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Hello September - What Now?
"I love September, especially when we're in it." Willie Stargell
At the peak of peaky hotness last month, I was cycling through Richmond Park with my lovely friend Sally, and it honestly felt like we were on a futuristic wasteland film set, or maybe in the depths of the Masai Mara, on the golden-yellow plains truck deep in African wild mint, anticipating the great migration (which I have seen and smelt IRL btw and it was epic). Anyways, I was beginning to wonder if our lovely parks could recover from such extreme temperatures … but now look - even after the tiddliest amount of rain, our green spaces are coming back to life - albeit with baldie bits. Nature’s innate ability to adapt and flourish in harsh times is forever showing us that all will be ok - our biggest adversity champion! Go Nature!
Right where were we …. how are you? Have you started the month with gusto, filling your diary with lovely-to-doings? Or is this a chance to focus inwards with a much-needed rest, preferably with a bowl of apple crumble and custard?
I’ve embraced both – crumble included, oh, and an egg custard tart made with my dad, which was delicious. I also invested in yet another ‘Mum’s Office’ Family Diary for 2027, which is mahoosive and a tad impractical maybe, particularly when someone says ‘Ruth, bring your diary ’, which I do … and they laugh … but I love it. So much so, I have 8 years’ worth of my life on a shelf all in a lovely array of colours – I’m calling it ‘shelf-art’. Is there a handwriting course for mid-lifers, btw? They look lovely on the outside, but I can’t decipher half of what I’ve been doing with my life on the inside!? Alas, 2027 is filling up nicely, including a section right at the very back with 2 trips already penned in for 2028! One is for Gin & Yin in Thailand in March, another ‘no shoes no news’ kinda retreat, but plenty of time to tell you more about that in due course ... unless you know you're 'IN' already - if that's the case DM me.
Moving on, if you’ve been here before, you know how this goes … pop the kettle on and pull up a seat, here goes:
Sofa Discoveries –2 programmes well worth a watch: ‘Dolly Parton: Here I Am’ – Wow what a gal – be more Dolly, that’s what I say.
And ‘Wham! 10 Days in China’ a fascinating insight into this trip and why they went. I loved George and my pal Mel loved Andrew – how about you?
Stress Less - Read More – my noggin is always on and even when I think I’m relaxing, I’m perching. Have you seen how a squirrel lands on the ground from a tree? I think that’s like me, have to laugh. But ... when I pick up a book, then I relax and gosh I’ve read some corkers this summer, so to be fair that's quite a lot of relaxing. Last month it was ‘The Corresponent’ by Virginia Evans – I couldn’t put it down; it was moving, funny and wise, well worth a read. My current read is ‘The Things We Never Say’ by Elizabeth Strout; once again I am captivated – poor Artie. During our iPhone photography walking tour a couple of Saturdays ago, we also stopped by the ‘Words on Water’ book barge on the canal near Kings Cross – worth a stop. https://www.kingscross.co.uk/word-on-the-water-bookshop
Heart Healthy Salad – as we enter a bit of a what-the-weather transition period, this is still a salad, but it has a wintery feel and is super nourishing - I’ve also added cooked salmon to it and it was delicious. I can’t find who to credit it to, so I’ve added it to my Insta @ginandyin - see ‘highlights’ under recipes, which I’ve created just for this, needs must!
Dish the Dirt – if you’re green-fingered or maybe you just enjoy the scatter seed approach like I do – this is a good time to plant your English marigolds - they have such lovely deep orange petals and are apparently “easy to grow” – if you sow them now, they should flower from May. “Sow directly into shallow drills or on the surface of moist peat-free compost, in your pots” – thanks to Gardener’s World.
What's Been Happening at Gin & Yin HQ?
"An amazing day; I have not done something like this for years, so until next time, thank you all"
We had a fun afternoon clicking off at St Pancras Station, as you can see from the photo at the top of this newsletter. I was also chuffed with my clever photo above, which is actually the reflection off a shiny bar table no less. Huge thanks to Jet from Jet Black Squares, who led our iPhone photography tour earlier this month. Not only did we learn loads about what our iPhones can do, but we also really enjoyed exploring Coal Drops Yard, which has had a huge amount of money spent on it and "Instead of tearing down the 1850s industrial infrastructure, builders painstakingly restored the original Victorian brick arches, cobblestones, and ironwork. They even sourced matching replacement slate from the exact same Welsh quarry used in the 19th century" Honestly, it's wonderful; take a gander.
A small group of us also ventured off for a Friday night dip, hot tub, sauna and pizza at Oak Ash Lake, Shepperton. If you'd like to join us next time, reply to this email with #oakashlake and I'll keep you posted - also check it out here: https://oakashlake.co.uk
So, What's Up Next?
Online Christmas Card Crafting
& Social
25th November 2026 - 7 pm - 9 pm
90 Mins - Online via Zoom
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Crackers ... my next event is a Christmas one, but hey, I don't think I'm the first to reference the 'C' word, from looking at my inbox!
