A SPARKLING MORNING ON A NATURE RESERVE!

This morning I went for a walk with Belinda at Westhay Moor Nature Reserve on the Somerset Levels.  It was a beautiful Winter's day with the reed beds and bullrushes the star of the show!  We had to wrap up well as there was a bitter wind but the way the ice sparkled in the sunshine and the blue of the sky and shimmering lakes made up for that... 

The reserve is a special place for watching and photographing birds.  It is famous for the spectacular starling murmurations, which are best seen at dawn or dusk in the Autumn.  There are managed walkways and several hides.  We went into the Island Hide but did not see many birds, only some ducks and moorhens.  However, during our visit we did see some swans in the distance and a cormorant perched on a branch in the middle of a lake.  There is water everywhere, so much so that they provide a life buoy in case you fall in - see bottom right pic!

The walk included wooded areas and signs of spring flowers. The snowdrops are going over with the daffodils coming into bud but this cold weather should hold them back...

GETTING OUT OF SHEPTON!

If I had listened to today's weather forecast of rain, I wouldn't have ventured out for a walk!  However, I had arranged to meet up with Belinda, to explore a couple of villages, not far from Shepton.  We didn't get wet, and we even saw the sun for a short time!

We had plenty to talk about, as I hadn't seen Belinda for sometime!  She has just finished writing her first book, of a trilogy that she has planned, aimed at young people...  

We started off at Nunney Castle, a magnificant, moated, medieval ruin, which is owned by English Heritage.  It dates from 1370, and is open and free to visit.  It is in the village of Nunney, which has a great pub and is very picturesque...
  

We then drove to Mells, famous for its Daffodil Festival, which takes place on Easter Monday.  This year, as Easter is late, and not until the middle of April, I wonder whether there will be any daffodils left!

We walked into the churchyard, and onto some public footpaths for a circular walk, which ended for a cup of tea, in the cafe attached to the village shop and post office (see below).  Mells is a beautiful village, full of wonderful stone properties, and a thriving community, if the bustling village store is anything to go by...

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...