THE PROMPTS
WEDNESDAY 1st HAPPINESS IS: having absolutely nothing to do and the perfect place to do it
TUESDAY 2nd FAVE COLOUR: Any and every shade or orange is my fave colour. This is a wooden necklace that was looking a bit sad until recently. I painted it with water colour and then clear nail polish to restore it to its original vibrant orange
FRIDAY 3rd MIRROR: “The eyes are the mirror of the soul and reflect everything that seems to be hidden; and like a mirror, they also reflect the person looking into them.” Paulo Coelho
SATURDAY 4th STARS: First we went on a 13km bike ride along the coast looking for starfish where we have seen them before, then we dropped into the market hoping to buy carambola or star fruit, only to find our little monks out on their alms walk so we bought oranges for them instead and finally we got home and I opened a drawer in the bedroom only to notice this little drawstring bag bought in Luang Prabang, Laos, years ago and stitched with a design of multiple stars! The things we do for PAD
SUNDAY 5th GARDEN: From the front door, it doesn’t look like much is happening in our little garden but a quick stroll around uncovers a few colourful blooms, herbs and fruit trees. I particularly like the cane cover over the bed of herbs (top left). It’s a relatively new addition designed to trap fighting roosters in but in our case it’s used to keep the neighbours’ chooks out and its working thus far
MONDAY 6th HOT: hotter, hottest- Nothing says hot quite like chillies
TUESDAY 7th ON THE FLOOR: One of several handwoven straw mats we have as I dislike the shiny tile surfaces throughout the house. This one is in the doorway to the bathroom and we both always remove our indoor only flip flops before entering
WEDNESDAY 8th THREE THINGS: The three types of potato destined for our curry dinner tonight
TUESDAY 9th BUILDING: Ruined buildings of the French colonial era abound in Kep and they make the perfect canvas for street art too
FRIDAY 10th LISTENING TO: Before the weekend city folk invade these shores for their regular weekend getaways, we stopped on our bike ride this morning to snap this tranquil scene and enjoy listening to the gentle lapping of the waves, the sighing of the wind in the palms and the shrill whistling of birdsong
SATURDAY 11th COLD: In the sweltering heat preceding the monsoon the best kind of cold is ice-cream
SUNDAY 12th THIS IS MINE: This was much more difficult than I thought as so much of what we have is ours. Eventually clothes, jewellery and handbags were the option. I then recalled how one of my missions in Bhutan at this exact time last year was to purchase a traditional bag for myself as the one I used when I lived there was so worn out I left it behind when we left and then regretted it.
MONDAY 13th OUTSIDE THE WINDOW: in the wall providing shade and privacy for the pool, is a thatched roof and bougainvillea in full bloom at the gates to the La Maison de Ya Ya
TUESDAY 14th WATER: Before distributing baguettes for breakfast at the start of today’s class, all the boys were sent to the water taps to wash their hands with soap and scrub their nails. I guess it is a sign of these COVID 19 times that they were very thorough about as when we first met them we actually had to inspect their hands at the beginning of every class and teach them to wash properly. It is even more essential now than it was then but they most very much cleaner too
WEDNESDAY 15th NUMBER: These are today’s stats. I’m really not sure which is the most significant number: The temperature, the exchange rate, the 117th consecutive session of meditation and mindfulness, the distance cycled over the day or the 80 laps in the pool which I don’t have an app to record, but these numbers are all a part of my daily life
THURSDAY 16th EDIBLE: Not just edible but bloody delicious. The little monks of Kep were treated to pizza today and it disappeared in a flash
FRIDAY 17th PILE: The pile of furushiki (wrapping cloths) that wrapped our picnic lunch today. A rare treat to head off for the day with mates and enjoy a sojourn in the great outdoors
SATURDAY 18th SKY: Shades of blue, where the sea meets the sky - early morning ocean views
SUNDAY 19th FLOWERS: There are precious few flowers in the garden at the minute but my favourite russet coloured orchid has two new flower spikes
MONDAY 20th FAVE SMELL: I have many fave smells including coffee, freshly baked bread, onions caramelising, gardenia, basil, butter lamps burning, Daphne, lemongrass ..... But since I so often have my nose in a book these days, I’ll go with the smell of a new book
TUESDAY 21st WHERE I STOOD: last Friday in a day trip and picnic to Kampong Trach Caves. Thanks to Ian for snapping this shot of me wearing my cheesy grin. I do so love to be out and about. Swipe to see the actual location in perspective
WEDNESDAY 22nd EVERY DAY: transport Cambodia style. We usually ride bicycles but today we arrived in Phnom Penh for a brief break so this is the new every day transport for the next few days. 4 kilometres and less than $2! Bargain
THURSDAY 23rd SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL: After a day packed full of business it was a delight to wander into the district of art and wooden sculptures dealers and feast our eyes on something beautiful
FRIDAY 24th LETTER: Presenting the letter “C” with that holiday vibe
SATURDAY 25th SMOOTH: creamy jellies we were given as a freebie at brunch. I believe they were soy milk jellies and they came cut in half so I had to mix and match so we could both taste both varieties. Still not sure why vegetarian places make mock chicken, fish and duck dishes or shape jellies like pigs but they looked cute and tasted great. That’s high praise as I’m very fussy about the texture of food
SUNDAY 26th FRIENDSHIP: The newest, cutest and youngest of our little monks has quickly developed a firm friendship with the former holder of that title. I only wish this image had sound. The giggles were adorable
MONDAY 27th PATTERN: I usually prefer clothes in plain solid colours but this impulse buy several months ago in a market, has become a current favourite pair of pants. I just happened to be wearing them today. Bhutan taught me to appreciate shades of orange, crimson, pink and burgundy blended together and I’m sure that’s why I’m attracted to this pattern. The splashes of blue add the essential contrast in my mind
TUESDAY 28th LUCKY: We feel that we are really lucky to live where we do, to have heard today that our visas have been renewed for another year and for such a small, poor country to have managed the current health crisis with such competence and calm and thus far kept us safe and feeling secure. Count your blessings and maintain a positive outlook
WEDNESDAY 29th WHITE BACKGROUND: Me pretending to be angelic against a white background in Phnom Penh a few days ago
THURSDAY 30th I’VE NEVER: ridden a motorcycle or scooter but I’ve been a pillion passenger many times
FRIDAY 31st NATURE: A bird’s eye view of nature from the cave lookout, we visited on a day trip to the neighbouring province of Kampong Trach two weeks ago. Quintessential Cambodia with lush, tropical scenes
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