GREAT TO BE OUT IN THE FRESH AIR!

Today was my first early morning walk of the New Year!  My excuse is that I haven't, until recently, felt fit enough after my bout of sickness at Christmas time.  It has also been cold, dark, damp and murky!  Now, however, it is getting lighter and the weather is drier - still very cold, but the Winter sunshine makes up for it!  Today I saw the beautiful sunrise casting a golden glow over the sculptural shapes of the bare trees and heard the crunch of boots on frozen ground...

My previous lack of motivation was given a boost today, as I arranged to meet Miriam at 7.30am.  We walked through the park into town, where the market was setting up. I bought some lovely fresh fish at the fish stall for supper tonight.  We then walked up past the cemetery, and onto the top of the meadows over to a lane that led down to Bowlish, before heading home.  It was really great to have company and be striding out in the fresh air... 

At Bowlish, I showed Miriam some of the lovely old properties in this area, including Bowlish House - the hotel and restaurant, (see largest pic below) and Old Bowlish House (the house with the pale blue front door), which is one of my favourite houses in Shepton.

Jenny and I have had a history lesson, tour and tea at Old Bowlish House in September 2015 - written up in a previous post (press on the label below).  

Today, I saw my first Spring flowers of the year - some snowdrops.  I have been doing a lot of artwork featuring them, as in Shepton we are having a Snowdrop Festival in February, which I will be talking about in future posts...

COW PARSLEY EVERYWHERE!

Back from her stimulating weekend away, Jenny was on good form, with plenty to talk about!  It was a chilly, but dry start to the day.  We remarked what a beautiful time of year it is for flowers, and noticed that suddenly there was cow parsley everywhere! 

After some investigation, I have discovered that cow parsley is edible, although it is important not to get it confused with hemlock, which is not desirable to consume! They are both members of the carrot/celery family but this family is not for foraging beginners as eating hemlock can mean death!  Identification is, of course, easier when they are flowering, but even so, I don't think we will risk it!

Inspired by the Chelsea Flower Show, which is all over the BBC this week, we took some pics of the flowers seen on our walk.  The female presenters of the programmes have been in very floral attire and I have noticed flower designs are everywhere at the moment - clothing, interiors and even in my own artworks! 

We admired the wisteria on Old Bowlish House (top pics)front and the front of Bowlish House (above right).

The gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show are undeniably fabulous, but nothing like our gardens at home!  I have been reading articles in how much preparation goes into it - it takes years and the plants are sourced from all over the world... 

In the Chelsea gardens you get plants flowering together, which would never happen if left to their own devices.  Some plants are held back by putting them in cold storage, while others are encouraged to flower by artificial means. Time and cost are no object!  They aim for perfection and that is what you see and inspire to, but it can be frustrating when you look at your own patch...

      

GLAD TO BE OUT THE HOUSE!

Weather wise there was nothing special today, just grey and still mild but it was great for me to get out the house as there had been more than enough drama at home!  A blocked shower and water coming through the ceiling into the kitchen below was not a good start for the day!

We didn't stray too far, but did discover a previously unknown, to me, area of Shepton where there were some recently built houses  along what was the old railway track.  Jenny said she used to walk along the track as a child. You often hear people say that the old tracks and railway stations should be restored and become fully functioning again, but this would be impossible as there has been so much development all over the country.

When we walk around Shepton it is so interesting to hear Jenny talk about her memories of the town and what the buildings used to be used for.  I have only lived here eleven years or so while she has had family connections here all her life...

As we walked round we had a good look at the Christmas decorations outside homes, particularly the variety of wreaths on front doors! 

We were particularly taken with Bowlish House, which is a popular hotel and restaurant.  Loved the greenery curled around the pillars and according to the pics on their website they have some pretty impressive Christmas decorations inside!!