Distractions & Inspirations - April
We hope you’ve all had a lovely Easter! Whether that’s been busy, restful, or somewhere in between. With things settling back into a bit of routine, we thought we’d share a few things that have caught our eye lately.
Celebrating our National Parks
This might just be the best telly we've ever watched! It's so gentle and such a lovely look at all the beautiful national parks we're lucky to have in the UK. First episode is all about the New Forest, which is just down the road from us, so it was nice seeing some familiar spots. And there is a scene with some pigs beings released into the woods that will make you smile.
This one feels like a lovely excuse for a London day out this Spring. We’ve had our eye on the David Hockney exhibition at the Serpentine, which brings his enormous A Year in Normandie to the gallery for the first time. It’s all about slowing down and really noticing the everyday, following the seasons through his garden. And it's free! But you do need to book ahead.
A New Gardening Read
We're thrilled to stock this beautiful new gardening book by sussex local, Millie Proust. It’s one of those practical but encouraging guides that makes the idea of growing your own flowers feel much more doable! It walks you through planning, planting and caring for things through the seasons, without making it all feel too complicated.
One to book ahead for. The Petworth Proms always feel like a bit of a hidden gem locally, an evening of live music set inside the beautiful rooms of Petworth House. You move between spaces, catching a series of short performances from talented young musicians, with a pause in the courtyard as the sun sets over the park. It all feels very atmospheric and a little bit special. There are some tickets left for the Thursday and Friday evenings!
The Art of Good Conversation
This one come from Sarah on our team! She thoroughly recommends the podcast, Strangers on a Bench by Tom Rosenthal. He sits down with people he’s never met before and has these wonderfully open, unfiltered conversations, often finishing with a song inspired by what’s been shared. It’s quietly moving, funny and the sort of thing that stays with you long after you’ve listened.
I recently came across this poem after it was shared during a yoga session and it gave me goosebumps. A brilliant poem by LR Knost, it feels so human and just the thing for reminding us how funny this thing called life can be. Enjoy!