Karens 365 Photos 2009 and beyond!!!!!!!!!!!

The Bird of Prey Centre, Old Warden Park, Near Biggleswade, Bedfordshire

2011-08-29T16:34:00.011+01:00

Next year Lara is in the 'Eagle' Class at her school and within that class she is in the 'Bateleur Eagle' group. So, today we decided to pay a visit to The Birds of Prey Centre (home of The English School of Falconry) at Old Warden Park, Near Biggleswade in Bedfordshire, to try and find a Bateleur Eagle. The Centre has over 2000 birds including Owls, Eagles, Falcons, Kites and Vultures and whilst not a bird of prey they even have a Stork.

We were able to see lots of birds during our visit - but sadly whilst we were told that there was a Bateleur Eagle at the Centre, it is privately owned and not on public display. We did get a glimpse of it from the back of its aviary but not a very clear view.

The other birds were easy to see and I took lots of photos. Unfortunately, I can't remember what type of birds of prey they all were.

I think this next one was a juvenile American Bald Eagle minus the characteristic white head feather which don't appear until they are about 5 years old.

A Barn Owl.

I think this next one is an American Fish Eagle.

One of the hi-lights of the day was when visitors were given the opportunity to have a go at flying an owl them self. Lara and I both flew a Barn Owl.

Scarecrow Festival

2011-08-28T19:02:00.009+01:00

OMG it is ages since I've posted any photos on this blog. My A-Z photography challenge fell by the wayside I'm afraid. It seemed like such a good idea but I just couldn't come up with ideas of what to photograph each fortnight so sadly, I gave up.

Anyway, I have some photos to post today.

This weekend is our bi-annual Village Scarecrow Festival in aid of the parish church. Followers of my blog may recall seeing the photos I posted in 2009 and also maybe the photos I posted on my Scrapping blog in 2007.

Apologies for the length of this rather photo heavy post - there were so many great scarecrows around the village today (braving the showery weather) that I just had to share them.

This musical quartet were cute sitting on a wall with country music playing in the background.

Igglepiggle from 'In the Night Garden' was peeping from this garden.

There was a street party taking place.........

.......... and a lady selling lavender.

Outside a house (formally a butchers shop) was a whole shop complete with scarecrow butcher and scarecrow customers. Love the rabbits hanging up for sale at the back - awwww (click on the photo for a closer look)

There was a super witch .........

......... and a couple of figures outside one of the pubs including Borat in his mankini!

There were scarecrows carrying out motor repairs.

Romeo ..............

............. and his Juliet.

Captain Hook.

Where's Wally? - there he is!

Scarecrows lazing in the sunshine.............

.......... and hiding in tents.

And one of our favourites, Sponge Bob, was there

The scarecrows get better each year and how everyone decides what scarecrow to make I don't know. Maybe next time we'll make our own - we have two years to come up with an idea.

2011 A-Z Challenge - F if for Flowers

2011-03-31T19:47:00.009+01:00

F is for Flowers. I'm a little late posting these photos but better late than never.

2011 A-Z Challenge - E if for Eggs

2011-03-22T18:50:00.004Z

E is for Eggs. I struggled with what to photograph for the letter E but as Easter is just over a month away and there are Easter Eggs in all the shops I decided that Eggs should be the subject of my photos. So thanks to Mr Tesco eggs were purchased and photographed.

Yummy Cadburys Creme Egg. I love these eggs but my teeth do not. They are so very sweet and I always end up with tooth ache after eating them.

Small wrapped chocolate eggs . These look so pretty in their shiny wrappers but don't last long in our house.

Cadburys Mini Eggs. Another favourite but sadly this photo doesn't do them justice.

2011 A-Z Challenge - D if for Daffodils

2011-02-25T20:33:00.006Z

D is for Daffodils. In the garden there are a few yellow daffodils already in bloom , but the majority are still just green spikes.

2011 A-Z Challenge - C if for Chocolate

2011-02-11T14:56:00.005Z

C is for Chocolate

Box of chocolates left over from Christmas.

Chocolate Digestive Biscuit.

Double Chocolate Chip Cookie

Cadburys Flake.

Strawberry Cream.

Chocolate Caramel Swirl.

2011 A-Z Challenge - B if for Blue

2011-01-27T14:53:00.008Z

B is for BLUE.

Baby Blue Bear.

Blue Glass Paperweight.

and another!

A trio of blue Go Go Toys.

Blue Hyacinth.

Blue Beads.

Blue Ribbons.

A Box of Blue Buttons.

52 Walks in 2010 (& 2011) - Walk 45 - Ampthill (9th January 2011) and 2011 A-Z Challenge - A is for Ampthill

2011-01-09T17:07:00.009Z

Despite 2010 having passed I am keen to finish my 52 Walks challenge and so this afternoon we ventured out for walk 45 and our walk took us to Ampthill, a small market town in Bedfordshire. This year I have signed up for a 2011 A-Z photography Challenge so visiting and photographing Ampthill meant I also had a subject for 'A' - A is for Ampthill.

We have driven through Ampthill many, many times but today was the first time that we had actually walked around the town. Despite being promoted as an historic Market Town, Ampthill isn't a particularly pretty town although it does have old buildings, many of them dating back to the 17th and 18th century, and some of Tudor origin.

The Clock Tower is a listed building and became the centre of attention when it featured in the cryptic Kit Williams book 'Masquarade' . People flocked to Ampthill in search of a buried golden hare which was eventually unearthed in nearby Ampthill Park.

The area of Ampthill Park has probably been parkland since the 15th century when Ampthill Castle was built. Since the 15th century Ampthill Park has been the site of a royal residence and hunting ground, and a landscaped garden for generations of aristocratic residents of the Park House. The gardens were landscaped by Lancelot Capability Brown in the 18th century. Henry VIII was a frequent visitor to Ampthill and used the castle and grounds for hunting. In 1532 Henry sent his first wife, Katherine or Aragon, to live at Ampthill for a year whilst their marriage was annulled. Katherine was then moved to Buckden and Henry and his new wife Anne Boleyn returned to Ampthill. Towards the end of the century though the castle was neglected and was ruinous by 1600. Ampthill Park House was re-built between 1687-1689 and whilst the house is now in private ownership the park land is now owned and managed by the Town Council assisted by the Greensand Trust.

The Ampthill Camp Memorial Cross located in the park commemorates the training camp established by the Duke of Bedford for volunteers during the First World War.

Also within the park is Katherine's Cross it marks the site of the castle and was erected by Lord Ossory in 1770

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 44 - A walk in the snow (19th December 2010)

2010-12-19T15:17:00.008Z

Managed one more walk today. After yesterday's heavy snowfall we took our youngest two sledging then decided to take a detour home across the fields. Some of us walked ..... whilst someone had a ride!

The Church looked lovely with the snow covered trees in front.

The plants were heavily covered in snow and frost.

We stopped on the bridge where in the summer we play Pooh Sticks.

Everywhere looks so magical.

This was the main road through the village when we came out of the fields. Not a lot of traffic about today.

The brook was frozen.

Then it was a slight uphill climb .............

.......... before heading back towards home.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 43 - A Walk around Central Milton Keynes (23rd November 2010)

2010-12-10T22:07:00.005Z

A few weeks ago, having not been to Milton Keynes for probably two years or more I paid two visits to the town in a week. The first time to do some Christmas shopping and the second time to take Lara to a birthday party at the Sno!zone. On my first visit I took my little compact camera and snapped a few photos of the Christmas display as I wandered around the shopping centre.

Middleton Hall at thecentre:mk has been transformed into a Christmas Storyland Adventure! Complete with Santa's Grotto, carousel and indoor Christmas Market with delicious hot food & drink and handmade gifts.

These snowmen were cute.

In the little chalets at the Christmas market were gorgeous hand made and hand decorated items. Like these tree decorations.

Whilst doing my shopping I was surprised to come across the Concrete Cows inside the centre.

The Concrete Cows in Milton Keynes are an iconic work of sculpture, created in 1978 by Canadian-born artist, Liz Leyh. The Cows are constructed from scrap skinned with fibre glass reinforced concrete. The cows were originally on display in a public park but have suffered many indignities. Sometimes they have simply been vandalised, while at other times they have been painted pink, become zebras, had pyjama bottoms added and have even been beheaded. The original cows are now in a safe place inside the shopping centre whilst replicas are now outside.

Having taken and photographed my 43rd walk this year I now think its time to throw in the towel and admit that I am not going to complete my challenge to take 52 walks in 2010. I got to 43 but with only three weeks of 2010 left there is no way I am going to complete the remaining nine walks. I am disappointed! I don't like to fail at anything but I have to be realistic. I have enjoyed the walks we have taken. We have been to places we perhaps wouldn't usually have gone and the photographs I have taken are a lovely record of those walks. Perhaps I will take the remaining nine walks soon, and if I do I'll post them here, but I'm afraid it's likely to be next year.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 42 - A Walk around Our Garden (18th November 2010)

2010-11-19T19:08:00.007Z

I am so conscious that I am quite a few weeks behind with my 52 walks and not liking to be defeated I am desperate to try and catch up. So today I took a walk ........ around our garden. I know its a bit of a cop out but when needs must.

