MISTS AND MELLOW FRUITFULNESS!

Judging by this morning's walk, 'the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness', is here!  Jenny and Belinda and I walked to West Shepton and ended up in Bowlish, before heading up the High Street and back home through Collett Park.

It was inspiring to chat, catch up and talk about where our lives are at the moment and what we want for the future...  

We saw plenty of flowers around Shepton and in people's front gardens, as well as blackberries and loads of red berries...

Collett Park and the allotments still have plenty of colour and interest as can be seen above.  Town Street (the pedestrian walkway joining the High Street is getting more and more interesting with new interior and vintage shops.  If you are wondering what I am looking at in the picture above - some scaffolding is being put up for a building to have a facelift.  All good news for the High Street...

AUTUMN IS DEFINITELY HERE!

There was a chill in the air, and it had only just got light as Belinda, Jenny and I set off for a walk on familiar ground.  As we crunched our way through a carpet of dry leaves, we remarked that Autumn was definitely here!

We followed some footpaths that eventually took us up to Barren Down, a favourite peaceful green space, that has stunning views of Shepton - see above.

We walked up to Shepton High Street and had a look at the latest developments. The centre photograph shows a new shop in town - an artisan bakers called Loaf, which has a coffee shop, that looks worth a visit!  Another place for refreshment, with interesting recycle art projects to see, is the Art Bank Cafe -  left middle row pic.  Situated in the former HSBC bank building, they are a not for profit outfit, doing exciting work recycling residents' rubbish...

Having dropped off Belinda at her home in the centre of Shepton, Jenny and I walked across Collett Park, which looked glorious in the Autumn sunshine...

SPRING WEATHER AT LAST!

Today, Belinda, Jenny and I had a lovely walk with sunshine!  Spring has at last arrived!  After weeks of cold, wind and rain, it was wonderful to see the sun and Spring flowers...

We walked to Bowlish and up a hilly lane, before heading over fields and footpaths back to Shepton, despite Jenny's request that we didn't go up any steep slopes!  She hasn't walked for a while and was not feeling fit!  We have all been remiss about walking lately and remarked how much enjoyment and benefit we were getting...

We saw a good selection of birds today, including some sweet ducklings in Collett Park - see the largest pic above.  I really needed a telephoto lens to photograph them so they looked more than fluffy dots! 

  
We walked home up the High Street looking at the latest changes - shops have closed down but there are some new businesses, including Junk Soul Brother, where Jenny did some window shopping - see above right.  She also had a good look at my latest window design in the One Craft Gallery, celebrating Spring - see main photograph.

There was plenty of talking and catching up today and we vowed that we ought to get into the walking habit again...

AFTER THE SNOW STORM!

Today, was positively balmy, compared with the extreme cold temperatures and the chill factor of the biting winds, that we endured last week!  There were some remains of snow and ice, but it was mostly thawing fast.  As I walked through Collett Park to meet up with Belinda, the ducks and seagulls were out in force and some were a bit puzzled why they could walk on the water, which was still half ice!  My pics on the top row above, show the state of the allotments - a lot of work ahead for the vegetable growers of Shepton!

We saw plenty of footprints in the snow and dog walkers, eager to get out now that everybody can move around, instead of being cooped up. On many fields and footpaths, mud had replaced snow, but there were still patches and drifts of the white stuff lying around...

By the end of the walk, the sun had come out.  I was surprised to see a drift of snowdrops looking so perky, but then I read a notice in a shop window that they contain a natural kind of anti-freeze so that if they collapse in freezing conditions, they quickly recover once the temperature rises.

I do love trees, especially in Winter, when you can see their sculptural skeletons. This tree that I am looking at in the bottom right pic, has split into two.  Its trunk must have had an enormous girth originally, so it must be quite ancient! 

POPPIES LOOK FABULOUS IN THE SUNSHINE!

