Returning back to shore.

What a fabulous day it has been! It all started with being 1 step away from the beginning of a rainbow (it must have been the beginning because BigBadWolf says if there isn't any hold it can't be the end!), it was amazing to be so close to the point that you felt as though you could reach out and touch it. By the time I got to the point of taking a photograph, it had faded quite significantly and then was gone as quickly as it had appeared. It was definitely one of those magical awe and wonder moments which I will never forget, all thanks to the world of Blip as I wouldn't have necessary gone chasing rainbows before.

This all happened whilst on my way into Salcombe for a morning of sailing. I have to admit to being really excited as well as nervous as this would be our first morning of sailing since passing the Level 2. We had arranged, as a group of 4, to have an instructor to be on standby and help us improve our technique.

It was brilliant as this time there was no pass or fail so you were free to explore, take a few risks, get yourself out of trouble, stop yourself from capsizing, forget to duck low enough when gybing being very glad you decided to wear a helmet and whoop loudly every time you caught a gust of wind all under the watchful eye of the instructor who has guided you through your l1 and 2.

At times it was just do exhilarating to feel that you were actually 'sailing' and not just on a course and limited to following the course content. This time we could say what we wanted from the session and just enjoy. Now I can return to a pontoon without crashing and disembark, then get back on again independently, with so much more confidence. I can't wait until our next session in December hopefully!

Even better is the friendship being struck up through a shared interest, even to the point of going off to Greece in the May half term for a sailing holiday. It does feel quite bizarre though as these are actually parents of two pupils at one of my schools! Definitely a first as I normally would keep my distance but it is so much harder to do when you live in the community where you are the head of school(s).

I am now warming up nicely with a log fire after a long walk and play with the dogs in the field. It was quite a view this afternoon - watch the storm slowly move from Plymouth to The Teign Valley along the moors side of the A38! I definitely would not wanted to have been caught walking (or sailing) in that!

Three beautiful things:
Catching rainbows!

Homemade butternut squash soup after an exhilarating morning of sailing.

Warming up in front of the fire.

One thing to be grateful for:
New friendships

PS - I am the one wearing the purple hat!