After a rather long summer holiday - more about that in a future blog - it's back to school. I love this time of year - squeaky shoes, new pencils... the academic new year and that joy of going up to the next class, of discovering new things, of seeing old friends...

This year my oldest son has started in the 'primary' school - or 1st leerjaar as it is called in the Belgian-Dutch speaking system that he is in. It is such a joy to see his enthusiasm to learn his letters and numbers and this weekend he was asking me for "housework" - my immediate thought was great - you can get the vacuum cleaner out if you like... but then I realised he wanted "homework" instead ;-)

For all of us however this is a great time of the year to 'go up a grade' - make a step into doing something else or arranging things differently; to see what we have learnt and what would like to learn. It can be as simple a choosing a moment for yourself, as deciding to try out some new recipes, as getting your running shoes on... what would you like to do this September to make you be feeling better when September 2018 comes along?

Why not write yourself a fun curriculum/timetable for this school year - include plenty of treats like a massage, a good laugh with friends, cosy moments with your book... but also maybe 1 thing a bit more challenging...

This was a part of my holiday - cycling along the coast of the Ile d'Oleron... a feeling I want to keep hold of

My list includes some work goals, some commitments to community activity, some things to keep me healthy in body and mind and - an important one for me - getting out into nature more at the weekends. This holiday we spent a lot of time camping or being outdoors and I know that even if the weather is getting cooler - there is never bad weather for getting out and about - only bad clothing ;-)

Happy list making - love to hear your ideas!