Today, was a beautiful day for a walk -  frosty, bright, sunny, and the coldest morning so far this Autumn.  Next Sunday is Remembrance Sunday, and the Church of St Peter and St Paul had poppies lined up along its railings in preparation.  The long red line look fabulous in the early morning sunshine.  The Royal British Legion have taken over an empty shop (see above), in the middle of town as their local headquarters and to advertise their wares.  You can now get poppies of all different sizes...

For the walk, I was joined by Jenny and Belinda.  It took us up onto Barren Down and then onto open fields.  We followed a footpath which took us over a stone stile and through someone's garden. As the centre left pic shows, the gardener had prepared for the frost by covering the veggies with some ghostly fleece!

Jenny and I walked from Tadley Acres into the centre of Shepton to call for Belinda. On the way there and back we went through Collett Park, which was looking as splendid as usual.  We also walked passed the allotments - full of interest, whatever time of year...

MAY IS BLOOMING!

No sun this morning, but at least it wasn't raining or as cold as it has been lately! My companion was Miriam, and as time was tight, we kept our walk local. We had a look at Shepton's Friday market, which was just setting up, and I showed Miriam the window I had recently dressed at the One Craft Gallery (see middle, left pic).   

Our walk took us through Collett Park, which was looking lush and green, and past the allotments, which had many signs of planting activity (see photographs above).

May is my favourite month of the year - maybe because it is my birthday month!  It is named after the greek goddess, Maia, who is also identified with the Roman goddess of fertility, Bona Dea.

May is certainly fertile - it is said, that this is the month when plants really start to grow.  On our travels today we saw plenty of evidence of this - clouds of white cow parsley, loads of blossom and gardens full of colourful flowers...

BRIGHT APRIL MORNING!

I had Miriam for company this morning.  It was a great morning for a walk - bright, sunny, but a bit chilly.  We didn't have a lot of time, so we stayed on local footpaths and walked up to Barren Down, where there are fantastic views of Shepton.  On the way home we explored what was happening in the High Street, and walked back through Collett Park.  

Everywhere there were signs of growth, blossom and flowers.  Spring is my favourite time of the year with its wonderful fresh green colours and beautiful flowers...  

YELLOW FLOWERS BRIGHTEN MY DAY!

Today the morning was murky but mild, with the gloom punctuated with flashes of colour, from the Spring flowers.  This time of year, it is the yellow flowers, which really give a show and stand out.  It is no wonder that the official flower of March is the daffodil!

I started my walk by going to Collett Park, photogenic whatever the weather, (see above), and then walked to West Shepton, took a diversion along a muddy bridle path, before heading home...

Unfortunately, I was walking on my own again, so I had the walk but not the talk! The other day on the television, I heard somebody say that he enjoys 'twalking' on 'twalks' with a group of like-minded people!  I have never heard it called that before! I must say, I walk further and enjoy the walks more, when I can chat to a friend...

FROSTY, MAGICAL MORNING!

Today I had the pleasure of Belinda's company for a walk.  There was a particularly heavy frost, turning the ground white and the pavements sparkling, as though they were encrusted with diamonds!  The sun came up, casting a golden glow over the browns of the skeletal trees and hedgerows, which gave a satisfying contrast to the ice and frosted ground...

There is something about an early morning walk, especially this time of year, that is magical.  It may be hard to prise myself out of a lovely warm bed, but the results are so worth it!  I keep reading articles on how walking and connecting to nature is so good for your mental health and I have found this to be true.  Not only is it physical exercise in the fresh air, but when you have an interesting companion, the talking is very therapeutic... 
  

We walked up towards Windsor Hill, away from the town into the surrounding countryside.  We saw a field full of woolly sheep and these two delightful highland cattle (see above right), who had no trouble keeping warm with their long, dense, hairy coats!

On my way home, I walked through the park and took time out to look at the pond, which was half iced over.  Instead of all the usual ducks - they must have been sheltering in the park, there were many seagulls, miles away from the sea, who looked confused by this frozen water!

GETTING FIT AGAIN!

Christmas is now well and truly over!  I hope everybody who reads this had a good time.  I unfortunately didn't!  I woke up on Christmas Eve with some sort of infection - I won't bore you with all the symptoms, but I felt awful and completely lost my appetite, so I hardly ate anything for days...

