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! 

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...

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...

   

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'...

MID-WEEK BLUES!

This morning, unlike Monday, was beautiful walking weather - still a slight chill but blue, blue skies and sunshine!  Now that cold wind has gone it is definitely growing weather - the trees are beginning to come to life with their new foliage.  And the birds were happy, judging by all the songs we heard, so we spent a lot of time looking up, trying to spot where they were coming from...

Vanessa Feltz on Radio 2 wakes me early on walking days.  A regular spot on a Wednesday is how to blow away the mid-week blues!  Today, 'whispering' Bob Harris, who is a fit seventy year old, gave his ideas.  Apart from music, he extolled the benefits of walking, wherever you are.  He lives in the countryside but after he has completed his radio show in London he walks 2 - 3 miles around the city streets, which he finds interesting and therapeutic.  He says a walk is a wonderful way to lift your spirits - it doesn't have to be very long or fast but just being in the fresh air does you good...

We totally agree!  Our walks don't always have to be a marathon trek - we find even our short ones beneficial.  However, our walk this morning turned out longer than we expected!  We walked on a bridle way to West Shepton, around the local hospital, and ended up in Bowlish before heading home...

    
We had some great sights today - some lovely flowers, mossy banks, leafy paths and interesting tree stumps.  Also wildlife -  squirrels and rabbits, and some domestic animals, including a friendly horse with foal and loads of cats...

Talking of sights - how about these two paint jobs!  We saw these two cars parked side by side.  I wonder if they belong to the same family...

My favourite pic of the day is this duck!  On our way home through the park, we marvelled at the way the sun was catching the plumage of the drakes - like a rich, iridescent velvet - gorgeous!

SIGNS OF SPRING!

Today had a different feel all together, fresh and crisp, with hints of Spring everywhere, if you looked hard enough!  There were plenty of things to see in Collett Park (see above).  And yes, it is easier to get up at the crack of dawn, with these notably lighter mornings!

Another shortish, brisk walk today as I had a busy day ahead!  I needed to be back in time to sort out seating for 10 ladies in my small salon!  They were coming for a session at Skin and Tonic on 'health and wellbeing' with a make-up demo.

My group of ladies came for two hours.  As the time went on they became more relaxed and settled into the salon environment - the noise levels went up and they asked lots of questions!  It gave me the opportunity to talk about the new treatment that I am very excited about - Microblading!  This is the form of tattooing for eyebrows that I have just done on Helen, and she was writing about it in the previous post.  It is semi-permanent and lasts about 18 months to 2 years - a godsend for some ladies!

I took a lot of the photos today - got right up close to the ducks, the odd seagull and then there were these painted handprints on the pavement...

CRISP AND CHILLY!

A beautiful crisp day - although dark and 2 degrees below freezing, we could tell by the pink sunrise, that it was going to be a bright sunny one...

Missed Monday's walk, I was off on my travels again!  Not a holiday this time but a course for a new treatment to offer in the salon.  I stayed in Northwich , Cheshire. Not a brilliant trip up in the car but a very enjoyable and worthwhile training course.  On the way home I experienced a good douching of snow and ice, but decided not to panic!  I was quite happy to have another very cosy night in the local Premier Inn, if needs be!  I loved their beds - would like to have the same at home...

Today we saw the rare sight of the pond in Collett Park being partially frozen over (see pics above)!  The ducks were not bothered one bit, they just crowded into unfrozen parts, but weirdly the seagulls circled frantically above attempting to land on the ice - an amusing sight!  It was also fun to see some children tentatively testing the strength of the ice...

After we caught up with holiday and course news, we both agreed we were chilly, chilly, chilly - so we made it short and sweet today, although we still got a few miles under our belt...

GREY, DAMP DAY!

We are quite used to this mild winter weather, it will be a shock when the cold really kicks in!  We chatted lots this morning, covering lots of things that are close to our hearts - it gets quite deep sometimes - all great therapy!

We went up on Barren Down (see top pics) and the walk home took us past the ever entertaining ducks at Collett Park.

The setting up of the market was well under way by the time we had done our stint up Barron Down.  Every shop seems primed and ready for the Christmas rush.  We scanned all the windows -  great effort is being made by all the shop keepers with them all looking  fab...

Shepton Market was being set up around the Market Cross - the red glow was decorative lights not the sun!

Only a short walk today as I had a busy day in the salon starting at 8.45 am.  And today was a big day for our client Eva, who had her 17 years of hair growth cut off for a charity!!  The charity - Little Princess Trust makes wigs out of real hair for children having treatment for cancer.  It was a real treat for Kennedy, the hairdresser at Skin and Tonic, who had the job of the major restyle...

I am so ready for the weekend!  Looking forward to getting the last of the family gifts and finishing up my Christmas prep!!

