SNOWDROPS ARE EVERYWHERE!

Today Belinda and I went for local walk and viewed the aftermath of the Snowdrop Festival, which took place at the weekend.  Belinda said that Shepton had been buzzing!

I was right about the winner of the Best Dressed Window - it was Anna's Attic.  The trophy can be seen above top left.  Incidentally, it was made by Fran Davies, a specialist stained glass artist, and one of the members of the One Craft Gallery.  We, at the gallery got  highly commended, as did the Opticians in the High Street - Christopher Young, whose window can be seen in the three bottom pics above...

Our walk took us to the Charlton Viaduct, part of which is in the gardens of Kilver Court.  Our route went by their vegetable garden which is being prepared for planting - see above centre top photograph. 

The snowdrop festival is run by Shepton Mallet Horticultural Society and they have implemented a massive planting programme, so wherever you go in and around the town, you can see the delicate white snowdrop heads.  We saw them everywhere - they are a welcome sign of the forthcoming Spring!

ANTICIPATING THE SNOWDROP FESTIVAL!

So much for good intentions!  Belinda, Jenny and I have found that colds, work and life commitments have got in the way of the three of us going for a walk!  However, yesterday the sun shone and we managed to get together to have a look around Shepton and follow some public footpaths around the outskirts.

The walk, for me, starts by walking to Jenny's beauty salon, Skin and Tonic - see above right pic.   We had a look at the new lifestyle shop in Town Street - Cedar House and checked out what was happening in the High Street...

As Shepton is quite hilly, you get some interesting views, looking down into people's houses and gardens - see above. 

The town is starting to buzz in anticipation to the Shepton Snowdop Festival which takes place this coming weekend.  At the One Craft Gallery, I had a hand in the window dressing (see above).  My painting, 'Dancing Snowdrops' can be seen in the bottom right photograph. 

Above is the fabulous snowdrop window done by Anna for her shop, Anna's Attic. She won the best window design last year and it looks as though she is set to win again!

WE COLLECT BRANCHES FOR WINDOW DRESSING!

Early this cold and misty morning, Jenny and I went in search of branches to transform into free Christmas decorations!  Jenny has her hair and beauty salon - Skin and Tonic, and I have the One Craft Gallery to decorate.  We have some ideas for window dressing which may or not work...

We went up a bridleway which has an abundance of trees on both sides, and plenty of broken branches on the ground, so we were spoilt for choice!  Jenny liked the more intricate and curly branches, while I went for simpler curvy shapes.  The ones I brought back are now drying off in my conservatory before being painted...

BUNTING AND ROSES!

No sun, but still warm and humid today.  Jenny and I did a quick stroll around Shepton and ended up with a bit of retail therapy in Aldi!  I found an electric grater/slicer which I have been looking for - ideal for making salads.  It also had the added bonus of having an attachment for making sorbets from frozen fruit, which sounded very inviting in this heat!  I didn't have enough money on me, so I went back later in the day and bought it...

Jenny is extremely busy in the salon this time of year.  The sun and heat makes everybody realise that they need some grooming and help to make themselves beach ready!  She is also doing some forward planning - there is talk of 'supper clubs' and 'girls' night out' with healthy food, drinks and beauty activities!  Watch this space! However, this means that she has no time to write posts on this blog at the moment...

We decided that June is the month for bunting and roses.  On our walks we have passed fabulous roses in people's gardens and have had a smell if we got close enough!  And in the shop windows we saw silk roses, rose designs on vintage fabrics and even a modern version on a picnic bag in Aldi (see pic top left)!

Bunting is everywhere in Shepton!  The High Street has red, white and blue bunting all over the place.  Many of the shops also have it in different colours to look festive as June is the month for festivals!  This weekend there is one in Collett Park and at the end of the month is the famous Glastonbury Festival.  There is also the fact that this weekend is the Queen's Official 90th Birthday!  

'Roses - Pink' - Mixed Media - 30cms x 30cms

As I have had roses on my mind, I was inspired to do this artwork...

BEAUTIFUL BULLOCKS!

