In town tonight on my way to the Thermae Spa Bath. As part of a birthday gift, which I’d yet to use, I’d been given a session at this wonderful natural spa centre in the heart of the City. I’d been before and had, I must admit, felt slightly uncomfortable with doing something which seemed so self indulgent, but on such a cold early Autumn evening as it was tonight the thought of the warm natural spa waters seemed incredibly appealing.

Walking through the bustling streets a truly heart warming thing occurred. I had just stopped to buy a copy of ‘The Big Issue’ – a magazine which supports the homeless by helping them help themselves, as it is sold by street vendors who are themselves homeless or currently living in temporary ‘shelters’ – and was tucking the magazine in my bag as an older homeless man came by… he looked like he’d had a whole lifetime of hard luck and was scavenging around a nearby litter bin looking for anything that seemed vaguely edible, when the street vendor approached him and handed him some money with the instruction to get something to eat.

I can’t begin to explain the look of gratitude on this old guy’s face or the huge smile that spread spontaneously across his face – in that moment someone, someone who had little more than he, had shown him kindness and he was truly grateful…It was incredible and heart warming to witness and as I turned to walk away I could feel my eyes start to well with tears. For the first time in years, it brought back some uncomfortable memories of my own experience of homelessness on London’s streets. I hadn’t thought of it in a long time, but in that same moment those memories of loneliness and fear came crashing back. I tried to shrug them of as I headed down the street but it was a reminder of just how easily circumstances can change in one’s life and impact in dramatic ways and just how powerful the smallest gesture of a kind word or smile can be.

It was dark by the time I arrived at the Spa… once changed I headed for the warmth of the steam rooms – four glass pods each with soothing individual coloured lighting and scent. As I entered the ‘green’ pod my nostrils were infused with the warm aromatic smell of eucalyptus and mint. Alone in this space I lay down on the smooth stone benches surrounding the room and drifted away in the fog of the steam.

Later I headed up to the rooftop, to the open air spa pool which is beautifully lit at night and which overlooks the city… it was truly magical – the air feels very cold against your skin until you melt into the warm, soothing spa waters…incredible.

I couldn’t take any photos from inside the spa but perhaps if you ever visit this city you might want to try it for yourself… www.thermaebathspa.com

Three hours later I headed home, my body warm and cosseted against the chill of the evening air.

love

Julienne x

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Saturday 15th Oct – Edinburgh

After catching up with family on Friday, spent most of the day on Saturday in the studio with Gordon and Stuart. It was really good to catch up with them again…lots of hard work being done but lots of laughter too! It was surprisingly mild for this time of year in the City but the mid Autumn darkness fell early in the evening. Strangely I’ve always loved the Autumn and Winter months – there’s something quite comforting about wrapping up in warm coats and scarves against the weather… not quite that cold though this weekend.

It was good a good day and nice to be home….

Julienne x