was on my way, walking up towards the Tor within 15 minutes of opening my eyes !!! I actually made 3 trips up there that day and went out of my way to tell anyone who would care to listen !!

I was keen to get to the top of the Tor to watch the Sun Rise and also see the Sun set. Unfortunately there was no Sun to Rise :-( but I did see a Red Deer during my insanely early morning walk up the Tor. I was so excited and tried to get a picture but the Deer was too far away and too fast for me. During the early morning walk I also saw some Rabbits so well worth the early stroll to see the wildlife.

Time just flies when I am there and a longer trip is definitely on the cards.

A friend came along this trip and she has caught what I call the Glastonbury bug. Basically the bug that causes you to plan your next trip in your head before you have even left there. When it is okay to run out of time to do something as it is gives you even more reason to return.

I have also discovered another Gem in my favourite little town and that is The Ashram. Yes !!! an Ashram in Glastonbury. It is called Shekinashram and it is a wonderful place to stay. You can just stay there on a B&B basis or you can become part of the community and join in with their spiritual practices, meditations etc: See their website for more info about staying there.

I had the luxury of an incredible ensuite room there this time but there are cheaper options where you can stay in a room or shared accommodation with a shared bathroom. Be warned though, the shared bathroom gets very busy. I am going to stay in a Yurt on my next trip.

Below are just a few photos from this trip and I will add more to my dedicated Photo page later.

Enjoy :-)

Planned Trips, Holidays and Weekends away. Devon and Glastonbury here I come :-)

2011-05-23T07:45:00.002+01:00

So much to look forward to this year and I hope to widen my horizons and perhaps push the boundaries a little and take me out of my comfort zone.

I will soon be visiting Glastonbury (my spiritual home). I was only there last month !!!

Yes there is more to Glastonbury than the annual music festival.

Each time I visit, I can not wait to get back again, almost like a magnet pulling me in but hey life is here to be enjoyed as much as possible.

I have also booked myself on a Meditation Retreat at a Buddhist centre in Devon for my holiday.

Okay you may think how the heck is that pushing the boundaries or getting out of my comfort zone but it has a very strict schedule and this includes some SILENCE !!! Most people don't think that I do Silence but I actually love sitting in silence and meditating.

My problem is the discipline of making time for meditation. It is crazy as I feel fantastic when I keep up with it and it makes a huge difference, yet it is all to easy to make excuses to not find the time. What is 20 minutes in a day ? It is one of those things that are easier said than done.

The next biggy for me is Couch Surfing, YES Couch Surfing.

I have been finding it difficult to find available and reasonably prices accommodation for my stay in Devon after the retreat. I am planning on staying 3 nights. Then like a brainwave I remembered friends of mine had couch surfed so I thought I would sign up and give it a go.

Basically there are people out there who offer a space in their home, usually for 1 or a 2 nights free of charge. Some do it because they like meeting new people from all over the world. I guess everyone has their own reason for participating in the service. I know people who have travelled all over the world by couch surfing and I used to have friends who Hosted here in London.

Usually it also give you the opportunity of having local information on an area and indeed some hosts actually show their guests around. A great way to connect with new and like minded people too.

It sort of works like an ebay system, so you can see positive or negative feedback from people who have stayed previously and make your own judgement on if you would like to apply to stay based on that.

Check it out http://www.couchsurfing.org/ if you would like to know more.

I am hoping that I will be back later in the year to blog all positive stuff about my couch surfing experience.

I will be partly Couch Surfing and staying in a B&B for part of the visit.

Time to drag myself to the office , back to reality.

Love & Light

It's never too late.

2011-05-22T13:55:00.003+01:00

On discovering my new Art hobby it brought back a distant memory of early childhood.

I remembered my Mum taking some art classes from an artist friend of hers.

In my mum's usual way this was one of many passing phases and I really take after her on this one.

