A WALK AROUND TADLEY!

Jenny and I used to walk three times a week, but this became too often to sustain as life took over!  We now tend to go early on a Monday, Jenny's day off.  It is important to keep some continuity, even if we can only fit in a short walk, as it is not only good exercise, but is good for the soul!  We have noticed that every week it is getting progressively darker in the mornings, even though mornings recently have been beautifully sunny...

This time we focussed on looking around Tadley Acres.  It is so easy to ignore the area where you live and go somewhere else to walk, but, when time is short, why not have a look at the good things on your doorstep!  The estate is built on Prince Charles's Duchy land, so that he had a say in the make-up of housing, layout etc. The result is an attractive estate with great variations of materials and styles of housing, from flats to five-bedroom houses.  There are also some attractive features, such as this dry stone wall - see above middle right.

At one end of the estate is a wildlife area for people to enjoy and walk their dogs. Although there is a pond and sign for deep water, all that can be seen at the moment are some bullrushes!  I think the water must have disappeared with the heatwave this summer...

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...

A DARK START!

I have some busy friends so it was out on my own today!  When I left Tadley Acres at seven o'clock it was still dark and the moon was shining.  I like getting out early before the world is awake.  However, the main roads were already busy with traffic...

It was the coldest walk so far this Autumn.  I think I will have to get my gloves out soon!  But the dark soon gave way to the sunrise...

I wanted some fresh air and exercise so it was a quick trot around the outskirts of Shepton with views of the Charlton Viaduct and by the time I came back to the Church and Market Cross they were bathed in sunshine...

I find all walks interesting.  There is always something different to see.  Around Shepton there are a great variety of places to walk, from countryside, woodland, urban streets to housing estates, shopping centres, factories etc.  There are some great views but the one thing we haven't got is the sea!

However, I rectified that last week on some coastal walks in Cornwall - see below.   There is nothing like walking by the sea - the smell, sound and changing landscape. I think most of us love looking at the sea.  After all we are an island nation... 

SMELL THE LILACS!

Quite nasty, I would say, weather wise today.  The rain lashed down for a great deal of our quick circuit.  I stepped on it in a conscious effort to get the walk done!  I don't always feel that way, only when it's wet and cold or I have a huge workload to face on that day.  But  towards the end of the walk, the sun shone, the birds sang and I was glad I had made the effort...

We seem to see blossom, brightly coloured leaves and lilacs in full bloom around every corner.  We both had a go at smelling the lovely old fashioned scent of the different coloured lilacs, but ended with wet faces (see above)!

The bright orange hedge, which I am standing in front of, in the pic above, brightened up the whole proceedings!  We dropped by the One Craft Gallery for Helen to check on something.  I always enjoy a sneaky out-of-hours look around - great gift ideas...

Then we went through the market place, past the jail, to the park on a path by the allotments and then back to Tadley Acres where we took the photo of the striking obelisk, picture above.  We also couldn't resist taking a pic of my tree outside the Garden Room which is part of the salon and home...

The allotments are looking well-cared for with newly turned soil and the sprouting of lovely fresh new veg.  One of the owners caught us taking pics and asked if we would like a closer look!  Unfortunately, we didn't have time today, but would like to take up the invitation another time...

Now as I write this the early evening sun is shining beautifully - it is like a different day...

SUNNY BUT FREEZING!

Well, very late getting down to the blog tonight, Helen has waited up to edit my piece!  Great sunshine this morning, but so cold and frosty - very unseasonal.  And there are more artic conditions forecast for the weekend...

A sprightly circuit around town and in Collett Park warmed us up!  We had to be quick as we both needed to get back for commitments...

It was very special for us to see a woodpecker in action today!  We hear one most mornings of late, but have never spotted one before!

The most beautiful selection of flowers in one of Tadley's resident's front garden took us by surprise, as most of the year it looks, shall we say quite drab, but today - spectacular!  As you can see from the pics above it is full of Spring flowers...  

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...

UNSEASONABLY COLD SPRING!

