Where's my backpack?

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.

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.

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.

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