Another Weekend

Well, yet another wet stormy & blustery weekend!

Still many jobs I could do in the garden,

 but with the daylight getting shorter & with the subsequent weather, this will have to wait. 

Quite frustrating, but  I still manage to fill up the garden recycle bin

 in readiness for the next collection, that is inbetween infrequent dry moments!

I definitely think the birds have the right idea,

 to stay high in the trees or shelter in the nearby shrubs & bushes.

Nearly all the trees are now  bare after such strong winds that accompanied the storms.

The ground was strewn with the fallen leaves, some of which I have managed to collect & sweep up, while others get caught in corners & lay along the pathways.

The marigold I discovered at my Mother's,

which was well sheltered by some shrubs.

These pansies were well battered in the strong windy weather,

 but they managed to survive, amazing for such a delicate looking  plant.

The roses have nearly finished flowering, although this one is trying to hang on,

 but its petals are now showing signs of decay.

But, with so much mild weather up & til now,

 I think we have been lucky to still see any sign of flowering.

Between the Storms

Another blustery stormy Sunday, but managed to get out, and between the storms, we were able to take a walk on the Somerset Levels.

The walkways were quite slippery from all the rainfall.

The wind was very strong with a chill factor, so we didn't stay here for long, but great

 to get out for some fresh air, without getting wet!!!

Stormy Weather

With the thought of Christmas not that so far away, & me, so disorganised for it this year,

I thought a trek into town might be a good idea . . . .

But stormy skies were present since

 waking this Saturday morning . . . .

Umbrellas were certainly the necessity of the day . . . .

Such storms with heavy consistent rain . . . .

No matter how hard you tried to stay dry,

 this was certainly impossible with such inclement weather . . . .

On returning to the car park,

I noticed the tree below with so many autumn leaves surrounding it beneath it's boughs,

 the colours of red & yellows were stunning,

 the photo certainly doesn't do the scene justice,

but to take any sort of photo, I had to shelter under the cover of a building, so much rain!!!

But, this made a cheery end to the shopping trip.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Fungi & Toadstools

After such stormy windy weather,

it was time to tidy the front lawns,

 gathering all the fallen leaves, which were many!

During this task,

I noticed some small toadstools

 growing on my neighbour's lawn, quite a few scattered in areas.

With a closer look, I also noticed the fungi growing on the old tree stump . . . .

Unfortunately, I'm not able to identify them,

but the colours and formation of both were truly stunning.

Kilve, Somerset

Last Sunday, we ventured to the North Coast of Somerset

 to a small hamlet at Kilve, which is situated on 

 the edge of the Quantock Hills

& close to the Exmoor National Park.

At the end of Sea Lane, is the car park which

 will take you to the beach and coastal paths.

The beach is of particular interest due to

the exposed rock layering and fossils.

The layers are a composition of limestone

and shale.

The beach's appearance is very jurassic.

The collection of fossils is prohibited,

so that everyone can enjoy these delights when discovered.

Due to the very windy weather,

 and the eractic sizes of pebble/rock on the beach, 

it was actually safer to walk the coastal path

before descending again to the beach,

 although you definitely had to be aware

 that erosion of the cliffs was still making it necessary to be cautious.

Despite the rough  winds,

it was a lovely walk, although after being there for a while,

you did notice the chill that had set in.

The flask of coffee awaiting us

 on the return to the car was very welcoming!

A Nature Reserve Stroll

Last Saturday afternoon, I decided to drive to Street,

 a popular shopping outlet, which mean't travelling over the Somerset Levels.

A good excuse to stop  off at Greylake Nature Reserve.

The day's weather was fairly breezy with sunshine & showers.

Quite a difference from my summer visit there.

The location for this reserve has

 very senic views of some wonderful countryside.

The long well worn wooden walkways led to the bird hide.

The area had seemed desolate until I had reached this!

Many sitting & viewing with their binoculars or scopes.

But an enjoyable stroll . . . .

Old Photo's & A Special Day

Today, we are celebrating my Mother's birthday, she'll be 86.

A very special lady, especially as she has been a Mother to five children.

The photo above was when my Mother was approximately 19 years old.

My Mother's childhood,

on the swing being pushed by her sister.

My  parents were married for 64 years
until my father died a few years ago.

The photo below is of my

 Grandfather & Grandmother.

I don't remember too much about

 my Grandfather as

 I was  much too young when he died.

But I do have fond memories of my Grandmother. . . .

My Mother now has ten Grandchildren
and
one Great Grandaughter!
Really hope she has a lovely Birthday!
***That's certainly a wish from all the Family ***

Serene White

Taken  at Slimbridge, Gloucester.

Fungi in the Garden

Last Saturday, due to forcast of weather,

 I made the most of tidying up the garden,

 especially as this time of year many jobs seem to mount up. . . .

I was about to proceed with cutting one of the back lawns,

 when I discovered this fungi.

Unfortunately, I don't know their name or if they are edible.

Max, my dog, was quite enquisitive but he had to be distracted.

Really didn't want to poison him.

He decided to pinch apples off the bonfire instead!

Happy foraging!

Shades of Autumn

I have no idea what this plant is,

 but the colour was exceptional &

certainly out of character

 from the usual Autumn tones. . . .

The plant  below was

 so vibrant in colour

 with  the combination of

 bright pink & orange. . . .

From more orange & warmer shades of red. . . .

To yellows, creams & white. . . .

This was a further selection

 of photo's taken at Slimbridge.