The Hiatus Diaries

Kew Gardens

Hello you! It’s been a long time since my last post (one week in fact) and I thought it about time to let you all in on what I’ve been up to.

Taking a break from something you love is difficult; taking a break from blogging is even more difficult. I say this in jest but it was seriously tough to do – I had to turn off all notifications and emails, and avoid reading my favourite blogs because I’d get itchy fingers, yearning to tap out paragraphs upon paragraphs of new material! It’s actually quite a relief to be back behind a screen tapping out all the exciting happenings I’ve had during my week off.

This year I’m taking two holidays, the first being the week just gone in London (despite living in the city there is still so much I haven’t done), and the second being my trip to Amsterdam at the end of September. I’ve had such a great time over the last few days, so here’s a brief overview of what I’ve been up to, as well as a preview of a few upcoming blog posts too…

Kew

On day one of my holiday, I went to Kew Gardens for the day. I’m having to be a bit thrifty due to my upcoming flat move, so I took a spelt salad as packed lunch and enjoyed it under one of the beautiful large trees in the park! I spent five hours wandering through the flora, with little flashbacks to a certain episode of Blue Peter when in the waterlily greenhouse (anyone else see that one?), and a jelly-legged moment on the treetop trail.

Banya No. 1

In the middle of the week, I visited the only Russian banya in London and was indulged no end! A banya is akin to a sauna, but it’s so much more invigorating; let’s just say it involves going from a 75° C sauna into a 7° C plunge pool! Banya No. 1 is the second highest rated spa in London, and was an absolute pleasure to visit and learn about Russian culture, their natural beauty products, and fermented drinks (plus a quick peer at the handwritten review of the place from Justin Bieber…) I’m looking forward to telling you all about it in a later post.

Russell Brand

On Thursday evening I got to see the wild-haired Russell Brand live – a first for me, but I completely worthwhile experience having followed The Trews for a year or so. He mixed comedy with more serious points on finding (or even founding) community and the humanity behind everyone rather than worrying about the small stuff. It was a seriously good night out, and I even spied Joe Wicks there too!

Afternoon tea

On the weekend I returned home to see my family and my boyfriend’s family too. I had the pleasure of taking my little grandma, mum, and sister out for afternoon tea (we are ladies, don’t you know) and while the place we went struggled to understand my vegetarianism (despite my guide on how to eat out as a vegetarian) I did have a lovely time catching up with some of the most important women in my life.

Meditation in the countryside

On the final day of my holidays, I went along with my boyfriend and his family to a meditation centre in the countryside. We learnt about Buddhism, and were taken through guided meditation with one of the Geshes there. During the moments alone with my breath, I did get a little distracted by my thoughts and a poor red robin that had ventured inside and couldn’t find its way out, but did find an inner calmness and a will to continue practising it alongside yoga.

Advertisement

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline feedbacks
View all comments