Some images and thoughts right now.

Spring has arrived on the common, and the dance of the wildflowers has begun. One of the first stars of the show is the lovely Cowslip, waving gently in the breeze. This is the reason I carry my camera everywhere. It's a light camera and I have a special camera bag, which looks like a normal shoulder bag, it's padded and keeps my camera safe. It has room for my phone and purse too. So I am never without it!

The more I learn about editing, the more I realize I have to learn. Now a days, I only brighten the photo a little and increase the contrast a touch. Sometimes I use a filter, and sometimes, as in this picture, it's just fine as it is. The light and the moment I wanted to capture are all there. The camera I use for blogging is a Canon EOS 100D. Now this is not a sponsored post in anyway, but it's a great simple little camera and I just wanted to tell you...  

When you walk somewhere almost everyday, you get to see the subtle changes and feel the joy at new happenings in your familiar territory. A emerging wildflower is happy sight. Blossoms, spring leaves, meadow grasses, the colours of the sky. The moody greys and the bright blues. And the views...It's all so lovely. Clean air, friendly dog-walkers, good vibes, it's truly kind of addictive...and the dogs...it's just the nicest place for them.

 . 

Sometimes I find a sunny spot on the slopes, to sit, out of the wind and take in the view. I try not to sit on thistles.... Occasionally enthusiastic dogs will come hurtling down the slopes chasing a ball, before it's lost down the hill.... But a sunny, quiet moment, lying on the ground in the spring sunshine, is magic.

At home, I caught this shot, as the sun went down and shone it's pinky light across the valley, onto the trees. The cabin is there. The other day I saw my sweet cabin lady wondering around putting little twigs in the ground around the Cowslips, so the guys who mow the grass will see them, and mow around them.

The cabins were already here when I arrived. Probably about fifteen years old now, they are not well insulated, but they have woodburners and character. First I thought I would run them as a B & B....that was 10 years ago, and since then they have had permanent dwellers in them the whole time!

If one becomes available, I might list it as a Airbnb. I watched the tedx talk of Joe Gebbia, the founder of Airbnb recently. I had a look through the 200 or so in my local area, which was slightly voyeristic,... but interesting to see what's out there.

Crafty and creative updates:

I have had to do some more visible mending on my jeans...the other leg decided to tear too. I thought I would catch it quick before it ripped all the way across. It's got a patch underneath now as well so it should hold up.

Talking of clothes, I recently got out my two bags of summer clothes. Seeing them in their see-through bags, all squashed together and old, leaves me feeling as though I might want to give the whole lot away and start again. I can see things which never really fitted right, or that never got worn for whatever reason. So I have decided to not open them yet and think about it.

Am I really brave enough to just let them go, without opening them.... And how will I find the new fresh feeling I am looking for? how do I want to shop and where do I want to spend my money?

Foodwise: I have discovered Papaya, and that it's very photogenic, and I love it. It's great for making smoothies, with banana, and almond milk, and for breakfast. Yum. I find myself just still wanting to eat warming, comforting food, like baked potatoes, every night... I need to feel full and fed. I've been reading about raw food and vegan food. But I'm not quite ready to take it on yet.

I've been walking by the canal. I feel drawn here now to have my dose of boats and water. It's very relaxing to watch the canal boats chugging up and down.

There has been some pink sunsets.

Some cloud wings appeared.

Some pink daises on the lawn.

I enjoyed the sunlight in my messy kitchen:-) haha...not so pretty, but look at the light coming through the curtain...The paintwork is a bit tired but it's homely in here and I like it..

 And new makes: a pile of wristwarmers, just ready for the.... summer!

I am working with a new kind of wool. They were just gorgeous to make.The pattern is a closed shell stitch, which I had to work out how to crochet into a round. It worked. I'm happy with them. I used the gorgeous hand dyed wool made by the Indie wool company Fyberspates. Each ball made two sets of wristwarmers, I'm pleased to say, and thankful because, oh the price...! The colours are incredible and you can read more about them in my Etsy shop, if you would like.

So I have to say that as I have written this blog post....stopped to walk the dog, eat breakfast, make tea, open and close windows, that I have felt everything opening up in my mind that I wanted to talk about. As though it were a concertina of things which were originally squashed down and now have opened up, drawn in some air and made a tune.

I feel better for having brought them here and shared them with you. Such is the mystery and wonder of blogging....have a good week :-)

♥   

a little catch up from the canal......