Unfortunately the garden looks pretty bleak at the moment. There are lots of leaves on the grass.

But on closer inspection there a few splashes of colour. These berries are on a Maple Tree. It is actually a bit different to your usual Maple Tree because each year one side of the tree bears red berries ...................

......... whilst the other side bears pink berries!

We assume that the nursery where the tree came from grafted two varieties together. Don't know whether this was intentional but it makes for an interesting looking tree.

Elsewhere in the garden there are the odd brightly coloured leaf like these on the Spirea Bush.

These Cyclamen where bought last weekend and are still waiting to be planted in tubs. Hopefully they will bring a bit of colour to the front of the house in the coming months.

Amazingly some of the bulbs in the garden are already starting to peep through the soil.

We have snow forecast for this part of the country towards the end of next week so either I shall be able to go for a nice snowy walk or I'll take the easy option and decide to stay inside in the warm. Hmmmm, wonder which it will be!!

Walks in 2010 - Walk 41 - The Parrot Zoo, Friskney, Lincs (29th October 2010)

2010-11-05T21:33:00.004Z

Todays walk was around The Parrot Zoo (incorporating The National Parrot Sanctuary) at Friskney, Linconlnshire and was also our last walk in Lincolnshire before heading back home. The zoo is home to 1350 happy parrots and parakeets, and is the largest collection of rescued parrots in the UK

Here are a few photos of some of the inhabitants.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 40 - Wainfleet, Lincs (28th October 2010)

2010-11-05T16:17:00.005Z

Todays walk was around the town of Wainfleet. During our walk I seemed to take a lot of photos of signs so I'll start with the village sign which shows the Magdalen College Museum (more on that later).

The main reason for our walk around the town was to visit Batemans Brewery. Batemans Brewery is one of the country’s oldest family breweries. It is based on an old windmill, dating back two centuries and overlooks the River Steeping. Definitely THE most picturesque of breweries.

Batemans was founded in 1874 by George Bateman and the Bateman family are still very much involved with the brewery. Batemans is the holder of the Regional Brewer of the Year Award 2010.

In August 2000 a Visitors Centre was opened at the brewery. Visitors can have a tour around the Victorian brewhouse, where much of the equipment is made of brass and copper as well as round the new brewhouse ........ and our course sample to beer!

Inside the old windmill the circular windmill bar stocks the championship winning Bateman’s beers. Due to the circular shape of the mill you can stand in various areas and the sound magnifies itself, Roman Auditorium style.

Besides the brewery there are other interesting places in Wainfleet like the market square with its clock tower

Between the Brewery and the Town runs a main Railway line with Wainfleet’s quaint old station

and signal box.

Barkham Street was built in 1847 for Bethlem Hospital according to the design of Sydney Smirke, their architect and named after their benefactor. A number of similar terraces stood in Southwark near Bethlem Hospital. The street is such an attraction because the city ‘Regency’ architecture is so much different to the other houses in the small town

Besides Batemans Brewery and Barkham Street the other main attraction in Wainfleet is the Magdalen College School.

Willam Patten known as William of Waynflete was born in the town in 1395. He became Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor of England. Having founded the Magdalen College at Oxford he authorised the building of Magdalen College School in Wainfleet to provide scholars for the Oxford College. Originally designed to take seven boys the building was last used as a school in 1966. The impressive Grade 1 listed building now houses a museum, library and cafe. Unfortunately at the time of our visit it was closed to the public.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 39 - Natureland, Skegness, Lincs (27th October 2010)

2010-11-04T20:10:00.006Z

After our visit to Donna Nook beach to see the colony of Grey Seals in their natural habitat we decided to visit Skegness Natureland Seal Sanctuary. Natureland first opened in 1965 and was a place that on my childhood visits to Skegness we always went. Every year, particularly during the breeding season, seal pups are washed up on the beaches around Skegness, abandoned or separated from their mothers by the tides. The lucky ones are brought into Natureland's Seal Hospital where they are cared for and when the seal pups are fit, fat and healthy, they are returned home to the sea.

The common seal pups that were at Natureland at the time of our visit were so cute and those in the Rearing Pool looked very healthy and happy.

This next little chap looked so contented.

As well a seals, Natureland also has some other resident creatures.

The Jackass Penguins were a little shy but did venture out of their huts for a little while.

There were several very hungry ducks on the Koi Carp pond which were only too willing to gobble up the fish food before the fish could get to it.

In the Butterfly House there were beautiful butterflies. Not as many as there probably are at warmer times of the year but we still spotted a few. including some huge ones.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 38 - Donna Nook Beach, Lincs (27th October 2010)

2010-11-03T14:45:00.006Z

When autumn turns into winter hundreds of Grey Seals start hauling themselves onto the sand banks on the Lincolnshire coast to give birth to their pups. Donna Nook on the north-eastern coast of Lincolnshire is a seal watchers' paradise. It boasts one of the largest and most accessible breeding colonies of Grey Seals in the UK. Interestingly the reserve which is managed by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is also shared with the RAF's military bombing range but thankfully on the day we visited there was no bombing going on.

We arrived at the beach, parked our car and followed the many dozens of other people who had come to Donna Nook to see the seals. As we walked along the dunes in the distance we started to make out large black rock like shapes on the beach.

On getting closer it was clear to see that the rocks were the seals. There were about 100 or so on the beach and from the fenced off viewing area at the foot of the sand dunes we were able to watch them.

On rounding a corner we came across this chap just about 10-15m in front of the fence having a snooze in a pool. Seemingly oblivious to all the visitors who were watching him

Further on were more seals. I'm no seal expert but the ranger told us that they were mainly male 'bull' seals and that the majority of the female 'cows' would start arriving later that week and that by next week there would be double the number of seals on the beach as well as their pups. We did see one pup. In this next photo just behind the closest seal you can just about make out a white shape - that's the pup.

After watching the seals for a while we headed back to the car and on our way we passed a couple of huge seals having a bit of a spat. These photos were taken from about 10m from the seals.

Even Lara decided to have a go at taking some photos.

It was a lovely morning and really magical to see these wonderful creatures in the wild and up so close.

Since posting I've read the Wildlife Trusts Pupping Update and on Monday 1st November they recorded approx 176 adults present and 35 pups born to date.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 37 - Gibraltar Point, Lincs (25th October 2010)

2010-11-01T19:29:00.005Z

Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve covers three miles of coast from Skegness to The Wash. The reserve is recognised internationally for its important habitats and species and is managed by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

Habitats include sandy and muddy seashore, sand dunes, saltmarsh and freshwater marsh with ponds and lagoons.

After the previous night's rain there were lots of puddles, which a certain little girl was very keen to play in.

We bought a walkabout guide to the nature reserve and were able to find out about the different habits as we walked around the 3.5 mile circular route.

After quite a while we reached the beach.

Like much of Lincolnshire when the tide goes out vast mud flats remain.

From Mill Hill, the highest point on the reserve you get a great view of Fenland Lagoon which is midway between freshwater and saltwater habitats.

A large variety of plants and wildflowers grow within the reserve. The elderberries were in fruit..........

........ and also this Sea Blackthorn which is found in only a few sites in Britain but which is common at Gibraltar Point.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 36 - Skegness Seafront, Lincs (24th October 2010)

2010-10-30T19:12:00.009+01:00

Todays walk was a bit of a trip down memory lane. A blast from the past. A bit of nostalgia.

When I was a young girl in the 1960s/70s my family spent a week every summer at Skegness.

As we were staying only 5 or 6 miles from 'Skeggy' we decided to go and have a look. I ahve to say I was rather disappointed. It was as if I were somewhere I had never been before. I could remember hardly anything about the town and most fo what I could remember was no longre there.

We walked along the beach. The beach chalet (one of many) that we used to hire each year was no longer there. The dunes had encroached on the beach and I'm told the chalets were demolished some years ago. A new addition though were the wind turbines. I know they are a bit like Marmite - you either love them or hate them, but I find them rather enchanting and mesmorising.

The pier was still standing - well some of it. There has been much damage to the pier over the last 30 years and just a small part of it now remains.

We walked along the open deck being the original victorian part of the pier. The weather by this time was getting a bit bleak. My photos of the pier aren't brilliant - I converted this next one to black and white to try and make it a bit more interesting.

Just past the pier is the Pleasure Beach. A favourite place we used to visit at leats on one evening when I was a child on holiday at Skeggy. Today the place was almost deserted and I was quite pleased with this next dramatic photo of the big wheel.

