A LOT OF TALKING ON THIS WALK!

The early mornings are now much darker and colder!  Today was a chance for Jenny and I to have a catch-up so there was much talking as well as walking!  We did one of our favourite walks around Shepton, where we walked through farmland and had a great view of the Charlton Road viaduct - see above.

Part of the walk was down a wooded bridleway which always has many interesting shaped branches and twigs on the ground.  In the past we have collected these for Christmas decorations etc. and today was no exception!  Jenny chose to take a striking branch with a long tall stem - ideal to stand up for a decorative, natural alternative to a Christmas tree! 

WE FIND GOG AND MAGOG!

This morning's walk was all about finding Gog and Magog, two ancient oaks situated near Glastonbury Tor.  They are named after two giants, who were the only survivors of a legendary race of giants who were slaughtered by Brutus and his Trojan army.  It was hard to locate them, as we didn't really know exactly they were! But as you can see above, it was a pilgrimage into the past and worth the effort. These two oaks are reputed to be more than 2000 years old!  Gog is dead and recently burnt by someone leaving a ceremonial candle, and Magog is on its last legs. I am positioned in an avenue of oaks that have been planted over the years replace them...

Belinda, Jenny and I set off on our quest by parking near the base of the Tor, following footpaths and consulting our phones until we finally found them!  On the way we encountered plenty of curious animals...

On our walk we found two interesting places - the Shekinah Yoga Retreat in a purple house with  Tibetan Prayer Wheels - see below top row and right middle pic, and the Old Oaks five star touring, camping and clamping site, exclusively for adults - see the rest of the photographs below.  Today was more of an adventure than just a walk!

AFTER THE SNOW STORM!

Today, was positively balmy, compared with the extreme cold temperatures and the chill factor of the biting winds, that we endured last week!  There were some remains of snow and ice, but it was mostly thawing fast.  As I walked through Collett Park to meet up with Belinda, the ducks and seagulls were out in force and some were a bit puzzled why they could walk on the water, which was still half ice!  My pics on the top row above, show the state of the allotments - a lot of work ahead for the vegetable growers of Shepton!

We saw plenty of footprints in the snow and dog walkers, eager to get out now that everybody can move around, instead of being cooped up. On many fields and footpaths, mud had replaced snow, but there were still patches and drifts of the white stuff lying around...

By the end of the walk, the sun had come out.  I was surprised to see a drift of snowdrops looking so perky, but then I read a notice in a shop window that they contain a natural kind of anti-freeze so that if they collapse in freezing conditions, they quickly recover once the temperature rises.

I do love trees, especially in Winter, when you can see their sculptural skeletons. This tree that I am looking at in the bottom right pic, has split into two.  Its trunk must have had an enormous girth originally, so it must be quite ancient! 

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...

AUTUMN BRINGS BEAUTY!

I didn't get a walk last week as my companions were all busy, and I decided not to go out on my own!  Today it was great to meet up with Belinda.  The weather was fine, so it was a brisk walk, keeping to the roads, lanes and alleyways around Shepton.  We did not have too long as Belinda had to get back to do some snowdrop planting for a festival here in Shepton in February!  More about that in a future post...

We walked past the Shepton Cider Mill - see an old milling stone which is outside reception in the pics above.  It was expected to close this year as the cider production was transferring to Ireland, the home of its owners, C & C Group. However, there has been talk in the local papers of a possible reprieve for the workers, as production could continue under a new mystery employer!  There should be an announcement this week... 

I love seeing the Autumnal sun coming through the trees - many are still in full leaf and there are flowers still blooming!  I actually prefer the colour of pink and blue hydrangeas as they fade and dry out, leaving a beautiful skeleton (see top set of photographs).  As Conrad Hall, the well-known  American cinematographer said, 'There is a kind of beauty in imperfection'!

BEWARE THE SUMMER DROP!

Lovely walking conditions again today.  Belinda accompanied me and we took a route on footpaths from West Shepton.  Paths that I have been on before are now overgrown, and have a shady feel - great when it is really hot!

I recently read of a warning to walkers when temperatures go above  89.6F (32C) - falling branches!  Apparently, this phenomena of them suddenly breaking off, without warning, is called the 'summer drop' and is associated with prolonged hot spells and sudden changes in weather.  It is not something I have experienced, but I will keep a lookout...

Although there is no agreed scientific explanation, it has been suggested by a technical officer of the Arboricultural Association that when there has been a dry spell and then a lot of rain, the increase of weight, by the sudden uptake of water into the canopy of the tree, adds weight to the limbs so that they break off...