London has now been my home for thirty days. Thirty whole days! I am sitting here at the end of the 30th, reflecting once more.

For the most part, this month has been a busy one, busier than I could have anticipated, which suits me well. Initially, before the busyness began, it was a strange thing, wandering around a little on the lost side ... desperately trying to get eye contact with someone, anyone!! I remember the first 'real' interaction. I was walking to London Fields along the canal and a friendly guy on a bike greeted me with "awwite?" Yes! yes, hi! I'm definitely all right now that someone has actually acknowledged my existence! Since those first days, the 'lost' feeling has disappeared. However, it appears that mostly everyone is busy ... heads down or straight ahead and on a mission, going somewhere ... it seems. In these early days, I spend my 'alone time' going nowhere in particular! Well, I have nowhere particular to be, so I choose a destination and make my way there. I mooch in a bookshop, look at the birds and listen to their song (so different to Australia), relishing the beauty of their melody when my ear is able to decipher it through the cacophony of city noise, go for a coffee (always) and a bite (sometimes). Really it is very noticeable how many people are locked in their own world. I love to search for eye contact, smile and say hello. Sometimes people respond, often I'm completely ignored.

I have walked 77 miles over the past thirty days. I find it easier to get a good lie of the land by walking the streets of a city. Of course the underground train system here is amazing ... a rabbit warren of tunnels that you can descend into and pop out here, there or anywhere you might fancy. But, for me, if at all possible, I will walk. The other day I was reading an excerpt from an essay by Kenneth Graeme, the author of Wind in the Willows, where he is shares his thoughts on walking ... "Nature's particular gift to the walker, through the semi-mechanical act of walking - a gift no other form of exercise seems to transmit in the same high degree - is to set the mind jogging, to make it garrulous, exalted, a little mad maybe - certainly creative and supersensitive, until at last it really seems to be outside of you and as it were, talking to you whilst you are talking back to it. Then everything gradually seems to join in, sun and the wind, the white road and the dusty hedges, the spirit of the season, whichever that might be, the friendly old earth that is pushing life forth of every sort under your feet or spell-bound in a death-like winter trance, 'till you walk in the midst of a blessed company, immersed in a dream talk far transcending any possible human conversation. Time enough for that ...., here and now the mind has shaken off its harness, and is snorting and kicking up heals like a colt in a meadow" Ah, yes and this can even be so when walking on concrete paving slabs with little evidence of the friendly old earth! However, one can search out that earth and walk in greenery, London thankfully, does have plenty of green spaces to enjoy. He goes on to say "not a fiftieth part of your happy imaginings will you ever, later, recapture, note down, reduce to dull inadequate words; but meanwhile the mind has stretched itself and had its holiday". You could call it therapy then, exercise and therapy all in one, for mind, body and soul.

Alone time is good and has its place, but thank goodness for visitors! I've enjoyed the company of many in the last month and I am immensely grateful to them all for taking the time to journey here, some came for the day, some for an evening, some for a couple of days and some a little longer ... all brilliant in their different ways. Sharing my home and sharing experiences is one of my favourite things in life. A little visiting of our own has been done, which of course is fun too, especially when you hire a van to get you to your destination and come back with a nice leather sofa! (thanks sis!) Sorted!!! Not quite ... we couldn't fit the bloomin thing up the narrow winding stair case of our new home as it's destination was the first floor! But, fear not! Where there's a will there's a way and remarkably, someone has found a niche and filled it (find your quiche and eat it!!). Enter Frank from 'Sofa Assist' ... yes this happy chappy has made himself a business helping people relieve themselves of their stuck sofa situation! He wrapped it in a blanket, removed the bottom window pane, slung a couple of ropes through the gap and hoiked the thing up and in, making it look like a piece of cake (or quiche). Cheers Frank!

