West Keal & Old Bolingbroke

On Saturday Rachael and I headed out for a spot of walking, just a bit over six miles, although I firmly believe that you get extra credit for walking uphill!
Or maybe the bonus for walking uphill is getting to see the stunning views. Never let it be said that Lincolnshire is really flat.
We started off at West Keal, although were somewhat unnerved to discover that it wasn't even on the map. I made the fairly safe assumption that if we headed to East Keal (which was on the map) that West Keal couldn't be too far away!

I love old churches, I just do, although I'm sure these little gargoyle fellows were crossed with owls.

I'm such a sucker for old things even the lantern looked pretty to me.

I think my camera favours bad weather though, it's somehow managed to make it look stormy out there and although it was pretty windy on occasion, it was a lovely warm day and not in the least stormy, don't believe the grey clouds!

We had ourselves a picnic lunch with this view:

I'll admit it doesn't really look that impressive, but this is Bolingbroke Castle, the birthplace of King Henry IV and to be fair, I'd be fairly ruined if I'd been created in 1220.
However, the walls are carved with the name of a different King:

I like to believe that I can really imagine how it was when this was all moat, when they got to pull up the drawbridge and keep out those damned marauding invaders.

Is it just me or does anyone else find those vintage petrol pumps really attractive? I have no idea what it is, I just really love them. At least I don't have room to start collecting them...

The Wolds are an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Goes without saying really doesn't it?

Okay, so I love vintage petrol pumps and I love tree stumps.

This walk marked the virgin expedition of my foraging bag, superbly created by my Mum so that I could collect fruits and nuts easily. It swings over my shoulder, sits on my hip and I can slip all my bounty in there and carry it off home with me.
As we walked I spotted a lovely little apple tree on the side of the road. The apples were quite small but I decided that they looked so good I had to risk it.
I did the gentle lift and twist and they came away in my hand, ripe and ready.
However, aforementioned tree was at the top of a gentle slope populated with nettles, I was scarcely balanced, holding one end of a branch as I picked a few apples. I had not chosen well, the branch I was relying on for support was past its best and decided to leave the rest of the tree. Or rather the twig part I was holding on to gave up and headed for greener pastures, trying to encourage me to join it.

I did that classic arm windmill in a desperate effort not to become one with the nettles, regained my balance, glanced at Rachael and decided that maybe it was time to move on and leave the rest of the apples just where they were.
See how shiny and red it is though?
See how easy it was to be tempted?

For me, the nicest thing about a good walk is when you get to the end and you're not ready to fall over, when you feel invigorated. You've seen the countryside. You've seen it up close, picking those nuts and fruits and you've seen it far off in the distance when the skies are clear, the sun is shining and you can see for miles and miles.
I've realised I'm not a group walker, I want to walk at my own pace, sometimes quickly and sometimes just sauntering along, looking at the butterflies, flowers, grasshoppers and trees. I want to sit on the hillside, eat an apple I picked just moments ago and appreciate the beauty of where I am.

Sprung

Spring has truly sprung.
It was so deliciously warm yesterday I decided to do a circuit of my garden with my book. Now, it's only a tiny garden, but the circuit starts at the swing seat, until that's fully in shade, then move over to the bench until the sun starts to make me melt. Then it's back to the house to pick up the blanket I forgot to bring out earlier. Lay down the blanket, prop self up on elbows and delve further into book. At this point Mifford lays against me, where she stays until too hot to even touch, at which point she moves to the shade, then once cooled, it's back to the sun.

I've said it time and again but daisies are my favourite flower. Look at that happy face, petals still unfurling. Makes you smile eh?

That's my vegetable patch. Isn't it wee! I can't tell you how those seedlings excite me.

So, whilst daisies are my favourite, there is something about pansies that make me happy. I have pots of them outside my front door, I swear each and every flower smiles to the sun. In fact they smile at the rain too, they have this joie de vivre about them.

And.... I just don't believe anyone couldn't love daffodils.
Even my sister likes them and I told her they were edible, so she ate a whole one. She wasn't well. I wasn't popular.

The sun was out again today and I decided it was time to hit the countryside on my doorstep. It's a funny thing, I really enjoy walking alone, there's something about setting your own pace, stopping whenever you want without worrying about holding up someone else or a whole group, but there's that concern that you're out in the sticks on your own and that is somehow dangerous.
The world as it is today, is dangerous - not that it hasn't always been. It's not as if murder and rape are new crimes, but we are infinitely more aware of it and there were moments as I walked and didn't pass a single other person that I felt vulnerable. But what are we to do? Stay home, just in case? I don't feel like I can do that, besides which, to be honest I was most scared of this cow:

That one on the left, I think there's evil in its eyes.