I am starting to get better, but having spent so long either lying or sitting down, I am now feeling so unfit!  I now need to build up my strength and stamina.  So as a start, today I walked into town, through Collett Park and past the allotments...

It was great to get out into the fresh air and move around in the beautiful Winter sunshine.  Although I was tired, and my legs felt a bit stiff afterwards, I certainly felt better for having made the effort.  I now need to get back into regular walking routines, so that is going to be my first New Year's Resolution...

   

SHOWING MIRIAM SOME OF SHEPTON'S SIGHTS!

Today I had the company of a neighbour that I have just met.  Miriam is fairly new to Shepton, so was keen to explore!  I decided to take her on a circular walk on the outskirts of the town, taking in some public footpaths and bridle ways...

It was dark when we started off but by the time we were on footpaths with the Charlton Viaduct as a drop back, this gave way to a beautiful sunrise. 

On the circular tour we walked by Kilver Court, which was looking very festive with its Christmas lights and trees. We then worked our way, via some footpaths through to Barren Down, which was a surprise to Miriam.  It is such a hidden, unspoilt piece of countryside which overlooks the town - see the top photographs above.

I also showed her the Bath Road Viaduct - we are spoilt for viaducts in Shepton! There are actually three - the last one being the Ham Wood Viaduct, which is a ruin in the woods and much harder to find.  I did find it in May and the post about it can be located by pressing on the label below...



We finally made our way home up the High Street, past the allotments, through Collett Park and back to Tadley Acres.  Miriam said she felt good, getting out and walking in the fresh early morning air, and would like to go again! 

According to the excellent book I am currently reading - 'Making Art a Practice' by Cat Bennett, walking outside in nature is an excellent practice, for cultivating peace and awareness.  Surely much needed, especially this time of year... 

IT IS NOW OFFICIALLY WINTER!

Today, I had to get up early to take my car in for service.  I wore my walking boots and warm clothes so I could go home the long way round, and make it into a proper walk, as my walking companions can't join me at the moment.  It was grey, cold and foggy, and according to the metrological office, now officially Winter...

As we are now into the first week in December there are Christmas decorations everywhere.  Last Friday was the turning on of the Christmas tree lights which happened in the Market Square, directly outside the One Craft Gallery.  The pics above show the gallery's Christmas window which I helped put together.

I walked back through Collett Park which always looks beautiful, whatever the weather.  There was still some ice on parts of the lake.  A small boy was poking it with a stick - see photo above, bottom left.  Can't say that conditions were ideal for walking but it was good to get out into the fresh air and exercise. As Gene Tunney, the American boxer,  who won both light and heavyweight world titles in the 1920s said, 'To enjoy the glow of good health, you must exercise'...

DON'T HIBERNATE, GET OUTDOORS!

During the last couple of weeks, the cold, dark, and sometimes extremely wet mornings, without a walking companion, have meant that I have struggled to get up and out!  As I have been missing the exercise, today I dragged my husband out for a walk in the sunshine, just after lunch, even though he much prefers the manicured fairways of the golf club and with regular stops to swing his golf clubs...
  

It is so easy to stay indoors in the warm and hibernate this time of year.  But, having recently read, that spending time outdoors encourages the production of endorphins - natural painkillers that trigger feelings of well being, and helps to set our biological clock and promotes more restful sleep, I thought I should make the effort to get outside more, even if it was only to the local park...
 

Collett Park is beautiful and well cared for, whatever the season or weather - see above.  It is a well used and a much loved park for all Shepton residents.  There is always something to see - this time of year it is fungi, berries and autumn leaves! 

The park was gifted to the town by John Kyte Collett in 1906.  The story goes, that as a boy he was told off for playing in fields that were once where the park is now, as they were privately owned.  Years later the land was auctioned off, and he bought some of the lots so that anybody could use it for recreation.  This act of generosity is celebrated on the 2nd Saturday in June with the annual Collett Park Festival which has in the last couple of years grown to include more of the weekend...