Saturday 28 September 2019

Clicking Away

Hello Lovelies,
I've been busy clicking away with my new camera, getting used to it's whims and ways. I'm generally remembering to pop it in my pocket when I'm out and about locally or further a field.

This was an early morning wander with great light. I do love the angle of the sun at this time of year.


And my zoom came in handy for this shot of a sweet Robin. I think it's will soon be time to start feeding the birds on my walks again.


 Back home I gave our conservatory a tidy up. It's back to looking very similar to when I started my blog as I decided to get rid of the top on my dresser. It's now just a sideboard but I'm ok with that and I like the feeling of space.



It still houses my one remaining crochet Owl .... the rest have been given away as gifts, but never fear it's easy for me to google the instructions to make more HERE:0)


I often like to perch here with my elevenses at this time of year (due to their widely fluctuating temperatures, conservatory enjoyment is limited to spring and autumn, I find).


I like to gaze at the view and sometimes read. I've just discovered I can get books for pence sent straight to my phone....who knew! what clever times we live in :0)

 If you like reading about long distance walks and can't really face reading anything too emotional (is that just me?), I recommend  this amusing book.
It certainly made me want to pack a bag and set off on the South West Coast Path


There's still a tumble drier in the corner of our conservatory but these days it's only used once in a blue moon ( I try and line dry as much as possible, and with two airers  for damp days, it's only when somebody is desperate for a specific item we resort to this). I'm happy that my purse and the environment is benefiting from this. Plus it can now house more plants :0)


Out in the garden my Dahlias and Zinnias are still going strong. It's so nice to pick a posy for indoor enjoyment.


These next three images are from a local Scarecrow festival. It was somewhere the boys loved when they were young, but nowadays it's just hubby and I who venture out to look at the clever and amusing straw creations.





As I head into my mid fifties I'm finding more and more that I relish quiet times and simple seasonal activities. I've never been great under pressure and that seems to be getting worse. Plus it's kind of frightening how terrible my memory is....but that's another subject.
My way of coping  is to try and focus on simple and enjoyable tasks. Blackberrying is perfect (these are now in the freezer to add to crumbles in the winter).


Composting is not so photogenic but does produce wonderful food for the soil and avoids food waste going to landfill where it produces harmful gasses. All this went in....including the egg box. The dark bits are tea leaves.


I'm not taking credit for this great shot. I came home from work and found this on my camera, taken by middle son.


The weather last week was mostly outstanding and I was fortunate enough to have some days off to enjoy it. These images are from a group walk. It's almost five years since I joined my walking group and I'm always glad I did. I've made lots of friends and walked in safety over hundreds of miles of footpaths.





and through tons of pretty villages.


The day after that walk I went out with mum. We headed to Shardlow, a hive of activity where two major rivers meet a working canal.  It was hot and sunny again, so while mum sat in the shade and sketched I headed off to explore the canal.

This is the Heritage centre which was manned by a very enthusiastic volunteer.


I loved the mock up of the living quarters. Families who lived and worked on the canals in their hey day  had it survive in a small portion of their boat, while the rest carried cargo.


It all looks so cosy and cute.


But I'm sure it was a tough life for a whole family in this small space.


There was so much to look at outside too, with boats going through the locks.


and pretty waterside cottages.


So many boats.


And more being built.


Not a quiet job, but great to get a glimpse at this skilled craft. My lovely late Dad was actually making a narrow-boat hull when he became ill and passed away suddenly back in the late 80's. He was a great engineer and would have loved a nosy around this boat builders I'm sure.


I do like walking beside water.


Here I had reached the might river Trent and crossed this impressive footbridge. Thank you Mr Swan, for posing so beautifully and echoing the arch of the bridge with you body :0)


And finally, here's mum's sweet painting, done from sketches made that day.


Back soon, no doubt  with loads more pictures..... and a few rambling words.

Jacquie x

17 comments:

  1. Nice that you are blogging again and that your mum is still doing her painting. Shardlow is a nice little place .I live in Derby, so not far for me. Have you been to Mercia marina, near Willington ? A bit busy at times but nice cafes and a few shops. ( bit expensive) We usually get off the bus in Willington and walk back along the canal to the marina. You do have to climb steps over the canal bridge to get back to the marina though. The conservatory looks lovely and cosy.Are you doing any crocheting. My owl is on the fireplace. Made from your pattern.

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    1. Thank you for the recommendation. I will check it out.
      Jacquie xx

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  2. Wonderful post! Such a talent you have (and your Mom and son!). You really lifted my spirits today. Thanks so much!

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    1. What a lovely comment Ellen, you lifted my spirits too.
      Jacquie xx

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  3. You've been in your walking club for five years?! Wow...that's how long I've been following your blog. Time goes so quickly. I am still envious of your club. I've searched for something similar in my area (midwest USA) & it just does not exist unless you want a very intense hiking/biking club.

    I also see more similarities between us as I read your blog. I too am in my mid-fifties. My dad passed away in 1984 as well. So you would have been very young when your last your dad....I was 17.

    Have your heard of the blog The Mutton Club? It has given me hope, much encouragement & some great advice for dealing with this stage of my life. It might encourage you as well.

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    1. Thank you Jenny. I will check that out. Not easy loosing a parent at such a young age (at least I was in my early twenties). My dad is still missed and talked about by mum and I. I'm lucky to have that too.
      Jacquie xx

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  4. Lovely photos again, Shardlow is another place I've never visited.

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    1. Thank you Louise. Worth a visit if you are in the area I think.
      Jacquie xx

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  5. Great post - great photos, thank you for showing me some new places. Vicki in the East Riding

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  6. I enjoyed seeing your conservatory.. so pretty in there. I was very keen to see the canal boat part, too.. as I'm slightly obsessed with them and wish I could have one! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Thank you Theresa. I like any of those small space living solutions and holiday homes. I like going to stay in Static Caravans on holiday because when we come home my house feels huge :0)
      Jacquie xx

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  7. Another wonderful painting from your mum. And the scarecrows are BRILLIANT. Your conservatory is very pretty, lovely plants, I really like the crochet yachts. Lots of composting here too, including the wrapper from the wetlands charity magazine, which apparently is made from potato starch. Hope you have a lovely Sunday. CJ xx

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    1. Thank you CJ. The National Trust does the same. We just need more progress on alternatives to plastic.
      Jacquie x

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  8. Lovely photographs. The Clangers look great. What a lovely painting your Mum did, nice memento to have.

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    1. Thank you. The clangers are my favourite too
      Jacquie xx

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  9. Another great post and I wait for a while and then get to read more than one post sometimes. I love your moms painting. She is sooo talented.

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