I realised that Art will not pass by for quite some time as there are so many different mediums and styles to try. For now at least I can not imagine my life without this new love.

My mum is 77 years YOUNG !!! and my dad is 9 years older than her. She is full of life and can not stay still at all. My dad recently had a stroke and this has meant that she is less keen to go out without my dad and they don't get out as often as she would like.

I realised that if I could reintroduce her to painting that this might be a life saver and my sister and I bought her a set of paints, easel, paper etc:

No looking back. This has been a godsend for her. Art Therapy at its best !!!!

Unfortunately my dad suffered another mini stroke and painting has been my mum's saviour. It has helped release her energy and has had a calming effect. Otherwise she would have gone crazy being indoors and unable to go out so often.

Thankfully Dad is strong and has got through this stroke really well. No permanent damage and he is doing amazingly well.

Mum is painting , churning them out like a factory conveyor belt but loving every minute of it.

I get many excited telephone calls from her assuring me that she has just finished her Masterpiece !!

The truth of it is she is one of lifes natural creatives and has been taking writing classes for some time. She has also written a book (any interested publishers, please do get in touch) and many plays and stories.

Mum's work is completely different to mine, full of imagination and like tales of a different land.

Dad is complaining that he has become a Painting Widower !!! I think I may have created a monster. In all honesty though, he is happy watching T.V and mum is happy painting.

I am yet to encourage Dad to put brush to paper but we are working on it.

I say you can not knock it if you don't try it. You can not dislike doing something that you have not tried.

Below is some of Mum's work.

Enjoy :-)

Photographs for painting inspiration

2011-05-22T12:18:00.003+01:00

As I mentioned on an earlier blog, I am now seeing things differently.

It is almost as if my eyes have opened up and I am more aware of the beauty around me.

I don't just see a tree. Sometimes I actually see a face in the tree, something I would have missed before this new creative awareness surfaced.

Thanks to my Blackberry Torch telephone, I now have a handy inbuilt camera with me at all times.

This one was taken whilst walking in a local park.

Can you see the beautiful faces in the Tree ?

I recently went to Glastonbury (my spiritual home) for a weekend trip and got some wonderful shots all intended for painting inspiration.

I have actually had a few people comment on some of them and some have suggested that I maybe take up photography. Perhaps some day I will.

Here are some of my recent pictures below from Glastonbury.

This one was taken at the top of Glastonbury Tor. How lucky was I to get a shot with a hot air balloon flying past :-)

Another one taken at the top of the Tor. I like the skyline and that there was someone in the Tor building so it gives you a sense of the size of the building.

Amazing formation of clouds late afternoon also taken at the top of Glastonbury Tor.

The one below was taken during an early 6.30 am walk up to the Tor. The sun had recently risen and I could also see what was left of the moon.

Another similar shot of the recently risen Sun.

Chalice Well Garden. We had a picnic under these beautiful trees.

All the photos above were taken using my Blackberry Torch mobile phone camera.

My recent class and paintings.

2011-05-22T11:31:00.001+01:00

Had a fantastic class yesterday and although the class is about imaginative painting we are still learning some of the theory and techniques.

I have always been amazed how an artist can look at something that is 3 dimensional and represent it on paper.

Yesterday we covered some spacial awareness stuff and how to make things look near and far etc: using colour and size. Fascinating stuff.

Here are my paintings from yesterday.

First one getting to grips with the exercise and the second one I tried to use what I had learnt to create a view of some trees with some birds in the distance. I hope it worked.

I do think my work is improving and changing but most importantly, I am thoroughly enjoying every minute of it.

I also picked up some wonderful art books last week.

One on the History of Art and some others that caught my eye on various lesser known artists work.

This is a whole new world to me and one that I know very little about but I am keen to learn more.

It is almost like I now see with bigger and wider eyes.

It is an amazing and beautiful world out there.

Painting Class Imaginative Painting

2011-05-17T23:20:00.003+01:00

My new love in life is painting.

