There's a wonderful place in North Wales that a special group of close friends return to again and again, its our own organised retreat full of gentle creativity, experimentation, space to wonder, time to make things, walks, time to watch the light change over the sea, dog walks on the beach, kite flying and really good food. We've just returned from some time there and the place has woven its magic over us all again.
I really love being outside in all weathers, and although we did have a lot of sun too, its the wilder days where the colours of the landscape are muted and the wind whips about that I feel inspired by. I've not altered the colours in these photos, there was such a wonderful colour palette provided by the natural world - with some great additions by the buildings dotted about (and a quirky little steam train!).
This is the bottom end of the Snowdonia National Park, around the Mawddach Estuary and Cadair Idris, its a wonderful place full of mountains, hills, coast, vast swathes of beaches, wild estuaries and interesting little villages and towns dotted about. The sounds of the sea and birds and wind rustling through the dunes are still in my head and processing all the photographs I've taken is a really good way of landing back here in Derbyshire and reflecting on what I felt and discovered in Wales.
We always all bring sets of materials to make things with and its a wonderful opportunity to test out new ideas amongst supportive, like minded, creative friends. I found myself needing to spend a lot of time outside watching the light change, wondering and photographing. I also found time to weave, crochet and test out different yarn bindings; it also gives me a sense of permission to experiment and test out new things and since getting back home I've been really busy testing out eco bundle printing (another blog post to follow) which I've been wanting to explore for AGES!
For me it feels very special finding places that you want to return to again and again, its always a sense of welcoming an old friend and peeling away layers and discovering more and more things. The land has so many hidden elements, so much that changes and yet also a wonderful sense of solidity - of history that stretches back thousands and millions of years, and to me that feels very soothing.