This is a COVID throwback - my super talented pal China and I have decided to bring back one of our online events for you for Christmas. We had a real giggle running these online, so as this will be in the depths of winter, this event can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home, in your fluffiest PJs / festive feels jumper, armed with a suitably festive Gin cocktail, ready to do some creative festive card making.
Each box/bag will contain a ‘mini artist kit’ with the materials needed to make 3 Christmas cards with live tuition from China. You will also receive a craft gin and recipe card to make your winter warmer, along with some artisan treats to nibble on and a self-care something or other to enjoy either during or after the workshop.
It would be lovely to see you there in a square with me and China Jordan, fab Founder of ArtistAnd
TICKETS - £40 pp or 2 for £72
Includes tuition, materials, gin/alternative, treats, postage and booking fee.
Sea & Soul Escape
Southern Sri Lanka
Sun 21st - Sun 28th February 2027
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What's in your diary for 2027 that excites you? If you have to think for too long, why not add something today and join us on this unforgettable trip with your bestie, or maybe your sister or your mum. This adventure to Southern Sri Lanka might just be the start of a new chapter for you in a way that you never expected. What's the best that can happen?
Activities include cooking with the local 'Sambol Foundation' ladies, trying our skills and balance on a beginner's surf lesson (just for fun), we'll also explore the local area, including Galle, a must-see UNESCO site.
We will also have access to daily yoga with my lovely and talented friend Lisa Dunn, founder of Lisa Dunn Yoga - understanding how the brain maps the body when it comes to movement, balance and coordination.
7 blissful nights on Sri Lanka's southern shores, where yoga meets surf and culture meets connection, renowned for its laidback charm, beginner-friendly surf beaches and quaint coffee shops. Ommm x
TICKETS - £1,695 pp
(based on 2 sharing a twin ensuite)
(Or if 3 of you would like to come, there is a 'dorm' that can accommodate 4 but is probably best for 3 - DM me for prices)
Provence Retreat (avec moi)
4 Nights - St. Remy, Provence
Thurs 10th - Mon 14th June 2027
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Wow, I've been blown away by the 'first dibs' response to this retreat - clearly everyone has been wanting to retreat to Provence as much as I have! I hope that I'll still have a couple of rooms still left by the time this email reaches you all!
Provence has inspired masters like Van Gogh and Cézanne for good reason, along with rolling vineyards, fragrant lavender fields, olive groves, and limestone villages. During this retreat, we’ll be sampling as much of Provence as we can squeeze in while also ensuring there is time built in to disconnect from everyday life. In addition to the gorgeous pools, the estate offers plenty of beautiful spaces to quiet our minds and tune into the cicadas. It all looks so beautiful I’m slightly concerned I might struggle to get us out and about!
As always, there will be a balanced mix of activities including a countryside walk, a trip to the local market to bring our senses alive, a cooking class, mindful movement, treatments and tastings including the wines and local cold-pressed olive oils. We will also enjoy seasonal farm-to-fork food and, of course, accompanied by a crisp organic rosé – well, this is Provence after all.
TICKETS - £1,450 sharing an ensuite twin Or £1,800 for a private ensuite
Indian Cooking Workshop
Raynes Park, London
Jan / Feb 2027 - Date TBC
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We had such a fun and delicious time on the 'Cooking The Thali Way' Indian Workshop with Nidhi Verma, Founder of Meri Rasoi, earlier this year, that we'd like to do another one together.
This event is open to everyone over 18. Last time we had a lovely mix of husbands and wives, mothers and sons, as well as solo attendees. Once again, this will be part hands-on and part demo-ing. Nidhhi is an excellent teacher, and she will share her tips and tricks along with the key ingredients she uses to make her recipes so delicious. This event will be held in Nidhi's private home kitchen in South West London only a short walk from Raynes Park Station.
"All you need to bring is your enthusiasm and a healthy appetite for delicious home-cooked food! " Says Nidhi.
If you'd like to be kept in the know, reply to this email with #Indiancookingworkshop
and I'll ensure you're in the loop.
(Laura - you're already top of my list x)
Golden Girls @ Golden Hour
Signing off with a photo of me with my lovely mum on a 'Golden Hour - Sunset Riverside Yoga & Soundbath' in Chester, thanks to @yogadevachester and what a beautiful evening it was too. My mum started doing 'Yoga with Adriene' online during lockdown, and I'm delighted she's still enjoying it. If you haven't tried it yet, just do it.
“You spend so much time in your head in life. And what yoga does is, it asks you to allow your head to be quiet, to allow it to be still, just for an hour and a half. Just deal with your body and your breath. And it’s a great workout. I love it.”
Colin Farrell - Well said Colin!
Thanks as always for reading my wafflings - always that bit too long, but always that bit too hard for me to trim ... one day ... maybe.
Love & September savourings.
Ruth x
PS - If you're wondering what happened to the Nourish & Nurture event with Sara Asaria, we've decided to move it to next year to a new location - watch this space.
Oh and PPS - Thanks for the AMAZING response to the Ibiza Retreat 'first dibs' message for October 2027 - I'll email everyone before promoting online next month, so watch this space even closer about that one!
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