Gran Canaria, Canary Islands.

 

 

The early part of June,

 I travelled to Gran Canaria for a much needed break.

The warmth & sunshine was a real bonus to this holiday.

 

Although my hotel was high  on a hill,

from my balcony,

this was my view.

 

 

The tall palm trees stretched so tall close to the sandy beach.

 

 

 

The beach at Puerto Rico also led to a harbour & marina,

where many boats gathered.

 

 

 

 Even though the terrain was barren with volcanic rock,

the splashes of flora really offered some beautiful colour.

 

 

 

 

 

 My hotel was at the top of this photo,

although I walked down to the beach,

 I was truly grateful for the local taxis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This holiday really did give the chance to chill & relax.

I certainly couldn't have asked for more.

 



 

 

Montecute House, Somerset

A wonderful National Trust property situated in Somerset.

 

Montecute House was a place I visited during April.

 ~ ~ ~ ~

Although I renewed my National Trust membership last October,

this was truly the first time I had been able to use it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although a cold murky day,

I thoroughly enjoyed this.

A time to relax & walk around at my leisure.

 

 

Down A Country Lane. . . . .

 

 

Yesterday,

I found myself driving down very narrow country lanes

 in the Somerset countryside.

 

 

There was a purpose to my visit, although,

what I stumbled upon, was totally unsuspected.

The end of my journey saw me parking up on the edge of an orchard,

which was shown off to its best with wonderful sunshine,

 something which we had craved for,

 for some time.

 

 

 

There was a wonderful old fashioned vintage cart

 nestled in amongst the apple trees.

 

 

I had arrived at Perry's Cider works,

 but this was a centre with it's own shop, museum & cafe.

 

 

 

The courtyard boasted more vintage carts,

 which had obviously been used in their time,

 to transport the barrels of cider.

 

 

 

 

The barrels were lined up with an old cider press on display.

 

Even old bicicyles lined one of the walls,

 rusting with age.

You can just image workers of years gone by,

 cycling to work in this wonderful location.

Surrounding the cider works,

were a few thatched cottages,

it really felt like you had gone back in time.

 

Cider is definitely a Somerset tradition

Lets hope it lives on!

 

Early to Rise

 

 

Easter Saturday morning,

 found me up bright & early.

Firstly, a trip to the nearest train station

 for friends to catch their connection.

Now, virtually wide awake,

I took a roadtrip around the Somerset countryside

 

 

I was in hope of a sunrise,

but with cloudy weather in evidence,

the photo above did just about provided me

 with a  glimmer

of what could have been

a magnificiant sight.

 

 

 

 

With a drive through the local Quantock Hills,

 clumps of contrasting daffodils edged the hedgerows,

providing colour with hints of Spring.

 

 

The other side of the hills took me to the coast,

 but with such a bitterly cold morning,

there was no way

I was going to venture down

 the above track to the beach.

 

 

By the car park,

 this flock of sheep hastily walked towards me,

most probably hoping for food & sanctuary.

 

 

 

Further on,

 St Audries Church,

settled on the edge of the hills

 

 

Very old & weathered,

the pathway to the entrance,

 flanked with cobbled stone.

 

 

 More evidence of the Spring,

 wild Primroses emerged

from the overgrown grass 

 

 

Driving on,

Pheasants were much  to seen

along the roadway,

 on this early quiet morning.

The males strutting their fine plummage.

Beautiful colours & markings.

 

 

A brief stop at Fyne Court.

A National Trust centre for preserving

 wildlife with some fine walks.

 

 

 

 

 

With such a bitterly cold chill, snowdrops were still in bloom.

How I wished for a hot drink!

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Definitely now homeward bound!



 

H A P P Y   E A S T E R

 

EVERYONE

 

 

If Only. . . . .

 

If only the weather was not  a continual deluge of rain.

Everywhere damp & grey.

 

 

But, I have to be grateful,

 for the warm colours of these flowers

 for my home,

 to help uplift & brighten the day

 

 

Whereas, my thoughts are longing for scenery like this,

 of beautiful  sunrises starting off the day,

but completing the day with radiant sunsets,

 to enstill some tranquil & stressfree moments.

~   ~   ~   ~

Lets hope the weather will improve soon,

 particularly with Easter on the way.

 

Birthday Surprise

 

 

A lovely  surprise from my daughter,

flowers on my birthday, end of last month,

with a touch of Spring!

 

Also, birthday balloons left on my car at work!

 

Very unexpected!

 

Love her loads! XXX

A London Ramble

 

 

A very chilly Sunday morning walk around

 Westminster & Victoria Embankment

 

 

 

 

 

Taking in the sights of Big Ben, Houses of Parliment

& London Eye.  All in close walking distance.

 

 

 

 

 

Hints of Britain with the street sellers,

the public phone booths &

London red buses

 

 

On the return walk,

passing Whitehall with its gardens

 

 

 

 War Memorials along the Victoria Embankment.

 

 

Arriving back at Parliment Square,

glimpses of an alternative form of transport.

 

Can't wait to return again.

Hopefully soon!