As October turns to November, we’re heading deep into Scorpio season and Samhain is upon us. A week in the Churnet Valley, where Alton sits, has provided respite from the busy-ness of everyday life, and a place to sink into the offerings of nature and local legends. Cosy pubs, public footpaths, woodland, wildlife and even its own Castle; each time we go, we seem to come back with more things we want to do next time, and so planning for next time must begin. Of course, I am talking about my recent stay in Alton, Staffordshire.

I am also training for a half marathon – and to clarify, this is couch – to – half marathon. Runner, I am not… except, now I suppose I am. Whilst in Alton, I hit a personal best, jogging along the disused railway in the woods. 25 solid minutes of running. 3 kilometres. That’s proper running right? And what a place to achieve it! In the drift of falling leaves, soft mud underfoot and damp air beginning to turn a bitter edge as Winter fast approaches us. So much life – buzzards, ravens, rabbits and the local farm animals bore witness to my achievement.

Then out for walks, along the trails, the river, the old canal. Spotting fungus, ruins of forgotten industry and old roads hidden under woodland floor; squirrels rushing to finish their stores. There’s an old gate house – turned cafe which serves hot cappuccinos to weary ramblers and home made cakes to families.

Waking up some mornings to the village shrouded in mist, reminder of the true spookiness of the season, as the sky is blanketed in grey clouds and the leafless branches crack through the views, and the shadows get longer as we speed our way to the mid-point between equinox and solstice, which happens to be on the 6th November this year.

But sometimes you wake up to golden sunlight, pale blue skies and rays of sunshine dappling through the canopy and setting the fiery colours of Autumn ablaze.

It’s these moments of noticing, of mindfulness and oneness which nature can teach us the greatest lessons. It’s this intentional acknowledging which fuels the mind for inspiration to strike. This trip has not only allowed me to hike, run and ramble; but has also given space for fun, togetherness creativity and learning. Pouring over old maps with my husband, looking up old trackways we find and seeing what they used to service. Reading old stories and newspaper clippings. Our days and nights are full of curiosity. Grounding in the reality that right now is the time that we have, and that we need to try to live it with intention – whether that’s fast, slow or medium speed.

So here is to active noticing. Weather is the street tree in a busy city, a pot plant on the windowsill, rain pattering against glass, or the smell of your first coffee in the morning. If there are any lessons we can take from Autumn, it is to take time to notice. As the rot sets in, to make fertile soil for new growth in the Spring, we can take a moment in time to let our beautiful Earth in. There are silent lessons she is trying to teach us.

I finish off with gratitude for this trip, for renewing my spirit to make way for new art to emerge. New ideas have come forth and are asking to be brought to life.

I’m training to run a half marathon in March 2025 to raise money for the charity Sarcoidosis UK. Please follow this link to read how Sarcoidosis has affected my family and me; and if you can, help me in raising funds for this important charity. Thank you.