Half Term in Pictures

 

Ah, half term holidays....how I love them. I didn't get the whole week off with my boys this time but it's still a relaxing change to be able to forget about the school routine for a short while.

 There was walking...of course :0) 

Sometimes just me, sometimes Eldest and I (and the morning was perfect...chilly and frosty and bright) . On Thursday ( after a day of solid rain ...and crochet...on Wednesday) I dragged my other two out as well. We walked though the very soggy, but still quiet magical woodland. Well eldest was on his bike. He's a keen bike rider and has spent his Christmas money on lots of gear to go with the bike he had as his big present.

Today was grey and I walked with hubby and eldest along a disused railway line that is now a trail. We loved to get close to a sweet Robin who was singing his heart out....but heck....there was not much else to see, a little river being the other highlight. I'm sure I am being unfair...a grey winters day is not the best time to  judge, is it.

My crochet squares in spring colours will soon be a baby blanket...hurray for small projects. 

And this new yarn...I bought it to add to my range of Stylecraft colours with no firm plans for a project. Do you like it? 

I was a little unsure at first...but now I think YES I really do like it....and I LOVE that there are so many wonderful colours to choose from these days.
If you look at my Instagram feed I wonder if this yarn colour reminds you of any of my recent photos ? It does me, and my brain is already thinking up a new project...Yay ♥♥♥♥♥
Hope you have a good week lovelies.
Jacquie x

Wandering Weather

Hello Lovelies,

we woke up to sunshine last Wednesday and I couldn't wait to get outdoors. By the front door I smiled at the emerging shoots of bulbs I had forgotten that I had planted........

I tided up the front garden a little, just enough to ease my conscience .....then it was time to go for a walk....yay.

I generally set out from my front door with no firm plan of where to go, but a day like this will always tempt me to go further.
I spot two mums I don't see now the boys are older, out walking their dogs. We stop to chat a while. It seems strange to be discussing what the children are planning to do after GCSE's ....wasn't it just last year they were at primary school?

Soon I'm alone again and listening to the Robin's song...........

Ahh, the hidden foot path....this door always makes me smile.......

It leads to a path between gardens ( but you probably knew that already as I've brought you here before)............

And opens out into the "Hidden Valley". I make up very original names don't I :0)

I walk beside the hedgerow, down the gentle slope.....

I loved the feathery dried flower heads here..........

and the sunlit stream..........

I'm walking in my wellies as I'm anticipating a LOT of mud. Some of my walking group are happy to walk 10 miles in wellies...I can't say I would be keen myself. This borrowed walking pole is also a godsend when the going is slippery............

I wander beside the brook and I'm wondering if I needed my wellies after all. By the pylon the path turns left.........

And up a slippery slope..........

Phew, it makes me hot as I'm wearing too many layers and I'm rather relived to get that bit behind me.......

Here I'm in a small village which is looking pretty on such a gorgeous morning........

It's a very tidy spot but I see they are planning to be part of an event I had not heard about. "Clean for the Queen" is a nationwide initiative to try and combat unwanted litter. You can read about it HERE.
How I abhor litter. I would never knowingly drop rubbish but I must admit I've never actually gone out to pick up other people's litter.

 Bacon butties might tempt me though :0).........

This stream is flowing quickly and I follow the sound of running water........

Aaaah a babbling brook....lovely.......

There are snowdrops here too..........

And I can't resist putting my camera on the ground to try and get a snails-eye view of these February beauties.........

There were LOTS of blurry rejects, but this one worked.

I like the towering fir trees here.........

and this cottage in particular.......

There's a huge Cedar tree too.........well I think that's what it is.........

I stand under it's branches and wonder how old it must be to have got to such a size.........

By a smaller tree there's a  bench........

where pretty Narcissi are flowering..........

And nearby  the low sun illuminates the Crocus..........

I pass the church...........

and start heading north...it's nice to have the sun at my back...........

And in this field I'm so glad to be wearing wellies........

Oh that blue sky with tiny wispy clouds is such a wonderful sight......

A little further along I notice a flock of birds on the ground so I try to sneak up quietly.

Most of them take flight but one or two remain and I manage to get a photo..........

Zoomed in I can see it's markings and as Louise had mentioned a previous sighting I had could have been Redwings I was able to look them up easily.
Thank you Louise :0).........

Here I was getting closer to home, stomping through the puddles and thoroughly enjoying my little self on such a glorious morning..........

and then I was treated to another new bird sighting.....

I think this is a Yellowhammer

There's a high hedge along the bridleway and at first I was not sure if I had heard correctly when amongst the Baaaa's there were little Bheer's . But yes....there were Lambs. It's always a joyful sight...the first lambs of the year. 

I hope they are somewhere warm last night, bless them ( it's frosty out right now) 

The last bit of my walk is along a fast road and I'm not too keen on it, but at least there's a verge and on Wednesday there was blossom.........

Looking perfectly pretty against the blue sky..........

I was home by 11am and this sight in my front garden added to the springlike vibe of my morning perfectly...........

I can see there are plenty of weeds that I missed too :0)

It was a beautiful Wednesday wander and I continue to feel very lucky to have the time to get out and notice the changing seasons.

Thank you for your kind comments on my poem Lovelies, I hope you all have a good week.
Jacquie x