A sunny Sunday walk

Water divining don't you know? Such silly fun.

The dogs were in their element, running amok in the ankle deep carpet of crispy brown leaves.

Oh and the rolling around that went on, you would not believe. Girls giggling and dogs wiggling and JJ and I sharing the fun, hand in hand. Bliss.

I think this is where the water diviner turned into a horse's harness?

Trying hard to capture Pips in mid-roll.... Such fun she was having it was a joy to watch.

Waddya mean I have leaves stuck on my back?

The obligatory King of the Castle position. Yes milady.

T'was actually Sunday last, I wasn't allowed to Marlow today as they went on a secret ( Mother's Day) foray apparently...

JJ leads the way as it's a ''new path'' he discovered a few weeks ago.

Pips back on the lead in case of sheep worrying. Lucy avoids sheep.

Lucy: are you lot coming then? She always has to lead the way.

Oops I may have got the order of uploaded photos mixed up a little?

At the top of the hill we rest.

Sorry photos straight into the sun, not used to new camera yet.

Very relaxing.

Pant pant pant, what a lovely long pink tongue. Lucy hot and thirsty.

What is that road, you ask? M40 as it cuts through the Chilterns.

T'was a long steep- ish warm/hot-ish climb up to the brow of the hill.

I'm so HAPPY! i'm also glad not to be in one of those cars down there.

Bit breatlless too. Bothersome asthma.

Well done! You did it despite much moaning and a tantrum about walks, hills and so on. We also saw a roe deer in the woods but she was too fast and far to capture on camera.

What a magical day!

Things to be GLAD about

On Sunday it was just the most marvellous day: and I couldn't wait to get out for a good walk in the countryside...
More of this below, after the walk JJ took the girls swimming so that I could relax( for this read cook a really special dinner) and I watched a few snippets of ''POLLYANNA'': you may remember I saw this in full in the last Christmas holidays I believe?!
Always makes me cry.
Anyway Pollyanna plays the ''gladness game'' which is a game where whatever ill befalls you, you find the silver lining to your particular cloud.
Now I won't play it properly yet- partly because no ill had happened , so here are 3 things I am glad about:

1. My family and that includes both dogs. They always add something to the days and make me smile or cry for joy....
2. The English countryside with all of it's glorious beauty and variety.
3. 2 C's (or even 3!) CROCHET, my COURSE in textiles and my CAR ( to get me out and about into the countryside! and elsewhere)
What a great BLUE sky!!!And the leaves are golden in this bright sunlight on a November afternoon. Dashing through leaves in the fairy dell..... We're at the ASTON ROWANT nature reserve.
The view from the top: looking left....

Middle...

Right.

Pippa in her element.

Lucy hunting for rabbits...

A sheep! I had to wait quite a while before he decided to look round I can tell you! HAD to have this as it links in with the drawing I've been doing.

Mushrooms on a tree.

Pippa found a stick/log to chew...YUM YUM

Looking up from down in the fairy dell, where kids play and dogs do ''puppy dashes'' through the leaves.

And tree climbing of course! More mushrooms: 2 types can you see? Flat topped purpley lilac ones to the right of the more obvious ones...

Stunningly BEAUTIFUL the woods were that afternoon! All the trees dressed in mantles of golden lace. Shimmering, sparkling gilt dancing in the breeze overhead.

Bliss. Pure Bliss.

Home to bake a salmon coulibiac: loosely based on Delia Smith's Fish collection cookbook, my version coming soon!

More things to be glad about:

Good health- so easily taken for granted?

Piano lessons and a piano- I just love love love learning this- even though it's sooo hard!

Food: any type and all of it!

Water, tea and all other drinks- always in plentiful supply.

Home and garden and BOOKS! ( and computer with internet access....)

Music and singing and radio ...

Art and............ OK I'LL STOP NOW !!!

What about you? What are YOUR top 3?