We have a bamboo hedge and spent some time today tidying it up, partly because it has got a bit ragged and partly because it was a good excuse to enjoy the crisp morning and get some air. As we trimmed and cut back culms and branches we noticed its structure and patterns anew. Each culm is effectively divided into a number of chambers, the culms get thicker every year, the branches sprout upwards in pairs and they always grow on the opposite side to the previous pair.

All this noticing made me reflect on yesterday’s blog and the value of taking time out. This wasn’t necessarily what I had planned to do with my morning but it really reinforced the value of taking time to look, think and feel. This week I am going to work hard to spot the patterns in other aspects of my work. It has also started me thinking more about curiosity and I want to look at that in more depth in the coming weeks.