GREAT TO BE OUT IN THE FRESH AIR!

Today was my first early morning walk of the New Year!  My excuse is that I haven't, until recently, felt fit enough after my bout of sickness at Christmas time.  It has also been cold, dark, damp and murky!  Now, however, it is getting lighter and the weather is drier - still very cold, but the Winter sunshine makes up for it!  Today I saw the beautiful sunrise casting a golden glow over the sculptural shapes of the bare trees and heard the crunch of boots on frozen ground...

My previous lack of motivation was given a boost today, as I arranged to meet Miriam at 7.30am.  We walked through the park into town, where the market was setting up. I bought some lovely fresh fish at the fish stall for supper tonight.  We then walked up past the cemetery, and onto the top of the meadows over to a lane that led down to Bowlish, before heading home.  It was really great to have company and be striding out in the fresh air... 

At Bowlish, I showed Miriam some of the lovely old properties in this area, including Bowlish House - the hotel and restaurant, (see largest pic below) and Old Bowlish House (the house with the pale blue front door), which is one of my favourite houses in Shepton.

Jenny and I have had a history lesson, tour and tea at Old Bowlish House in September 2015 - written up in a previous post (press on the label below).  

Today, I saw my first Spring flowers of the year - some snowdrops.  I have been doing a lot of artwork featuring them, as in Shepton we are having a Snowdrop Festival in February, which I will be talking about in future posts...

SHOWING MIRIAM SOME OF SHEPTON'S SIGHTS!

Today I had the company of a neighbour that I have just met.  Miriam is fairly new to Shepton, so was keen to explore!  I decided to take her on a circular walk on the outskirts of the town, taking in some public footpaths and bridle ways...

It was dark when we started off but by the time we were on footpaths with the Charlton Viaduct as a drop back, this gave way to a beautiful sunrise. 

On the circular tour we walked by Kilver Court, which was looking very festive with its Christmas lights and trees. We then worked our way, via some footpaths through to Barren Down, which was a surprise to Miriam.  It is such a hidden, unspoilt piece of countryside which overlooks the town - see the top photographs above.

I also showed her the Bath Road Viaduct - we are spoilt for viaducts in Shepton! There are actually three - the last one being the Ham Wood Viaduct, which is a ruin in the woods and much harder to find.  I did find it in May and the post about it can be located by pressing on the label below...



We finally made our way home up the High Street, past the allotments, through Collett Park and back to Tadley Acres.  Miriam said she felt good, getting out and walking in the fresh early morning air, and would like to go again! 

According to the excellent book I am currently reading - 'Making Art a Practice' by Cat Bennett, walking outside in nature is an excellent practice, for cultivating peace and awareness.  Surely much needed, especially this time of year... 

ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL...

This morning was one of those bright, crisp, frosty ones that make it a pleasure to walk early in the day!  It was crisp underfoot and the ground had a white haze to it. A beautiful yellow and orange sunrise gave way to a sun, low in the sky, giving the places it touched a golden glow... 

Jenny couldn't make it today so I was on my own.  I had fun taking pics of the frost, the photogenic Charlton Viaduct and even managed a selfie!  I was enjoying being in the countryside so much, that it took me back to my childhood, and I found myself singing aloud the hymn - 'All things bright and beautiful' and The Seekers song - 'Morningtown Ride'!!  Not something I normally do, as singing is definitely not one of my talents, unlike my mother, who has a lovely voice!  Must have been the fresh air!!...

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!

Still a little under the weather,  I ventured out into a brisk breezy morning...  I didn't regret it -  it was the great breath of fresh air  that I needed!  However, I did find myself suggesting the quicker route home after around 45 mins as I am still feeling a bit under par!

As you can see with our selection of pics again today, at this time of the year everything looks a little sorry for itself, but there are glimmers of a breakthrough - snowdrops and crocuses were evident today, a welcome sight!  I know that it always seems we take lots of the morning sky photos, but they can be so spectacular, picturesque and different every time that we just can't resist...

Took a peek at the One Gallery window that Helen and another member of the team have created.  Have to say Helen's Valentine cards are beautiful, quite unusual - if you are in the area why not pop in and see...!

Very excited on my return home this morning to find part of my product delivery from the States!  Just need a few more things in place and I can start offering my semi permanent makeup for eyebrows.  I already have 4 clients ready to go with their brows...

GREAT SKY!

Great sky for us to look at today!  We headed to the Charlton Viaduct, determined to capture the amazing sunrise.  We tried to seek access to walk along the top, through the back of the Mulberry Shop site.  Unfortunately, it was closed off, but as you can see Helen got some nice shots...

Hard to believe the cider factory's days are numbered!  It is such a huge part of Shepton Mallet...  I remember how hard it was for us all when the production of Babysham finished (see the famous Babysham deer above), and Clarks Shoes stopped manufacturing here.  Hopefully, another Cider Company will snap up this perfect premises, and keep Shepton the Home of Cider...

Dentist for me today early - I'm glad it's first thing..!  We discussed the cost of the upkeep of your teeth - shocking!!  We do come across some intriguing things on our walks - see the abandoned boot above.  Bet that has a story to tell...

CRISP AND CHILLY!

