A PROMISING MORNING!

This morning was overcast but with that promise of a warm, sunny day later on. Today was a short walk, as Jenny had another long, busy day ahead!  She hasn't manage to sort that work/life balance out yet...

We couldn't resist looking at the flowers, including bluebells in white, pink as well as blue, a creamy magnolia and the wild garlic which is in full flower, as we walked down to look at the well-known Shepton landmark, the Babysham Bambi - shown below. This popular 60's icon has been in the news lately and even has a petition to save it! Jeff Body, a well known local sculptor - it is his 'rock flock' of sheep that are on the roundabout coming into the town - is leading a campaign to save it as the imminent closure of the Shepton Cider Mill puts its future in doubt...

We did a spot of window shopping before walking back through the park.  Jenny took time out to look at what snacks and drinks are available in the open air Collett Park Cafe - see above.  I expect business will pick up now that the weather is getting warmer!

These beautiful wedding cakes, which are putting a bit of glamour into an empty shop window, have been baked by mum-of-three, Holly Miller.  She has recently set up her own business making eye-catching wedding and special event cakes.  She was inspired by the bold and theatrical cakes baked by her mother for family birthdays!

Jenny, in the photograph above, is looking at the bee-inspired window which I helped to put together at the One Craft Gallery.  The hat, made from bee material, is part of it and has been made by Liz Oliva, the fabulous hat maker, whose house and workshop I visited and reported on, last December...

The animal most connected with Shepton's history is, of course, sheep, and we found plenty of examples in the carpet shop and tourist information centre.  They even have some of Jeff Body's smaller sheep for sale - see top right picture!

I have just discovered another refreshing drink to have once home from a walk. Blend together a peeled red grapefruit, some fresh mint leaves, crushed ice, and a little water to make a pink frothy glass of deliciousness!  Talking of recipes, I made a second risotto today using wild garlic leaves collected on our walks - tasty!