The town's best known icon is the cheerful and irrepressible 'Jolly Fisherman'. Created in 1908 by artist John Hassall for an advertising poster at the request of the Great Northern Railway Company he is still seen all around Skeggy.

This statue was erected in the Tower Garden in 2008 to mark his 100th birthday.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 35 - Riverside Walk, Wainfleet, Lincs (24th October 2010)

2010-10-30T14:52:00.009+01:00

We have just returned from a very relaxing weeks holiday in Lincolnshire. We stayed in a lovely cottage in the small market town of Wainfleet, about 5 miles inland from the east coast. The weather was good (for this time of the year) and we managed to get out and about quite a bit.

The cottage was in a quiet area on a 2,000 acre farm which grew wheat, potatoes, calabrese and cabbages. On the first morning of our stay we went for a walk on the farm alongside the river.

We left the cottage ........

.... and walked along the riverbank beside the fields of crops. It was a lovely sunny morning although a bit wet on the ground.

It was very picturesque and so peaceful.

As we returned to the cottage for lunch, it started it rain for a short time and a rainbow appeared above the Magdalen College School on the opposite side of the river.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 34 - Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire (17th October 2010)

2010-10-18T18:29:00.004+01:00

Yesterday we paid our fourth and probably final visit to Wrest Park, Silsoe this year. In a few weeks time Wrest Park will close for the winter and apart from a couple of weekends when there are special events being held, it will be closed until next spring. When the park reopens next year it will be interesting as earlier this year Wrest Park was awarded a major grant of £1.14-million by the Heritage Lottery Fund and is due to undergo major improvements over the next year.

The gardens and park were certainly looking very autumnal with leaves turning brown and lying on the ground.

The Horse Chestnut trees were all looking very sorry for themselves. On the BBC Autumnwatch show last week they were saying that unless the leaf miner insect can be stopped the Horse Chestnut tree may become extinct in England. I hope that never happens.

We had fun crunching through the leaves........

....... and saw huge piles of rotting fallen apples gathered in the orchard. There were some very large wasp like insects on them but I wasn't brave enough to get close enough to them to take their photo.

There were lots of cones on the fir trees......

..... and we found some toadstools / mushrooms.

I had a little photo shoot with Lara .......

Whilst Wayne photographed me photographing Lara.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 33 - Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire (19th September 2010)

2010-09-19T19:24:00.005+01:00

Todays walk was our third visit this year to Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire so apologies to regular readers of my blog if the photos are a little repetitive although on this visit I decided to focus on the many statues that are around the park.

Many of the statues date from the 1830s.

Its a shame that many of the statues are covered in bird poop - an occupational hazard of being a statue I guess. LOL.

There were already signs of autumn showing in the park, like this mushroom/toadstool.

But there were still insects around busily trying to collect pollen from the last few remaining flowers.

On our way back to the car we noticed the farmer harvesting his crop. Last year when I did the 365 project I desperately wanted to photograph a harvest scene - combine and fields of golden corn but never managed it. So this year although the scene wasn't quite what I had expected, I did get a couple of harvest photos.

Whilst not part of the walk I've popped these last two photos on my blog of conkers that we collected on our way home. A lot of the horse chestnut trees we saw were still suffering from disease so were pleased to find one that actually had quite a few conkers which we could collect.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 32 - Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire (5th September 2010)

2010-09-05T19:15:00.008+01:00

Today's walk was around Letchworth Garden City. Letchworth was the world's first Garden City and also the town where my husband grew up. Letchworth is also recorded as having the first roundabout, the first 'intersection for gyratory movement' in Britain

This first photo is of the magnificent Spirella Building which was created between 1912 and 1920 as the UK manufacturing base of the famous Spirella Corset Company. It was once known as Castle Corset! From 1939-45 war interfered with production and Spirella manufactured parachutes and decoding machinery instead. In 1994 Letchworth Garden City Corporation purchased the Spirella Building and a few years later work on the £11m restoration of the building started. Today the Grade II Listed Building is a multi-tenanted business complex with fitness club, ballroom and cafe. This photo is of only a small section of the building which occupies a prominent place near the town centre.

The former Town Hall with it's clock tower for some reason reminds me of the town hall in 'Back to the Future'.

When the garden city was created in the early 1900's there was, most unusual for a British town, a ban on selling alcohol in public premises. This ban was lifted after a referendum in 1958, but to this day the town centre has less than half-a-dozen pubs including The Hogs Head photographed below which was previously the old Eastern Electric showrooms. The metal sculpture things in front of the pub have been installed recently as part of a controversial town centre improvement initiative

The 1930s Broadway Cinema is now a multi screen cinema.

The Nexus Building is a 1960s office development, formerly used by ICL, who left during the 80's. After several years being loaned to various branches of the council, or left empty a large bulldozer turned up and ripped a lot of it down, all the windows were taken out and the whole thing gutted. The refurbished building is now occupied by various companies.

This final sign displaying the name of a small second hand shop made me chuckle.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 31 - Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire (30th August 2010)

2010-08-30T17:48:00.007+01:00

This afternoon we went for a walk around Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire.

Grafham Water is a reservoir with a circumference of about 10 miles. The lake was created by filling a valley full of water which is retained by an earth and a concrete dam built in 1965. The reservoir was immediately colonised by wildlife and a nature reserve surrounding the western side of the reservoir was soon created. Grafham Water, now owned and managed by Anglian Water, is popular for a range of leisure activities including boating,fly fishing and cycling.

We only walked a very short part of the 10miles - from Plummer Park to the Marlow Park and back again

About half way we came to the Valve Tower which is accessed via a long access bridge.

At several places along the edge of the dam these signs were displayed. We needn't have worried though because there were no fishermen on the dam.

We did spot this chap in the water though just after the dam.

There were quite a few blackberries on bushes starting to ripen.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 30 - Weymouth Sea Life Centre (19th August 2010)

2010-08-24T21:44:00.007+01:00

The last walk of our holiday was a walk around Weymouth Sea Life Park. The weather wasn't very good so we weren't there very long and because of the weather the photo opportunities were few.

The penguins didn't seem to mind the damp weather though and were happy to pose for a few photos.

Lara was able to touch a star fish in the Rock pool Experience but wasn't too keen when given the chance to hold a spider crab.

These turtles were enjoying getting warm under a lamp.

And when the sun came out I was able to quickly snap a butterfly on the Budlia.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 29 - Weymouth Carnival (18th August 2010)

2010-08-24T21:04:00.008+01:00

Walk no 28 wasn't exactly a walk! It was more a stand still whilst 100s of other people walked by.

We went to Weymouth Carnival on 18th August but before the carnival began, as we were getting out of the car, the Red Arrows were giving a display. We were at the top of the multi-storey car park so got a great view of the action. This first photo was straight of the the camera - no editing - no cropping - a complete fluke!

After the display and a short walk to the Esplanade, the carnival began.

There were marching bands including the Medina Marching Band from the Isle of Wight .....

........... and the Bournemouth Carnival Band.

There were people in various costumes, like this chap from the RNLI ......

..... this blue, snappy cutie ..........

and this octopus/squid.

There were amazing dresses .....

and storm troopers!

There were tiny floats like this pirate ship .........

.... and huge ones like this dinosaur.

There were people who were imitating TV adverts (Go Compare, Go Compare) .......

..... people who had got married just before the carnival began (honest) .....

.... and loads more.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 28 - Weymouth (2) (18th August 2010)

2010-08-21T21:33:00.008+01:00

Todays walk took us along the south side of the harbour at Weymouth unlike walk 18 which took us along the north side.

On both sides of the water there are pubs, restaurants and shops and the area was especially busy today as it was Carnival Day.

Many of the harbour side shops were painted in bright colours.

Condor Ferries operate from Weymouth taking passengers to Guernsey, Jersey and St. Malo, Brittany. Today one of the the fast car ferries was in dock waiting to go out.

Lots of the hotels had bunting decorating them.

Just off the harbour is 'Brewers Quay'. The Victorian brewery building has been redeveloped to house a Shopping Village with over 20 specialist shops, the Weymouth Museum, Timewalk Heritage Tour and Science Discovery Centre.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 27 - Sutton Poyntz (18th August 2010)

2010-08-21T21:07:00.010+01:00

Whilst in Dorset we stayed in Sutton Poyntz, a wonderful picturesque 17th Century village with a famous millpond and small stream. We stayed in 'The Court House'

We came to the conclusion that it wasn't the original Court House but probably more likely built on the site of the Court House.

Opposite The Court House was 'Sutton Mill' which dates from about 1820. Sutton Poyntz was the 'Overcombe' of Thomas Hardy's novel 'The Trumpet Major', with the mill and mill house as the main setting.

The village pub - The Springhead.

This house caught my attention. I love the windows at street level.

There were lots of very quaint houses around the village.

