For me, when I hear the word ‘escape’, I think of quiet places, nature and the sea.
I’ve lived in cities and loved them. The hustle and bustle, something happening all the time, places open well into the wee hours of the morning. But every now and then it would become overwhelming, and I’d be drawn to a beach, a field, or a park. Somewhere peaceful, and natural.
Sometimes the need to escape comes not from my environment, but from my head. To get away from the noise of negative internal dialogue, anxiety, or life pressures. Invariably, the gentle lapping of waves, or the melody of birdsong, will be enough to take the edge off and return my mind to a calmer state.
Some people may not need to escape physically to another place; a simple activity can be enough to take the mind and body into a different space.
– David Mitchell, Re Create.
I took this picture on a rare visit to my childhood home town of Frinton-on-Sea, in Essex. A place of tranquility and a gentler pace which transported me back to simpler, more carefree times.
As summer unexpectedly and belatedly burst into life just when we were starting to pull out the jumpers and coats from the wardrobe, I took myself down to the Marine Lake at Clevedon, for an evening ‘cooling-off’ swim and a few photos. This one, taken as the last of the day’s sun was bidding goodbye, is my favourite.
– David Mitchell, Re Create.
‘Who’s leading who?’ – David Mitchell
A puzzle for you – how is it that, during winter, time seems to simultaneously fly by, yet also drag its heels interminably?
Every year without fail, I find myself saying, how are we in March already? It seems we’re no sooner ushering in the new year than we’re seeing the first of the daffodils pop up, and savouring those tantalising, albeit still infrequent, signs of spring weather. January and February have whizzed by in a flash, and good riddance to them. And yet…. didn’t they somehow seem to go on forever? Dark and bleak, shorn of the pre-Christmas glow and colour, the months when winter truly takes its grip.
In our bid to bring some cheer to these grey days, we asked –
“what does the word ‘warm’ mean to you. The roar of a fire, a cosy blanket, a favourite jumper or a mug of your preferred hot drink? The daring story of a kitten rescue from a chimney top by the local fire brigade? Snuggling up to a loved one, or closing your eyes, dreaming of warmer climes and pretending it’s not winter?!”
For me it’s light. During February each year, Bristol hosts a festival in which public buildings are lit up in bright colours, with light-based art installations all over the city. The glow this brings to chilly, dark nights always gives me a lift and feeling of warmth. A few pics I’ve taken at the festival over the years are on the right and below.
David Mitchell, RF Create
