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...

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...

MAY IS BLOOMING!

No sun this morning, but at least it wasn't raining or as cold as it has been lately! My companion was Miriam, and as time was tight, we kept our walk local. We had a look at Shepton's Friday market, which was just setting up, and I showed Miriam the window I had recently dressed at the One Craft Gallery (see middle, left pic).   

Our walk took us through Collett Park, which was looking lush and green, and past the allotments, which had many signs of planting activity (see photographs above).

May is my favourite month of the year - maybe because it is my birthday month!  It is named after the greek goddess, Maia, who is also identified with the Roman goddess of fertility, Bona Dea.

May is certainly fertile - it is said, that this is the month when plants really start to grow.  On our travels today we saw plenty of evidence of this - clouds of white cow parsley, loads of blossom and gardens full of colourful flowers...

SNOWDROP FESTIVAL HAS STARTED!

I have to confess, that this morning was my first walk for a few weeks!  A combination of not having anyone to walk with, and cold, wet, murky weather has put me off! Today, however, it was fine and there was something in town to walk to and see - the first Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival, which began today as part of the Friday market...

At the One Craft Gallery, I and a fellow member, had put together a window in celebration (see above), which was given a special award by the 'snowdrop' committee!  Today it was great to see snowdrops everywhere - I never knew there were so many varieties...

The festival is in celebration of James Allen (1830 - 1906) who lived in Shepton and was the first person to breed snowdrops from wild varieties.  It has been organised by the local Horticultural Society and they have been busy, not only planting snowdrops around the town and in planters, but they have arranged a series of events and competitions. 

Above you can see stalls selling snowdrop varieties, all with different names and features.  Top left, is an example of snowdrops which were stencilled onto to the pavements to show people the way.  You could even have your face painted or photo taken in a snowdrop setting (see above)...   

I had a good look around Snowdrop HQ in Town Street, where they were serving coffee, tea and cakes.  There were also stalls selling artwork and snowdrop inspired wares and displays of the winning photographs and poems. 

The town was teeming with people and colourful displays.  There was even a display by a rhythmic gymnastic group called The City of Bath Snowdrops - see above right! There are events throughout the weekend, including a ceremonial walk to James Allen grave to plant some snowdrops, and a guided snowdrop ramble through Edford Woods, 3 miles north-east of Shepton.  Hopefully, this festival is just the start of a successful  annual event for the town...

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'...

INDEPENDENCE DAY!

What a morning ! Where to start...Today, history was made - Independence Day for the UK as, for better or worst, we are divorcing the E.U.  A lot to think about...  Although Helen and I voted to leave, we didn't really believe it would happen!

Today was a return to our walks and a lovely fine morning it was.  The ones we missed, for various commitments, happened to be very wet, so we weren't sorry! 

There has been so much going on with the Brexit, the European Football and our own Glastonbury Festival, I felt quite overwhelmed!  But a chat put everything into perspective...

Our walk took us all over Shepton, ending up at the market being set up.  We couldn't resist taking pics of the fabulous flowers on the regular flower stall (see above).  Helen showed me the latest window dressing for the One Craft Gallery.  She has used the Festival and butterflies for inspiration (see below).
   

The blooms of all varieties and the abundance of growth in the gardens, all over the place, were just so beautiful - forgive us for being click happy with the old camera...

VAPE ABOUT TO OPEN!

We didn't get a walk today, as Jenny had an early start for a weekend away. However, later in the morning, I went into Shepton to hang some new artworks in the One Craft Gallery, and buy some fish in the Friday market!  It is great to see that the market is getting busier - the free parking on a Friday is certainly helping and gradually new stalls are being added...

It is also good to see a new business opening up.  Behind that row of stalls (bottom, right), is VAPE, which is just about to open.  As you can see they have the sign up! The refit has been done and now they are filling it with stock..

You may well ask, as I did, what are they going to sell?  Apparently, it is all to do with e-cigarettes.  Something, as a non-smoker, I know nothing about except they are meant to be more healthy than cigarettes!  It is said that they can help to cure the addiction by offering an alternative or a way in to giving up completely.  As the electronic device vaporises a liquid which contains nicotine, it can satisfy the cravings of a smoker.  I think the jury is out as to the long term health risks, but anything that helps people kick such an unhealthy habit as smoking, must surely be encouraged... 

Anyway, any business that brings people into Shepton is a good thing for all the shops and cafes struggling to survive in the High Street and by the Market Cross. We hope they do well!

   

HONEY FOR ME!

Had to cancel the walk yesterday.  I have this awful summer cold.  Been dosing myself up on lemon and honey bought from the One Craft Gallery.  One of the makers there also keeps bees, and in fact, there is a display currently in the window with one of his beehives.  Seems to be growing in popularity - we saw these attractive hives just on the outskirts of Shepton, earlier in the year.

I mentioned to Helen earlier in the week that I can't remember her being ill or unwell.  In all the time we have been walking together -which is getting on for 2 years, I can only recall Helen having a slight dental problem, and a bit of a skin rash!  This clearly reflects her lifestyle - lots of fruit and veg, mostly raw,  juices, smoothies, no meat, hardly any sugar or processed foods and plenty of exercise - swimming, pilates and walking...

In contrast, my diet and excersise is not so rigorous!  Right now I haven't got that all important work/life balance quite right but I'm getting there!

Window display, complete with beehive ,at the One Craft Gallery

Last night I planned a really early one, so I asked Helen if I could have a loan of her vegetable cake cookbook!  I know this book is very special to Helen so it could have gone two ways!  Anyway, she decided I could be trusted with it, as she knows my keenness to cook more, and try healthy options to offer clients...

This healthy cake book is called Red Velvet Chocolate Heartache by Harry (it's a girl!) Eastwood.  It is described as the ultimate feel-good book of natural cakes that taste naughty!  Though I believe Helen adapts the recipes, and doesn't put sugar in her cakes.  She substitutes a small amount of agave nectar.  To my delight, I notice some of the cakes use honey...

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! 

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!!