Unattended Moments

Arthurian Legends

Ever since I was a child, I've loved the romance of the stories. Arthur remains one of my heroes, and I'm also fascinated by the search for the history behind the legend.

Dragons

Dragons are an essential part of some of my favourite fantasies, by Ursula Le Guin, Robin Hobb, Anne McCaffrey. For me they are symbols of inner power.

Phoenix

One of my favourite mythological creatures, the phoenix has been particularly significant to me as an image of renewal.

Ancient Egypt

I don't think there is any other ancient civilisation that so captures the imagination.

Castles

They've never lost the aura of romance from fairytales and legends, and I've always loved visiting castles. They can feel somehow timeless, as if I could reach out and touch the past.

Celtic Culture

I first became interested in ancient Celtic Culture through learning about Celtic Christianity - I was fascinated by the way older forms of spirituality shaped and influenced it's development. I also love the forms of Celtic art.

Churches

If I'm have time when I'm passing an old church, I often like to go and sit for a while to absorb the atmosphere. I am awed by the magnificent architecture of great cathedrals, but am most moved by older, smaller churches of plain stone.

Iona

This is a beautiful island with a history steeped in Celtic spirituality that holds many special memories for me.

Jerusalem

One of the most hotly contested, but culturally one of the richest places in the world, with layer upon layer of history. I visited Jerusalem in 1999, and shall never forget my time there.

Northumbria

A beautiful area of England, with many places of historical interest. I have very happy memories of holidays here, and now live close enough to visit whenever I want.

Stonehenge

Mysterious, evocative, this unique momument is one of the most recognisable pieces of English heritage, and one whose secrets are still not fully revealed.

Women's History

Sappho of Lesbos, Boudicca, Hilda of Whitby, Joan of Arc, George Eliot, Emmeline Pankhurst, Rosa Parks - history is full of women who have spoken out, written, taken action and left their mark on the world.