A review of Weathering by Ruth Allen
I was privileged to be invited by Rhyme and Reason booksellers in Hunters Bar Sheffield to Ruth Allen’s launch of her new book Weathering (Ebury Press, 2024). The book is an endorsement of the use of the outdoors in therapy and so is relevant to one of the core services of Open Gates Outdoors - life coaching in the outdoors. The launch itself was a very pleasant evening drinking Moonshine while listening to the engaging conversation between the poet Helen Mort and Ruth. I was particularly interested in Ruth’s argument that erosion, or weathering, in nature is a positive process that leads to the growth and health of the landscape and this can be used as a metaphor for aging, or weathering, in people, ie it needn’t be seen as a negative transition. Having read the book there are other arguments made by Ruth that interest me. During the book launch it was observed a couple of times both from the audience and from Ruth’s interviewer that Ruth’s style is very lyrical. I totally endorse th