A Serene Escape

‍I’m not imagining it, am I? Life is so much busier than it was 40 years ago! We all need space in our lives to chill out, decompress, call it what you like. There just never seems to be enough time to stop and just do nothing.

In fact, doing nothing is highly beneficial for physical and mental health. It allows the brain to process information, boosts creativity, lowers stress, and regulates emotions. And the best bit? It is not laziness, but a vital pause that recharges the nervous system.

Last week David and I spent a few glorious days in the New Forest. Oh, the relief! To get up when you like, eat when you like, have an afternoon nap if you like. No deadlines. Bliss.

The weather was dry and sunny. Flat landscape and wide-open skies, no-one coming towards you or trying to pass you. Walking through the bright yellow gorse heathland, ponies meandering in your direction, vaguely curious, only to wander off again at their own pace.  A newborn foal, feeding from its mother at the roadside, unconcerned by-passing cars. Calm, quiet, unchallenging. My head clears and settles. Conversation ceases, replaced by companionable silence.

At Exbury and Furzey Gardens, rhododendrons and azaleas were breathtaking, their sheer size and vibrant, bright colours towering above dainty English bluebells, blanketing the woodland floor. We rode on the Exbury Gardens Steam Railway, which meandered, leisurely, through the gardens, ponds and tunnels; no need for conversation, just content to take in the scenery.

At Furzey, the serpentine paths took you on a journey of discovery, through the undulating woodland, streams and ponds. Curiosities at every turn; a self-supporting wisteria arbour, planted in the 1930s. A miniature terraced row of insect houses and a mystical bug village, carved out of a tree stump. This delightfully quirky garden created a carefree, playful atmosphere that brought out the child in us.

I had my roll top bath; David had his rainfall shower. We read a lot and slept a lot. And felt better for it. There’s nothing quite the English countryside in the springtime to gladden the heart

 Love, Caroline

Cover photo: Furzey Gardens, Hampshire