These cottages were in a prime spot overlooking the village pond.

We stopped to feed the ducks.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 26 - Lulworth Castle (15th August 2010)

2010-08-21T20:27:00.010+01:00

WARNING - VERY HEAVY PHOTO POST

Todays walk took us around Lulworth Castle. Built in the early 17th Century originally as a hunting lodge, the exterior of the Castle has changed little over the years. The interior however changed much until it was gutted by a disastrous fire in 1929.

The Chapel of St Mary's in the grounds of Lulworth Castle is said to be one of the finest pieces of architecture in the county of Dorset. In 1786, when freestanding Catholic churches were still banned in England, Thomas Weld the owner of Lulworth Castle was determined to build a Catholic chapel - in the guise of a family mausoleum - on his estate. King George III and Queen Charlotte visited Lulworth in 1789 and according to family legend, the King gave Thomas Weld permission to create the Catholic chapel. "Build a family mausoleum," he is said to have declared, "and you can furnish the inside as a Catholic chapel if you wish."

Within the Castle park there is an animal farm so we walked around and found some really cute animals.

Shaggy Angora Goats.

A Wessex Saddleback Pig called Barbara.

A very inquisitive goat.

Alpacas with very fetching haircuts.

We were treated to a Summer Jousting Show from the Knight of Lulworth. They were so bright and colourful - a photographers dream. I got a bit carried away with the number of photos I took.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 25 - Abbotsbury Abbey and Barn (13th August 2010)

2010-08-21T20:00:00.004+01:00

A short walk from the Swannery at Abbotsbury is the Abbotsbury Children's Farm. The same Benedictine Monks who established the Swannery also built the Tithe Barn at the centre of the farm in the 1390's.

We took a walk up the hill overlooking the farm to get a better view.

The great barn was probably built in the early 14th century and, at 272 feet long and 31 feet wide, is reputedly the largest barn of its type in England, if not Europe. The roof you can see covers only half the original building although records suggest it has been like this for several hundred years.

At the top of the hill is the only surviving element of the Abbey (apart from the Tithe Barn) - the Pynion End.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 24 - Abbotsbury Swannery (13th August 2010)

2010-08-21T19:31:00.005+01:00

Abbotsbury Swannery is the only managed colony of nesting mute swans in the world. The colony can number over 600 swans with around 150 pairs.

The Swannery was established by Benedictine Monks who built a monastery at Abbotsbury during the 1040's. The monks farmed the swans to produce food for their lavish Dorset banquets. St Peter's monastery was destroyed in 1539 during the dissolution and since that time the Swannery has been under the stewardship of the Ilchester Estates.

Before viewing the swans, visitors can look at the Decoyman’s House which has a display explaining how the colony has been managed over the years and evolved.

Because the Swannery is now a tourist attraction the swans have become accustomed to the presence of visitors and allow visitors to walk near them even in the nesting season when cygnets are on the nest.

The best time to visit is probably mid May to late June when hundreds of fluffy cygnets hatch from eggs in nests on or near the pathways. Because we didn't visit until August the cygnets were somewhat bigger than when they hatched but still lovely to see.

Daily mass feeding sessions take place at noon and 4 p.m. and the just before these times the swans start to gather around the feeding area.

A few years ago when we last visited Dorset Lara and a number of other children were invited to help with the feeding and this year she was again lucky enough to be allowed to help out which is quite an experience given the number of swans eagerly wanting food.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 23 - Tout Quarry and Sculpture Park, Portland (12th August 2010)

2010-08-21T16:38:00.010+01:00

Our last walk on Portland was around Tout Quarry and Sculpture Park. I had read about the place on the Internet and was keen to visit.

The abandoned Tout Quarry, where previously Portland stone was quarried, is now a sculpture park and is used to display an amazing collection of carvings and artefacts. The sculptures found within the quarry landscape have been carved into the rock face and quarry boulders .

We wandered through the quarry for a couple of hours and every now and then came across a sculpture.

It was obvious what some sculptures were .......

.......... whilst others were a little more abstract.

Not sure what this next sculpture is of ..... but I like it.

Lano's Bridge was built in the mid-1800s to carry a high level tramway taking spoil to the cliff edge with a low level tramway going through the arch taking stone to the Merchants' Railway. In the late 1980s well equipped and determined vandals attempted to demolish this old bridge and almost reached the keystone. Following an appeal for old photographs of the bridge, it was carefully reconstructed with each stone put back in its original place. (information from Chris Kirby)

Tout Quarry was last worked nearly a century ago by hand and is a network of pathways, labyrinths and gullies.

There were spectacular views from parts of the Quarry. This next photo shows Weymouth in the distance and Chesil Beach, and in the centre of the photo is the Marina which we had visited earlier in the day.

I think this face was one of my favourite sculptures.

This one of a falling man was on the side of a cliff.

Most of the sculptures were life size and bigger like this elephant.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 22 - Portland Bill (12th August 2010)

2010-08-21T16:06:00.006+01:00

After our walk around the castle and marina we headed to the other end of Portland to Portland Bill.

Portland Bill Lighthouse guides vessels heading for Portland and Weymouth through hazardous waters as well as acting as a waymark for ships navigating the English Channel. There are actually three lighthouses at Portland Bill, but it is the taller red and white one that is in service today, albeit automatically controlled.

During the summer months, and subject to opening times, you can go inside the lighthouse to the top. Wayne and Lara climbed to the top whilst the boys and I stayed at the bottom.

Near the lighthouse is the Trinity House Obelisk and this stands at the tip of the rocky area just past the lighthouse. A few years ago Trinity House wanted to pull the 150+ year old grade II listed monument down because there were fears it would fall into the sea but in the light of local opinion the Obelisk was saved

Also near the lighthouse is Pulpit Rock. The artificial stack of rock is a popular photo point and was left in the 1870s after a natural arch was cut away by quarrymen

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 21 - Portland Castle and Marina (12th August 2010)

2010-08-21T10:57:00.008+01:00

Today we went to Portland. Our first walk of the day took us around Portland Castle which overlooks Portland harbour and is one of Henry VIII’s finest coastal forts, built in the early 1540s to protect against French and Spanish invasion.

Built in about 1540, of Ashlar stone, the finest Portland Stone available, the castle is in excellent condition. This may be because it experienced few actual encounters with France or Spain and aside from the English Civil War in the mid 1600's when the Parliamentarians and Royalists alternately occupied the Castle, or in the early 1800's when the Castle had a few incursions during the Napoleonic Wars, Portland Castle remained unarmed. It was however rearmed during World War I when it was used as a sea plane station, and then again during World War II, when the Castle became a major part of the base of operations in preparation for D-Day

The main gun room is now open to the sky having lost its roof that acted as the second gun platform.

A short walk from Portland Castle is the new Portland Marina. Brand new for 2009, Portland Marina is part of the venue for hosting the sailing events for the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games. It was the first venue to be completed and delivered for the London 2012 games and means the locals and visitors can use the facilities before the games as well as the Olympic hopefuls. As well as the marina there were a number of new hotels, apartments and other building being built ready for 2012.

It was a lovely place and walking along the waterside and then sitting in one of the cafés on a glorious sunny day it was like being in the South of France.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 20 - Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens (8th August 2010)

2010-08-20T20:22:00.016+01:00

Today's walk took us around Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Dorset. Established in 1765 by the first Countess of Ilchester as a kitchen garden for her nearby castle the garden has since developed into a magnificent 20 acre garden filled with rare and exotic plants from all over the world.

The garden is a mixture of formal and informal flowers and is divided into different areas

Oriental style red bridges cross huge ponds.

A walk up a 250m steep grass slope took us to a view point from where we could see chisel beach.

Sited near to the gardens is the 14th century St Catherine's Hilltop Chapel and we got a glimpse of this through a specially cut hole in the trees.

This tree made us smile. It looks like a face.

Part of the garden was a Sculpture Trail featuring works by prominent British sculptors in a lovely woodland setting.

My post wouldn't be complete without some closeup shots of some of the wonderful plants.

I loved these beautiful waterlilies.

I think my favourite part of the garden was the Hydrangea Walk. There were so many hydrangeas in so many different colours and so I've put together a collage showing some of them. If you click on the photo you will (as usual) get a larger view.

Here's a few of the insects we spotted too.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 19- Sutton Poyntz, Dorset (1) (7th August 2010)

2010-08-20T19:38:00.006+01:00

On the second evening we were away we decided to try some geocaching - something we haven't done for about 12 months. We found details of a cache which was near to where we were staying and set off into the hills to find it.

This photo shows where we started and the arrow shows roughly where we were heading to.

It was all up hill between fields.

When we got to the cache the view back towards the sea was spectacular. The area of land in the sea in the centre of the photo is Portland with Weymouth on the right. The village of Sutton Poyntz where we were based is the area of housing nearer the front.

