Unusually, this week's mail is about a trip inland and the quiet beauty of the plant world.

On one of the recent hot days my travels took me to 'Helmsley walled garden' in North Yorkshire. I started with a very refreshing iced tea in their attractive cafe. And then ventured into the gardens. What a delight. The staff had explained that the gardens were set up primarily for therapeutic purposes and that they benefit many different groups. It was certainly easy to see how being amongst beautiful flowers in the tranquil setting could be soothing and uplifting. I particularly enjoyed some of the mass plantings with long stretches of wondrous colours and forms.

Beauty can appeal to any of our senses. We are surrounded by beauty in endless forms. Often though it can pass us by unnoticed. And yet it is potentially one of our deepest forms of nourishment. Nature of course offers us infinite opportunities to dwell with beauty. Research has shown that just twenty minutes with Nature can have a measurable positive effect on well-being.

Helmsley walled garden. May 2026. Barbara Payman. 1

Helmsley walled garden. May 2026. Barbara Payman. 2

Helmsley walled garden. May 2026. Barbara Payman. 3

This week's self-kindness invitation is to gift yourself some time with something beautiful... perhaps a place in Nature... or something else that warms your heart and spirits. A lovely act of self-kindness.

Go well.

In warmth and kindness

Barbara