MAKING IT SNAPPY!

A surprisingly pleasant walk today.  I was concerned that I would be waking up to arctic conditions this morning, after the weather forecasters gave warnings all day yesterday about the plummeting temperatures...

We had to make it snappy today!  I had some very early clients so I was quite content to sprint around town, stop to pick up our veg from the market and nip home, walk done!  No chance, Helen had other ideas,  pointing out we had plenty of time!  So we hiked up to Barron Down and we both agreed there is a very calm , stillness up there and great views of Shepton...

We came back our favourite way - through Collect Park, always picturesque - see above.  Today there were a load of seagulls - the resident ducks didn't seem impressed!  Below are some pictures of the town, including the landmark cenotaph with its recently laid poppy wreaths...

Now winter has arrived officially, we need to be upping our skin protection.  There are so many skin products out there, it's hard to know where to begin with your purchases.  Firstly,  I suggest you decide on your specific needs.  If your concern is dehydration, ORIGINS do Three Part Harmony, an Indulgent Nourishing Cream and an Oil-Infused Serum which will soften and hydrate beautifully.  This is the 'creme de la creme' - a real line eliminator which tightens and gives a luminous finish but at a price - both are £60!


The other end of the price scale would be something like Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil, which amazingly for the price of £9.99, contains line smoothing Retinol. Great for leaving the skin supple and comfortable - not greasy.  I mix and cherry pick, using high end and cheaper products, depending on my concerns and my purse!!

Remember that branch Paula collected when she joined our walk on Wednesday?  Well, she sprayed it silver, added some baubles and lights and this is what it looks like today - a Christmas tree for free!! Talking of Christmas trees, later today I saw the big one being erected next to the Market Cross, so let's face it, Christmas is almost upon us!!  I like to aim for present shopping and card writing to be tied up before November is out, leaving December free from hassle, as it's crazy season in the salon...

FIRST AUTUMN FROST

Notably chilly this morning and our first light frost.  Beautiful shards of sun lit the mist in a mystical way.  Our photo selection of Shepton taken from the hill beyond the Cemetary reminds me of old English paintings - the likes of John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough who must of sat on hillsides for hours to immortalise those landscapes on canvas in the 18th century - do you see it too?

Couldn't resist a photo of the lake in Collett Park where we discovered a black duck (you can just see it bottom left)!  There seem to be lots of walkers out today, all eager to stop and enthusiastically chat about the wonderful morning.  We stopped for a while to talk to a lovely lady with her friendly pup (top right), who she had rescued.  She went onto mention her son's business -  Shepton Classic Stone.  I have actually been there to purchase a bird bath for a gift.  Can recommend a visit - very good prices.  It is situated in the Anglo Trading Estate.  Also this morning, we walked past this magnificent house (top middle) which brought me back to my childhood as it was once a hospital and I was a patient!  

Just a note to anyone interested in the MoonWalk, you can sign up for your place on the 20th October for next year's event in May.  I'm sure nothing much beats walking through London at midnight! Have heard from several friends that it's not for the faint hearted, but as you are participating with thousands of ladies in brightly decorated bras, the camaraderie and energy gets you to the finish line!!

EAGER ERNIE

Our guest today was Ernie, a Jack Russell.  He is a really lovely buddy and is actually staying with me for the week!  He really enjoyed keeping up a pace, with myself and Helen.  I think we wore him out - he was eager to get back to my place (see pic bottom left)! 

I have a good look inside 'Just Jo's gift shop in Town Street. There is a great window on Alice in Wonderland.  I think Ernie wants to chase the white rabbit!

Huge shock to see ducks in the park up to all sorts of antics as the pond is overflowing its banks  - we have never seen it that way! Just shows how much rain we have had.  Although this morning it was very damp, it didn't actually start to rain until we were near home.  However more is forecast...

BARREN DOWN

Back on track today, this is so much a part of my week now - marching around the outback, all winds and weathers chatting about.. goodness knows what?!

Today we went past my old junior school, Waterloo Road.  I had mixed feelings - not sure why!  I was one of those kids who dug their heels in, and had to be pushed in through the gate!  I do remember the great nature walks behind the school on Barren Down.  We climbed up there today - looked beautiful with fantastic views of Shepton in the sunshine.  Nearly disappeared in the long grass!  Helen took some photos ..

Also, this week marks the start of me upping my clean eating regime! Unfortunately the wine has to go for a start!!  My glass of wine or G&T, after work is an important part of my day - a celebration of a great day in the salon, or a random text from a client thanking me for great treatment, any excuse ! So I will leave it alcohol free for a few weeks and concentrate on perfecting my juicing.  Will report back on that one!

Saw some cute ducklings in Collett Park on the way home - couldn't resist a photo, turned out quite arty!