Last Wednesday our shipment from Australia arrived earlier than expected. The house now feels like home with bits and pieces around that make me smile. Islington is a bustling neighbourhood and we are perched right in the middle of the action. Quite regularly a wandering saxophonist fills the airwaves with his melodic tunes, choosing the pavement outside the house as his temporary stage. Just across the road, within view of the house is Camden Passage an old cobbled walkway which is home to antique shops, collectables, a regular antiques market and many interesting independent little shops and eating places. It is a pleasure to walk through, even if not stopping to browse, a hidden gem just off the busy High Street. The High Street splits in two, we sit on the flat edge of the triangle that divides them, Islington Green. One of the two roads is Upper Street, otherwise known as 'Supper Street' due to the vast array of restaurants and cafes ... we are literally spoilt for choice, a very similar situation to Crown Street in Sydney! Within a stone's throw of the house is Screen on the Green, a small one screen cinema with about ten rows of seating, the back two rows are old leather sofas with pull down footstools and side tables. Behind there is a bar where you can order drinks and nibbles like pizza or hummus and flatbread! Brilliant for a treat. Islington Assembly Hall is also around the corner, a grade II listed music venue. We've been to both and will be back for more!

Theatre?... there are about five in the immediate area ... not to mention all that is on offer in the West End! This is one lively spot and that's for sure! Did I mention the Regents Canal? More of that later !

So I am now two days behind myself for posting ( computer interruptions!!!) ... so I will quit whilst I'm ahead, get this off my screen and over to you.

My chattering mind and wandering feet are urging me to take them out so I'll bid you farewell and head to the canal for a 'holiday'!

Jo xxx

More than a year has passed since I was last here, scribing!

The year that has been and gone was an interesting one and that's for sure. For many, I know, it is a year they are happy to have behind them. Was there something in the air? What was it that made the year such a challenge? Maybe for some it was their best year yet, not for me. There were many good things that happened, don't get me wrong! Not least, I journeyed to India (twice)! The first visit was an emergency dash to care for and accompany home, my son Ben, who'd suffered a burst appendix whilst in the midst of a four month travel and filming experience. Thankfully we were able to return to India once he'd made a complete recovery and we shared an absolutely thrilling, extending and gratifying experience that has left me longing for more.

Not all the challenges of the year were directly mine but when those you love suffer, you suffer too. It was a year of suffering for people I love dearly.

At some point during the year it was muted that a move abroad might be on the cards. America was to be the destination. Ok, so this was one of those moments when I had to ask myself the question "am I prepared to jump?" There I was loving the whole, jump into life idea, and now I was really going to have to take a leap ... right into the unknown, leaving behind all I know and love!!! I decided I was up for the challenge and plans started to take shape. The shape changed from this to that, warping a little here and stretching a little there. Months of uncertainty followed. Eventually everything sorted itself out, with some minor alterations ... our destination pin had shifted, swung to the left ... across the atlantic ocean and landed on London.

And London is where I am now. I'm sitting here in an Airbnb in Islington, London.

I have friends and family in other parts of the UK but I know nobody in London. I am in reflective mode. I have been in this nation's capital city for just under a week now. We landed at Heathrow airport on Saturday 30th December. The flight over was good. I slept like a log. I felt quite exhausted with all that had had to be done. One serious downsizing exercise had been executed. One house sold, a mini version bought and a three way move successfully, if somewhat exhaustedly, accomplished!

You may well ask why I'm telling you all this!

In amongst it all, whilst processing what my reality might look like and coming up with little to be sure of, I decided a good idea might be for me to attempt to write a regular blog. This will be a good way for us to stay connected, for me to keep you updated with what is happening in my strange 'new' world! It will also keep me on my toes, engaging with purposeful deliberations, which will be no bad thing. I hope you'll enjoy my musings and updates. I've decided to use this forum for sharing my thoughts (waste not, want not) ... I don't know what the future holds for 'jump into life' as an ongoing venture ... watch this space (but don't hold your breath!) ... HOWEVER ... having jumped in to this adventure, this seems a fitting space to hop & skip about.

For now, I will return to my reflections and be in touch soon!

Much love

Jo xx

Yesterday a small group of us joined at the beginning of the sphinx trail, full of enthusiasm for our descent to the Marina, with the lure of coffee at the bottom a great incentive!!

The weather was perfect and of course, we walked before things heated up too much! What a beautiful walk this is, with gorgeous wild flowers and bush fauna to spot and those fascinating sounds of the bush to absorb! The scribbly gums are so intriguing and attractive you may even want to hug them!!!