There were good walking conditions today - some blue sky and the promise of a sunny day, but it was still cold.  So far this year the Spring has been unseasonably chilly, so the soil hasn't had a chance to warm up and the cold wind has been inhibiting growth.  The green-keepers up at the Mendip Golf Club have been complaining that nothing, especially the grass, is growing!  We have noticed although some trees have a green tinge, their new leaves seem reluctant to develop and unfurl!

For those who want to start walking in this area, but have no-one to go with, the Mendip Ramblers could be the answer.  They had their first walk, starting at Wells, 40 years ago on March 21st!  They are part of the nationwide Ramblers Association and do mainly circular walks in the Mendip area.  On Thursdays they offer walks of 6 - 7 miles and on Sundays some longer ones (10 -12 miles).  On the first Monday of the month they meet for shorter 3 - 4 mile walks which finishes in an afternoon tea get together! 

Anyone can join with details of walks published in the local press, on their website or programmes are available in local libraries.  In this week's Shepton Journal, there is an interesting interview with Jane Dyson, who is social secretary for the Mendip Ramblers.  Who knows, you could meet a like-minded person who could become your walking 'buddy'... 

Our walk and talk today didn't take us too far from home!  We had a good look around our estate, Tadley Acres, with the last few houses shooting up.  The pictures above show a welcome green area, amongst all the houses.  The carpet of yellow is celandines, which I remember photographing nearly a month ago!  They still look much the same, which shows that the weather is not promoting much growth!

    

GREY SKIES!

This morning I had early clients booked in the salon - a regular occurrence lately - so we settled for a short and snappy turn around where we live, Tadley Acres. Although only a quick walk, we always remark that we are glad we make the effort...

We did some checking up on the Reservation Area at the edge of the estate - an area set aside for wildlife and trees - just to see if it was still a reservation!  It was fine, no signs of building, and the young trees that were planted a couple of years ago were coming on beautifully!  We struggled a little for photographic material today, as the light was not good - it was such a grey day!  We did however, manage to find some bright spots, in the form of Spring flowers, bright foliage and even some blossom!

The last of the new houses are almost completed, making for a huge number of dwellings on this development - out of interest I must find out how many!  It certainly feels huge when we deliver leaflets...

Another long day at work today, but enjoyable.  I am so lucky, I would say my job is rather like a girly day out!!  I love it...

MORNING OF MIZZLE!

Today was full of grey cloud and mizzle, but it was mild, everywhere was green, and there was a hint of Spring.  The birds certainly thought so as they were in fine voice! We both had to get back early so we did a quick walk around our estate, where there is still construction, and went over to the muddy fields opposite.

I have been forced into a much needed declutter!  The contents of my loft are now in a spare room desperate for sorting... This came about as we had the fibreglass taken out of the roof space and replaced by a much more efficient non toxic insulation, that has been sprayed onto the underside of the roof.  This led to a discussion between Jenny and me about what should be put back!  We agreed things like Christmas decorations and suitcases should go up there but what about all those ornaments and pictures that I have once loved and used to adorn past homes?  I know I need to dispose of them but what method should I choose....  And then there are the things that might come in useful one day!...

The chat about suitcases developed into how much to take away on holiday!  Jenny had a bad experience on her last trip when her suitcases managed to travel to her destination, but on a later flight, causing much waiting around and anxiety...  She now says it is cabin luggage only for her in the future!!  This reminded me of an article I had read in the paper of the experiences of Clara Bensen, who has just written a book 'No Baggage' about her three week trip from Istanbul via the Balkans to London with her boyfriend, who she had met on an online dating site!  She madly agreed to only take what she was wearing and a tiny shoulder bag and not book hotels but try and stay for free on the sofas of willing locals, who they would find using the social network Couchsurfing.com!  That is taking it to the extreme....

GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH!

It was a cold, dark start to our walk today.  The moon was a sliver and the stars were bright, but there was a damp freshness and it was still squelchy underfoot!  As the morning progressed, the sunrise produced a beautiful sky and the promise of a sunny day...

