The art of pottering

I love to potter, and this weekend I think I got it down to a fine art. I was motivated enough to do a few tasks that needed doing (hand-washing, re-potting some herbs, catching up on emails) and lazy enough to relax without worrying. I soaked up some sun and cosied up under the covers when the clouds rolled in. I threw together a hearty casserole and watched my favourite shows. I spent a few hours talking to people I love on the other side of the globe. London partied on without me and I didn't suffer one twinge of FOMO.
And then this afternoon I started photo-pottering - that is, I snapped pics on my phone with careless abandon as I wandered back from afternoon tea at a local cafe.
If you want to hold off Monday a little longer, have a virtual potter here...




Fairytale balcony

 

Room with a view

Romeo, Romeo...

Yes, this is a Valentine's Day post. Tune out now if you'd rather wipe Feb 14 off your calendar because I'm about to indulge in some pure, sappy romance.

Whether you're on the receiving end of a dozen roses today or counting the hours till Wednesday rolls around, we can all appreciate some of the world's most romantic gestures (fictional or otherwise). I'm talking balcony scenes, people. Here's a few of my favourites... Let's share the love.

Thanks, Shakespeare, for the original balcony scene.

Parallel universe

It’s silly, but... I still get a little shock every time I skype someone from home and see them in the opposite time and weather zone to me. It’s like a parallel universe, a fantasy world I’m almost – but not quite – a part of. I try not to wander down this rabbit hole too often, but if there really is a parallel universe (and Brian Cox says yes!), then this is where you’ll find me. My favourite corner of my parents’ verandah, where I used to read magazines all morning, where the grapevine hugs the house, where we had breakfast last time I was home. This is my happy place. See you there.

Christmas giving

The shops are full of sequinned frocks, wine and cider is spiked with spices, and chestnuts are being roasted on every street corner. It’s Christmastime – and my first in a country where all the clichés feel right. I won’t be here to see if London has a white Christmas – I’ll be heading south in a week’s time, where (hopefully) the sun will be shining, berries will be plentiful and wine will be chilled – but in the meantime, I’m soaking up the traditional festive cheer as I tick off my Christmas shopping list.
The last few years, my family has adopted a garden theme for gift giving, so I thought I'd share my research (and wish list!)… If you need a little inspiration, here are my favourite gift ideas for the balcony lover in your life.

Balcony treats

Jenni's famous sponge - the passionfruit butter version

I believe firmly in using the good china. While most people lock away their precious set of Royal Doulton, keeping it in glass cases or in dark cupboards for a special occasion that never seems to arrive, I’m all for using it, and gaining pleasure from it, in the here and now. It’s my philosophy on life – I don’t want to put off till tomorrow what I can enjoy today.

It’s the same with balconies. I’ve been focused on aesthetics in this blog, but what I love most about balconies is using them. As a teenager, I loved having breakfast in the corner of our wraparound verandah, with a stack of magazines by my side. In Sydney, I treasured the moments I had in the sun, with a pot of tea, an almond croissant and the papers, wedged between my washing and my plants.

A home by the sea

Even on grey days, the view from this Port Isaac balcony is incredible

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? The more I travel, the harder that question is to answer, and my recent trip to Port Isaac has added another option to the ever-growing list.

This tiny fishing village in North Cornwall is best known as the setting for the sweet UK series Doc Martin, and like most tourists, I was there to see the grumpy doc’s house, Large Restaurant and Louisa’s pretty school (all in the name of journalistic research, of course!). Usually, going behind the scenes of a TV show strips the magic a little, but in Port Isaac, it’s all there: the view, the harbour, the soundtrack of seagulls, the quirky locals and the whitewashed houses. Approximately five minutes in, I was ready to stay for good.

Less is more

One singular sensation: a window box of plumbago in Rome

If you’ve ever stared into an overflowing wardrobe and thought, “I haven’t got a thing to wear!”, you’ll know what I mean by “decision fatigue”. There really is such a thing as too much choice.

Life is full of decisions, from what dish to order on a menu to what career path to take. It’s stressful – some days, just choosing a loaf of bread can wear me down. Wouldn’t it be so much simpler if there was only one option?