Bruton Dovecote, Somerset. Photo: Anna Kott
As we navigate our days one at a time, we’re learning that it’s more important than ever to connect with each other, and nature, in new ways. According to research at Stanford University, walking leads to creative thinking and as we continue to take our daily exercise, we invite you to be inspired by these intimate journeys across Bruton and find solace in the outdoors wherever you may be. These personal walking stories shine a light on local businesses, suppliers, friends and colleagues, who have shared field notes from their favourite routes and resting spots within the Somerset landscape. Join us for this instalment of Walk & Talk with Natalie Jones, founder of Caro, a design and lifestyle brand and independent store located in Bruton, and most recently, Outland, a creative platform centred around ‘connection’.
Kate and Natalie, founders of Outland
Walking Works with Natalie Jones
Outland invites founders of emerging businesses, or individuals starting out on their own, to talk through the obstacles they are facing in their work with a group of industry professionals. The platform serves to enable others to ‘explore foreign territories, boundaries and place’.
Natalie's walk through Bruton
Walking leads to creative thinking
‘I like this walk because it takes me through different terrain, through woods, over fields, on dusty tracks and over water. Different horizons become your viewpoint - sometimes with flowers, sometimes with cows and sometimes with pieces of art (Jenny Holzer's boulders can be seen on the pathway through Marydown Copse). Walking is not only healthy for the body and mind but it is known to lead to creative thinking. I also get inspired by listening to the stories behind the brands we know and love on ‘The Entrepreneurs’ podcast by Monocle.’
The nature of walking breaks down formalities and eases inhibitions
Wild garlic is beginning to sprout
Apple Butter Recipe
‘This week I'm bringing an Easter-inspired snack: hot cross buns with apple butter.’
Ingredients
6 lb. mixed apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 12 apples)
1/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 c. granulated sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
Method
Add all ingredients to a bowl of a crockpot and toss to combine. Cover and cook on low for 10 to 12 hours or until apples are deeply golden and falling apart.
Using an immersion blender or regular blender, blend apples until smooth. If using a regular blender, pause to remove lid every so often to let steam escape.
Pour apple butter into jars and let cool to room temperature. Cover and store in refrigerator.
Visual prompts for reflection: Question 1
Question 2
Prompts for reflection
Jones has provided a list of prompts that can be adapted to any individual's creative endeavour and we invite you to to reflect upon these during your next walk or from the comfort of your home. By immersing ourselves in nature, we hope to discover new purpose and emerge with a clearer sense of how to move forward in the world.
1. Consider a business that inspires you. Analyse what it is you think they do successfully. Write down the key elements that you can take from this analysis and translate these over to your own business venture.
2. It is crucial that you hire people that are better than you in the areas that you don’t excel at. What are your weaknesses?
Question 3
Question 4
3. You bump into a friend that you haven’t seen in a while. How do you describe your life at the moment? Is it a true reflection of where you are? If not, consider why you are not being forthright with your reality? Use this exercise to determine what you would like to shift in your actions to create the life you are looking for.
4. Consider what it is that you are resisting in life? Is this in your mind or a reality?
5. When did you last marvel at the peculiar?
Question 5
Don’t forget to follow the government guidelines and enjoy the outdoors safely. Follow Hauser & Wirth Somerset on Instagram to see our weekly Walk & Talk feature. Discover the history, folklore and hidden gems of Bruton town and Durslade Farm, learn how artists capture the changing seasons, and reflect on the ethos of the countryside with independent retailers and residents.
