Stay Inspired!
On top of the world – one of the sunnier days in February on a beautiful hike with our local friends Shelley & Martin.
Hello all you gorgeous people,
Thank you so much for connecting and continuing on this adventure with me.
Full Moon over Saint Georges de Luzencon
Like all of you I’m sure, I’m really bloody glad to get January & February out of the way. It’s been a mostly grey with occasional stunning blue sky days, but sometimes heavy feeling couple of months, and not just meteorologically speaking. Heaviness mostly of course due to this ******* (insert your own expletive here) global pandemic. Unsettling is perhaps an understatement.
Alongside all the usual self-care that we are now so much more aware of and I suggest, in need of, I have come to recognise the one thing that really helps me to keep my motivation levels lifted - is topping up my ‘Inspiration levels’. I get this by connecting with nature on long walks whenever possible, but my other major source of inspiration goodness is The Do Lectures.
Honestly watching The Do Lectures Talks, and listening to the Do Lectures Podcast series with Gav Thompson has really helped my motivation levels stay up.
Links to my personal top fav talks at the end of this blog post. But truly, they are all so inspiring, uplifting, passionate, driven and real, I haven't watched or listened to a dud one yet!
Connection
Hope…airplane trail in the sky!
The Tarn Valley on one of our sunny day hikes
Here at The Mill we are all about the three ‘C’s - Connection Creativity & Community
I consider myself really bloody lucky. Over the past 12 months, I've mostly had company staying with me at The Mill, either Workawayers helping to push the build works forward - I have a wonderful couple here with me at the moment, so blessed, and my daughter Poppy also working hard and keeping me grounded. I got to see the boys at Christmas which was wonderful. I also had friends come to stay last summer in that window of opportunity.
Lunch last week with current happy campers!
Works to the library ceiling progressing at pace!
Airbnb guests have been returning this past few weeks, as the apartment is self-contained.
But OMG.. I miss you all. I miss seeing your faces, I miss hugs, and laughter, sharing this space & this nature with you all. I think I’m suffering from Zoom Fatigue Syndrome.. if that’s a thing, it’s just not the same as actual face to face contact.
So in a bid to stay sane I'm running with this... "We will be able to travel later this year!"
A massive thank you to those of you that have booked a stay here already. I can't wait!
I've also decided to do something a bit differently this year and am making The Mill available for group bookings for 5 or more nights, the whole place. That's up to 11 peeps, across 4 bedrooms & the apartment that sleeps 4. So you can holiday with your favourite friends and/or family.
Oh... And you get me as your host/ chef/ hiking guide/ tour driver (if needed). Meal requirements tailored to meet your needs – local wine, seasonal produce, riverside dining in the sun or under the stars comes as standard.
Email me to request further information, and tailor your requirements. Children are welcome, but be aware that we are river & canal side.
In the spirit of connection please share the Mill with anyone you know who may be looking for a place in France to escape for some R&R and reconnection with nature, or anyone who may be looking for a place to facilitate a retreat of any kind. We have the space, the connection to nature, a river (or canal) to swim in, great cycling & hiking routes & spectacular scenery. As my old boss used to say “spread the love people” - good things going on here.
Some flight links:
Creativity
I’ve written previously about ‘The Pivot’. Finding ways to cruise through the Covid Crisis. Creativity, the same as so many others has been my salvation!
I’m really enjoying creating the second collection of 111 ‘Earth’ Goddesses, part of the 111 Series totalling 555 Goddess. Each collection 111 of each signifying Goddess energy and one of the 5 Elements.
The Premier Collection 111 ‘Spirit Goddess’ - Quite a Tribe!
There are still some Goddesses available from the premier collection ‘Spirits’. If you would like to purchase please use the code FRIEND22 to get a discount.
And to all of you that have already purchased, thank you, and for all the photos that you have sent of them happily installed in their new homes!
Sneak preview below of some test firings for the ‘Earth’ Goddess Collection. The Raku firing Crackle glaze signifying so beautifully mother natures ‘Earth’. I’m so excited to be working on these!
I will be looking for a home for this collection, permanent or temporary, if you know of a Gallery or Institution (or collector) which is in need of Tribe of ‘Earth Goddesses’, feel free to spread the love!
Raku Test Firing - ‘Earth’ Goddesses. Pictured here river side
Get your own Raku groove on!
I am happy to announce that I will be running a beginners Raku firing course in the last week of July – exact dates to be confirmed.
We will be hand building & raku firing, with plenty of free time to use the studio as you want. This will be a relaxed course with time to relax, connect with nature, eat cheese – of course, drink wine – of course, and explore the local Market Town of Millau. Email me if you are interested and to request further information. Limited to 8 places.
I am also busy creating a smaller collection of Paper Porcelain Magnolia Grande Fleurs. Each hand built and different. They will be added to the shop 3 at a time.
First 3 of The Magnolia Grande Fleurs currently available. Paper Porcelain Clay, shiny white tin glaze, makes these beauties super smooth, guaranteed you will want to hold them. Each is delivered with an acrylic display (15cm x 15cm x 15cm) box for display.
Community
Some of you will know that I am in the process of exploring the feasibility of producing energy to supply the green grid. We have so much of the infrastructure already here in place as The (Flour) Mill was powered by the energy of the river & the work horse of a turbine that is still her and looking in amazing condition!
The feasibility study is well underway – that basically means a lot of paper work has been filed with a lot of different French official departments. This is not going to be a quick fix, or a cheap one, but I am committed to making it work, and I really hope that I can inspire you all to come along for the ride and be part of something bigger than us.
I’d like to ask for your help. Spreading ‘The Love’. In order for this part of The Mill project to work we will need to spread the word far and wide. To this end I am looking to find a film company/ production company/ screen writer/ film writer/ environmental and/or ecological as yet unknown person/ organisation with specific interests in producing a documentary following the journey of how to become a European Micro Hydro- Electric Producer. Please have a think if you know anyone that this may be able to help. There is a real opportunity here to make a real change, a significant change, but it’s more than a one woman job, and I will need help & support from others (you) to make this into a reality for future generations and our planet to not be brought to reality.
It’s big. It’s challenging - there is the world renowned French Administration involved, of course it’s going to be challenging! BUT… I believe in people and I believe we can do it… Where is the Nike Tick Logo when I need it!
For those of you already in France the Mill will be open as part of the European Day of Mills (who knew) the weekend of 15 -16th May... And we are going to celebrate!
For all you Mill Geeks (I know include myself in this category) here are some juicy Turbine & Canal photos from the inspection day last month.
Checking the condition of the canal bed and our beautiful turbine update circa 1936, in wonderful condition waiting to do its thing again!
And I’m not going to lie; I wanted you to make it to the end of this blog post before going off and enjoying the really inspirational Do Lectures Talks... You’ve made it through to the end! Big up your attention span!... These gems are your reward. Enjoy, they are great!
https://thedolectures.com/blogs/talks/maggie-doyne-how-the-human-family-can-do-better
https://thedolectures.com/blogs/talks/timothy-ferriss-aim-for-the-impossible
https://thedolectures.com/blogs/talks/charlie-engle-no-one-is-coming-to-save-you
https://thedolectures.com/blogs/talks/ally-maz-in-our-humanness-lies-our-brilliance