Travel theme: Relaxing

I have been caught up in a flurry of activity recently and a little bit of time off is long overdue. Much as I wish some rest and relaxation were on the cards for the near future, I suspect it will be quite some time before I can put my feet up and take a break. In the meantime, I am stealing moments in between the frenzy to breathe and still my mind by relaxing vicariously through my photos. I spotted this cat luxuriating on a porch in Seattle not too long ago.

relaxed cat, ballard, seattle, washington, travel, travelogue, photography, ailsa prideaux-mooney

On my way to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival earlier this year, I did a double take when passing some horses snoozing happily in a nearby meadow.

sleeping horses, skagit valley, travel, travelogue, ailsa prideaux-mooney, photography

One of the things I find most relaxing is the sound of water – and waterfalls in particular. Here is one of my favourites – a rather splendid and surprisingly unnamed waterfall along the Boulder River Trail in the North Cascades.

unnamed waterfall, boulder river trail, north cascades, seattle, washington, travel, hiking, travelogue, ailsa prideaux-mooney

So lean back, put your feet up and think about what relaxing means to you, and when you’re ready, create your own post for this week’s theme. If you would like to join in the weekly travel theme (everyone’s welcome!) here’s what to do:

  • Create your own post and title it Travel theme: Relaxing
  • Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
  • Get your post in by next Thursday, as the new travel theme comes out on Friday
  • Don’t forget to subscribe to keep up to date on the latest weekly travel themes. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS – I’m in the process of changing over to a new website host but will give you all a heads up when the changeover happens. If you’re following via email there won’t be a change but if you’re following via WordPress you will need to sign up for email or RSS.

And breathe!

xxx Ailsa

“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.” – Etty Hillesum

“The man who doesn’t relax and hoot a few hoots voluntarily, now and then, is in great danger of hooting hoots and standing on his head for the edification of the pathologist and trained nurse, a little later on.” – Elbert Hubbard

About ailsapm

Hi there! I’m Ailsa Prideaux-Mooney. I’ve lived in many places, and travelled to many more. I had a lot of fun getting there and being there, wherever there happened to be at the time. I climbed a castle wall in Czesky Krumlov, abseiled down cliffs to go caving in the west of Ireland, slept on the beach in Paros, got chased by a swarm of bees in Vourvourou (ok that wasn’t fun, but it was exciting), learned flower arranging in Tokyo, found myself in the middle of a riot in Seoul, learned to snowboard in Salzburg, got lost in a labyrinth in Budapest and had my ice cream stolen by a gull in Cornwall. And I’m just getting started. If you’ve enjoyed what you’ve read so far, I’d love you to follow my travelogue - wheresmybackpack.com - and remember, anyone who tries to tell you it’s a small world hasn’t tried to see it all.
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157 Responses to Travel theme: Relaxing

  1. Trish says:

    That’s a fantastic shot of the cat on the steps!

    • ailsapm says:

      Thanks Trish, he looked so perfectly idle. I also love the blue paint showing through underneath the pink/purple – it brings out some smoky blue in the cat’s fur.

  2. Pamela says:

    I’m first!……and I don’t know what to say, I’m so relaxed!

    • ailsapm says:

      That’s what I like to hear! While you were busy relaxing, Trish pipped you at the post and got her comment in first, but you were a close second! 🙂

  3. pommepal says:

    Ailsa I love your photos for this theme. I’m living with 6 cats at the moment and they are masters at relaxation. I could do a whole post on them but I will go through, slowly… to find some other lazy, relaxed moments

  4. Praveena says:

    Love all the shots.beautiful entries !!!!

  5. Pingback: Travel Theme: Relaxing | Paths Unwritten

  6. Ben says:

    I don’t know that I’ve ever seen horses actually laying down in person, despite working on an island where they are the major transportation source. Still, your first one is a great capture.

    I immediately thought of this old one I had of a hilarious squirrel. Bad quality, but funny.

    http://pathsunwritten.com/2013/09/27/travel-theme-relaxing/

  7. bulldog says:

    I love the waterfall photo… brilliant…

  8. 2far2shout says:

    Gorgeous shots Ailsa, thanks

  9. Pingback: Travel theme: Relaxing | Patchwork Ponderings

  10. suej says:

    Hmmmm… Off to see what I have for ‘relaxing’… got me thinking 🙂

  11. Must have been a warm day just right for relaxing for the horses. Rare catch.
    Waterfalls are a winner for me

  12. dalecooper57 says:

    Beautiful waterfall.

