Sunday 19 February 2017

Walking off the Winter Blues

Artists' Entrance Parque Mayer















Usually I write every day and have lots of ideas, but since Christmas I've been very stuck, despite Jo Bell's wonderful 52 project which got me off to a good start for the first few weeks. I've been reading a lot more to break the deadlock and found some wonderful poems in the latest Poetry Review which make me feel it is all worth while.

I've been trying to walk everyday (New Year's resolution) but it takes up so much time. I go to a different area whenever possible and have been going into Lisbon to explore a bit more. I've lived in Sintra for over 20 years but Lisbon still amazes me. It is a beautiful city and still feels 'authentic' unlike so many other European cities. I wanted to explore the Parque Mayer which was once the city's vaudeville park, built in the 1920's. There are plans for its restoration but I wanted to catch it before any work is done. It is gloriously dilapidated and cats roam freely around the space which is, for the moment, a paying car park!

Yesterday was our Stanza group meeting and finally I began to see the light with my writing. The group was so alert and active and just helped me to see where I was heading. I feel alive again!

I'm on two Poetry School online courses but haven't given them the time they deserve as a result of my winter blues. I will now change that. They are two very lively groups and I'm lucky to be part of them so mustn't waste this opportunity.

Meanwhile the almond blossom is out, the oranges this year are amazing, and my team won the pub quiz last night so what is there to moan about!

Is Venice shrinking?

Is Venice shrinking?