Cabin (or City) Fever

Living in Leeds is great. I love the city, I love the energy and the life and the architecture. But being in the city for over a month without really leaving seemed to be getting to me more than I realised, and I woke up last weekend, on the 12th, longing for the hills and the trees and the fields and the outdoors. Where I am from, I could walk 5 minutes and be in a field, no roads or cars in site, only the odd house and the hum of distant cars reminding you that you weren't really in the middle of nowhere. But having the escape was bliss and I really miss being able to do that, even more so in the autumn times; I hate to feel like Im missing those crisp, cold, fresh autumnal mornings.

So I took the day to have a wander, no real destination in mind, just to head away from the city and see what I could find. I ended up Headingley way, enjoying wandering the suburbs and quieter parts of what is inner-city Leeds. On the horizon I noticed a line of trees and assuming it meant an escape from the houses I naturally veered towards it, discovering a little field area neighbouring the estate. This then lead onto a wooded area, and despite the slightly shady atmosphere, my curiosity was stronger than my opposition to getting mugged. Shaking the slightly on-edge doubt in my mind that this was a safe place to wander alone, a place where I had no idea where I actually was, just relying on my sense of direction and adrenalin, I started to feel that same sense of adventure I used to feel exploring the local abandoned farms back home. A sense that I was longing for and hadn't even really been conscious of missing.

Muddling my way back home, I felt refreshed and at rest again. I felt more motivated to tackle my work and more fulfilled and ready to nestle in between the buildings and hustle of the city once again. I notice a need in me for nature and exploration, and is something that I plan on implementing more into my weekly routine, which I think will greatly influence and fuel my creative practice, and prevent me from getting bogged down and stuck with what I am creating.

Little drawing of Woodhouse Moor park on my way to Headingley.