Walks in March- such warm sunny days!

It's a shame there's no associated sounds as the birdsong just lately has been WONDERFUL.

28th March was a very warm day : into the twenties so the dogs went for a cooling -off paddle.

Pip even wandered downstream following a floating twig and ''fishing''.

Serenely beautiful.

Ripples and reflections.

New green leaves: HOPE and NEW BEGINNINGS.

The trees too were ''greening'' up.

Had a nasty and malevolent shock in Mid March while I was away- stalked via e-mail -and these quiet- but birdsong musical- and serene walks were a balm to my soul.

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!

Simple Pleasures

Simple pleasures are always the best aren't they? Like exploring a loved town or City such as York, above. I haven't been blogging and I'm sorry for that but life has been taking over, been so very very busy lately . I was in York in June, August and last week. For work.

So a quick glimpse of the Minster gives such pleasure does it not? Not to mention the Shambles, below. I even discovered a woolshop in the Shambles called Ramshamble!

Also the week before last I was in Lewes, East Sussex: again for meetings whilst working, but I had to have a cuppa before driving back 2.5 hours didn't I? Especially as having driven 2 hours, missed lunch and then no tea at a 2 hour meeting, a girl is well parched by 16:30!!! I had my cuppa in a cafe behind these teapots which are hand stencilled in Poland, lovely designs! My all time favourite colourscheme : BLUE AND WHITE! And such a lovely rich but bright blue. LEWES was enchanting and I simply MUST go back with the family and explore both the shops- lots of lovely independents- as well as the castle and the surrounding downs...

I'd never been before and really likes the charm and the feel of the place. Alas my cameras- I had 3 to choose from!_ all gave put after just these 3 pictures.

Glimpses of spectacular downs from alleys like this one.

An ancient- 15th Century bookshop. Books always provide me with much pleasure: either pictorial - for inspiration or stimulation- or ''how to do'' practical ones to learn new skills such as dyong or felting , crochet or embroidery or building furniture ( etc etc ad nauseam) , or also fiction books! I 've spent quite a few weekends lately : nose burried in a good book while the day passes me by.ESCAPE! Lovely! A need to avoid endless chat of a recession, cutbacks, taxes, the comprehensive spending review, the fate of the NHS or Public Health- ugh ugh . And if that's not enough, we have been ''enjoying'' the moods and vagaries of a soon to be teenager in the home and one definitely needs a little escapism from THAT!

aAAAAH, SHEER bliss today! Woke up to grey/white skies but they soon melted away to bright clear blue skies and SUNSHINE! HOT! Cycled to church and had enormous pleasure singing my heart out ( 11 songs!not all hymns) and feeling so proud of Miss Y in the church choir. We walked home together in the sunshine with her chatting away merrily and forgetting to moan about the walk or the distance. After lunch and a few chores as well as the food shopping I just HAD to get outside again properly and walked the dogs at Great Kimble.17: 10 to 18:15 to be precise.

It was still warm: 20 degrees with a nice breeze at the top of the ridge. Comfortable walking in a cotton shirt and jeans,backpack and shoes. 10.10.2010. Unusually warm for the date?

No sign of autumn colours yet, although chestnut trees are all mostly orange/brown by now.

2 very happy dogs.
Went exploring in wood and dale.Finally found the usual path back to the car. This had featured in several previous posts.

It was brighter with the naked eye but the camera could not cope so well. Can you see the 2 dogs? Lucy is up ahead.

Last bit of the sunshine and then back home to cook spaghetti with pine nuts and caramelised onions- yummy!

During the walk I came up with the following simple pleasures:

Sunshine, Blue skies, countryside with views, hills and /or lakes or sea, mountains, open fires, walks, walking the dogs, cycling alone or with family,soft snuggle blankets on comfy sofas, cuddles with loved ones: partner, kids or dogs,nice yummy food- probably mediteranean or French, home - cooked foods, cup of hot tea in a nice mug,soft cuddly crocheted jumpers/cardi-jackets,or knitted ones, crochet, reading a book in a comfy place, sitting on a windowseat with a view, chatting with friends, exploring new places or re-visiting old ones, country dancing,singing in a choir, singing in the home or in a car, dancing in the kitchen, rollerskating ,ice-skating, sewing, drawing with a sewing machine=free machine embroidery, drawing with pencil(S), Looking through picture books or magazines with inspiring or exciting colourful pictures,ditto for inspiring brochures, picture books of animals or fish, corals or architecture. Pictures of art or drawings, paintings or textiles, including Turkish rugs,kilims and carpets, beads and beading,buttons and ribbons and trimmings, all fabrics and yarns or catalogues/websites thereof. Sewing, Crochet or knitting pattern books or magazines or websites. Fashion photos or drawings. Piano playing. Listening to music. Classical, folk or jazz, or even some pop. Film on DVD or on TV. ( TV with a crochet project is a nice combination)

I'd add visiting the theatre,ballet, film, but that is not such a simple pleasure anymore, such costs and planning are often involved. Also excluded are those things you have to travel to go do:

such as swimming in the sea in Turkey, skiing, Alpine walks,toboganning,sailing, snorkelling, etc

Aaaaah isn't life good to offer so many simple pleasures?