How gorgeous to have summer in August, this is new for me. Now that summer is in full swing, I’m enjoying it so much. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Winter months but I did have a year long stint this past year, which was a bit much. It’s lovely to have some natural vitamin D and wearing all things sleeveless and of course, to be fully immersed in the ocean again. This has me smiling from ear to ear.

I’m not sure where July went but wow that went fast.

My yoga slowed quite a bit this month but I quietly did an online Yoga Synergy, course with Jim, my old yoga teacher from Cape Town. I haven’t done Synergy for a while but it’s a long slow practice so it was nice to be back with this set routine. I didn’t do any Swimming Dragon, Tai Chi this month because my Sensei had surgery and is recovering. I was generally a bit out of sync with some of my local yoga classes too, so here is hoping August will be a little more consistent.

I did however walk a huge amount this month in preparation for my Camino and did a long hot hike last Sunday. One of my longest days walking here in Portugal, we covered close to 25km and my goodness, it was hot. You know me and the heat… I suffer.

I also had my dear friend over from Aveiro for a few days and spent a few days in the Algarve with one of my best friends and her family. These two visits were like medicine for my soul. I am so grateful for these moments. I am also back to my cold water swims and that ramped up in a big way this month. I find the water here pretty mild generally, except this last week, it’s been Cape Town cold. Bearing in mind the chill in Cape Town is due to it being South Atlantic waters. So my last two swims felt like I was back in my old tidal pool back home but I can’t tell you how happy I am to be back to this exquisite practice.

The ocean does something to me… I am healing.

My days are generally quiet and peaceful. I wake early each day and watch the sun rise over Lisbon. I have that gorgeous orange glow every morning. My big windows are wide open and a cool breeze flows in as I brew my coffee. The swallows swoop high and low around my window and greet me each day. I see my church and hear the bells in the distance, little reminders that I live in Europe. I am so grateful for these small gifts each day.

I then head to my writing desk to do my morning pages or my yoga mat for early morning practice.