Everything has gone slowmotion at present. I seem to be coming up against obstacles and not having the energy or desire to overcome them. So a new month begins, the last quarter of the year and I'm thinking that I must get my act together.
Maybe it was the lousy august weather that has put me in such in a weird frame of mind, it's not like me to be so lazy, I just can't be arsed.
Now, I really to have to buy a new computer as my old one has run out of steam and that is something that I do not want to have to do, moan, whinge. Apart from the money, it's familiarising myself with a new machine and all the transfer of data etc. I'd rather not deal with this at this point but I know I will have to.
The room I am writing this in is flooded with evening sunlight. Around the equinoxes, the sun always iluminates this room giving it a golden glow, very different from high summer, it's quite distinctive. it also shows up a few dusty corners that need to attended to before the winter. Then, there are the spiders that appear around this time of year, I have a spider phobia and this makes me edgy right now, where are they lurking? Go away!
This has been a negative entry, why I don't know.

Got back home last Friday and I'm feeling weary, still weary despiite catching up on my sleep.
On the other hand I feel much clearer about things and what needs to be done so some good has been done by going away, even for a short while.
Noticed that the trees in our street seem to have grown since last week, they have reached their full summer potential and are now looming like giant sentinels over the garden. It's quite comforting to see the large branches and leaves spreading their canopy over the fence, I feel protected by them. Of course I won't be saying that in a few weeks when they start depositing their leaves all over the garden and I have have to rake them all up, a job that goes on well into December.
Last gasp of summer now, but I am hoping for an indian summer before the true autumn sets in.
Have set myself some goals, I need to finish my website, re-conect with my writing and go out more, all this before I set off to France again, can I do it? Yes!

Haven't been here for awhile, distractions and I'm mising so much good stuff. Tomorrow I shal be off on my travels again, back to France again, this time to sort out plombiere problems. Actually, I am quite pleased to be able to escape the rather dreary drizzly weather which is plagueing us at present.
I really don't enjoy the last hours before leaving. I get all fired up, raring to go and trying to remember all the bits and pieces that I need that I  have exhausted myself by the time of actual departure.
Oh well, that's it, must fly back soon and in a better frame of mind I hope.

We are now enjoying some warm summer weather. It's going to be broken tomorrow by a few thundery showers but who cares, it's just lovely to feel the sun's warmth and it's a joy to get up early in the morning. Soon the dusk will arrive a little earlier each evening, and the dawn break a little later, so I'm making the most of summer while it's here.
Have also spent a fair bit of time tweaking my new website which I won't publish until I get back from my trip. I need to be here to sort out any glitches.
The garden is looking great at the moment, all hollyhocks and lavender. I took some photos early one morning because it was looking so good in the morning sun. Raced out there in my dressing gown, didn't notice my neighbour out on his balcony, he must've thought, "oh there goes the mad woman again"  but what the hell.

I haven't been involved much with connecting with gaia lately. I have been distracted by all sorts of things and events,  which have left me with the feeling that I needed to shut down on some level. Now, it's only two weeks until I go to France again and there is so much that needs to be done before I go.
There have been some glitches with my computer too which have left me frustrated, just couldn't seem to move forward. The break came on Sunday, when my friend came to help with this project that has been on my mind since last Sept and, I am now working out an astrologically good date on which to launch my website. This may not seem such a big deal to all  computer savvy people but to a middle-aged woman with very little web know-how it's a miracle, especially as I've designed it myself. There has been much wailing and gnashing of teeth during this process and it's not quite ready yet but, this time next month.....

Meanwhile on the weather vane, we have been promised warmth, sunshine, proper summer weather for this week and beyond. Can it be true? It's been so dreary lately,  clouds, chilly breezes, a few brief snatches of sunshine then cloud again. We really need some respite from this otherwise it's a repeat of last year's summer - cold.
I'm planning a Lammas picnic for next week so maybe it'll be fine for that - whoopee!

A strange evening. Water starts pouring out of a light fitting in the kitchen, I'm out on the roof trying to see if there is a hole, nope, ring the plumber, he can't make it until tomorrow so we are stuck with buckets. All this while watching the Wimbledon men's tennis final, rain stopped play. Just checked and the water dripping has ceased. It's all very mysterious, could it be something to do with that mouse that chewed through the ceiling a few weeks ago? I don't know, I just hope that it will be sorted out tomorrow.
My computer is now refusing to work properly so I am accessing gaia through my small server that I bought last year. It's quite good actually, at least I can get onto the internet and do my stuff.
Speaking of which, have just booked an expensive trip to France. Didn't really want to go so soon but I need to see the plumber about the new boiler. Plumbers again, nooo! Yes, well it's very expensive this little trip but I'll make it into a little holiday, no work this time just fun.
I wanted to put some new photos up but realised I can't because of the computer meltdown. Ho hum, things in a state of flux once again.

It's been the most perfect summer's day, all blue sky , breezes and wall to wall sunshine and I wasted most of it doing chores. Tomorrow, we have been promised  thunder and rain to break the spell.
Had to take ma to the doctor this morning for a routine check, all was well and on the drive home we went past the park. I was looking longingly at the grass, the trees, the empty benches, want ed to stop, but no, we had to go to the bank, pre-arranged appt. By the time we'd done shopping, paid bills and done lunch the moment had passed. Sometimes it's just too hard to be spontaneous.
  That's why I like to snatch those early morning moments in the garden, before everything gets
 mental, grab a piece of peace. Maybe tomorrow befor the storm, I'll get to the park.

I am still feling the effects of my trip. It seems to take an age to adjust back to the hectic city life. I wake up in the mornings and think, now am I still in France or at home? a few seconds of confusion before I come to. I have been sleeping deeply and soundly which is a blessing, but with lots of dreams.
Not content with that trip, I have this urge to go down to Glastonbury for a couple of days, not for the festival but later. I just feel I need some of that local energy. I may even go as far as the land of my father's, yes, down to Wales and do some ancestral delving into the past.

Well, I made it back home. Had a good trip, a few hiccups but that's all part of the journey.
I'm still processing the last month in my head, am sleeping a lot and need a bit of space to re-adjust.
I was hoping to celebrate a lovely sunny solstice today but, the usual clouds and rain appeared on the horizon and I slept through sunrise, but there's another hour to go before sunset.
Had a phone call from a friend in New Zealand tonight, hadn't heard from her since she emigrated there 18 months ago. She said:"I bet you thought I was dead." Well, she is 94. It was good to speak to her and know that she is doing well. So you see, it's never too late to make
 changes in your life.
Each time I go away something shifts and changes now I find that I am feeling very alone, not lonely but I suppose that may be part of it, but just alone. I know that's not the truth but I feel disconnected at present. It'll pass I suppose.
OK time for the usual panacea -a nice cup of tea.

This is it, I'm finally off to France in a few hours. I always get butterflies in my stomach before any trip, even though I have done this particular journey a few times. It's a long way down to my destination and it will take 3 days, Ma is coming with me so it will be another adventure we'll have notched up together.
I'm looking forward to indulging my love of gothic cathedrals and stained glass windows when I visit Chartres, which is on the way. Hope to get some good photos done.
Oh well, Adieu until June when I hope to have a more interesting blog entry.