Hello, hello, it's Friday again. Shall we take a little stroll by the canal together and share some thoughts?.....I couldn't let another week roll by without sharing these pics, taken just a little while back now.

lovely canal boat art

 Life on the canal feels a bit freer I think. Perhaps it's okay to show up here and just share these. This was a gorgeous day, a sun-shining on the water kind of day, with a gentle breeze blowing sparkly ripples.

sparkly ripples!

Lets walk down the path and enjoy that expansive watery feeling, we can just let go of our oughts and our ment to's. They can just bob on by. Take a deep breath, we are just here, and here's a good place.

Sooty the chimney sweeps boat!

We might admire a friendly looking boat or two. 

Saul Junction - a place to watch the boats come by.

We could find a pretty spot to sit and consider how we feel a bit lighter now we let a few things bob off. We might realize that even though they are important, they're not that important.

It's always good to know we can find a way to float along, in a way that works for us :-)

Cotswold canal trust cafe 

There might even be a free cup of tea in it....if it's on a Sunday. You will have to fund the custard creams though.

a little Snoopy boat.

But truly the find of the day might just be a little Snoopy sized boat, just bobbing there ready for  Snoopy sized adventures.....! and you might have to resist the urge to climb in and sail away.

I hope life finds you floating along several things lighter these days.

♥ 

    

silence

Blue skies, sunshine, open space, beautiful buildings, water, walking in silence.

♥

poppylicious

aren't the poppies gorgeous at the moment? I think this is a poppy, it's certainly from the poppy family and was definitely worth jumping out the car for! divine!

I saw these on my drive to the common, where I walk my little dog.

Rodborough common

I go here everyday at the moment and I'm really loving it. It's my escape. Time to breathe out and think, or actually just to be walking, feeling expansive and taking in the view. I love a view.....

each day I am greeted by a different personality, some days it's bright and breezy, and some days dark and moody. But it's always good....

The view of the town below and the rolling countryside is lovely. I'm a surburn girl from the surburbs of London. I grew up in the land of three bedroom semis, parks and shopping centres. I do love a nice park as well! It was very flat and I couldn't have imagined living anywhere else.

I found my way here 10 years ago after visiting a friend who I had met while travelling around india. When you are up on the common it feels as though you could be in so many different places or countries. I think that's one of the reasons I like it so much. The town is colourful and vibey, with lots of creative happenings.....

I don't think i'd ever worn a pair of wellies until I moved here! Not as a grown up anyway......

There's a lot of wet welly wearing here at the moment.

I love this patch of pink flowers, I seem to notice it every day. I've just discovered it's wild thyme, it really does smell of thyme. So now i have a new life skill, I can identify wild thyme! I'll probably leave it to the cows though.....

we have our favoutite places though. I love this thicket of trees leading down to a bench where you can take in the view of the river severn winding its way up through Gloucestershire, with a wave over to the Forest of Dean and Wales beyond.   

check out this heart tree. Isn't it fantastic? It's an impossible tree. Empty and leaning, but still standing and its huge base is shaped like a heart. It feels special this tree.... Like a special druid place where offerings of  flowers should be left.

I,m still trying to identify which kind of tree it is by looking at the leaves. I think it could be some kind of elm, but i'm not sure.

the meadow grasses are growing, and i'm enjoying watching the wild flowers emerging. It feels as though the earth is wearing a big, beautiful, breathing flowery dress. 

nature wears it best don't you think.......

many days now through the summer we meet the cows, as they are allowed to roam here through the summer months. most times we just wander by, sometimes they act a bit erratic and we dart by quite quickly. I know not to get between the young cows and their mother!

they are so beautiful....just happy letting the world go by.

so easy.

I love this dramatic picture taken one evening. I've just started going up there in the evening as well. The sun is different. I love the light glimmering over the river in the distance. The landscape is different. The river feels timeless and pre-historic. I feel lost in time...I can imagine long boats and vikings sailing up the river to the different settlements along the way....it's amazing.

back home we go, where soft blankets await our return. I hope you are managing to enjoy the great out-doors too. 

Heather

yesterday...

yesterday, what a glorious blue sky was waiting for me up on the common! It was nine o'clock and it was showing all the signs of an absolute scorcher. Walking on the track out across the common, the wildlife was humming and the day was already hot. I was thinking that I would need to come up here an hour earlier possibly if I want to have a walk in the cool beginning of the day!

see the cows already sheltering from the heat, such a lovely spot at the top here.

the hazy heat hovering over my home town in the cotswolds. The River Severn in the distance, with Wales beyond.... I am a suburban girl really, brought up on the out-skirts of London. This is amazing to live in a place like this with such an incredible view. It does it for me everytime. Wow! such a great way to start the day. The mood and atmosphere of the landscape changes depending on the weather. Today, up here on the peaceful common, there is a sunny feel of expectation down in the town.

today is the day that the olypmic torch will be travelling through Stroud. All is calm at the moment. The colourful bunting flutters in the breeze, the union jacks line the streets, waiting. People are quietly wondering around.

