You will be receiving this a few days after the summer solstice. The longest day. A poignant time perhaps to reflect on the things that 'light up your life' and bring you joy. I am always excited to visit Bempton with its glorious scenery, thousands of sea-birds and of course the special gannet pair I follow. So not surprisingly, in today's mail we return again to the bird cliffs at RSPB Bempton to share more magic from two recent trips.

The first trip last week was a few days before the Solstice. It was a glorious sunny warm morning. A gentle breeze from the south west left the sea flat with barely a ripple. It was a myriad of blues and greens and turquoise. The textures and shapes and patterns of multiple white clouds in the blue sky were breathtaking. It felt like there was magic in the air. And the wildlife reflected this. I had wonderful views of the gannet nest I follow, and everything seems to be going very well there. It's a source of great joy to catch glimpses of the egg held between the parent's huge webbed feet, and reflect on the tiny new life being nurtured within.

I was also blessed to see a mother and calf bottle-nosed dolphin swimming together in perfect synchrony and grace in the water below. Just beautiful. It was delightful to watch the two of them for a few minutes as they passed very gently by. And twenty minutes later, it was like an echo. I had the good fortune see a mother and calf harbour porpoise follow in the same direction. Nature seemed to have a lot to show about tender parenthood that morning. I found it very moving and inspiring.

The second of the visits was very early morning on the day of the Solstice. The weather couldn't have been more of a contrast. The whole area was shrouded in mist. No visibility of a Solstice sunrise. I couldn't even see the sea or sky! I arrived at the gannet nest to find the male caretaking, and was thrilled about an hour later to witness the female's return, likely after a day away feeding. She flew past the nest three times calling before finally landing and I was fascinated by this communication heralding her return. It was wonderful to see the pair together again, and then the seamless change of role as the male flew off and the female stepped in to tend to the egg. The male then was on a mission! He returned several times in quick succession with nesting material, clearly gathering it from a location nearby. At the point I had to leave, the grass he'd brought was piling up around the female who was trying to keep up by incorporating it all into the nest!

This week's self-kindness invitation is to notice what things particularly bring you joy, and to prioritise gifting yourself as best you can, as often as you can. Providing nourishment for the soul is profound self-kindness.

Go well.

In warmth and kindness

Barbara