‘You have to be kidding!’ was my first thought when I saw the Bloganuary prompt for today. How on earth can I select one day, when I have been lucky enough to have so many? Was it my wedding day (the second time around)? Was when my sons were born, not one day anyway!

I thought about digressing and writing about what makes me happy, but Bloganuary has already asked ‘what brings you joy?’. Then I had a brainwave! I while ago I wrote about ‘My Happy Place’. These are places where I feel my happiest. I hope you enjoy it.

My Happy Place

Is somewhere that doesn’t necessarily include being with the people I love. I’m not even thinking of my home where I always feel safe and secure. Of course, both of these make me happy but, in the context of this post, I’m thinking of another, specific place.

A happy place will mean different things to different people. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical location. It could be a state of mind. A particular piece of music or a certain book can mentally transport one to a happy place.

 According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, a happy place is a memory, situation, or activity that makes you feel happy.’

Could I be talking about France? I certainly love being there. However, what I’m thinking about is something more generic. I was organising some of my favourite photos and it dawned on me that there was something that linked them. Have you figured it out after looking at the photos so far?

Here are some more clues:

The photos above all have something in common although they were taken in very different places; S. Africa, London, and France.

The ones below were taken during one of the lockdowns and are all relatively close to where I live but still have something that links them with all the other images.

The next three are again quite varied in location. The first was taken in Winkworth Arboretum which is local to us, the second is a stunning sunset over the sea in Gran Canaria and the third was taken in Cornwall with St Michael’s Mount, in the distance.

And here’s Zeph, enjoying a local pond, sitting by the canal, and having a swim in the sea. I’m (nearly) always happy when I’m with him but I have chosen these pictures because of their setting.

I’m sure you’ve figured out, by now, that my happy place is anywhere near water! There is something very calming and mindful about water. It doesn’t matter whether it is a pond, a lake, a river, a stream, a canal, or the sea. I love walking beside all of these. I don’t mind at all if the sea is rough. I love the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. The sound of water can vary from gentle lapping to the splashing of a waterfall. I love this clip of waves gently hitting the rocks, so relaxing…

Where is your happy place? I’d love to know!