Lillies on the Pond

Moving further along on the Lakeside Walk at the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

This walk was a sunny one but we have been there in all weathers and enjoyed the gardens and the biggest single span glasshouse in the world.

It is very attractive to photographers, amateur and professional alike, and whilst there must have been thousands of photographs taken of the plants and other aspects of the gardens, when you take your own they are yours; and if you are anything like me, you will take photos of the same things again and again and never get tired of it 🙂

Click the images to enlarge. They are available for sale here Photo Sales.

Lillies Hostas Lillies

Stress Signal Status

Aching, painful muscles?

Tinnitus?

Headaches?

My stress signals include these three symptoms and probably in that order. StillWalks or walking are my most immediate remedies.

Tinnitus – The tinnitus comes second in the list even though it is a constant in my left ear. It is when it becomes a textured and vibrating whine that it gets more difficult to accept and it does this at times of greater stress . . . and then, of course, I get more stressed as a result.

Muscles – It’s the same situation with the muscles – the pain in the muscles (often my neck, currently my shoulders) may be the cause of stress or something else but the result is the tensing of those and other muscles which only makes things worse.

Headaches – These come last on the list for me because I do not generally get headaches. When I do, it is usually the result of stress. I have only ever had a couple of migraines but that is two too many. A good description for them was put up here at the A Word in Your Ear blog last week.

It’s Amazing – I’ve just watched a StillWalk and it’s amazing how well can work! The Garden Park Walk is a full length example – you’ll find it on the Spring Walks page of StillWalks and it is recommended that you watch it full screen.

Here are a few images from this short 6 minute video.

Magnolia, Clyne Gardens, Swansea

Magnolia, Clyne Gardens, Swansea

Clyne Gardens, Swansea

Clyne Gardens, Swansea

Clyne Gardens, Swansea

Clyne Gardens, Swansea

Rhodadendron, Clyne Gardens, Swansea

Rhododendron, Clyne Gardens, Swansea

Time to Pause

Time to Pause – This is largely what StillWalks is about – taking the time necessary to keep calm and not get too stressed. Whether it be relaxing at the end of the day or taking 5 minutes out in the middle of the working day, StillWalks can be both enjoyable and a useful alternative to actually getting out there for a real walk.

The queue of things to do – There never seems to be enough time to do all that I want or is necessary. So, considering what I have just said about StillWalks, I have decided to make a priority completing the four or five StillWalks that are half way through the post production stage by the end of September. The production days for these walks date back to the middle of March and completing them should be a priority because this is work I enjoy doing and, like taking a real walk or watching a StillWalk, has it’s therapeutic value.

Current explorations – In the meantime I have been enjoying finding a new place to produce a StillWalk – Singleton Park in Swansea and its botanic garden. I joined Martin Humphreys and others last Wednesday for a Bees and Butterflies walk through the botanic garden – it was very enjoyable and relaxing. The walk will take place again next Wednesday at 10 AM – anyone interested should meet at the botanic garden entrance in the park. Enjoy the photos from my phone below.

Singleton Park, Swansea

Singleton Park, Swansea

Singleton Park Botanic Garden

Singleton Park Botanic Garden

Singleton Park Botanic Garden

Singleton Park Botanic Garden

Singleton Park Botanic Garden

Singleton Park Botanic Garden

Singleton Park Botanic Garden

Singleton Park Botanic Garden

Singleton Park Botanic Garden

Singleton Park Botanic Garden

Singleton Park Botanic Garden

Singleton Park Botanic Garden

Singleton Park Botanic Garden

Singleton Park Botanic Garden

Singleton Park Botanic Garden - Twisted tree

Singleton Park Botanic Garden – Twisted tree