I have been reprimanded for starting a blog and then not updating  it regular.

I am guilty, (no question,) of not updating at all in July!  My Apologies.

kirsten on balcony tenerife

Its been Time Out for me. After attending  Karstens PhD graduation and Newbold College Graduation on July 11

I did indeed take Time out, also called vacation.

I was fortunate to be able to really take time out from my daily routine.  Together with Karsten I traveled to Tenerife and spend time in a wonderful flat and was truly able to relax- enjoy the sun and sea views and cooling off in a nice pool.

And yes admitting Tenerife is an island that I never had the urge to visit, but  I did enjoy it. Tenerife despite it being Spanish  was indeed an extension of all things English, as most of the restaurants were English and I did not need to get out a dictionary to try pronouncing( or mispronouncing) Spanish words- every one spoke English,  both nice and a bit sad. One of my favorite things on vacation is to try to learn a few words in the language spoken.  But with 4 million UK out of 10 million tourist yearly visiting the Canaries Islands- shops and restaurants did reflect and cater to this massive UK tourist market.

Tenerife 2010

But we went to Tenerife to relax, and relax we did, embarrassing as it sounds we did no sightseeing, none at all. Very unlike me to not want to explore, but I was tired and needed to simply recharge. I was grateful for the chance to do exactly that.

Relaxing and recharging is one aspect of vacationing, it also enables you to put things back home in perspective. It brought home once again the importance of Rest, of taking a time out from our rat race to recharge our batteries. Its so easy to get caught up in our routines that taking time out- stepping back to take stock over our lives and what we spend our time actually doing, is recommendable and healthy. Catching up on sleep, the smell of sea and sunlight makes a huge difference in my life. Not forgetting time with my beloved spending time reading books, playing Carcassonne and talking. NO INTERNET. No faceBook or emailing ( at least for the first week- then we tracked down an internet cafe to check face-book)  Quite a challenge for both of us. But I read some amazing books- one that stands out was :

Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie

A story that following a woman’s survival journey from 1945 Nagasaki – Abomb, via India and Pakistan to New York post 9/11. Shortlisted for  Orange Prize  for Fiction 2009.


Rest & Time Out is an ancient principle,  a principle that makes sense several thousand years after God introduced it to us as a regular day of rest at the end of a week.  Just as we need one day of Rest  planned into every week, its also recommendable to take Time out regularly.

It makes you appreciate your working life as well as it  puts in perspective what is important in your life- it might not be what you think- so step back – take time out and get perspective. It makes me thankful for the blessings I have in life and makes me cope with  challenges that Life brings.

I was reminded of  my need to reflect and to spend time with my beloved Husband, and how blessed I am to share life’s journey with him.  After 15 years as a couple we  still have so much fun.

Relaxing Holiday

We stayed in Los Christianos check out  accommodation: www.urlaubteneriffa.net

balcony and pool- and yes those seaviews