 As 2019 bids goodbye, Leo’s Rabbit reflects on some emotional decisions he took and all the ups and downs he experienced. He is so ready to move forward...
He believes that his future lies in his own paws and he is ready to make the best out of the coming new year. Here is to the opportunities of the next year and the next decade 🥂🐰 Happy New Year Everyone!
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 Last afternoon Leo’s Rabbit embarked on a journey through the beautiful British countryside. As his destination he chose Lower Slaughter, a small village in the Cotswold district. The name of the village derives from the Old English word 'slothre' meaning 'muddy place', but he did not see much wetland and boggy ground in this charming place. He wandered around the enchanting narrow streets admiring honey-coloured stone architecture and quaint little cottages with mullioned windows. Walking along the river Eye and hopping through few small stone footbridges, Rabbit reached a 19th-century water mill with an undershot waterwheel and a chimney. He explored a small museum in the mill and a wonderful gift and craft shop in the rear of the property where he purchased a perfect pair of handmade leather boots fit for his paws. Rabbit proceeded next to the Church of St Mary the Virgin, an impressive stone building with stained glass windows and well kept graveyard. A visit to the Slaughters Manor House, a magnificent 17th Century mansion surrounded by five acres of glorious landscape gardens was the cherry on the cake (or rather an extra carrot on the carrot cake for a rabbit). The house looked incredible from the outside, so the Rabbit decided to pop in for a coffee. He was greeted by a well-suited and attentive British Gentelman who very politely ushered him to the sophisticated bar area. Rabbit had a good look around and although he loved the combination of stunning contemporary interiors with country charm, fine antique decorations and roaring fires, the place felt a bit too posh for our small-town Rabbit, so he decided to take a stroll outside instead. He enjoyed his little trip to the British countryside and was enchanted by a quaint and friendly village of Lower Slaughter. He felt lucky and proud to live in such a beautiful and fascinating country with its rich history and nature.
 Leo’s Rabbit just completed this year’s reverse advent calendar and donated his box of goodies to his local food bank. He is hoping to make a small difference to someone less fortunate in his community and also inspire his friends to follow in his paw steps and do the same.
Rabbit and his family wish you all a wonderful festive season celebrated with the people who make you feel loved, happy and safe. Merry Christmas Everyone!  A day out at the Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas market filled Leo’s Rabbit with the festive cheer. He enjoyed live music from a number of street performers, admired a vast selection of traditional handmade goods and tried some delicious German food and gluhwine.  After a very challenging and lonely 6 weeks in Los Angeles Rabbit took some time off to restore his mental health and enjoyed a ‘Rabbit day’ at Santa Monica and Venice Beach with an uplifting 20km walk. Fresh-air activity helped him to clear his head whilst watching a variety of colourful and amusing humans kept him entertained. He loved the vibrant atmosphere pulsating with energy, saturated with an abiding aroma of cannabis and a dizzying array of colours and hues. He even had a brush with fame when he encountered a film crew working on a new fashion show 🎬  On a beautiful, sunny autumn day Rabbit explores a stunning city of Wroclaw, Poland with its magnificent, colourful Market Square, lined with elegant townhouses and the Gothic Old Town Hall with the unique astronomical clock. Packed with a variety of cafes, pubs and restaurants the vibrant city centre is a perfect place to relax in a picturesque surroundings. Our Rabbit felt the sheer delight as he strolled around 🐰☀️🇵🇱  Today one little Rabbit celebrated Leo’s third birthday by completing a beautiful 14K Winwick Circular hike. He was accompanied by MamaMus and her lovely friend Kinga who gave MamaMus much needed support (PapaMus had to travel abroad and was not able to join them). A delightful walk led our Rabbit through the beautiful British countryside. He enjoyed an easy stretch along a little-used and unspoiled section of the Grand Union Canal, the charming village of Winwick, a wildness of surrounding wheat fields and rural paths, and stunning panoramic views from Honey Hill. Standing on the top of the hill, with the cold breeze running through his fur, he contemplated the undeniable beauty of the nature and felt refreshed, empowered and somehow healed. In that moment of awe he experienced a sensation of being closer to the clouds, closer to Leo. With wonder and gratitude filling his little heart, the Rabbit sent his message to Leo via helium balloon post. A gentle wind carried the balloons up to the sky. Rabbit watched them for a while until they completely disappeared from his view. He gathered that they must have gone straight to heaven.  