A beautiful crisp day - although dark and 2 degrees below freezing, we could tell by the pink sunrise, that it was going to be a bright sunny one...

Missed Monday's walk, I was off on my travels again!  Not a holiday this time but a course for a new treatment to offer in the salon.  I stayed in Northwich , Cheshire. Not a brilliant trip up in the car but a very enjoyable and worthwhile training course.  On the way home I experienced a good douching of snow and ice, but decided not to panic!  I was quite happy to have another very cosy night in the local Premier Inn, if needs be!  I loved their beds - would like to have the same at home...

Today we saw the rare sight of the pond in Collett Park being partially frozen over (see pics above)!  The ducks were not bothered one bit, they just crowded into unfrozen parts, but weirdly the seagulls circled frantically above attempting to land on the ice - an amusing sight!  It was also fun to see some children tentatively testing the strength of the ice...

After we caught up with holiday and course news, we both agreed we were chilly, chilly, chilly - so we made it short and sweet today, although we still got a few miles under our belt...

WEDNESDAY'S WALKABOUT!

We are now getting into a cold snap and according to the weather forecasters it is going to get colder with possible snow!  The conditions for this morning's walk were good, frosty, clear and crisp. We are still starting in the dark, with the moon and stars, but the sky then developed a golden glow before turning pink.

It is so easy to hibernate when the weather becomes cold.  It is a real effort to get out of a lovely warm bed and go for an early morning walk!  However, I believe that this is the time of year when it is most valuable.  I would be quite happy beavering away in my studio all day long but I need the fresh air, exercise and companionship that these walks provide.  Afterwards, you feel a sense of achievement and have cleared your mind for the day ahead...

  
At the moment we are being bombarded in the media with diets and exercise routines.  I think rather than go on a 'diet' it is much better to change your eating, shopping and cooking habits so that you are consuming healthy, natural foods as unprocessed as possible and make meals from scratch with the minimum amount of cooking!

As for exercise have fun and do something you actually enjoy!  I have tried going to the gym, but I soon get bored and stop going.  If you need inspiration think about the activities you liked to do as a child - hula hooping, cycling, skipping, for example.  My favourite activity is to swim, mainly because I am good at it!  As a child I was a competitive swimmer, retiring at the ripe old age of 16!  Over the last few years I have discovered the joys of wild swimming - it is going to be cold in the quarry on Saturday!!    

STILL ON MY OWN!

Today was dry, with a bright slice of moon, and as the morning wore on, a sunrise that promised a good day.  It was still difficult getting up without the incentive of meeting Jenny!  I noticed that on my own, without the talking, the time and the distance seemed much longer!  On the plus side, I was much more aware of sounds - birdsong, especially a robin on a nearby tree, the fluttering of bird wings as they flew through the trees, the cries of the carrion crows and the distant hum of traffic, which noticeably increased the later it became!

My walk took me down narrow lanes, footpaths, muddy fields and through a delightful wood with my first sighting of flowering snowdrops and a fabulous treehouse (see below).  The only farm animals I saw were sheep, as the cows are now confined to barracks!  I saw a hare leaping across a field - the first on an early morning walk, and some abandoned rubbish including a used Christmas tree which was just left on top of a hedge (see below right)!

There has been a lot in the news recently about how loneliness and depression is so bad for your health - mental and physical.  One way to help, if you are prepared for the responsibility, is to get a dog!  Not only does it force you out in all weathers for a walk, which as we have discussed before is so good for you, there is the camaraderie of fellow dog owners...

I had a disabled friend, who lived on her own, on our estate and is sadly no longer with us.  She had a rescue lurcher and developed an active social life with other dog owners in Collett Park.  She was in her mobility scooter, and her dog Miranda used to play with other dogs, while she got to know their owners!  So much so, that she was able to ask one of them if he would look after Miranda, if anything happened to her.  It really put her mind to rest when he said yes, and indeed that is what happened...

On a more cheerful note, I often get inspiration for artwork from flowers.  Here is a pic of the snowdrops I saw this morning and some gift bags that I have just decorated!

        

SOMERSET IS COOL!

It was a short walk today as Jenny has clients booked early, even on her day off! Everybody is wanting to look their best for Christmas...  Today is the shortest day of the year and it was a dark, cold, clear start with the stars shining brightly.  By the end of our walk we were looking upwards, as the sky had some spectacular colours and cloud formations - nature's own light show!

Somerset is cool and that's official!  Where we live has been named as number 11 on The Cool List of the Top 16 must-see destinations in the world to visit in 2016, compiled by The National Geographic Traveller Magazine.  Other places on the list include Washington DC, The Great Barrier Reef, Costa Rica and Rio de Janeiro!

We, of course, agree totally, as just in the area around us is Wells, England's smallest city with it's wonderful cathedral, Cheddar Gorge, and Pilton - home of the world famous Glastonbury Festival.  In the county we have a beautiful diverse variety of countryside with four areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, historic landmarks,  the UNESCO World Heritage site of Bath and great local food and drink.  I could go on and on... All this is extremely good news for Somerset's tourism industry!

     
We are still experiencing mild weather for this time of year and in the picture above I am looking at the bulbs coming up in the park, although in the press there have been photographs of daffodils blooming now in December!!

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...