This post was originally published on 21st October 2018 and updated on 23rd August 2020
My mind has been all over the place this week. I’ve been struggling to write, starting a number of blog posts but unable to find the right words to finish them.
I was relieved to have some alone time this weekend. I needed some space and some time to think, reflect and to soak up the late October sunshine.
I headed to the local market yesterday thinking I would stop by to look for some upcoming birthday presents. The market was celebrating its own birthday and was busier than normal. It definitely wasn’t the right environment to find some head space.
So in search of some peace and quiet, I picked up a quick bite to eat from the market and headed off to Clapham Common. The weather was beautiful. Sunny, but with an autumnal nip in the air. I found myself a big old tree and spread out underneath it, soaking up the rays and enjoying my market grub. It was just the right environment for some thinking time.
With my head feeling a little clearer, I had a pootle around a few shops before heading home for a quiet, relaxing evening.
Today I woke up feeling a bit more adventurous. Considering I hadn’t slept well, this was nothing short of a miracle. I started to look at my London bucket list. I wanted to go somewhere that would look beautiful in the October sun, but somewhere I hadn’t been before. Nothing on my bucket list took my fancy, so I started to flick through Instagram and found a saved link to Holland Park. I’d wanted to go for some time but kept forgetting to add it to my bucket list. As I looked at the warm sunshine outside, I realised it would be a perfect day to go.
My only disappointment…why on earth hadn’t I been before?
It was beautiful.
As soon as I entered the park (there are a couple of entrances, but I entered from the entrance nearest to Holland Park underground station), it took my breath away.
The park entrance is walled, and as you walk through the gate, its like stepping into another world.
As I walked further into the park, the scene became more and more autumnal. The Acer’s almost stole the show, until I stumbled across the Kyoto Garden, which quite simply took my breath away. I’ve never felt the urge to visit Japan, but if their gardens are anything like the one here in Holland Park, then Japan is also now firmly on my bucket list. The colours were spectacular, and despite the large number of tourists trying to get that perfect Instagram shot, it was surprisingly peaceful.
The Kyoto Garden was gifted to London from the Japanese city of Kyoto in 1991 following a long standing friendship between Japan and Great Britain.
As I sauntered back to the underground, a couple of hours later, my mind felt much calmer and more peaceful than it had earlier on in the weekend.
As I get older, I’m so grateful to have a much better understanding of my mind. I’m much more in tune with it these days, knowing when I need to take time out, reducing the chaos around me, and simply just being.
As I sit in my front room enjoying the last of the days light, I know I can now move into the working week with a clearer, calmer mind. The issues causing my mind to be muddled haven’t gone away, but with a peaceful mind, these issues don’t seem anywhere near as daunting as they did.
(Photos taken by me)
The Mindful Gingernut 
Hello there! I discovered your blog from Mark @ Swinged Cat, who I’ve been blogging with for 10 years. I really enjoyed this post for two reasons. One, Autumn is my favorite season. I was born in October and feel blessed because it’s such a beautiful time of the year. And two, your mention of Kyoto, Japan reminded me of the time I spent living in Japan and took a day trip to Kyoto. OMG…it’s amazing! I spent the first 30 minutes in tears because I was so moved by the not only the physical beauty, but also the energy. It is truly a very special and sacred place. I literally felt altered after being there. Japan overall is one of the most amazing countries I’ve ever been. I was there on business for 2 1/2 months, and when it came time to leave, I didn’t want to come home because I felt as if I was home.
Anyway, sorry to ramble, but this post really moved me.
Your photographs are exquisite!
Nice to meet you. I’ll be back!
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So lovely of you to share your story with me Ron. It sounds like you have really amazing memories of your time there. II’m sure the gardens in Holland Park are nowhere near as amazing as the real thing, but like you, the experienced moved me so much. Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing ✨🙏🏻
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Portland has a Japanese Garden that’s beautiful, too…especially in the autumn.
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How wonderful ☺️ they really are at their best during the cooler autumnal months 🍁🍂
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Nature is always so good for the soul! And with fall approaching, hope you return here again to enjoy this year’s color change.
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Lovely pictures! And memories of me snd my dog Remus. We walked their daily for his first 2 years! Those were much simpler times! Mind you, no dogs allowed in the closed gardens! We had fun in the snow… thank you for your entry today! 💕
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Aw I’m glad it provided you with happy memories Andi ☺️ I bet it looks wonderful in the snow⛄️I hope you all have a lovely week ✨
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Thank you and hoping your week shares a few smiles on the way 😃
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Thanks Andi ☺️
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I am pleased you recovered to take those beautiful photographs.
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Thank you Derrick ☺️ it really is a very easy place to photograph 🍁🍂
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I knew it well.
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Beautiful photos and place! Nothing like a good explorative walk to ease the mind 🙂
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Thank you so much for your comments. I think we often forget, or don’t even realise how many beautiful green spaces are on our doorsteps. It’s great to know that after a busy working work, there are plenty of opportunities, even within the city, to escape to a quiet green space to give our minds some much needed TLC
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