After much searching amongst brambles and nettles we found the cache and the children were rewarded with a toy from the cache box - in this case a wind-up penguin from 'Happy Feet'.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 18 - Weymouth, Dorset (1) (7th August 2010)

2010-08-20T19:20:00.013+01:00

We have just spent a fortnight on holiday in Dorset and managed to take quite a few walks whilst we were away so hopefully I am not now quite so far behind with my '52 Walks'!

Our first walk was to the harbour at Weymouth. On our way we walked alongside the marina. Weymouth marina is a modern, purpose built marina and on this day it was full ready for the Skandia Sail for Gold 2010 Regatta (part of the ISAF Sailing World Cup) which was taking place the following week.

A few minutes later and we arrived at the 17th Century harbour with its pubs, restaurants and family attractions. The port of Weymouth was once two communities, Weymouth on the south side and Melcombe Regis on the north. Arguments over the harbour were, for centuries, so bitter that in 1571 Queen Elizabeth I intervened and proclaimed that the two unite, becoming the Borough of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis. Our walk took us along the north side. As well as numerous pleasure boats there were several fishing boats moored up.

The ports of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis are joined by a bascule bridge - a type of drawbridge that uses counter weights to raise the road levers.The bridge known as Town Bridge opens at two-hourly intervals during the summer to allow ships to pass through that are too high to pass under it.

Whilst we were there the bridge opened allowing several tall sailing ships to pass through on their way out the sea.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 17 - Bedford River Valley Park (20th June 2010)

2010-06-20T21:22:00.013+01:00

This afternoon we made our second visit to Danish Camp at Willington in Bedfordshire. The site next to the Great River Ouse has been known as "Danish Camp" for many years. It is an English Heritage scheduled monument, believed to have been built originally by the Vikings as a place in which to live and repair their boats, in readiness for battle. It is now part of the Bedford River Valley Park and whilst Lara cycled along the cycle trails we walked behind.

Some of the trails are right by the riverside.

Of course I had a keen eye for the wild flowers growing along the way.

This bee was enjoying flitting from thistle to thistle.

As the afternoon went on it got warmer and it was really very pleasant walking (and cycling) in the sunshine.

We turned a corner and found ourselves alongside a farmer field where wheat was growing. All along the edge of the field were the most gorgeous red poppies.

On our way back to the car park we noticed a sign pointing to Willington Dovecote so we decided to do a short detour to have a look.

Willington Dovecote and Stables are owned by The National Trust.

The Dovecote and stable building stand alongside Willington church. Both buildings were built in 1541 by Sir John Gostwick, who served as Cardinal Wolsey's Master of Horse. This was a man who thought big! 1500 nesting boxes for pigeons line the walls of the cote. The cote and adjoining stable block are thought to have been built with stone from Newnham Priory. It is thought that the buildings were built to prove Sir John's status to Henry VIII who visited Willington on two occasions.

The Dovecote.

The Stables.

It is possible, by appointment, to go inside the building. We didn't but if you would like to see what the buildings are like inside and hear more about them here's a little video made in 2009 by local-news.tv.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 16 - Another walk around Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire (13th June 2010)

2010-06-13T22:14:00.009+01:00

I am so far behind with my walks and really disappointed that I've not managed to keep up.

Anyway, we headed off for walk number 16 today. We went back to Wrest Park. When we were there in April I focused my photography on the buildings, today I focused on the garden and the plants.

Wrest Park’s formal gardens are spread over 150 acres, were laid out over 150 years and inspired by the great gardens of Versailles in France.

These first few photos are of the West Flower Garden which was laid out by the Earl de Grey for his wife, the countess.

Standing by the wall is a statue of Pomona, goddess of fruit.

Alongside the West Flower Garden is The Strangers Gate Walk and alongside this is a flower border which at this time of year is full of beautiful scented flowers.

Even in the uncut pasture land in a different area of this garden there are lovely flowers like these yellow Birds Foot Trefoil flowers.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 15 - A walk at Wells-Next-The-Sea, Norfolk (2nd May 2010)

2010-05-03T21:14:00.011+01:00

Today we took a very blustery walk along the Norfolk Coastal Path. We started at the Harbour Office which is next to the Quay with the intention of walking to the beach but after getting about half way we decided it really was far too cold and turned back.

On our short walk we passed lots of boats moored up waiting for the tide to come in so they could go out.

Back at the Quay the fishing boats were all moored up after bringing in their catch waiting no doubt for the next high tide.

The empty crab/lobster pots were all stacked along the wall waiting to be taken out to sea again.

The large granary building with its distinctive overhanging gantry which you can see in this photo is my favourite building in Wells. Built in 1903, the granary has now been turned into luxury flats with magnificent views of the quay. I would love to go up inside that gantry to see the view.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 14 - A walk around Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, Norfolk (1st May 2010)

2010-05-03T20:02:00.014+01:00

We have just spent the Bank Holiday weekend in Norfolk. During our very chilly but very relaxing stay, we visited Pensthorpe Nature Reserve and Gardens the home of BBC Springwatch which will start broadcasting from here again at the end of May. We last visited Pensthorpe last October and you can see my photos of that visit here.

One of these cottages, known as Five Cottages is transformed into the main studio from where Chris Packham, Kate Humble and Martin Hugh-Games present a large part of the shows.

The River Wensum flows through the reserve and is home to lots of wildlife.

There were lots of ducks ...

.... of varying species.

I thought this blue billed duck very strange.

There were geese too.

There were lots of baby bird too - probably not surprising as it's spring. These ducklings were huddled together in the middle of the path! So very cute.

These slightly bigger ducklings were cuddled together in amongst some plants.

Whilst were were having a bite to eat these goslings and there parents were scavenging for what scraps they could find.

At Pensthorpe they have a couple of large walk through aviaries. These European Stilts were in one of the aviaries and were very obliging and posed for some photos.

A sleepy avocet.

A Lapwing.

At Pensthorpe there are also some more exotic birds. These Bald Ibis are peculiar looking birds and this one was very friendly. If you offered it a stick it would take it from your hand and try to preen your fingers.

The Pensthorpe Conservation Centre within the reserve provides a special home for a number of important collections of birds including flamingos....

.... and Cranes

As usual I had to take some photos of the flowers too. Just couldn't resist.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 13 - A walk around ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire (26th April 2010)

2010-04-27T14:58:00.008+01:00

Yesterday I accompanied Lara's school on a trip to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. The weather was good and the children were able to see lots of animals. I only took my little point and shoot camera so the photos I took aren't as good as I would have liked but they capture the day.

The 'In With The Lemurs' area gave the children a chance to go onto the lemurs’ island to get up close to the Ring-tailed lemurs. As it was sunny quite a few lemurs were sunbathing in the sunshine.

We managed to get to the Brown Bears just at feeding time and the children were all able to throw fruit to the bears. The bears weren't particularly interested in the fruit but the children enjoyed feeding them none the less.

The Humboldt penguins were pretty cute although rather smelly.

The high light of the trip was seeing the new elephant calf. He was 2-weeks old and born just after midnight on Monday 12th April to first-time mother Karishma, age 12. The baby hasn't been named yet and has spent his early days getting to know the other elephants in the herd, including half sister Donna who is nine-months-old, while enjoying the spring sunshine in the seven-acre elephant paddock.

Postscript - The Baby elephant was subsequently named George, or Mr George Ketchum to give him his full title!

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 12 - A walk around the grounds of Debden House, Loughton, Essex (10th April 2010)

2010-04-12T20:13:00.007+01:00

I spent last weekend in the company of some fellow crafters at Debden House in Loughton Essex. We spent the weekend scrapbooking, cardmaking and generally having fun being together enjoying the hobbies we share.

On Saturday some of us went for a walk around the grounds of Debden House. This was the third time I had stayed at Debden House and because of the hard winter we had this year everything in the garden seemed to be at a much later stage of growth, but hidden here and there were some splashes of colour and interesting things to see.

I assume that this old gate was once a lych gate which had fallen into disrepair.

There were a couple of these stone seats dotted around the garden including this one tucked away under a tree and in danger of being covered by plants.

These grape hyacinths were lovely although there weren't many of them. For some reason they always make me think of fairies!

Last year when I was at Debden this Monkey Puzzle tree was covered in ladybirds. This year there were none. I love the intricate pattern if the 'needles' round the branches.

I think this next flower is a celandine - a small yellow flower which some people consider a weed.

Some of the trees were in blossom although not as many as other years.

I couldn't resist photographing these pansies which were in planters near the front of the house. They were so bright that it would have been rude not to take their photo.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 11 - A walk around Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire (5th April 2010)

2010-04-05T16:35:00.007+01:00

Todays walk took us to one of our favourite places - Wrest Park at Silsoe, Bedfordshire. Apologies to any of you who followed my blog last year if I bore you with yet more photos of the park. I decided this visit to focus on taking photos of some of the buildings within the park.

