There’s something about lying on your back under a blue sky watching clouds drift past.

That’s me on a (borrowed) yoga mat laid on top of a tarpaulin next to our mobile home.

It’s been an effort to battle wind and weather to keep going with my yoga practice.

A friend of mine who is training to be a physical fitness coach said that if we treated exercise as a daily ritual, like cleaning your teeth, then it would become automatic.

I think of her words as I train myself to prioritise my health and fitness.

And today I did something I haven’t done for over a year.

I touched my nose – with my knee!

Ok so it was only my left knee, and not my right that is the one which still aches at the end of the day,. But it is a milestone and I’m proud of it.

This year I’ve had to prioritise my health and well being.

I recognise now that I have spent the past three years pushing myself to achieve. Leaving my library job, starting an online mentoring business, exhibiting every year.

It’s exhausting when I think about it now. But it’s a major milestone achieved.

This week has also been another milestone as I said goodbye to the last of the artists I have been mentoring.

It’s been an honour to watch each artist gain confidence and share their work with the world, creating in their own unique way.

Now we are in Oxford for the rest of the month and I am preparing my artists residency proposal for the Ovada Gallery space.

Proposals typically ask you for a project description, the type of materials you will use and most importantly, how you will interact with the place and space to extend your arts practice.

My professor encouraged me to “get out of my comfort zone” and stretch myself.

Just as well I’ve been doing my yoga stretches!!!

It’s a challenge I am now ready to accept after two weeks of rest and relaxation, allowing myself to be empty and ready for new inspiration.

There are many green spaces all along the Thames River at Oxford that I am interested in exploring on my bike. The Thames path follows the river all the way from our campsite into the city.

Let’s see where it takes me on this next iteration of my art journey – another milestone coming up...