Paint gathering, tyre collecting, wonderful connections, discovering a local 'Happier Outdoors Festival' all about celebrating the benefits of nature on our wellbeing...

Collecting the legacy paints (still going strong!) from the 2020 community hummingbird mural for the NHS in Hackney with Cathryn Marshall to use for the paints on this community bench! Community paints! Seeking out an old tyre in a friendly local garage to put underneath the bench to stop from rotting!! Finally, a wonderful connection with a women called Sue. We had many a conversation about South Wales, about community, connection, crafts, Hiraeth....She was born in Merthyr and used to be a specialist eye nurse. Sue makes beautiful crafts; bags, crocheting, sewing...and she showed me a cushion she had made out of her baby blanket with embroidered and sewn 'Hiraeth' over it, as a keepsake of her and her mother, and home. I thought this beautiful to share in thinking about the power of conversation, stories and connection over cups of tea. Our bonds and similarities as human beings. This London festival currently on highlights research as to why community gardening groups, getting outdoors in nature, listening to birdsong, craft in nature etc... is so good for us. So fitting for what I am currently doing.