AUTUMN BRINGS BEAUTY!

I didn't get a walk last week as my companions were all busy, and I decided not to go out on my own!  Today it was great to meet up with Belinda.  The weather was fine, so it was a brisk walk, keeping to the roads, lanes and alleyways around Shepton.  We did not have too long as Belinda had to get back to do some snowdrop planting for a festival here in Shepton in February!  More about that in a future post...

We walked past the Shepton Cider Mill - see an old milling stone which is outside reception in the pics above.  It was expected to close this year as the cider production was transferring to Ireland, the home of its owners, C & C Group. However, there has been talk in the local papers of a possible reprieve for the workers, as production could continue under a new mystery employer!  There should be an announcement this week... 

I love seeing the Autumnal sun coming through the trees - many are still in full leaf and there are flowers still blooming!  I actually prefer the colour of pink and blue hydrangeas as they fade and dry out, leaving a beautiful skeleton (see top set of photographs).  As Conrad Hall, the well-known  American cinematographer said, 'There is a kind of beauty in imperfection'!

A PROMISING MORNING!

This morning was overcast but with that promise of a warm, sunny day later on. Today was a short walk, as Jenny had another long, busy day ahead!  She hasn't manage to sort that work/life balance out yet...

We couldn't resist looking at the flowers, including bluebells in white, pink as well as blue, a creamy magnolia and the wild garlic which is in full flower, as we walked down to look at the well-known Shepton landmark, the Babysham Bambi - shown below. This popular 60's icon has been in the news lately and even has a petition to save it! Jeff Body, a well known local sculptor - it is his 'rock flock' of sheep that are on the roundabout coming into the town - is leading a campaign to save it as the imminent closure of the Shepton Cider Mill puts its future in doubt...

We did a spot of window shopping before walking back through the park.  Jenny took time out to look at what snacks and drinks are available in the open air Collett Park Cafe - see above.  I expect business will pick up now that the weather is getting warmer!

These beautiful wedding cakes, which are putting a bit of glamour into an empty shop window, have been baked by mum-of-three, Holly Miller.  She has recently set up her own business making eye-catching wedding and special event cakes.  She was inspired by the bold and theatrical cakes baked by her mother for family birthdays!

Jenny, in the photograph above, is looking at the bee-inspired window which I helped to put together at the One Craft Gallery.  The hat, made from bee material, is part of it and has been made by Liz Oliva, the fabulous hat maker, whose house and workshop I visited and reported on, last December...

The animal most connected with Shepton's history is, of course, sheep, and we found plenty of examples in the carpet shop and tourist information centre.  They even have some of Jeff Body's smaller sheep for sale - see top right picture!

I have just discovered another refreshing drink to have once home from a walk. Blend together a peeled red grapefruit, some fresh mint leaves, crushed ice, and a little water to make a pink frothy glass of deliciousness!  Talking of recipes, I made a second risotto today using wild garlic leaves collected on our walks - tasty! 

RAINY MONDAY!

It was overcast, damp and dismal today.  We got very wet!  Luckily Helen had put a waterproof jacket in her rucksack or she would have got even wetter!  It wasn't actually raining when we started but that soon changed...

However, we still managed to find some beautiful budding shrubs, bright blooms, and we spotted bluebells!  Helen remarked that it was a little early in the year - I wouldn't know!  At the end of last week we took a long hard look at the Water Fountain in the Market Place (see above).  There wasn't any information written on it, so we decided to look up its history.  Apparently, it was officially unveiled in 1868 and was paid for by public subscription with the Shepton Mallet Gas and Water Companies supplying the gas and electricity free of charge.  It's still sturdy and in great shape but no longer operates as a fountain...

This weekend has flown by, and I can't believe we are into April already!  We did a good circular walk, taking in Kilver Court and peeked into the windows at 'the not so cheap' bargains to be had!  And we walked back through Collett Park, which still manages to look picturesque in the rain - see below...  

A SPARKLING MORNING!

Great morning for a walk - sparkling blue skies and sunshine, although a bit chilly and frosty.  Tomorrow is the first day of  meteorological Spring!  We went for a round Shepton tour, taking in the park, around the prison, the church, the cider mill and historic Leg Square...

Talking of Leg Square, I have just discovered some of the history of the 15th century coaching inn - The Kings Arms - which is now known as The Dusthole.  Apparently it was built as a provisions house for Shepton Prison in 1660 and it has a tunnel linking it to nearby Shepton Mallet prison.  The Dusthole name came about as it was frequented by quarrymen who worked at nearby Quarr  quarry and the prison flour mill workers.  It is pictured below (middle and bottom left) as is the old flour mill building (middle right).