The garden at Wrest Park are considered by some to be the most magnificent gardens in England, yet one of the least well known. Wrest Park was the home of the De Grey family from the 13th century until 1917. The old manor house was demolished when the present house designed by Thomas, Earl de Grey, an enthusiast for 18th-century French architecture, was completed by 1839.

The domed pavilion (originally called the Banqueting House) which stands at one end of a long canal was designed in by Thomas Archer in 1709. It is hexagonal on the outside and circular inside with winding stairs going up to tiny rooms.

The impressive Bowling Green House built in the 18th century unsurprisingly stands in front of the bowling green with hedges surrounding it.

It is difficult to photograph the Orangery which dates from the 1830s as it is approached through an avenue of trees which prevent getting a photo of the whole of the building from the front.

My favourite building I think is the Bath House with its pool, and pebble and knucklebone floor.

Last year, after visiting Wrest Park many, many times we stumbled across this little wooden house near the old orchard. Everytime I see it I think is Hansel and Gretel or the children's song 'Little Cottage in the Woods'.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 10 - A walk around RSPB Nature Reserve Sandy, Bedfordshire (28th March 2010)

2010-03-28T21:35:00.008+01:00

I am so behind with my 52 walks but I'm certain that I will catch up at some point.

Today we went for a walk around the RSPB Lodge Nature Reserve at Sandy, Bedfordshire. The Lodge Nature Reserve opened in 1961. The woodland, heath and grassland cover 180 hectares, and are being restored to form the largest stretch of heathland in Bedfordshire.

The reserve was very, very busy today because this weekend a female Two-Barred Crossbill (a rare species if bird) had been spotted at the reserve. The last recorded sighting of this bird in Bedfordshire was in the 1840s so needless to say there were a lot of bird spotters out with their binoculars and digi scopes trying to catch a glimpse of this bird. They pointed out to us the flock of Common Crossbills that this rare bird had hooked up with, but we weren't able to pick it out ourselves from the 20+ other birds.

Within the reserve is 'The Lodge', built in 1870 as a private home but has been occupied as the national headquarters of the RSPB since 1961.

I can't imagine workign in such an impressive building! I love the triple chimneys.

At the reserve there are lots of wild flowers......

....... and other flowers in the formal garden of The Lodge.
.

These miniature irises caught my eye.

Around 1851, the 'Swiss Cottage' at the entrance to the estate was built and is now the reserve's visitor centre and shop.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 9 - A walk around our garden (14th March 2010)

2010-03-14T11:24:00.010Z

Not able to go for a proper walk this week so I thought I would just take a quick walk around the garden this morning and upload a few photos of the flowers that are now in bloom. Everything is so late this year. This time last year the daffodils were in full bloom but at the moment there are only green leaves so I think it will be quite a while before the flowers appear.

There are quite a few crocuses out though.

As this morning has been quite sunny even the bees are out busily collecting pollen.

These pansies were planted in the tubs by the front door back at the beginning of October to give a bit of colour during the winter. I thought that they had been killed by the heavy snow we had during the winter but they seem to have sprung back to life.

And lastly the Polyanthus are starting to come out. These are always so bright and cheerful but have a habit of springing up where they shouldn't be - like in the middle of the lawn. I did move a lot of them last spring and so far those that have appeared are in the borders and not on the grass.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 8 - Danish Camp, Willington (7th March 2010)

2010-03-07T19:57:00.007Z

I am still a couple of walks behind but am hoping that I will catch up soon when the weather improves.

Today although cold was a dry sunny day so we headed off to Danish Camp at Willington, Bedfordshire. The site next to the Great River Ouse has been known as "Danish Camp" for many years. It is an English Heritage scheduled monument, believed to have been built originally by the Vikings as a place in which to live and repair their boats, in readiness for battle.

From Danish Camp it is possible to walk or cycle along the Ouse Valley Way (beside the river) to Bedford in one direction and to Great Barford the other. We just walked one way as far as the Willington Lock before turning round and then walking back the other way a short way onto the Grange Estate.

The robins must love the area because we saw lots. This little chap managed to stay still enough under the bushes to let me get a picture.

There were quite a few ducks, swans and moorhens on the river including a few of these manderin Ducks.

The sunlight looked lovely reflecting on the water.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 7 - Marston Vale Millennium Country Park (21st February 2010)

2010-02-21T19:31:00.009Z

Today we went for a walk at the Marston Vale Millennium Country Park. The park was created with lottery funding as a millennium project on land previously used for clay extraction, brick making and landfill. In the park there is a 'figure of eight' path for walkers and cyclists, including a 4 kilometre (2.5 mile) circular path around Stewartby Lake which was where our walk took us.

It started out quite a cold, bleak, overcast day.

There were lots of catkins out.

Later, the sunshine came out and by the waterside this would have been a nice place to sit if it had been warmer.

When the sun was out the lake looked quite picturesque and there were lots of gulls on the water.

I think this final photo, taken into the sun, is my favourite of the day.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 6 - Hitchin (13th February 2010)

2010-02-13T19:35:00.007Z

Not much time for taking a walk this week but I managed to take a few photos whilst walking round Hitchin on a quick shopping trip on Saturday.

This building just off the Market Place was built in 1882 and was the offices of the Carling family’s Hertfordshire Express and Hitchin Gazette newspapers from 1882-1986.

I've no idea of the history of this next building but I like the Gothic style. I believe the upper floors of the building are now occupied by a firm of solicitors.

This area near the church is particularly nice with the timber framed buildings. The shop in the centre with the 'H' outside is a delicatessen which has been trading for over 150 years. It sells wonderful cheeses and cured meats that you can't get elsewhere and has recently started selling locally grown vegetables. I took a very similar photo of this part of the town for my 365 project which followers of my blog may remember.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 5 - Moggerhanger Park (7th February 2010)

2010-02-07T16:02:00.007Z

We didn't manage to go for a walk last week so although today should have been our 6th walk it was only our 5th. I'm sure one week, when the weather warms up, we will catch up.

Todays walk was around Moggerhanger Park, Bedfordshire. Moggerhanger House is a Grade 1 listed Georgian Country House set in 33 acres of parkland and woodland.

We had never visited before but had read that from Mid January to Mid February there are lots of snowdrops in the woods.

We weren't disappointed because there were plenty of snowdrops.

There were some interesting old trees too which were features of the original grand gardens of the Georgian era.

Whilst walking round the woods we spotted these ladybirds hibernating.

And there was some interesting fungi too.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 4 - Imperial War Museum Duxford (24th January 2010)

2010-01-24T20:22:00.008Z

This weeks walk was a walk around the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, Cambridgeshire. Wayne and the children last went there a few years ago but it was probably 30years or more since I last went.

The weather stayed dry and the sun even shined at one point but boy was it c-c-c-cold! There was lots to see though and most of it was indoors.

As an added challenge it was suggested on the 52walks Flickr group that everyone try and phtoograph a bench during their walk. There were lots of different benches and seats at Duxford and Steven came up with the idea of taking this series of photos.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 3 - Bedford (17th January 2010)

2010-01-17T18:35:00.015Z

Today turned out to be a lovely sunny day. The snow has all gone and so we decided to venture into the County town of Bedford for an urban walk beside the River Ouse. Having parked our car we headed for the riverside. On our way we passed this statue. It was donated to the town last September by the Italian community, who have settled in Bedford over the years, in recognition of its welcoming spirit, which has enabled them to thrive. The statue represents the narrative of the immigrant and the forces of a changing world represented through a series of larger-than-life size figures.

We crossed 'Bedford Bridge' - I liked how the Park Inn Hotel reflected in the water.

A short walk further along the river we passed the 'Bedford Suspension Bridge'. The Suspension Bridge was constructed in 1888. The opening ceremony was performed by the Marquis of Tavistock

We took some wild bird food with us which Lara enjoyed feeding to the swans, cygnets and geese. The geese however seemed reluctant to eat it - I think they're probably more used to being feed bread.

Whilst feeding the birds, a couple of rowing boats went past with their coach riding long the bank shouting instructions to the crew.

Later we past the boathouse where a couple of boats not being used were outside.

To get back to the car we crossed the river on the 'Butterfly Bridge'. Completed in 1998, the pedestrian bridge was the winning entry in a British design competition that asked designers to design a new bridge, a memorable landmark representing the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century. The bridge was officially named and opened by Prince Charles in June 1998.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 2 - Shillington (10th January 2010)

2010-01-12T15:03:00.011Z

This afternoon we all wrapped up warm and went for a walk over the fields at Shillington. Its a walk we take quite often in the summer but seldom in the depths of winter and especially not when there is snow lying on the ground.

We walked down the footpath near the Church along the edge of a farmers field. Not a lot growing in it at the moment.