As we walked we discussed Jenny's last post about being a rounded person, and the Indian belief that we are a 'house of four rooms'  (Spiritual, Emotional, Physical, Mental), and we should visit them everyday.  Our walks not only give me physical exercise, but I find being in the countryside, out in the elements and talking about anything, very therapeutic, especially as I work for many hours, on my own, in my studio.  It is certainly also good for my mental, spiritual and emotional health!  

Our walk included  going around our estate, Tadley Acres, where they are still building...

Thinking about what else I can do, I came to the conclusion that I need to do another bout of decluttering.  I do find that my mind often needs clearing and I am sure that would help!  I have done some in spurts but there are loads of areas, such as my clothes, which could do with more attention, as I am constantly forgetting what I have and can't find what I know I do have!  I might enlist some help as I am a bit of a hoarder - a 'just in case' and 'it might come back into fashion' sort of person! I need someone who is firm with me!  I have been known to put clothes in a black sack ready for the charity shop and it has never got there!  The clothes have either crept back into my wardrobe or ended up in the studio as rags or part of my material stash!!

That is the trouble with my mixed media art, I use all sorts of materials, and I especially like recycling, so I don't like throwing things away!  If I do, I often regret it!  This has meant that my studio has been overflowing with stuff, so much so, that I have moved some of it out to a storage space that I share with a friend...

BRIGHT AND BREEZY

It was a lovely morning for a walk - light because the clocks had gone back, bright and breezy, but not too cold, and, as it was half term, many households were having a lie-in!  Unfortunately, as we both didn't have a lot of time, it was a stroll, mainly around our estate - Tadley Acres.  Jenny had a lot on and I was waiting on a delivery - a brand new juicer!

Leafy Tadley Acres - the tall block of flats seen in the middle is a landmark we often see from afar on our walks!

I have had a masticating juicer for a number of years now and love it. Unfortunately, because of its age and usage it has developed a few problems.  It is a big heavy machine that takes up a lot of space on my worktop.  Now, I have discovered that I can get even better performance from a vertical slow juicer which is more compact and has the added advantage that you can rinse it through with water so that if you are using it several times during one day, you can wait until you have finished all your juicing before cleaning it out properly!  Juicing is a wonderful and delicious way of incorporating vitamins, minerals and natural food chemicals to your diet. Will report back if the new juicer lives up to expectations... 

On our walks we come across a lot of dog walkers.  Many of them act responsibly and pick up the poo their dogs leave behind, but we come across a lot of mess that we have to step over to avoid!  We have noticed that, as well as official signs about the place,  people have started producing their own!  This morning we saw this one on a back gateway on our estate.  It is a subject that has people writing to the local paper and a couple of week ago there was even a humorous poem!  It was written by Carol Vincent and started, "If your dog should do a poo, Kindly take it home with you..." and ends "The next time you walk your pup,  Do your duty - pick it up,  If you're still a lazy twit,  May the good Lord make you step in it"!!  

FRAGILE FRIDAY!

Jenny was still feeling fragile this morning so we just did a short walk around our estate.  They are still building and we discovered for the first time how to get on to the area they have set aside for wildlife, with its large pond, pathways, grassland, hedgerows and areas newly planted with trees - mostly oak and beech.  A great place for children to play and dogs to walk. The sun rising and breaking through the mist looked spectacular and at the same time in another part of the sky the moon was still visible.

Our estate, Tadley Acres is built on Duchy Farmland so Prince Charles keeps a keen interest in its development and ensures that the housing is varied, mixed and has historical references in the choice of architecture.  There are trees, green spaces and even a structure for bats (see below bottom right)!

  
Jenny was talking about healthy eating in the last post. I do have a very good vegetarian diet, eating as much raw as I can - easier in Summer than Winter!  To help with this I have an organic veg box from Riverford delivered to the house every week.  It makes me eat things I wouldn't normally buy or sometimes have never seen before!  Luckily they provide plenty of recipes and suggestions on cooking methods.  It helps me get out my rut of eating the same things day after day!