StarStone.me

I bought the T shirt, I did! I never do that, ever.

But this was my friend Giorgio’s organised weekend of Sibillini Nights.

Now the Sibillia (as you all know children) is the seer, the Sybil, the Goddess, prophetess who abides in these parts.

So, we attended the film ‘Il Cecco’ on Saturday night. He being the medieval intellectual and free thinker who was declared an heretic and executed by the Church. Then this was followed by a very late ending dinner half way up mount Sibillini.

Then up at the crack of dawn Sunday morning for the great trek up to the Sibilla’s cave. It was hot, some 30C climbing up but the wind switched to the NE as we began out descent and dropped to 21C.

Being understandably knackered, we zoomed back home for a snooze then zoomed back to look at the colours of Casteluccio (these pics)

and delightful they were too. then back for a meal in Monte Monaco, then a gorgeous short film by Giorgio; his look at Il Cecco’s life in poetry and image. Then music in the park where I sank a Beck’s and then got drowsy. So we slunk away about 11.30. Still knackered I am …and thank God it’s rained for twenty minutes today. Delicious!

These are the things we do in Le Marche at this time of year!

I bought some muffins the other morning from the local bakery. It was a special event as they don’t appear there that often and I thought I would introduce them to the kids for breakfast. Jahli, (pictured left next to the old guy) is a bit over 4 and a half and as it turned out he was just about to give me a lesson in creativity. You see I have experience of muffins. I have eaten quite a few and I know how to make one yummy. First off it has to be toasted just so and then loads of butter and maybe honey or jam. So I was not really prepapred for a masterclass in ‘seeing’  that I was about to get. Read the rest of this entry »

“A Retreat in Italy?!” …  all began early one morning in November 2008 on a deserted beach in Norfolk!

I was staying at my friend Mags’ barn for some much needed “breathing space” and on this particular morning I decided to start my day with a long solitary walk on the beach, the sea was incredible that morning, waves crashing and so noisy!  I’d been walking for about 10 mins when the most bizzare thing happened, I felt myself wanting to stop, face the sea and listen, it was like I needed to hear something very important… Read the rest of this entry »

Everything has a beginning, a middle and an end, except of course if you are a butterfly or a salamander.

I must tell you from the outset that the middle bit, the workshop itself, was fantastic…and I’ll come back to that later, just to keep you in suspense.

The beginning

A disaster on wheels………………. Read the rest of this entry »

My photographs are not just photographs.

Now that’s an amazing statement Mice!

Yes, and somewhat simplistic, I know, I know.

Let me put it this way. They are a sort of external hard disc of my mind and I can shut my eyes and summon up every painting and photograph that I have ever created.

And what is more…

Yes Yes Yes ?

If I had never created them, my life would not be as it is now……… Read the rest of this entry »

Mice likes this Tuncay lady

Can’t wait to meet her. Picked up my small prints today.

And they’re rather tasty

Read this morning on BBC site that according to medical experts, a walk in the countryside, in the fresh air, is good for us psychologically; makes us feel happy and healthy.  Get this…

‘Just five minutes of exercise in a “green space” such as a park can boost mental health, researchers claim.

There is growing evidence that combining activities such as walking or cycling with nature boosts well-being.

In the latest analysis, UK researchers looked at evidence from 1,250 people in 10 studies and found fast improvements in mood and self-esteem.

The study in the Environmental Science and Technology journal suggested the strongest impact was on young people.

The research looked at many different outdoor activities including walking, gardening, cycling, fishing, boating, horse-riding and farming in locations such as a park, garden or nature trail. ‘

So now we know. fresh air and countryside walks are good for you? Read the rest of this entry »

Though I’d thought of everything; catering, leaders, materials, wine, biscuits. But a volcano! a volcano! Would you ever have imagined it?

It meant we lost five wondrous people from UK whose flight was cancelled at the last moment. It made for a sad start but we held a wine and biscuit ritual to mourn their absence and we soon recovered. A near thing though. So there we were, a bunch of 13 of us.

The general theme was ‘This moment of NOW’ where we learnt that being present in the NOW is a gateway to creativity and life adventuring; where creativity awaits us and where the voyage towards its very heart begins….. Read the rest of this entry »

OK, what’s this?truffle!

No!

Look, you’re not gonna guess, so I’ll tell you. It’s a meteorite, found on the mountain this

Sunday when we trekked up Mt Amandola with our CAI group (Club Alpini Italia) and were rewarded with a the most spectacular views across the hilltop towns of Le Marche to the sea, as well as a meteorite. Isn’t that marvellous though? To find a meteorite? We climbed to about 2000m, ate a banana and a packet of crisps (classic) and rested awhile on one of the peaks before climbing down slowly to the trattoria where we’d left our cars. Then a long and dozy lunch. And the day before I was at the sea spending the morning costing our June workshop with Patrizia the owner of I Cigni, . It was almost tropical in comparison….. Read the rest of this entry »

http://www.roomontheedge.com/2010/03/interview-with-michael-eldridge-artist-photographer-creativity-coach/