Galleries, Country Walks and Nights Out

Mum had work exhibited at Surface Gallery for the abstract show and it was so awesome seeing her pieces on a gallery wall after everything she has navigated this year. She chose to show the two pieces I mentioned a few blogs ago, the PreTSD and the liver, both super close to her story right now. Our cousin, her partner and her daughter joined me, my sister and mum for the opening night and honestly all of us were just so proud of her for putting herself out there. Cannot wait to see more of her work.

There's something about a walk in the Dales that resets everything. A little windswept and a bit knackered but completely reset by the end of it. Fresh air that actually feels fresh, big rolling hills, stone walls tracing the Derbyshire landscape. Went out with a good friend, Conchito the dog in tow, and we were probably slightly ambitious about the route and slightly underprepared for the mud. Anyhoo, muddy but worth it and at the end we found a cute little pub. Because we had Conch with us we couldn't go inside so sat outside for even more fresh air. Could be worse.

It was also so good to see Shannon back in town, one of the coolest people I know, casually researching grizzly bears and flying around in helicopters like it is the most normal job in the world. We met at University here in Nottingham doing our Masters degrees, all of us orbiting different corners of the wildlife world. A night out with Shannon and Amelia felt like stepping back into that chapter, swapping field stories, laughing about logistics disasters and a lot of Moet darling. Different continents, same slightly chaotic passionate energy.

And in a strange parallel, I have now DJed in public twice! The first time felt like stepping off a cliff. I was so shy I literally could not face the audience and had my back to them the whole time. About a month later the second gig came around and I settled into it more, started to trust my selections and actually read the room. It is funny how life mirrors itself sometimes. Mum putting her abstract work out into the world, something she has always been so shy about, and me putting sound out into a room. Both of us choosing visibility, backing ourselves and seeing what happens.