Gratefulness, Changes, and New Memories

Gratefulness, Changes, and New Memories

If you visit any self-help or mindfulness sites one of the practices they all seem to recommend is to spend some time each day thinking about the things in your life for which you are grateful. I know how lucky I am. I have a roof over my head, food in the fridge, an amazing wife who is my best friend as well as my lover, wonderful children, great friends, an awesome dog, and the best parents anyone could ever wish for. I’m one of the very lucky few who make their living from their art, and what they love to do. Every day I am thankful and grateful.

Today I am thinking about the roof above my head.

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Before

We moved into our little bungalow in February 2001 and it has been a lovely, safe home. Fifteen years living in the same place creates a great pool of memories. My children were very young when they stepped over the threshold. They are both grown men now. One dog has lived and passed away during that time. When we moved in I hadn’t even recorded Herne’s Apprentice, so my musical journey was unknown and yet to be properly begun. The garden has gone from a nice little lawn, to a dust bowl, to a lovely patio and sacred space.

The day we moved in we slept on a mattress in the living room and the very next morning we found a baby Goldcrest sitting on the step outside the back door. Maybe it had flown into the door, but it let me pick it up and hold it for quite a while before it flew away. The Goldcrest has a connection to Druids in the Lore of Birds. Although it may not have felt it to the bird, I felt that encounter was a blessing.

Herne’s Apprentice was recorded in the smallest bedroom. A tiny room that, over the years, we have termed The Cupboard Room, as it’s more like a big cupboard than a bedroom. All of the rest of my albums were recorded and mixed in the room in which my children stayed. A duel purpose room that also has been the place where the DruidCast podcast is recorded each month.

But all of that is about to change.

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After

Since 8th August we have had builders here creating a whole new floor above us. There is a new master bedroom with an ensuite showroom and walk-in wardrobe, and the other room will be my new dedicated recording studio. After four months the paint is being applied today, the electrics will go in this week, so we will be moving upstairs very soon. It’s going to be wonderful to have a space dedicated to creativity, a room in which I can cover the walls with inspiring art, and those gifts I have been given by fans over the years. As many of you know the first project will be the First Branch of the Mabinogion, and the first notes should be played on that during late December (I’m still aiming to release it at Beltane). I might even be able to record this month’s DruidCast in the new recording studio. I’m ridiculously excited, and deeply grateful and thankful. What new treasured memories will these new rooms hold? I’m sure there will be many.

We haven’t finished yet though. Most of the downstairs of the bungalow is also being developed, so once upstairs is finished, and we have moved up there, it’s on with the new downstairs layout. A part of that will be Cerri’s new studio where she will be designing and producing new works of art, and also a space in which she can hold small, intimate, art classes. I can’t wait to see the new wonders that she will create in that new space.

So if the blog, Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter feed have been a bit quiet of late, that’s why. In a few more weeks normal service will be resumed. In the mean time I’m sitting here listening to the voices in the rooms above and think that maybe it’s about time I offered them all another cup of tea.

14 responses to “Gratefulness, Changes, and New Memories”

  1. It all sounds wonderful. I am so looking forward to hearing your new work and perhaps I will be lucky enough to work in Cerris new art studio
    Best wishes
    Carol

  2. So happy for you.
    You are indeed one of the lucky few who get to make a living doing what you love. And I love what you do.
    All the best in the new spaces.
    Blessed be
    / | \

    xo

  3. Thinking about all the blessings I have instead of dwelling on what I don’t have gets me through the really tough days.

  4. Showroom! Ha ha we’ll all want one now, you started a new trend
    Gratefulness is indeed a great medicine.
    Many blessings on your new rooms, may you make more great memories.x

  5. Good luck and blessings in your new space. Having a dedicated area is very iimportant to the creative juices . Just having the house back from the builders will be a joy I’m sure. Looking forward to even more wonderful music. I hope my painting of you will give you inspiration and ypu feel the love I had when I painted it. See you in Tenbury. Peace. Max & Jan Xx

  6. I am certain many new blessings await you both as you dedicate your space to the wonderful work that you both do! Many Many blessings and good wishes!

  7. How exciting for you guys! We love our little magic cottage but we could really do with a little more space and at least a bedroom separate from the living area so we don’t have to creep around if the other person is asleep. Now you’ve got me thinking!

  8. I love this post. It is just heart warming. So very happy for you . Really looking forward to the new podcast . Now I must finish my cup of tea ☕️

  9. Ah, this is great news! Reading this caused me to feel happy and warm. I’m really pleased for you both. It will be wonderful for you to each have a dedicated space to work in.

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