At the bottom of the footpath there is a bridge over the stream. We affectionately call the bridge 'Pooh Bridge' because we always play Pooh Sticks when we cross it. Today the stream was running quite fast but despite dropping sticks into the water on one side they never did come out the other side. I guess they were gobbled up by a troll ....... or maybe they just got stuck in some weed.

Some of the trees were covered in yellow lichen.

Walking over the fields we got a good view of the Church we had past earlier standing high on the hill.

And when we reached the Church again we got a great view of the area. The hills in the distance of this next photo are, I think, at Barton Hills National Nature Reserve.

This next photo taken from the Churchyard looking towards the allotments is almost identical to one I took last year at the same time of the year for the 365 project.

On our way home we passed some rather cold looking ponies in a field. They instantly ran to the fence when they saw us coming expecting us to feed them.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 1 - Maulden Woods (3rd January 2010)

2010-01-03T21:01:00.008Z

Today was my first walk of "52 Walks with my Camera". We all went for a walk in Maulden Woods. It was really chilly but when the sun was out it was so pretty.

In places where the sun hadn't been there was still a heavy frost on the ground.

Frozen puddles were a fascination to Steven and Lara.

In places it was muddy ........ VERY muddy!

But it was nice to get out for some fresh air.

Day 365 - December 31st (New Years Eve)

2010-01-01T11:50:00.003Z

December 31st - the last day of the year and the last day of my 365 challenge. My final photo is a family portrait. Not a very good family portrait but as it's the last photo of the project I thought it appropriate to capture us all for prosperity. Happy New Year from us all.

Thank you to all my fellow 365ers for their kind comments on my photos during the year. I have loved looking at all their photos too and getting a glimpse of their lives.

365 is now over and I had thought I was going to take a rest from regular photo taking but Pam on UKScrappers has tempted me with a new project - "52 Walks with my Camera". The commitment is to photograph a walk a week during 2010. The word 'walk' can be interpreted loosely. A walk can be an expedition up a mountain, or a walk around your back garden. Hope to take our first walk this weekend (weather permitting) and will be posting my photos on this blog as well as on Flickr.

I'm hoping to scrapbook more in 2010. Since the demise of the MojoHolder blog my commitment to regularly scrapbook took a nose dive. I'm hoping that in 2010 I can get back into it. My layouts will be posted on my scrapping blog here.

Day 364 - December 30th

2009-12-31T16:03:00.003Z

In her Christmas stocking Lara found a friendship bracelet kit. She started on her first bracelet today. Its a very slow process though and I think it will take her a long time to make one for all the friends she has said she wants to.

Day 363 - December 29th

2009-12-29T14:21:00.002Z

The last of the Christmas crackers have been pulled. We did laugh. My parents and I both bought the same pack of crackers in fact my parents bought two packs which they used on Christmas Day and also on our early Christmas on 20th December. Between us we now have three sets of mini screwdrivers, three mini staplers, three mystery calculators, three mini clothes brushes .............

Day 362 - December 28th

2009-12-29T14:15:00.003Z

Each year our American friend Kay, who lives nearby, makes the children a Christmas gift of homemade goodies. They are always so beautifully presented in Christmas boxes or jars or tins. This year a few days before Christmas a huge box arrived containing bags of iced gingerbread, chocolate fudge and 'snowballs' (no exactly sure what these are made of but they melt in your mouth). The children love receiving their gift from Kay and nibble on the treats throughout the holiday season.

Day 361 - December 27th

2009-12-27T16:53:00.003Z

We have decided to smarten up our kitchen a bit. It was one of the jobs that slipped off this years 'To Do' list! LOL. So, we popped out to a DIY centre today to get some new laminate flooring and some paints, etc. Unsurprisingly everywhere has sales on.

Day 360 - December 26th (Boxing Day)

2009-12-26T23:09:00.002Z

Boxing Day - We had a quiet day relaxing and watching TV before going to Wayne's sisters late afternoon.

At lunch time we had what is the traditional Boxing Day lunch in our house and I think it's my favourite meal of the whole festive season - Cold Turkey, Cold home cooked ham, Baked Potatoes and Salad.

Day 359 - December 25th (Christmas Day)

2009-12-26T22:18:00.006Z

Christmas Day - We were awake by 7.30am and after opening stockings (sacks) in bed we went downstairs to find Santa had been. As usual he had left his magical snowy footprints all over the lounge carpet.

The children were pleased with their gifts. Lara was one of the lucky children to get a much sought after Go Go Pets Hamster.

But she was equally enthralled with the smaller things she received like this Kinetic Wheel (gyroscope?) that was in her stocking .

Christopher had parts to build new PC and a DAB clock radio.

Steven received a much awaited iPod touch which he proudly showed his Granddad when we went to my parents late morning.

My Mum received a Nintendo DS and brain training game!

My Dad who is a Sudoku fan was interested to see that the brain training game included Sudoku so after lunch he and Lara had a go.

The afternoon and evening was spent playing games ... and eating .... and drinking ... and doing what one usually does at Christmas.

I received some nice presents too.

A Laptop cushion ........

Some lovely books of aeriel photos of Norfolk ............

Several DVDs ...........

Some CDs to listen to in the car ........

My much needed family calendar from Lakeland. One of the very few I've seen that have room for 5 family members plus another column for birthdays, etc as well as room for additional notes and a pocket for invitations, etc. Without this calendar I wouldn't have a clue what everyone was supposed to be doing!

And a microwaveable scarf! It's quite heavy because it contains wheat grains but after heating the microwave for 2 minutes its lovely and cosy and will be great for walks to and from the school each day.

Day 358 - December 24th (Christmas Eve)

2009-12-24T22:20:00.005Z

Christmas Eve. Lara helped me make some mince pies this afternoon. I'm the only one in the house who eats them though so I've got quite few to eat.

When it got dark we went outside to sprinkle magic reindeer food on the lawn to help guide Santa's reindeer to our house.

In our house we don't have Christmas stockings to hang up - we have three reindeer sacks so these have now been hung on the three bedroom doors by the children.

And snacks have been left for Santa - and a carrot of course for Rodolph.

"HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE"

Day 357 - December 23rd

2009-12-23T17:24:00.002Z

Still lots of snow about. Snowman by Steven (with a little help from Lara).

Day 356 - December 22nd

2009-12-22T20:08:00.004Z

At this time of year I usually find some books with a festive theme to read.

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham is one of my favorites. . I bought this copy whilst I was pregnant with Lara. She was due to be born on December 22nd and anticipating that I might end up in hospital over Christmas I thought it would be a good read whilst I was there. As it happened she was born on December 16th and I didn't get to read the book that year. I have read it several times since though and also love the film 'Christmas with the Kranks' which is based on this book.

A Wayne in a Manger by Gervase Phinn was a book I meant to buy last year but never got around to it. I love Gervase Phinn's books about his time as a school inspector and was really pleased to get this copy on Read It Swap It.

Carol by Bob Hartman is a new purchase this year and is a contemporary retelling of Charles Dickens' classic story "A Christmas Carol".

Day 355 - December 21st

2009-12-22T20:05:00.003Z

Couldn't resist them any longer. Today I opened the tin of Quality Street. Which are your favourites? Orange Creams and Green Triangles for me.

Day 354 - December 20th

2009-12-22T19:38:00.006Z

This weekend my brother and sister-in-law and niece and her fiancé came to stay with my parents. As we won't see them next weekend today we had an early Christmas with them.

There were presents to open and Steven and Lara were Santa's Little Helpers.

We played silly games. This one is a favourite that someone came up with several years ago - eating a bar of chocolate whilst wearing a silly hat, gloves and a blindfold!

"Are you smarter than a ten year old?" game.

And "Who said that?".

I got a rare photo of my three playing happily together on the DS.

Lara posed for some photos by the tree.

This toothless photo makes me laugh!

And I even got a nice festive shot of Steven and Lara together.

All good photography practice for next weekend.

Day 353 - December 19th

2009-12-19T22:17:00.005Z

As predicted the snow is still on the ground so this morning we went sledging.

Day 352 - December 18th

2009-12-18T20:11:00.010Z

Today we woke up to this! 6" of snow.

The boys schools were both closed so they had an early start to the Christmas holidays. Lara's little village school stayed open and she had a day playing in the snow with her classmates and an end of term Christmas party in the afternoon.

I took a few photos in the garden. I really liked the snow on this Skimmia plant and I think that will be my photo of the day.

I did take a few photos of the children playing in the snow but they weren't great. I think the snow will probably still be around tomorrow (plus a bit more) so maybe I'll get some better photos of them then.

Day 351 - December 17th

2009-12-17T19:44:00.004Z

Lara came home from school today with a little green box containing a sweet little Christmas cake that she had made and decorated as well as a home made 'quilled' Christmas card. I do love the homemade goodies the children bring home when they are at the lower school.

