SCRUNCHING THROUGH LEAVES IS FUN!

Today's early morning walk took Belinda, Jenny and I around Shepton and Bowlish. We walked over fields, lanes and footpaths and enjoyed scrunching through the drifts of leaves that were mostly on the ground.  The weather was perfect Autumn walking weather - cold, but dry with the promise of a sunny day to come...

The footpaths took us past horses and an equestrian centre.  The only blot on the landscape was rubbish, (see middle left pic).  How people can fly-tip and ruin our beautiful countryside, I just don't know...

SUNSHINE, BUT A CHILL IN THE AIR!

Yesterday, early in the morning, Jenny and I went for a short walk in the surrounding fields where we live - Tadley Acres.  It was gloriously sunny with long shadows, but there was a definite chill in the air.  Some of these fields are going to be built on - an estate of 600 houses is planned!  All the dog owners that we saw going walkies, with their pets, will have to find somewhere else to go!

The only blight on the landscape was some fly tipping - see above right.  I can't understand how anyone can litter up the countryside and leave it to someone else to clear up their mess...

IN SEARCH OF BLUEBELLS!

It was great to get out again for an early morning walk.  Today I went with Belinda on a mission - to find an easily accessible bluebell wood, that would be suitable to take her mother to!  As she lives in Wells, we drove to Dulcote and took a bridleway towards the city, until we veered off into woods on the right.  There we were rewarded with a result - drifts of bluebells creating areas of beautiful blue/purple haze!

Unfortunately, even on this lovely route, the problems of graffiti and homelessness cannot be escaped.  We passed several structures in the woods, that had signs of occupation at sometime.  As we passed one (see above top right), we could hear the sounds of someone sleeping inside!

We also passed a Romany travellers camp, complete with horse and traditional  gypsy caravan (see above), and in the middle of the woods (see above, middle right), we came across one of the big problems of the countryside today - fly-tipping... 

Although the sun wasn't shining, and we haven't had rain for ages, everywhere looked green and lush.  It is such a lovely time of year with an array of fresh greens, and the delicate colours of the wild flowers...

WEATHER OBSESSED!

Glove time has arrived!  There was a definite chill when we started our walk this morning.  We are rather obsessed with the weather, but in our defence, it does dictate what we wear.  Today, Jenny got outside her door and decided that she simply wasn't wearing enough for the conditions so added an extra coat!  Walking, as well as any other outdoor activity, is influenced so much by the weather.  We are not cocooned in the heated, dry bubble of our cars so we are at the mercy of the elements!

Above are some of our sights today, including some more fungi on the bark of a tree, a treehouse in the woods, some colourful chrysanthemums, Chinese lanterns and pampas grasses etc.  We also came across some blatant fly-tipping, right by a main road - bags of builders' rubble which will take some removing, unless they are for use by the farmer!  These two geese had definite personalities and plenty to say! They were in the garden of a cottage that had come up with a great way to up-cycle a bicycle as a planter (see centre pic)!  I have an old bike in my garage that I need to get rid of, perhaps this is the answer!

Sunrise this morning was 7.28am, so although it was gloomy when we started, the sun soon came out and warmed everything up.  Heavy dew in the long grasses infiltrated into my socks through the suede uppers of my new boots. Must remember to wear the heavy, leather ones on such mornings.

We saw more sheep today than we have for a long time.  We even saw some lambs - didn't think this was the right time of year!  There always seems to be at least one black sheep per flock.  Even the 'rock flock' located in the middle of Canards Grave roundabout, sculpted by local artist, Jeff Body, has one!  Unfortunately, he managed to elude my photograph, the black sheep, not Jeff!!

   

  

MURKY MONDAY

It's a little tougher on days like today, to get yourself out there -  heavy rain and worst in the coming months will be the norm! Two things to get right when you embark on 'all weather' walking is decent clothing and a determined attitude!  Just think, long term benefits - recovers your waist line, dips your blood pressure,  strengthens your bones, and raises your spirits!  And with luck, spark a love affair with the simplest fitness regime there is....

As you can see from our photographs there is evidence of seasonal changes producing nature's larder - sloe, hawthorns, blackberries etc. - for the birds and the occasional human! 

Remember the glass cabinet we found in the hedgerow and with help retrieved? It now looks amazing!  I added some new glass shelves and knobs.  Can't wait to fill it with Christmas goodies...

One bright spot on our walk was this garden - still looking fresh, colourful and immaculate!

WEDNESDAY'S WANDERINGS

Today seemed to spotlight the large amount of fly-tipping around.  After our find on Monday we were more aware and kept a look out.  By the way, I have made space in the salon for the newly cleaned cabinet - just need to buy those glass shelves! 

We took the photographs above in just a short stretch of one lane.  It seems that any available hidden lay-by or hedgerow nook is used as a dumping ground.  Such a shame, although you can't help thinking that it has become worse since the councils have cut back on opening times of our local recycling centres - not an excuse really....

We conquered our fear of cattle today..! They are very curious creatures.  Whenever they hear or see us their eyes are on us.  However, these frisian cows at a local farm seemed very hospitable, nudging up to the gate while waiting to be milked with their inquisitive and quite beautiful faces - but so smelly!  However, the 5 bar gate between us and them helped make progress with our fears.  Mind you, I still think I will be avoiding sharing a field with them!!

I am not a cat person but these feline friends proved to be ideal photographic models!  I love the elegance of the white cat against the white door - very sophisticated!!  

BLOT ON THE LANDSCAPE

Today we both felt tired, so a gentle walk was the order of the day!  Yesterday, was the Mid-Somerset Show, which takes place over the road from our estate.  As we started our walk, we could see all the empty marques, rings and animal pens etc.  It is a traditional, free, country show with displays, music, retail, animals, horse jumping, arts and crafts, competitions etc. and is extremely popular.  I usually go, but couldn't make it this year.  It must have gone well, as the sun was shining and I could hear the loudspeaker going full blast and fireworks at 10 o'clock at night! Above are some of the fantastic show animals I saw a couple of years ago.

Our walk took us along some narrow lanes, footpaths and bridle ways.  The maize in one field was so high that it dwarfed Jenny!  There was plenty of abundant undergrowth to get through, particularly stinging nettles, which somehow managed to sting Jenny through her clothes!  A dead tree, shown above,  made a great natural sculpture and there were fantastic views, including a field which had been cut for hay.

At the side of one lane, we saw a glass cabinet which had just been dumped!  Fly tipping is becoming such a problem these days and it completely spoils the countryside for everyone.  On close inspection it looked in good condition, with a mirrored back and light at the top.  The only thing lacking was 4 glass shelves.  We wondered whether we should remove this blot on the landscape!

When we got back to Skin and Tonic, Paula, the holistic therapist was there.  We mentioned what we had seen.  She offered to go back with us in her car and help us retrieve it!  This we duly did, and now Jenny is looking to clean it up, replace the knobs, get some glass shelves and put it in the salon.  She plugged it in and the bulb worked!  Very serendipity, as she had just been talking to a client about extending her merchandising!  So watch this space - we will take a pic when it is in use!!