This moment....

 

Linking with Soulemama and sharing cherished moments



I must go down to the sea.....

The coast is good for my soul. There is something about the wind and sounds that refresh me and move me on. The isle of Anglesey is a special place for us and we try to take breaks there throughout the year. For overseas friends and family:
The Isle of Anglesey (Ynys Môn in Welsh) is situated off the north-west coast of Wales near the beautiful Snowdonia mountain range. It is separated from the mainland by the Menai Strait. Anglesey was known as Mam Cymru ('Mother of Wales') during the middle ages because its fertile fields formed the breadbasket for the north of Wales. http://www.anglesey-history.co.uk/
Only daughter was due to run a coastal race in Anglesey, so what a good excuse for the family to take a weekend off and join her. Newborough forest is one of our favourite spots because pup loves to run off lead their. My favourite because on one side you have the forest and the other side you have the sea

We had fun walking, playing, painting, and discovering

On the way home we decided to drive via Snowdonia, definitely need to spend some more quality time there over the summer.

Snowdonia

Behold the sweeping valleys

Where the heathered slopes do lie,
With rugged peaks that reach
                                      Unto the ever-changing sky.... Andrew Blakemore 

A foggy day....

Boxing day is a relaxing, recharging day for us.  However,  we always start the day with a walk in the Lickey hills. This morning was a foggy day with the air crisp and fresh. 

Take a walk with me

 

        The Tearoom is in sight 



 

Ah, that welcome cuppa

 

Advent Calender ~ Day 10

Well today was supposed to be our tree picking day, but we have run out of time.  It's a slow, enjoyable task, choosing our christmas tree.  It will always be a Norwegian Spruce and we take our time enjoying the music and having fun around the trees.  Tomorrow will be our day for tree picking.
Today's Advent calender gives you a view of a family tradition and the humour of my man and twenty something children :-)



Somewhere in Shropshire....

There is something about wooden stiles in England that are such a representation of the freedom we have here. The fact that we have open passage through farmlands  always amazes me.
We have enjoyed these walks into the heart of the country as the children were growing and now as adults, especially with a cocker who loves the freedom of these byways.



A stile always gives one the promise of something unexpected on the other side. Come with me on a walk through the Shropshire countryside and see what we will see.

Passing by a rural cottage 

And next we pass through shade and overhanging branches

 

The path begins to go uphill

 Boys stopping to admire their surroundings as we come across a stream

A very happy pup

 

The Cotswolds...what more can I say

If you know and love the Cotswolds you sigh as you think of the idyllic villages.  For those of you who do not know the Cotsworld of England , they are a prominent range of limestone hills running over 50 miles.

Cotswold stone is warm and pearly and seems to glow with absorbed sunlight.

We are only just over an hour away by car and have decided to do some of the circular walks on the Cotswold Way.
"The Cotswold Way is not just a long distance path for long distance walkers. A short walk anywhere along its length will lead you right to the heart of the country's most beautiful and varied landscapes and introduce you to just what the Cotswolds have to offer. From bustling market towns to sleepy villages, from windswept hill tops to sheltered woodlands, from the wildflower-rich grasslands of summer to the unhindered views of winter, a walk one day will never be the same as the next." ~ Cotswold Way Circular walks.

 The village of Stanton was our first choice.  It is a beautifully untouched village with a very good walk; not too strenuous but some good inclines, lovely crassy hills and bautiful views.

 

The village Stanton is untouched by the tourist industry and sits nestled in a time frame of it's own.  No shops, although a bit of retail therapy is always welcome, keeps this village tranquil for walkers to do what they do best.

The honey-coloured stone houses are a delight and I noticed a dog friendly BnB which we will have to try out one day.
The weather was dry which was a big bonus as rain and muddy walks are quite common for this time of year.
It was still cold enough though for a welcoming fire (and of course a plate of steaming chips) at the end of the walk.

                                            

 
How pleasant to find a dog friendly pub in the village. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the doggie patrons were well behaved. There is a lovely deck overlooking the village which will be very good in the warmer months.  I think we will definitely be walking in these parts again.

Llandudno

An unexpected weekend away took us to the north of Wales and a very pleasant visit reminding us of the Victorians' pleasure in visiting the seaside. This seaside town has maintained its Victorian and Edwardian elegance and splendour. 




Llandudno is uniquely situated between the Great and Little Ormes, which is a limestone headland.
What a surprise to arrive on the one side and almost be blown away by the fierce and blustery wind. A short walk over to the main promenade greeted us with very genteel weather conditions; No wind, warm sunshine, wide promenade and the elegant architecture.

 I could just picture elegant ladies and gents standing viewing the same scene we now viewed. They would amble along the promenade and take in the sites and sounds and the fun of Punch and Judy. 

There is a melody and words of a song in my head, I remember it well when I was a child.  

Although it was very popular in the 20th century, it was written in the late 19th century.

Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside
I do like to be beside the sea!
I do like to stroll upon the Prom, Prom, Prom!
Where the brass bands play:
"Tiddely-om-pom-pom!"
So just let me be beside the seaside
I'll be beside myself with glee

I think another visit will have to take place to this seaside town.

The Changing Seasons..........

I seems like it was just yesterday that we discovered a new walk along the towpaths during the summer,and here we are well into autumn....that wonderful "season of mists and mellow fruitfulness....."

So I'll take a walk down memory lane of the past three months...........





And then there where blackberries beginning to form, I love this side of English countryside, where berries can be picked while out walking.



Puppy gets introduced to blackberries, and she doesn't need much pursuading to help herself to sweet morsels. She seems to know which are the ripe, sweet ones to eat :)

There were numerous flowers galore and one of my favourites,the little orange flower, is a scarlet pimpernel.

Soon there were more berries and then the wet weather brought on the mushrooms and toadstools. I've yet to master the art of mushroom identification which my sister and young niece are so good at.


I love this shot of the fallen oak leaves and enjoyed collecting fallen branches to decorate the entrance at home for the fall season.

The pumpkin idea is thanks to a friend who suggested them on her blog and gives a good tutorial here http://ohiofarmgirl.blogspot.com/

For everything under Heaven

There is a time and season

Given by God with a purpose

As well as a simple reason.