The weather was all over the place for our walk today - we had periods of blue skies and sunshine and then dark clouds, rain and hail, until it suddenly cleared again! All the time it was cold, but I was well prepared in my golfing waterproof trousers!

One of the first sights that greeted us was, a field that was normally full of sheep, was now occupied by beautiful young bullocks!  In order to photograph them we attracted their attention.  They came close, very close, as you can see below, but soon lost interest when they discovered that we had no food!

Because of the weather conditions, we didn't venture too far from the centre of Shepton, where we had a good look in the shop windows.  There has been a project, ongoing for sometime now, to decorate empty shop windows.  It gives a chance for local businesses, charities, schools etc. to give a display.  Below you can see Shepton Mallet's Infant school showing off their dinosaur designs!  I particularly liked the flying one (below bottom left).  There is also plenty to look at in the charity shops... 







At the bottom of town a new business opened today - Starlight Studio Art - a gallery and juice bar (below centre, right).  When we walked past the blinds were down - we had a peak around the edges and later in the day I had a proper look round!  It is very colourful and eclectic, featuring bright Indian artworks etc.  There are going to be workshops and collaborations with local businesses so it will be interesting to see how it develops...

Blisters are a pain for walkers and runners!  I have just read some top tips in prevention.  Some are obvious, such as the importance wearing comfortable, well-fitting suitable footwear and not allowing your feet to get damp - on a long wet walk it would be a good idea to carry a fresh pair of socks to change into. Talking of socks, the advice is to wear proper walking socks made of fibres with good 'wicking' properties or 'dual layer' socks which eliminate friction at the skin surface. Alternatively try wearing socks inside out to stop seams rubbing!

Keep toenails short and feet in good condition with regular pedicures.  This is where Jenny comes in -  she treats my feet regularly - it is so relaxing!  Check feet for any sign of rubbing and tenderness.  A new study at Stanford University has shown that surgical tape on areas that are likely to rub can help to prevent blisters for those undertaking extra long walks and runs...

FLOWERS ON A FRIDAY!

It was a grey start today, but it soon cleared...  I was keen to get the walk done and dusted as it was another early start for me!  First client was due at 8.45 - the start of a long day ahead of me...

We did a good circular walk, ending up at the market, which was just setting up.  We admired the 'plantman's' perennials and couldn't resist a photo shoot...

Helen needed to pop into the One Craft Gallery and when it came to locking up, let's say, we had an incident!  After setting the alarm and locking up, we could still hear the alarm, getting louder and louder - very embarrassing but all sorted eventually!...

Today, between clients,  I am busy finishing my post course study questions for the Microblading Course I took in January.  I am really looking forward to getting that up and running as I am certain it will take off... 

We loved this display of cacti we saw in the window of Jo Lucksted's ceramics studio.  So simple, but effective...

A GOOD FRIDAY!

Being Good Friday today, our thoughts turned to Easter!  It seems to have come round remarkably quickly this year.  We know the dates change every year, but who decides?  Apparently, Easter Day always falls on the first full moon after the Spring Equinox on a Sunday, to represent Jesus's resurrection.  And this was decided by a council of Christian bishops convened by the Roman Emperor Constantine in AD325!

Good Friday is the day of the crucifixion and traditionally hot cross buns are scoffed today as it symbolises the end of Lent. The cross on the top marks the crucifixion and the spices inside remind Christians of the spices that were put onto the body.  Why bunnies and eggs?  The eggs are a symbol of new life as are cute chicks, lambs etc. They represent  the continuation of life after the resurrection on Easter Sunday and also the rebirth of Spring after the harshness of Winter.  The Easter Bunny originally comes from German traditions - originally an Easter hare, it brought chocolate to children who had been good (mentioned in German literature in 1682).  This has led to the supermarket shelves today being full of Easter bunnies and chocolate Easter eggs...

After our route march last Wednesday, today's walk was a gentler stroll around the centre of Shepton, taking in the window dressing of the shops and the preparations for the Friday Shepton Market - lots of lovely plants and veg were being taken out of vans.  Jenny bought some carrots, not for the Easter bunny, but to put in her juices! Above is the window of the One Craft Gallery, which I helped put together last Friday...

