HAPPY CHRISTMAS

May I Wish You All a Very Joyous & Happy Christmas.

~ May it be a Peaceful Christmas Season ~

Naturally Growing

The traditional Christmas tree growing in the woodland. . . .

 Berries on the Hawthorn. . . .

The evergreen Holly. . . .

Also laden with the bright red berries. . . .

Shorter Days. . . .

Nearly the winter solsitice, the shortest day for daylight.

The sun starts to go down very early in the afternoon,

but soon, day by day, the days of daylight will gradually become longer,

 a turning point in the nature calendar.

All photos were taken at the end of

 our trek around the Quantocks Hills.

 

On Walkabout.

With our lengthy walk on the Quantocks last week,

 we walked from woodland into wide open spaces,

then diverting slightly down a country road leading us

 in between a walkway through the very tall pine trees.

The temperature & dampness here was much more noticeable . . . .

The discovery of many species of fungi was quite extensive. . . .

All of our finds were of varying sizes,

one so big taking us both  by surprise.

In the woodland, someone had been busy making a den.

Very impressive. . . .

Through the pines though, further activity was going on.

The rough road was extremely muddy & churned up.

Then we discovered why, the sound of a heavy transporter lorry passed us by.

Further on we found them loading up the lorries with lumbered pine wood.

We had missed a sign on route, as we weren't mean't to come this way,

as the forestry comission are thinning the trees. Work that is continuing for a few months,

 but the smell of freshly cut wood was very pleasant.

Something else that was noticeable,

was the abundance of lichen growing on many varities of trees.

On this day's walk, there was much to enjoy & remember.

Looking forward to going again . . . . .lets hope its soon.

Quantock Hills, Somerset.

Even from the onset of the walk, the scenery is stunning.
The weather was dry for a change with blue skies.

With the leaves all gone, the silhouettes of the trees come in all shapes & sizes.

They look blackened against the sky as it's background.

But with the damp & shady areas in the woodland, many trees are covered in a blanket of lush green moss proceeding up the bark of many trees.

And, suddenly the openness of the Quantocks present themselves,
 with stunning views across parts of Somerset,
 mingled with Autumn colours
even sightings of the sea . .  .

 

We were literally walking for hours on the Quantocks this beautiful sunny day.

Such a difference after all the rian.

We were very fortunate.

~ ~ ~ More to follow ~ ~ ~

Links of interest to the Quantocks
http://www.quantockonline.co.uk/

Tree Tops & Blue Skies

Today, enjoyed walking & exploring the Quantock Hills, Somerset.

Spent several hours walking, but at last, a fabulous day for the weather.

Although it's usually colder up here, the temperature was certainly bearable. . . .

My campanion's birthday today,

so we were extremely lucky to have been able to enjoy our day in the sunshine,

 although,

the sun seemed to be going down slowly from 2.30. . . .

A Change of Plan

I was due to go to the neighbouring town of Street today,

even done the routine checks on the car, was organised to go,

 then turned the key in the ignition, & nothing. . . . !!!

Oh dear!

So, after a visit to the local garage, I decided to have a walkabout in the village I live in,

 particularly as the rain storms had pleasantly ceased.

Something I haven't done in awhile.

Even walking down from  the garage,

 all the above berries were mingled in  the hedgerow together showing colours of splendour.

   Perfect for this time of year!

~ ~ ~ All Saints Church  ~ ~ ~

Part of the walk took me into the direction the churchyard,

were I discovered this varigated holly leaden with many clusters of berries.

Waited patiently to hear that the fault with the car, 

 was jus the car battery. . . a sigh of relief!

Just needed re-charging!!!

Just what I'm feeling like at the present.

Thank goodness for this week off!

Black & White

Although a dreary day yesterday, between the storms,

 I managed to photograph some random elements found in the garden. . . .

To keep in with the mood of the day,

changed all photo's to black & white, the effect, I really like.

I also tried to photograph some of the birds in the garden

that are frequent visitors to both mine & my neighbours garden,

 in particular, a family of sparrows. 
 They remain in a gang, when one flys in to feed, certainly another is not far away.

Not use to taking photos of birds, a complete novice at this,

amazed at the patience you have to have.

Really want to get a photo of a Robin that seems to appear whenever I start any garden chores.

It's very interested to be close by,

 but whenever I attempt to get the camera,

the Robin is definitely camera shy.

One day . . . . .

Monday, Monday. . .

The start of the week, & yet another grey looking day,

with stormy skies  & rain storms or showers . . .

And yet, amongst all of this weather,

 there are still lovely things to see,

although trying to dodge the storms aren't easy.

Even if you look a little closer, there is still some colour,

even when bushes have been stripped bare from it's foilage,

 such as the shrub in the collage  below,

 showing off it's deep red branches. . .

Out of the storm comes some other shades of colour . . .

A beautiful rainbow.