I enrolled in my first ever Painting class in January 2011.

It came like a bolt out of nowhere. I suddenly had a massive desire to paint.

I started training as a spiritual healer in September 2010 and it had changed my view of the world. Nature has always been very important to me and I love being out in the fresh country air or in a wood.

Suddenly everything looked even more beautiful and vibrant than ever before and I felt the need to capture my new vision in a painting. All rather strange when I can take a photo but it had to be paint !!! There is a small problem here and that is I can not draw, YET !!! Perhaps there is hope for me yet but we shall see.

For now I am happy playing with colour, shape and texture and expressing myself and indeed my mood on paper or canvas.

I am not used to using the creative side of my brain at all. My work is not creative in any which way. I realise that the spiritual path I am following is opening up the creativity within me. Using both parts of my brain is allowing me to feel more balanced.

I am in my 2nd term now and so happy to be back in class.

A term is 6 classes so I am still very much a newbie to all of this.

The class is Imaginative Painting. I have been told that this new term is going to be a little more technical than the last so I do hope that doesn't put me off.

So far I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and as long as I do then I will continue with it.

For me, if anyone likes my work that is an added bonus but the most important thing is that I enjoy what I am doing and hopefully like what I am creating.

So far I have used mostly acrylic paint although we did one piece of work using mixed media so I am also the very proud owner of some acrylic inks, conte crayons and some charcoal.

I have just bought a travel set of watercolours and am looking forward to using them which will be a first for me. I have also sent off for some oil pastels so they are next on my list.

This could become a rather expensive hobby as the shopping list goes on and on and up and up.
Another recent purchase, still awaiting delivery is a book by Rolina Van Vliet called Painting Abstracts.

Originally when I booked the painting class, I was keen to paint. I had no idea that I would be be interested in or in fact excited about trying different mediums.

I am truly in Love with my new hobby and hope that it will continue.

The painting above is one that I created in this weeks class. The original exercise was about spacial awareness, followed by a painting using what we had learnt.

My inspiration for this painting was Glastonbury Tor along with my love of Trees. I usually love lots of colour and was surprised at how much I enjoyed working with black and white.

I will soon be on a weekend trip to my spiritual home (Glastonbury) where I will be trying out my watercolours for the first time.

Hope to have some new paintings inspired by the beautiful Somerset Countryside.
I am truly blessed living in such a beautiful country and hope to capture a fraction of that beauty in my art work.

Grand National

2011-04-11T13:55:00.001+01:00

Two horses lie dead. In all 33 horses have died during the three-day Grand National meetings at Aintree since 2000 – and it is unusual for no horse to be killed as a result of the main race itself.

This race needs to be banned. The welfare of the horses is not considered. The jumps are too high and every year we have horses dying. The winning horse was over whipped too.

What about Health and Safety for the Horses !!!

Please have some compassion and DO NOT BET on the Grand National. Don't support this horrific and cruel race.

If the public stop supporting it then something will have to be done.

Painting and Art

2011-03-06T21:31:00.000Z

Abstract Painting my new thing :-)

My new love in life is Painting. I have just started learning to paint, something I last attempted at around the age of 10 !!!

Loving every minute of it. I knew that I was keen to explore using my imagination, something I don't have to do in my usual life. I felt drawn to use colour, shape and texture and initially had the thought of using meditation to spark my imagination.

I could not find a course that combined meditation and art but enrolled in an Imaginative Painting course and am enjoying every minute of it.

I love the freedom of the course and have enjoyed learning about different mediums in addition to paint. At the moment I like using acrylic paint best.

I have just taken delivery of an easel and am keen to get painting on some large canvasses.

My work is very abstract and I love playing around with colours and shapes.

I particularly enjoy being able to express a feeling or mood in a painting.

I will post some of my works on here soon.

Check out some of my works. Click on the link This one is called The Rose