  13. Heyjude says:

    Cat on steps is a wonderful capture, now they really are the experts in relaxation – just the way they stretch so slo..w..ly.. now off to see what I can find 🙂

  14. markd60 says:

    I like the horses sleeping pic the best!

  15. That cat has nothing to do! Must be nice. 😉 Super shots. Hoping to be back with one f two myself. Thanks for hosting, Ailsa.

  16. Pingback: Travel Theme: Relaxing | LoganBruin–An Unauthorized Autobiography

  17. loganbruin says:

    I’d always heard horses sleep standing up, so I’d be shocked to come across one lying down; I might assume it was dead!
    Mine also features an animal, or rather a facsimile of one. . .

    Travel Theme: Relaxing

  18. Pingback: Weekly Travel Theme: Relaxing | wordsvisual

  19. suej says:

    Well, here’s mine, someone’s idea of relaxation (not mine!!): http://suejudd.com/2013/09/27/weekly-travel-theme-relaxing/

  20. Pingback: Travel Theme: Relaxing | Wind Against Current

  21. Pingback: Travel theme: Relaxing | So where's the snow?

  22. I just loved the horses relaxing.On a recent walk in the mountains, there were loads of cows. All just down from the upper alms, and they were all relaxing in the sun, it won’t be long before they go into the barns for the winter. Check out the pictures of those who had over indulged!

  23. poppytump says:

    Aaah I’m all relaxed looking @your photos Ailsa 🙂
    Lovely sleepy togetherness of that pair of horses …
    Hope you get some down time soon x

  24. Pingback: Listen To Me: Your Eyes are Getting Heavy… | ilargia64

  25. Oh, that cat…and the horses! Few creatures can relax like four legged ones…That cascade is beautiful too – few things make people relax like the sound of water. Excellent choices for an interesting theme! I’ll see what I can come up with…

  26. ilargia64 says:

    Hi Ailsa…
    A relaxing post for a relaxing weekend!

    Listen To Me: Your Eyes are Getting Heavy…

  27. Pingback: Travel Theme: Relaxing in Sardinia | My Sardinian Life

  28. Pingback: Travel Theme: Relaxing | Postcards from

  29. Pingback: Travel Theme: Relaxing | Silver Wonderland

  30. Pingback: Travel theme: Relaxing | Figments of a DuTchess

  31. That cat! I want to curl up next to her and snooze 😀 Such a nice challenge, thanks, Ailsa.
    Here’s my take on ‘Relaxing’: http://drieskewrites.wordpress.com/2013/09/27/travel-theme-relaxing/

  32. Pingback: Travel theme: Relaxing | ILEANA PARTENIE

  33. Pingback: Photo Theme: Relaxing | fathersunny

  34. Pingback: Travel Theme: Relaxing | Getting the Picture

  35. Pingback: Travel Theme: Relaxing | Shoot 'N Go

  36. Lovely photos and very timely theme! I hope everybody gets some time to relax this weekend. Here’s a relaxing moment I caught on camera: http://shootngo.wordpress.com/2013/09/27/travel-theme-relaxing/

  37. Pingback: Travel Theme: Relaxing | Ese' s Voice

  38. holley4734 says:

    Love your blog. 🙂 Here is my relaxing entry. http://holley4734.wordpress.com/2013/09/27/travel-theme-relaxing/

  39. Pingback: Travel Theme: Relaxing | Chronicles of a Public Transit User

  40. Pingback: Relaxing | Artifacts and Fictions

  41. Suzanne says:

    What lovely photos. I agree with you about remembering to relax – life is going by at such a crazy rush these days. Here’s my contribution to the theme http://artifactsandfictions.wordpress.com/2013/09/27/relaxing/

  42. Pingback: Weekly photo challenge: Saturation relaxation | Sounds like wish

  43. Pingback: Travel Theme: Relaxing | Edge of the Forest

  44. Pingback: Travel Theme: Relaxing | Rant and Roam

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