We noticed that we are losing another independent shop in the town - Just Jo, which had a great selection of handmade gifts.  We always look in the window at the latest creations.  According to the notice on the window, she will be continuing on-line only - another indication of how internet shopping has effected our High Street...

We made the most of a lovely, sunny morning, as according to the weather forecast, it is downhill for the rest of the Easter weekend - cold, wet and maybe snow!!

AN URBAN WALK!

Today was cold - still a bitter wind - and dreary, with rain in the air, so we decided to keep to an urban walk.  It was more window shopping than stomping over fields! We always enjoy looking in all the windows of the High Street Shops.  I am redoing the One Craft Gallery window on Friday ready for Easter, so I was looking for ideas...  We are also very nosy when it comes to empty houses and can be seen peering through the windows! 

We noticed the charity, Cats Protection, had put up a display in one of the empty shop windows - the realistic sleeping cat above top centre is part of it.  We have loads of cats on our estate which would be fine if they kept to their own gardens!  I have had to clear up the mess they leave behind, and recently, we thought a lovely blackbird couple were nesting in the ivy on our garden wall but have now been deterred by a cat prowling on the top!  I love watching blackbirds and have recently finished a couple of artworks featuring them...

Talking of artwork, today we noticed Mr. Fox painted on the side of a house in a passageway (see below bottom centre), where we have been before.  Funny we hadn't seen it previously - must have been deep in conversation!  Other sights today included rather a nice motorbike on the pedestrian way outside the tattoo shop (top left) and the imposing facade of the Anglo Trading Estate (top middle).   

LOVE IN THE HIGH STREET!

Jenny was still not feeling well so I went for a walk on my own.  I confess it was not as long as usual, especially as half way through it started to pour down with that fine 'wetting' sort of rain!  However, it was good to get out in the fresh air and stretch my legs...

I did get a chance to look at the shops in the High Street and see what decorations had been put up for Valentine's Day - the next big date on the retail calendar!  This is of particular interest to me as tomorrow I am doing a 'heart' and 'love' window for the One Craft Gallery...

  

WINDY WEDNESDAY!

Today was all about Autumn leaves and lingering Summer blooms... No rain, but plenty of wind which had brought down loads of leaves and conkers!  Our walk took us through and around Shepton - familiar territory!  We looked over some of our favourite gardens to see what was still flowering and we found a lot of colourful shrubs and flowers, including beautiful scented roses.   On the footpath to Bowlish we had to go by a field full of geese.  They soon spotted us and came rushing over making such a racket!

Talking about Autumn leaves, today I put some in the gallery to decorate the window. However, they were not real!  I made them out of paper.   Look here if you want to know how.  Some were strung on paper covered wire and others spread around as fallen leaves.  I did however hang a few leaves, collected on our walks, which I had laminated. That idea was hatched on an early morning talk with one of the volunteers at a local charity shop, who had just done their Autumn window, and had hung some laminated leaves which looked very effective.  I don't know how long they will last and I found to my cost that you have to keep them as flat otherwise the laminator can't cope and becomes jammed!!

FAB FRIDAY!!

Helen and I had lots to talk about today, so not much walk wise, but a healthy trott and lots of laughter - it has got to be good for you!

Flowers still blooming in Town Street!

Vintage, vintage everywhere today , the bottom of the high street definitely has its own vibe now - above is a selection of window exhibits.   Some are part of the 'dressing empty shop windows scheme' that brings in more colour - some interesting painted containers and painted mirrors in the old carpet shop - see above, (bottom right).  Helen thinks it is the same people that decorate the big colourful bins at Glastonbury Festival. This seems to leave a bit of a void at the top of town -  lots of empty shops just waiting for some one to bring them to life - let's hope... 

The Kirstie Allsopp effect has reached Sue Ryder!  They are asking volunteers to help with the up cycling of goods - see samples in their window - in their efforts to raise more money.  It is that vintage look again!

This weekend we both have to push ourselves to the limit.  Helen is on one of her 'wild swims ' and I'm at 'Pilton Party' so endurance is the name of the game!  Saw this intriguing shrub above and thought the hanging down bits would make great earings!!