Wednesday 28 December 2016

Festive Weather and a Brand New Year

The very last week of December and 2016 and the weather was quite dramatic bringing us freezing fog and more heavy frosts. Not ideal for anyone travelling during the festive season, but somehow eerily beautiful weather to wake up to if you don't have to travel anywhere. 

There's been something magical about walking outside with the dog on most days of the year this last year and really seeing and feeling all types of weathers and the seasons come and go. The recent heavy fog brought a whole new dimension to how the garden and countryside looked - or maybe didn't look -  as it was a struggle see anything except shrouds of mist and fog on some days. Everything was a stark black or white walking in the countryside during the fog. And then, another day it would lift to reveal the trees, plants, hedgerows and fields covered in white frost and the sun would be out in full, casting its deep orange glows at sunrise and sunset and giving us some spectacular contrasting scenery to the fog. 

The bright Christmas lights were a welcome sight during late afternoon walks in the fog - twinkling and glimmering in the distant murkiness; the vibrant sunrises and sunsets gave amazing starts and ends to the bitter cold winter days during the festivities. 

Then New Year's Day dawned and somehow fittingly to reflect a brand new start, brought brilliant sunshine and a cloudless sky. An uplifting and refreshing start to a brand new year. Hopefully, a year full of new beginnings, new adventures, making dreams happen and creating many more new memories.  

A very 'Happy New Year' to all my readers and followers. I hope it's a good one for you. 



























Sunday 18 December 2016

Changing Landscapes

We've had our cocker spaniel Ted for a whole year now. It's always amazing each day on our daily walks how the weather and landscapes look so different. We're usually out a few times a day and even during the day the landscapes and weather can change so much depending on the time of day and what's happening weatherwise. 

It's always a pleasure to be out walking whatever the weather, there always seems to be something new to see or hear. A new plant growing or flowering indicating a new season. Changing skylines as the sun reaches higher in summer, dips low in the winter or even just moves around in it's daily rotation from east to west, from dawn until sunset. Spectacular sunrises and sunsets. The warm sunshine, howling winds and wet rain on your face. The bird song varying from season to season and from bird to bird... The list is endless. Walking Ted is always my favourite part of the day, enjoying special time with him and time with nature. 

Here's a few pics from each month we've been walking together...



January and a puppy enjoying snow for the first time.



February and the trees are stark and bare, the woodland is wet and muddy, but the sky is blue and the clouds are high above the trees. 


Blue skies in March, the paths are dryer and the farmer's field is brown and dying back, rapeseed is shooting up in the neighbouring field. 



April and the daffodils have arrived, spring is here. 


May and the woodland has changed from mud, puddles and bare trees to a sweeping carpet of bluebells, unfurling buds on the tree canopy and fresh green foliage on the shrubs. 



June and the arrival of poppy time, wildflower meadows and fields full of yellow rapeseed. 


July, high clouds, crops in full growth. 



August and the golden fields as the crops are harvested. 


September and time to seed new crops once more, the fields harvested and ploughed in readiness.  


Beautiful October. Golden, yellows and reds! 


Late October and the fallen leaves hide the grass. 


Early November and the new crops start to grow.



Mid November and the first crunchy frosts of autumn. 



Late November and the days are drawing in, but the late afternoon walk is a treat when there's a beautiful sunset.






December and misty and foggy days descend, but still some stunning scenery as the park gains a whole new look. 


Time to cosy up and do those last minute preparations for Christmas! Wishing all my readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 






Thursday 17 November 2016

Summer Plants and Winter Frost

I was looking out over the front garden just the other week and was thinking you wouldn't know it isn't summer. The garden looked in full bloom with hydrangeas, lavenders, roses, daphne and honeysuckle still flowering. Many of the summer annuals were still flowering in their pots - in fact they've looked so lovely I haven't got around to swapping them over with winter bedding plants yet. I've usually replanted the pots and baskets long before now, but it's been a mild autumn and the plants have been thriving rather than dying back. It seemed a shame to uproot them for new ones yet. 

As November came to an end, December and the meteorological beginning of winter arrived - officially winter and with it came the cold, ice and heavy frost. The heavy frost turned the garden into a whole new world of white, transforming its look and all the plants into something new and magical. 

Of course, those last summer plants have begun to fade now after the heavy frost and it's time to get my skates on and replace them with some winter bedding before the year is out. It's a milder week weatherwise so it's an ideal time to put the garden to bed for winter, do a last tidy and visit the garden centre before the winter bedding plants are all sold out and replaced with Christmas trees and Christmas decorations. 






















Wednesday 16 November 2016

A Rainy Day With The Ducks

We've had plenty of glorious autumn days recently and it's always uplifting to be out and about enjoying nature and the myriad of spectacular colours that this beautiful time of year brings. I enjoy a walk in all weathers though and sometimes there's nothing more quiet, peaceful and calming than a walk in the rain. 

I just happened to be waiting for tests results at my hospital, where I have to visit regularly. Here, we have a duck pond, which is a special place to come and enjoy the calming surroundings of nature. We call it the 'duck pond', but it's more like a small lake. On sunny days you will find patients and families feeding ducks and geese and just enjoying them, watching all their antics. It's a nature reserve with trees, shrubs, flowers and greenery - and there's plenty of seating areas to sit and enjoy the fresh air. On wet, colder days it may be quieter, but people still come and go, pass though and pause for a moment to see. The duck pond has a magnetic draw; a peaceful oasis to find some calm amidst the stresses of everyday troubles and health worries. 

Although it was pouring down, I decided to have a walk and wander around the duck pond to pass some time while I waited for test results. I had the place to myself. Time to stop and take in the sight of those last autumn colours; time to breathe in the scents from the earth, trees, plants, rain and water - breathe in deeply the fresh air; time to listen to the sounds - the water trickling, the wind rushing and the birds' differing noises. Senses heightened - the feel of the wind, rain and wet on my face. The simple act of walking renewing my energy and strength. The revitalising feeling of the raindrops. 

There's a whole cascade of benefits in being out amongst nature. It's quietening and calming on the mind; it places you in the moment - a chance to focus on the beauty unfolding around you, rather than worries and stresses. It gives a certain calmness leading to relaxation. Feel good endorphins. Mood changes. Stresses lessen as your mind, body and emotions brighten. It's simple and free.

Don't wait for the sunshine. Walk in all weathers and enjoy some refreshing rain.