New Year!

Wishing everyone a Very Happy New Year!

Aiming High!

Finally, getting out for a seasonal walk!

I wasn't to be disappointed either.

Travelled to the north coast of Somerset,

not particularly a long drive.

Due the recent snow,

I knew of a safe place to park,

 with easy access to the local Quantock Hills.

This was a location I have often visited in the past,

but how the landscape changes,

 with the added addition of the white stuff, snow!

A steep trek through woodland brings you out into the open,

and what a view, stunningly breathtaking.

An excellent walk worthy to do before

we invite the New Year in!

Xmas Festivities

Enjoyed the last couple days of Christmas celebrations,

although, I would normally go for a long walk on Boxing Day,

but this year, so bitterly cold!

With the snow & in particular Ice,

 it was definitely best to stay indoors.

Hopefully, I will get the chance to make up for that during the week.

SOOoooo....Eat, Drink, & Be Merry it was to be instead!!!

Christmas Wishes!

Wishing everyone a

 Very Happy & Peaceful Christmas!

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Take Care Everyone!

Snowy Weather

Woke up on Saturday to a thick blanket of snow!

This was quite a significant amount for us,

 as the area is situated in a valley,

where mainly the surrounding hills capture the worse of any snowfall.

 

All images viewed around the garden.

I was also relieved it was the weekend,

meaning no work to go to!

Sheltering

I don't think we're the only ones to feel the cold with the weather.

These cows recently huddled together,

 in the lowest point of their huge field,

sheltering under the boughs of some trees.

A Winter's Tale, Part 2

Finally, completed this posting!

Out of action for awhile due to flu!

Really takes it out of you but gradually getting better, thank goodness.

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Further to my recent walk,

 following the only major snow in the South West,

 which in my area was mainly just a covering!

The local Hestercombe gardens

 have both countryside walking,

 together with more formal gardens,

 but so rich in character,

that it's always a pleasure to visit & wander.

As you enter through the huge aged gateways on the east side,

 the Orangery building stands magnificiently, 

 overlooking a lovely mass of greenery,

 with steps at either end,

 leading to other areas of the gardens.

The gardens are in layers, each with such wonderful features,

that even in this season,

offers much appeal.

All the floral/foilage has now mostly been prepared for the winter,

 by being pruned which offers such a different aspect to view.

Through the many archways,

 leads into another viewing point of the gardens

Over the years, the gardens has been lovingly  restored,

with the aged walls & steps just reinforcing the character.

Even a garden fork has been left  with the onset of the bad weather,

And the garden benches definitely too cold to sit

A favourite photo at the end of the peragoda,

A winter scene with a frame all of its own.