Natural artworks!!! I love it! Sandra checking out the native flowers.

Hannah walked the plank and Claire managed to engage in some horizontal tree hugging!!

We had a 'picnic' break with oranges to refresh and home-made power balls to keep the energy levels boosted!!! ... really they just taste delicious! We sat and marvelled at the tranquility of the view and breathed in the beauty of our surroundings. We even hung out with the neighbourhood goanna!! ... but I unfortunately missed it for a snap.

Wow! What a great walk and now ... coffee!!! (and tea for one!)

and to finish ....

Ahhhhhh!!!! lovely cool water ... and rainbow toenails!!!! A wonderful morning!!

It's been a while now since the last soup group activity, the day after which I had to take an unexpected trip to the UK to look after my 101 year old Grandmother as she'd been taken ill. I was gone for five weeks and Nanny came to the end of her wonderful life on September 11th. It was an absolute privilege to take care of her for the last two weeks of her time on earth. We had beautiful quality time together, laughing, singing, joking and we even managed to go out for one last cappuccino together (and a few takeouts thereafter) and towards the end I'd sit and hold her hand while she drifted in and out of consciousness. Her end was peaceful and perfect, the whole experience was one drenched in positivity, for which I am eternally grateful. We celebrated a life well lived ... one hundred and one years! Amazing.

And so, to now .... I'm jumping back in with a whole lot of new things for us to explore together! Coming up in December is a scenic bush walk to beautiful Bobbin Head (coffee at the bottom .... bonus!!!) ... there're a choice of dates here so if you work full time and can't make the weekday, never fear I'll be trundling down again on the weekend ... that's how much I love that walk!!! Hope you'll join me.

Then we have an evening of creativity coming up .... homespun angels as we jump start the soul .... come, relax and enjoy letting the creative juices flow as we make our very own angel to pop a-top our Christmas tree, (or give away for someone else to do the same!!!) She really is lovely ... you will treasure her I'm sure.

Coming up for the new year we have our first jump start the mind soup group where we'll explore the notion of story telling. Our lives are not fixed and set in stone but are shaped by story. Lets take a trip down memory lane together and see what we find!

For those of you who came along to the last african drumming workshop, you'll be delighted to hear that the 8 week course we talked about is just around the corner!!! We've set the date so add it to your calendar and get into your groove!!!

If you can't commit to an 8 week course but want to join in the drumming fun, don't despair ... we've thought of you too and so have organised two 'single booking' holiday workshops, one for mid January and the other after Easter!!! The opportunities are endless ... !!! This really is a wonderful group activity, the more the merrier ... literally!! The group sound is invigorating and there's no need to be shy ... everyone can drum and with a little practise we can all learn some groovy rhythms!!

I'm excited to be bringing all the above to the jump into LIFE table and hope you'll jump on in with me, I can't wait to meet you, forge some new connections and join together to encourage, enliven and inspire one another. Please, check out the new activities, book in and jump into LIFE!!!!

See you soon

Jo X

Yesterday saw the first jump start the SOUL 'soup group' activity.

Fourteen of us joined together to beat those djembes. We were led by Kate of Beat This Drumming. A few of the group had drummed before, but for most this was their first time and what a great job we all made of it. As Kate said, you can't go wrong ... just drum and enjoy it ... and we did!!

For beginners the sound was amazingly cohesive, with someone taking the dun duns, the three upright drums that keep the beat for the group. We learnt two different rhythms as well as the call . We played with percussion instruments and even sang a traditional African chant. This workshop was a great success and the vote was for it to definitely be repeated in the future. Keep a look out for future dates!

On Saturday 4th June 2016 jump into LIFEwas launched. Jo was joined by twelve 'encouragers' who gathered for a shared lunch around the kitchen table. After we'd enjoyed delicious homemade soup, Jo gave a presentation about the inception and birth of her venture and then we moved into a fun time of laughter yoga, facilitated by Kate. There was much hilarity and fun was had by all. We finished with a celebratory toast of champagne and strawberries ...