Look at that snow on the window sill. It has snowed on and off all day and more is forecast for tonight too.

Day 350 - December 16th

2009-12-16T20:39:00.006Z

Today was Lara's birthday. She was up early to open presents before school. Several of the presents she received were on her Christmas list so now she's wondering what Santa will bring.

At school the class sang Happy Birthday and she was given a little handmade bookmark from the teachers.

After school and after opening even more presents we had a birthday tea with another birthday cake.

Day 349 - December 15th

2009-12-16T20:13:00.002Z

Today I went with Lara's school to the Gordon Craig Theatre at Stevenage to the pantomime. One of the 'perks' of regularly helping as a volunteer in the school is that from time to time I get asked to accompany the children on outings and the trip to the pantomime is a particularly nice outing to be able to share with Lara and her class mates. This years pantomime was Aladdin starring John Altman ('Nasty Nick' from Eastenders). No photographs were allowed in the auditorium so I've had to settle for a photograph of the programme.

Day 348 - December 14th

2009-12-14T18:36:00.004Z

Today I finished off some christmas cards I started making last night. I am not a card maker (and quite honestly I am beginning to question whether I am a scrapbooker as I haven't scrapped for several weeks now and haven't really had the inclination to do so) but I do like to try and make cards for my crafty friends. I have taken a photo of my creative mess and will post this once the cards have been sent and received. I know some of my scrappy friends drop by my blog every now and then and I wouldn't want them to see the cards before they get them.

Edited 23.12.09: I guess the cards will have got to their homes now so here's the photo.

Day 347 - December 13th

2009-12-13T13:59:00.003Z

This morning we went to the Hitchin Winter Gala. There were lots of stalls around the town selling Christmas goodies, street entertainers, musicians, singers, etc. This chap was wandering round the Market Place - I thought his costume very clever.

Day 346 - December 12th

2009-12-12T15:23:00.009Z

This morning we popped to a local garden centre. Santa happened to be in his grotto so Lara went and told him what she wants for Christmas and he gave her a little gift in return.

The garden centre was so Christmassy with lots and lots of lovely things on display.

Day 345 - December 11th

2009-12-11T21:46:00.001Z

Two weeks today it will be Christmas Day.

Day 344 - December 10th

2009-12-11T21:39:00.003Z

Today's photo is of my favourite and oldest Christmas decoration. This decoration, affectionately known as 'Mr Blue Fluffy Legs' (despite quite obviously being a female!) was bought by my Mum when I was a young girl so it around about 40 years old. It came from Selfridges in Oxford Street, London and used to hang on our Christmas tree when I was growing up. When I married and Wayne and I moved into our own home my Mum gave me the decoration and now it always has pride of place on my tree. Its quite a simple decoration and a little battered now but it always goes on the tree.

Day 343 - December 9th

2009-12-09T20:50:00.003Z

After dropping Lara off at school this morning I headed into town to try and finish the Christmas shopping. Five hours later and it was just about finished!!! My photo for today is of part of the festive display in the indoor shopping centre. Not the best display I've seen but cute all the same.

Day 342 - December 8th

2009-12-09T20:47:00.003Z

Another sign that Christmas is coming - the Christmas edition of the TVTimes.

Day 341 - December 7th

2009-12-07T21:38:00.004Z

With the Christmas cards all written, today I went to the post office to post the cards going overseas and to buy stamps to send the UK ones. I love seeing what the Royal Mail Christmas stamps are like. This year they feature work from Pre-Raphaelite stained glass windows. I think that they are maybe quite similar to some Christmas stamps previously issued but I quite like them.

Day 340 - December 6th

2009-12-07T21:31:00.003Z

Tonight I wrote all the Christmas cards to family and friends. The ones to be sent to friends in Australia and New Zealand really should have been posted by Friday (4th) but hopefully they will still get there on time despite being posted a few days late. My cards were all shop bought. I usually make a few handmade cards for my Scrapping fiends but they are still on the Things to Do list.

Day 339 - December 5th

2009-12-07T21:25:00.004Z

We have put our Christmas tree and outside lights up. Usually we don't put them up this early but in an attempt to not have the usual 'last minute rush' we dicided to get the decorations down from the loft and put them up this weekend. My photo of the tree isn't very good and has been subjected to a lot of tweaking in PhotoShop. I really must try harder when taking photos in low light.

Day 338 - December 4th

2009-12-05T10:54:00.004Z

Lara's party went well today and the cake was a hit.

Day 337 - December 3rd

2009-12-05T10:47:00.006Z

Tomorrow is Lara's birthday party. It isn't actually her birthday for a couple more weeks but because it is so close to Christmas, tomorrow was the only day that the venue we wanted to hold the party at was available. The last few years I have made Lara's birthday cakes and this year the request was for a Dalmatian Dog cake. Luckily I still had the Wilton cake pan that I used the year before last to make a brown spaniel type dog so it was just a case of using different colour butter cream and hey presto we have a Dalmatian Dog cake ready for the party.

Day 336 - December 2nd

2009-12-02T19:31:00.003Z

HENRY

28th October 1991 - 2nd December 2009

Day 335 - December 1st

2009-12-02T19:26:00.004Z

Each advent as well as having the usual chocolate advent calendars we also have an advent candle. Wayne and I started the tradition when we were first married. Some years we have had tall skinny candles. Other years we have had short stubby candles, Pyramid shaped candles and one year we had 24 tea light candles. This year we have a fairly thick candle which will no doubt take ages each evening to burn.

Day 334 - November 30th

2009-11-30T19:28:00.004Z

I went to start my car this morning to take Lara to school and it wouldn't start! We ended up walking and then later I called the AA. The battery is kaput! Could have been worse.

Day 333 - November 29th

2009-11-29T19:39:00.004Z

Lara has been creating today. She got the idea from a book to make some little mice from card and string and then went on to also make cheese from more card and a mouse house from paper. She has named them all and apparently these three are called Ella, Jack and Biter. What an imagination!

Day 332 - November 28th

2009-11-29T19:35:00.004Z

Today we opened our first Christmas card. It was from one of Wayne's former employees. He is always the first to send us a card.

Day 331 - November 27th

2009-11-27T16:35:00.004Z

I went into town this morning to do a spot of shopping and whilst I was there I picked up several Christmas gift catalogues - another sign that Christmas is on its way. I'm sure that the catalogues have probably been available for quite a few weeks but as this was my first proper trip into town for a while it was the first chance I had to get them. Of course this year the Woolworth's gift catalogue isn't among the others but with those I picked up and all the others that come through the mail from various charities and online stores there are still plenty to look through for inspiration.

Day 330 - November 26th

2009-11-26T16:19:00.004Z

It's been really windy again today but after many attempts I managed to photograph the leaves on the smoke bush. I love the dots on the leaves. Not sure if they are supposed to be there or if there's something wrong with the plant.

Day 329 - November 25th

2009-11-25T16:17:00.002Z

According to my ipod there are only 30 Sleeps to Christmas.

Day 328 - November 24th

2009-11-24T15:08:00.005Z

Today has been, in the words of Winnie the Pooh 'a very blustery day'. I braved the strong winds this morning to do some work for the council. Our village is very horsey IYKWIM. There are several equestrian centres and horses kept in most of the fields. Whilst I was parked I noticed some ponies in a field across the road so went over to see them. They were wrapped up nice and warm in their coats and were quite happy to pose for a photo. I liked this one best.

Day 327 - November 23rd

2009-11-24T15:04:00.004Z

I bought this Christmas Cactus on Saturday. When I bought it the buds were all tightly shut. A couple of days in the warm and the buds are now opening. I love Christmas Cactus - so bright and cheerful. I suspect that the flowers on this one will be long over before Christmas arrives though.

Day 326 - November 22nd

2009-11-22T14:38:00.003Z

Sunday lunch at home seems to be a dying tradition with the number of people sitting down to a roast together declining. On Sundays unless we are going out or if the weather is exceptionally hot, I always cook a roast dinner. Todays roast dinner consisted of roast pork, boiled potatoes, Yorkshire Pudding (we don't reserve Yorkshire Pudding just for roast beef in our house), roast veg (carrots, parsnips and red onion) and thick gravy. Mmmmm.

Day 325 - November 21st

2009-11-21T17:18:00.003Z

Christmas seems to be fast approaching so today Lara wrote her letter to Santa. This year she's asked for Fluffy Goes Walkies, Go Go Pets, a Razor Spark Kick Scooter, I Love Ponies Pony's Day Out, Rubiks 360, a Hello Kitty DS Game, Bendaroos and a VTech Kidizoom Camera. I think shes being a little optimistic if she thinks shes going to get all of those but the letter has been written and put in its envelope and we will pop it in the postbox on the way to school on Monday. Hopefully she may even get a reply (if Royal Mail aren't too busy!)