How about this for a bit of bling on your doorstep!  We spotted this golden beast in front of a house near the park...

GREAT SKY!

Great sky for us to look at today!  We headed to the Charlton Viaduct, determined to capture the amazing sunrise.  We tried to seek access to walk along the top, through the back of the Mulberry Shop site.  Unfortunately, it was closed off, but as you can see Helen got some nice shots...

Hard to believe the cider factory's days are numbered!  It is such a huge part of Shepton Mallet...  I remember how hard it was for us all when the production of Babysham finished (see the famous Babysham deer above), and Clarks Shoes stopped manufacturing here.  Hopefully, another Cider Company will snap up this perfect premises, and keep Shepton the Home of Cider...

Dentist for me today early - I'm glad it's first thing..!  We discussed the cost of the upkeep of your teeth - shocking!!  We do come across some intriguing things on our walks - see the abandoned boot above.  Bet that has a story to tell...

LACKING IN MOTIVATION!

Dark, wet, windy, and Jenny away, resulted a lack in motivation and therefore no walk for me!  Regular exercise is hard to keep up on your own.  If you haven't anyone to do the walking, running, swimming, or whatever activity, with - it is a good idea to join a group.  The chances are that you will become friendly with someone that you can meet up with outside the group who can become your exercise buddy!

The news in Shepton last week was not good for the town. The local paper headlined - 'A Dark Day for Shepton' and it even made the national news!  It concerns one of our main industries - cider making.  At one time the Shepton Mallet Cider Mill was the second largest production unit in the world...

The Cider Mill is to close with the loss of over 120 jobs.  This follows a takeover six years ago, by Magner's Cider Makers C & C, who are based in Ireland. They are moving production back to Ireland but still using Somerset apples!  This ends decades of drinks production in the town.  In 1953 Frances Showering invented Babysham which became one of the most popular drinks at that time - hence the Babysham deer, which is a popular Shepton landmark that we often walk past (see top right).  I wonder what will become of the site and all the equipment. All that will carry on, will be the crushing of the apples, so they won't need these enormous vats (see above left).

We were promised cold, but dry weather, but unlike other parts of the country who have had snow and ice, we have had rain again!  Last Friday I was sent the above photo - it is ice on the roof of a car in the London area!!

AUTUMN COLOUR

The trees are full of Autumn Colour.

Very mild and dark today, but an hour later it was quite different -that's always a sign that the clocks are about to change.  It is this weekend remember - 'Spring, Forward; Fall, Back'.  So it's clocks back on Sunday!

Now the surprise this week is we are not the only ladies strolling around our picturesque Somerset town! It turns out the Mendip Ramblers  come to our area for their walks from time to time.   Look up their website for details...

Also,  Jennie Antell who runs Eco Fitness, based in Frome, inspires Somerset to get up and go!  She offers outdoor circuit training, first class personal training sessions and all manner of ways to get you up and active.  There is also Hoola Hoop classes (what fun!) and Jennie runs taster sessions in Nordic Walking, offering the perfect way to discover Mother Nature's gym!

Some of the sights on today's walk.

If you want to start walking there is always the option to visit the Shepton Mallet Tourist Information Office and pick up info on some of the plotted routes..

Or alternatively, like us, just get out there and make up your own routes and rules!!

More fungi!

To size up this morning's walk  - full of beautiful red and golden Autumn colour...

SUNNY MORNING

Today's walk was pretty routine, as far as route was concerned, but we always see something absolutely intriguing,  and things that make us smile...  like the Babysham deer - looked stunning in the morning sun. Rather liked this view of it but we thought it should be in a more prominent position, like next to my salon maybe!

We stopped to enjoy one of our favourite houses and front gardens, The Masonic Lodge. We were met by a nice friendly face - a guest at the Lodge, so we stayed and chatted a while. Very interesting to know people are randomly staying in Shepton and enjoying it .

Walking with Helen, I very often get an arty head on, and see arty compositions and interesting things everywhere.  I hope our photos give you a flavour of what we feel and see - beginning to sound like her now!

Graffiti divides opinion and does appear in the most unexpected of places.  Makes a good photograph but can ruin beautiful old walls. A guest walker is joining us for next Wednesday's walk - great to have a third party on board. It will be interesting to see if she gets a word in edgeways!