Christmas Advent Tea Project
I have never felt so unfit and so unconnected with my physical self; the result of the the intensity of the last two years of writing. As a process of recovery the Christmas Advent Tea project has been devised. This involves me, each day, exercising (run, dance, yoga, pilates, floor barre, walk). This is followed by the opening of the advent window, appropriate to the day, to reveal a new or known tea which I will brew and drink whilst reflecting on the day. Additionally, due to the advent calendar gifted by my non-biological sister, I will open the window of another calendar and find a candle. The candle light will illuminate my reflections.
7th December 2025
G&TEA and Wild Orchid
on a day of mince pie making and homemade gin bottling
what an absolute coincidence with today's tea offering :)
an interesting flavour that fuelled an afternnon pilates foam roller session to release out the shoulders and hip flexors - the shoulder session absolutely needed, and very effective.
Christmas preparation accompanied by radio 4's Drama on Four celebrating 250 years of Jane Austen - loving Tamsin Greig as Jane Austen
6th December 2025
Christmas Green Tea (truly tasy tea)and Winter Night Stars
fitting for an evening which involved a visit to the Garden City Hospice 'Lights of Life'to place a candle in the woodland walk in memory of Dad. This was at the end of the first day of christmas preparations...the tree was delivered and decorated, the dining room adorned with paper stars and lights - some presents were wrapped - but the day started with very early tea in bed and reflective journalling and then a wellness walk drinking eucalyptus tea and enjoying the calm oasis of Wellness at 61...
so a day book ended by walking and sharing...
5th December 2025
Classic Early Grey (very much needed) and Black Cherry
an interesting combination
Walk, Cyle, Yoga/Pilates/Floor Barre/Teaching, Cycle, Walk and Walk some more (18,527 steps) - a spot of christmas shopping at Victoria station, some posh nosh with a close friend escaping the heavy rain as we headed for Grovenor Square to dedicate a rose in the 'ever after garden'...BUT after the delicious food we found the square is being dug up and the 'ever after garden'relocated to the Saatchi Gallery grounds! My body hurts, I am tired, and I have tea and a candle to relax me. It is Saturday tomorrow and the alarm does not need to be on!!
The christmas tree will be delivered.
4th December 2025
Chai, Cinnamon and Cheese and Biscuits
a refreshing moment watched over by a Pan cat
in the background with his eyes on the cheese!
Taking place following sessions with
the ring of fire for upper body strength and
the overball for hip flexors and abdominals - all after a
very long day of admin, feedback and report writing catch up, the chai tea more delicate than chai tea previously experienced, and a flavour that really compliments the cheese.Am I finally caught up with everything - well not Christmas prep - but that starts this weekend when the tree arrives.
3rd December 2025
accompanied by an Amber & Sandlewood aroma...
enjoyed at the end of a long day of
walk, cycle, cycle, walk
a celebratory programme meeting
a fallout from restructuring meeting
office shenanigans organised by the manager of mischief
a first mince pie of the season
a first mince pie of the season
train chaos
and a win on the premium bonds (I've not looked yet)
sitting in silence, decompressing, reflecting and enjoying the kick of the ginger
2nd December 2025
a sweeter smelling tea with a more delicate flavour
and more subtle, clean pine cone scent...
this morning was a fusion of pilates, yoga and floor barre
where my down dogs were certainly howling, my hundreds were split into fractions, my hip flexors complained and my gluts grumbled... but I finished feeling taller, more poised, and with head space for feedback, meetings and planning...
1st December 2025
I ran in the early hours of a cold, wet, dark morning (06.41 - 5.08 kilometres in a very slow 36 mins). It actually felt invigorating. It is my aerobic fitness that is bad, although my legs are certainly feeling it now. I have missed running, and having the motivation to run, and thus being connected to the natural elements. Running this morning I reflected on marathon training I have completed in the past, races I have run in as part of that training, how music helps, and how much I have missed runnng through the space and the air...
The black christmas tea has a wonderful, spicy, edge to it which I am really enjoying, and the candle a deep floral fragrance.
The day has been about contributing to some PhD research (Self-compassion in dance)as a research participant, and then student feedback, all of which is helping me feel back in balance and not being overwhelmed.
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