EASTER MONDAY MORNING IN HARRIDGE WOODS!

I can't think of a nicer way to spend the early morning of a sunny Easter Bank Holiday Monday than a walk in Harridge Woods, Oakhill with friends.  Belinda, Jenny and I hadn't met up in ages so there was a lot to talk about!  We went to see the wild garlic, but at the entrance of the woods all we could see were bluebells and evidence, in the form of logs, of a continual maintenance programme.  This work is carried out by the Somerset Wildlife Trust who own the woods. 

However, as we walked deeper into the woods, there were carpets of wild garlic.  It was mostly in leaf and bud but we did see some of pretty white star-like flowers.  We reckon another week or so before it is all in full flower.  We could certainly smell the garlic...

One of the exciting things on this particular walk, is the way the woods are reclaiming the ruins of Ashwick Grove House (see above).  Only hints of the former grand house and outbuildings remain...

Another ruin on the walk is Keepers Cottage (see top left), which has been preserved from further collapse, as a habitat for bats.  Overall, the building supports at least seven species of bat throughout the year.  These woods are a great place for fungi, wildflowers, lichen, ferns, moss, as well as birds and wild animals.  We didn't see any deer this time but we did hear plenty of birdsong and an active woodpecker!

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...

WALKING ALONE!

As I had nobody to walk with, I decided to go alone.  It was just meant to be a short excursion to get some fresh air and exercise on lanes and bridle ways.  But two hours later I was home, with soaking wet feet and tired legs!

I started with good intentions, going down lanes and bridle ways to keep my feet dry.  Then, somehow, I was on footpaths and into the long grass which was soaking wet with dew.  Note to self - I need some lightweight, waterproof walking boots!

It was dry, pleasant walking weather and I saw some wildlife, including rabbits and this bird, which I believe is a partridge, who didn't fly off until I got close!  I also photographed some impressive fungi on a couple of trees and loads of Autumnal foliage...

In Los Angeles, Chuck McCarthy, an actor, has started a business - 'people-walking'! Instead of dog-walking (he didn't like picking up the poo!), he has advertised to take people out!  He charges $7 (£5.50) an hour and his flyers say - "Need motivation to walk? Don't want people to see you walking alone and assuming you have no friends?  Don't like listening to music or podcasts but can't walk alone in silence, forced to face thoughts of the unknown future, or your own significance in the ever-expanding universe?"

Apparently, he has had a great response, and so in L.A., there is obviously a need! Perhaps it I should try it over here!!...

 

MUD, MUD, GLORIOUS MUD!

The main hazard today was mud!  We started on footpaths going towards Doulting but then somehow found ourselves 'off piste' and into muddy fields and undergrowth!  Jenny and I managed to slip at almost the same time but luckily we didn't land completely in the mud but Jenny did get her gloves and jacket dirty.  At one point I had to give her a helping hand before she disappeared down a muddy hole!

Anyway, somehow we found ourselves on high ground with wonderful views and discovered we were on the East Mendip Way!  Up there it was very windy and bringing even more leaves down.  Many trees have now taken on their Winter silhouette although there is still some wonderful Autumn colours around. We walked through an old neglected apple orchard,  followed the signs back down to Shepton and found we had done a complete convoluting loop back to where we started!

Lots of weekend news to catch up on.  I had been part of the Craft Fair at the Bishop's Palace in Wells with the One Craft Gallery.  The surroundings were very grand, but dark so we had to have plenty of lights to illuminate our stand!  The picture below shows a couple of members of our co-operative.  As well as selling, we wanted to publicise ourselves and get people from Wells to come over to Shepton to the gallery.  In the time I was there I met some interesting and friendly customers so fingers crossed they do come...

We again saw some beautiful fungi, this time very close to home - must be the wet but mild weather we have been having.  The forecast says its going to get colder soon.  Good job I bought some hand warmers at the craft fair!!

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...

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!!

   

  

MELLOW AUTUMN GLOW

This morning we saw the red glow of the sky and misty vapour on the grass give way to a wonderful mellow Autumn glow, once the sun had risen!

On a foraging note, we found mushrooms the size of saucers !! Gave them a miss as we probably need to attend a foraging course first, just to be sure they are edible! You know when sometimes things look too good to be true...  Also on our meanderings we were struck by the decorative potential of hub caps on a local taxi firm's wall (see above).

All the above pics were taken in Collett Park. Without wishing to harp on, the park looked so incredibly gorgeous today and so well groomed, although everything is on the change and it won't be long before the trees will be bare.  A lady stopped and spoke to us and inquired what we were photographing.  She went on to tell us how she had donated a Hankerchief Tree to the park, in memory of her husband, and pointed at the damage that had been done to it, probably by teenagers with a knife. All of the bark at the bottom of the tree had been stripped off.  Very sad, as it probably means the tree will not survive the winter months.  You can see the damage in the photo on the left.  It would be wonderful if anyone reading this had some advice...

Would like to share this 'smoothie' with you - Helena Rubinstein once said, 'never put anything on your face, you wouldn't put in your mouth'! This is not only a skin healer and cleanser, but it is also a powerful protector.  All this from the inside out...

SKIN DEEP

4 carrots

2 asparagus spears

1/2 iceberg lettuce 

And a handful of spinach 

Just blend and add water if too thick.

  

      
Finally, here are a group of leaves that Helen collected from the park.  Fabulous shades - inspiration for a colour scheme! Very glad it's the weekend, it's been quite a week!!

MISERABLE MONDAY!

It was wet, but weirdly mild today, so there was a lot of catching up and very little time taken to admire the scenery!  We have worked out it is almost a year since we started our walks and I remember it being dark, so we think we need to adjust our routine for the winter months - maybe a midday walk.  This will enable Helen to continue to put together the photo montages which give a flavour of our walks.

Today I had lunch at the Yeo Valley Canteen in Blagdon, right on the lake - spectacular!  The food was wonderfully wholesome, and the cleverly put together decor made for a very pleasant visit.  I would strongly recommend a look at their web site and sign up for the newsletter - yeovalley.co.uk.  They have vast meeting rooms in which they hold all kinds of culinary demonstrations, weddings and all manner of 'pop up' events...

Also today, I came across Adrian Boots, a landscape ecologist & wild food expert. Now he would love to see our huge fungi find of the other day!  It seems he has been exploring, researching and writing about the natural history, landscape, and ecology of the mendip hills for over 15 years.  He will be sharing his knowledge and passion for wild food on the 1st of November, on his next fungi foray!!

'MELLOW FRUITFULNESS'

The combination of early morning dew and sunshine at this time of  year is magical and you can have great fun with the long shadows!   John Keats in his 1820 poem 'To Autumn' describes it as the 'Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness'.  Walking in the countryside all year round makes you acutely aware of the change of seasons, and this is one of the things that keeps it interesting.

Today is the Autumn Equinox - day and night are of equal length.  So from now until December 21st, the hours of daylight will be getting shorter and we will soon be walking in the dark! 

Much as I love man-made sculpture, there is something about the formations found in nature that stimulates one's imagination to form figures, faces or objects - look at the rotting tree trunk pictured above.  What do you see?  I see an acrobatic figure doing a back bend!

We were on our way home, thinking we had seen the sights for today, when we were stopped in our tracks by this enormous fungi growing on a bark.  I certainly had never seen anything quite like it before.  Would love to find out what it is as I have been trying to identify it, without success.  I think it might be edible, but as I do not know anything about fungi I would never take a chance on eating any without expert advice!!