Philosophy Blog

I would like to offer a very warm thank you to the lovely people who took part in this cycle of poetry writing, inspired by Bachelard.

It has been an absolute joy to share such beautiful, elemental poetry together. Each session has been incredibly heartwarming.

Today, I smiled so much my zygomatic muscles hurt! The participants were wonderfully talented—full of spirit, heart, and wit.

Thank you for sharing your brilliance with me. Your love of poetry is a true gift.

Yesterday at the CWEA, we gathered around à fire and shared our poetic memories. At least it felt like it. We shared memories of prayers in front of a candle, or marshmallows cooked on a camp fire.

It’s been one of my favourite sessions. I am so humbled by everyone sharing their experience of poetic reveries. Connecting like this on a poetic level feels like something so primal, that humans have always done and yet we rarely do it now.

Thank you Lottie and the CWEA to allow us to gather like that! It feels really precious.

The photo is from a memory that came back as we were writing of my spending a few seasons in a beautiful castle where a friend of my uncle had very kindly invited me to stay. The open fire had been my best friend through this winter. Comforting me, keeping me warm, but more importantly, allowing me to dream and drift off in reveries…

As the conditions are perfect to go wingfoiling in the estuary (North East non gusty wind, high tide) I am left alone trying to ride a different kind of wind, floating mid-air.

Recovering through poetry.

Gus is helping me preparing for my workshop of tomorrow at the CWEA, based on Bachelard’s Air and Dreams.

I always feel so humbled when I come back from a poetic workshop. It’s so wonderful to meet people on a poetic level and we don't often have this opportunity in life.
Participants today were so incredibly talented and I’m so grateful they shared their writing on a Sunday afternoon about their relationship with the water element.
It can be vulnerable to share something that we’ve just written on the spot so sharing is always optional!
Most people did share and I’m so grateful! We burst into laughter and had goosebumps, felt dreamy, joyful and melancholic ...
Next time we will gather around the “air” element. Based on Air and Dreams, which is my favourite I think.
The room today was full and I think people subscribe to the whole cycle but you may want to check this on the CWEA website!

✨ Looking Ahead: From Learning Design to Bachelard’s Gatherings

Until the end of 2025, I’m dedicating my time to designing training modules for the Graduate School of the University of Canterbury, working as a learning designer with their Researcher Development Team.
It has been such a joy to collaborate with them - a space of thoughtful exchange, creativity, and purpose.

I’m very much looking forward to resuming our gatherings - to thinking, dreaming, and sharing together once again.