Winter woodland walking

Hasn't the sunshine been glorious this weekend? We thought so and made the most of it by traipsing up to the woods this afternoon. Chilly but so, so lovely. We found lots of little dens to explore and various muddy puddles to splash in although that was mainly J!

Hearts and flowers

It's a simple activity, I lay out a heart-shaped tray of ice cubes, a muffin tin and a tea towel. Together J and I pop the hearts out and he fills up the muffin tin, then puts them back in the heart tray. And then back again, making a couple of puddles on the floor!

And all four of us walked to the top of the hill at Blaise to find the folly open and so we walked up, up, up. Sadly, the photos from up there are rubbish... BUT once we got to the bottom, J went a-runnin' and noticed some yellow flowers. We naturally began collecting them, as you see. 

our weekend

I have been looking forward to the Balloon Fiesta for months. So, on Friday we got up at 5am (well, I was already up!), got everything ready, hit the road and arrived at Ashton Court at 6am. It was then we were told that the balloons weren't going up. Sad face. But that was before we'd paid the £15 parking charge. Happy face. Hence, if you'd have walked past Blaise Park at 7am, that's where you'd have found us. The climbing frame was all ours! Drinking hot chocolate and eating brioche; what a healthy start to the weekend!

And then Sunday was my parents' 40th wedding anniversary, in honour of which we all congregated in the Wye Valley, most of us wearing red. Here my niece hands out my auntie's excellent idea: DIY pavlova. Meringues, cream, raspberries. Assemble. Consume.

Hmm, that sounds like a really unhealthy weekend...!

Tricky weeks and ice cream

Sometimes tricky weeks result in a lack of creative achievement. (Or, in fact, any achievement!) But sometimes they also culminate at the park, having walked through the woods up to the folly and back down to ice cream and the playground. Phew!

Day 160/2

Happy birthday to me! Warren's (perfect and delightful) birthday idea was lunch at Jamie's Italian, so off we waded through the rain (on my summer birthday) and found a lovely spot in the restaurant while this precious bundle slept for two whole hours! My husband, my son. The best gifts.

Day 157/2

Beautiful day, beautiful walk.

Day 153/2

Oh, look - the house at Blaise! Could we be out for a walk again?!

Day 150/2

Such a lovely day today. Family over for lunch, then we three went for a walk in Blaise to enjoy the sunshine, find some ice cream and talk dreams both big and small.

Day 147/2

Our new afternoon walk route at Blaise, up to the folly and then back again!

Day 145/2

We just walked into Westbury, posting letters and buying stamps, then popped into Costa to re-fuel for the walk back up the hill. Simple, simple moments that make me happy.

Day 126/2

I'm so very thankful for the Blaise Estate and to live this close is such a joy! J and I walk there normally twice, but at least once a day and now that I'm pretty much recovered I can do proper walks, not just to the little house and back again. Today is Warren's day off, J has slept and fed brilliantly since last night and I have been very happy to be with them both all day. This was taken just now, when J and I showed daddy our new route.

Day 26/2

We're just back from a stroll at Blaise, the sun peeping through the trees.

Day 11/2

 

We just spent some time with Warren's friend and, in venturing south of the river, I experienced a new Lounge!

Day 1/2

Last Christmas Eve, Warren and I got back in touch, met at Grupo and now here we are, a family. A little visit to Grupo seemed right and proper, to celebrate, to acknowledge, to reminisce. 

Day 344

Day 318

 Walking on the M Shed's balcony after seeing the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.

Day 310

I spent today at Ashton Court for a photography course. Not too bad a shot, methinks....

Day 306

I was just driving to Sainsbury's but pulled over and nipped out to capture the last few minutes before the sun went down.

Day 283

Just been to a Carol Service in town and walked back past Pero's Bridge. At least, that's what Wikipedia thinks it's called; I'd never heard it before!

Day 255

Just walked over the Suspension Bridge - this bolt is huge!