Today Leo's Rabbit had an amazing day in London cheering on runners at Virgin Money London Marathon. He felt privileged to see so many fantastic humans complete this incredibly harsh challenge. Months of training led them to this moment and it was inspiring to witness their victories and a triumph of the human spirit. Rabbit felt humbled, joyful and tearful, all in the same time. Today Rabbit found himself in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown LA. Although he is not a religious creature, he enjoyed a quiet moment of reflection in this magnificent, exceptionally accessible and beautiful church. He admired its astonishing architecture, the impressive organs and unique artworks. He loved a modern design with massive spaces that made a little Rabbit feel even smaller and his problems somehow insignificant. He wandered into the lower level with a large mausoleum that contains crypts and columbarium niches for burials, and features a number of stunning stained glass windows. Rabbit thought that the whole cathedral emanated tranquility, peace and greatness and his visit provided him with a spiritually refreshing experience.  Rabbit spent an enjoyable day at the Getty Center, a unique destination that incorporates modern design, beautiful gardens, open spaces, and spectacular views of Los Angeles. He admired a vast collection of European and American art, including ‘Portrait of Jeanne Kéfer’ by Fernand Khnopff, ‘Modern Rome – Campo Vaccino’ landscape by Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Jeanne (Spring)’ by Édouard Manet and Van Gogh’s ‘Irises’. Along with the art he was impressed by an inspiring architecture of the museum and a beautiful nature of its surroundings. Little Rabbit marveled at the views and left happy and mentally invigorated.  Leo’s Rabbit embarked on a little hike to the famous Hollywood sign. The sign itself doesn’t appear to be an amazing landmark, well... it is just a nine-letter word (quite a big word however, especially for a little Rabbit - 45-foot-tall and 350 feet long!), but it is certainly one of the most evocative symbols – a universal metaphor for ambition, success, glamour and dream we call Hollywood, a place where magic is possible, where dreams can come true. The sign itself cannot be reached ‘on paws’, but Mt Hollywood Hiking Trail from Griffith Park offers amazingly close encounters with the sign. Rabbit enjoyed his hike and was rewarded with spectacular views of the hills and mountains surrounding Los Angeles, a city with its characteristic downtown skyscrapers, an ocean and a beautiful Griffith Park itself. Rabbit felt as if he was on the top of the world:-)  This year Leo’s Rabbit started a new tradition, a reverse advent calendar. For the past 24 days he filled a box with food and toiletries by adding an item each day. Today he donated his box to his local food bank in order to help those less fortunate that are struggling at Christmas time.
By sharing his reverse advent calendar here, our small Rabbit is hoping to inspire you to take part and make a small difference to those most vulnerable in your local communities.  Today Leo's Rabbit visited one of the National Trust's treasures, Coughton Court, an English Tudor country house near Alcester. Since 1409 this interesting historical mansion has been a home to the Throckmortons, one of the UK's oldest catholic families. Judging by the size of the house, Rabbit thought that it must be a really big family and he was surprised to learn that the only occupant till October 2017 was baroness Clare McLaren-Throckmorton. Rabbit was not only intrigued by the history of the Throckmorton family associated with Walter Raleigh and Guy Fawkes, but he also loved the architecture of the house and its spectacular gardens. He spent a pleasant couple of hours hopping around the grounds and enjoying the beautiful scenery.  Today Rabbit honoured a beautiful Polish tradition and he celebrated All Saints' Day. It's a day to remember loved ones who are no longer with us. On the 1st November families all over Poland make pilgrimages to the resting places of their relatives, tending the graves and decorating them with wreaths, flowers and candles. As night descends cemeteries across the country are alight with millions of candles. Rabbit went to his local cemetery and lit candles in memory of Leo, Maman, Tato, Shideh, Omeh, Connie, Zanamoo and all the other deceased family members and friends. They are no longer with us, but they live on in our hearts and souls. They will always be a part of us, because they helped us to become who we are. |
Leo's Rabbit 'lives' in my handbag and he travels with us everywhere we go. He has pictures taken at various locations, tourist attractions and places we visit. As a part of this blog we will describe Leo's Rabbit Travels to share our personal experiences from these visits. Hopefully couple of people (apart from us :-) ) will find it interesting and may even feel encouraged to visit one of Rabbit's destinations.
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