Here on the Scarborough coast we have been blessed with more visits from bottle-nosed dolphins. They transmit such joy.

Twice this week they were travelling south, and having missed them pass through Scarborough, I drove along the coast to Filey Brigg in the hope I may see them there. One occasion was a very stormy afternoon. Surrounded by black clouds, and seeing the rain in the distance, it seemed very likely that I would get wet in my endeavours to see them. The sky was spectacular as I waited... and then waited some more. And to my delight they did eventually appear, as graceful as ever, and at one point several rising in a spectacular line. Just wonderful. And somehow we at Filey avoided the rain we could see falling on Scarborough.

And then again on the day of writing I have been to Filey. The weather was much kinder today, and the sea very calm and a myriad of blues and greens. Today as the dolphins approached they were very animated, with spectacular jumps (breaches) out of the water. The young calves and juveniles particularly seem to enjoy jumping, often twisting round in the air and flopping sideways back into the water. Their joyfulness feels contagious. In Filey on the clifftops few people are around. But when they pass through Scarborough many people get to see them and are clearly excited and delighted, seemingly transported for a while into the wondrous world of Nature.

Reflecting on these two days, in addition to the beauty of the dolphins, I was struck by the amazing thunderous skies. And by the rays of the sun finding their way through the darkness. And I thought about how interaction with Nature can help us 'cut through' our habitual mental habits, connect with the 'here and now' and experience the joy that sits in our deeper nature.

Filey Brigg. June 2026. Barbara Payman.

Stormy skies. June 2026. Barbara Payman.

Bottle-nosed dolphin: Mother and calf. Scarborough, June 2026. Fred Tiles.

This week's self-kindness invitation is to take opportunities to enjoy more moments in the 'here and now'. You don't need a pod of dolphins or a thunderstorm! It can be anything... e.g. sipping a delicious cup of coffee... dancing to some favourite music ... noticing sunlight fall on a photograph... sniffing flowers... exchanging a smile. Moments like these can stay with us and inspire our day.

Go well.

In warmth and kindness

Barbara