In the afternoon we will come down to the town, I live up the hill!

people begin to gather, the children leave school early. Small children holding flags and golden home-made torches appear. We start to look for our spot. Seats fold out on the paths, we find a shady spot to wait in for a while. The anticipation builds. The local bobbies have fun with the teasing school kids. It is Hot now! phew.... we wonder how many will come. It feels exciting to be part of it.

This morning after two hours of waiting I finally managed to get two tickets for the Volleyball during the olympics. My son is desperate to go. Its all that's left! but we will enjoy it and enter into the spirit of things, perhaps also a day pass into the olympic park will happen.

we find our spot on the green by the canal. Our friend finds us. Lots more people now. The excitment is tangible now. The crowd moves forward and takes over the path. The stewards and bobbies hold us back. Alot of fun is being had in this heat. And I can tell you, it was hot! we waited for about 2 hours. The flame was late of course! we watched the local buses get confused over the road being closed. We all cheered the lone cyclists which were still coming through!

first came the vehicles, and boy were there alot of them! Well the crowd duly cheered them on as well. Infact everyone was happy to cheer anyone in the end!

and look, here comes the torch, can you see it there? Give a big cheer now!!

just look at all the crowds! you see him going by.

fantastic atmosphere, it was great to be part of it. It was a first for me, and great to see so many people turn out for it. and wow it was a hot one!

ok, home now, have tea and feet up, ready for a lovely bit of crochet........

have you seen the flame yet? will you go?......

                                                                 Heather                                                        

feeling delicate

Feeling a little delicate today, I thought this delicate poppy was a wonderful thing to see this morning.
a little monday morning blues perhaps?
although the sun is finding its way out as we speak.
I did enjoy the sun this weekend, and so as to remind myself,

yesterday I was feeling happy that I managed to blitz the conservatory,
from layers of cobwebs and dust. It really is a two season space here, so now our life is ready to expand into the summer.

feeling happy that I managed to mow stage 3 of the mowing ( I kid you not!) This took a good hour, it's a bit tricky around the trees and the flower borders. Then finishing with a meandering path through the apple trees and past the vegetable patch. It's good exercise, I sometimes wonder if I should get some goats....
and then it will be back to the top of the garden again. It's really growing fast now.

Lately I have been enjoying my walks through nature with my little dog. Sometimes we go up on the common and sometimes the park or the woods, so it's lovely to look around and see what's happening.
The bright green leaves and the wild garlic growing in the woods were just heavenly.

This weekend I took myself away from the computer (mostly!) and this was really needed. Just some time to breathe out. I am learning so much and it's all pretty exciting. Patience is needed, I guess it will all come when its good and ready.

You can see this mom below, she waited so patiently for these little chicks to happen. I watched her wait for a long time. There was one day of worry when mum and dad both seemed to disappear so I was very relieved today to see this little lot swimming by today. Clever mom.

I love the earthyness of this picture of these forget-me-nots I found in my garden. Just need to breathe in some earth now and again, makes me remember to keep my feet on the ground. I love the way the sun is dancing on them.

This weekend I really appreciated seeing my 13 year old make good use of our local leisure center, enjoying his weekly roller disco on saturday and then swimming at splash time on sunday. Good healthy stuff.

Realizing I am such a creature of habit, I like to get everything housey done at the weekend, leaving the week free to be what it will be. I guess some people do this the other way around, but for now this is how it works for me.

Feeling proud of myself for managing to thread 4 needles on the over-locker that I was given by a friend, getting the tension right ( at least it looked right to me), and actually making it work. My goodness I even read the instruction book, had no choice really! So looking forward to making lots of sunshine cushions now.

Enjoying my crochet cushion covers so much, that I'm actually making another using the same colours in the same order. It's great not to have to make any decisions this time. So easy, and these two have been my two favourite accompaniments this week around the house.

So, I find myself learning to let un-resolved issues just be there. It's hard. We all have them. Wondering if I'm doing enough. Enjoying doing other things. Sometimes scared. Learning to be patient. Accepting that I don't have the answers to everything(smile). Just trying to be present to it all. Allowing the delicate to be there. Wondering if we are about to turn a corner. Hoping.

                                                                           ***

Wishing you all a very good week and that blue skies will come.
                                                                 
                                                                          Heather