It was so incredibly pretty out there, all the spring bulbs having pushed their way through, I only wish I'd taken a proper camera.

The wild garlic is out - so I'm going to go back and harvest a little at some point as I have a recipe for wild garlic pesto. And I do so adore pesto. The idea of a wild garlic version just sounds delicious.
I'm actually really interested in the idea of foraging, I've been sitting with my copy of Food For Free by Richard Mabey and the idea of finding edible leaves right here on my doorstep, wild and free is fascinating. It also seems like a great way to learn more about the flora. I recognise the fauna, having stood quietly on a path and watching a hare potter about in a field, hopping this way and that. There were also so many wonderful birds singing from the skies and trees. I don't think I ever tire of the sound of the skylark, or in fact of the sight of goldfinches flitting from here to there and back again.
So, I recognise the birds and animals well enough, but the plants? Not so much, what's edible? What's going to make me ill? No clue beyond the obvious things that everyone knows. I wonder if there are foragers in my area... time for some investigation I think...

Ice & Ink

The snow is still hanging around, it seems perfectly at home on everyones front lawn. The only thing is that the roads are instead covered in ice. It makes for an interesting driving experience on the unsalted roads.
I went out to my barn today, I was a bit nervous about it because I wasn't sure I'd be able to get out again as the ice was pretty serious and I was preoccupied with that as I drove out. Then a hare darted across the road a short distance in front of my car and over into a field. I glanced to my right and the world was absolutely beautiful.
The field which is the barest example of a hill was absolutely white from the covering of snow, with only a few hare tracks across its surface. Sitting on the horizon with the sunset behind them were the silhouettes of two more hares. Absolutely still. It felt like the universe was screaming 'photo opportunity'!
My breath caught. I know I'm a big soft lump, but it was just beautiful. In that way only nature can be, you know?

I got a new tattoo today. Had I remembered I would have taken a photograph before I got wrapped in clingfilm and tape. A picture of that might just detract from the tattoo I think...
Anyway, I'm really pleased with it, but it's like any physical change and feels like an absolute surprise every time I catch sight of it. I remember when I had my nose pierced, every time I touched my nose or caught sight of it in the mirror I was almost shocked to find it was pierced, until it becomes a part of you.
The same was true when I had a gem attached to my tooth, the first few days if felt like someone had stuck a football under my lip. These days I have to run my tongue over to make sure it's still in place.

Rambling Flora

Soon the Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival begins. We've selected eight or nine walks from the 50+ available over the fortnight of festival and intend to get out there and explore the countryside around us.
We're planning to go on walks around deserted medieval villages, to go on a dawn walk just as nature is awakening, to discover things we didn't know existed.
The walks vary from just half a mile up to about 15.
We're aiming to do between 3 & 8. You have to know your limits whilst pushing yourself a little.
Yesterday Rachael and I took a walk over to the next village then took the scenic route back to my house. We did around 5 miles and it was absolutely glorious out there. The trees were full of blossom and the hedges too.
It seems so early for the dandelions to have already turned from the bright yellow explosion of petals to the fluffy seedheads, begging to be picked and blown. When I was younger, and in fact to this day, when I see those lighter than air seeds floating in the breeze, I think of them as faeries. As children we would desperately try to catch them when they floated through an open window, desperate to release those faeries back into the wild!I love that the lawns, fields, meadows are scattered with the happy faces of the daisy as you stroll your way down the footpaths. They are and always have been my favourite flower, as I've said before. They're so simple and fresh. Beautiful.Today I don't have any aches at all from the ramble yesterday so I think I'm primed and ready for the walking in the Wolds. Although I haven't done any hills, and Lincolnshire is most certainly not as flat as people believe it to be!

Herby Lunch

Once again the sun is shining, the sky is a brilliant blue and the trees are just so incredibly vibrant. In the cheesiest way possible it makes you smile from your head to your toes.

I had to go into town today and as it is also the day that Harriet starts late at her shop TastyVintage, I suggested that we have a slice of cake together. Which is always a good plan, whatever the weather.
We met up and sauntered into The Bail, which is the name for the uphill area of Lincoln - for those of you not in the know!
We decided against a street side cafe and opted instead to grab a sandwich and find a bench in the sunshine. Our bench was in the Roman herb garden, where there are church ruins and some herbs still grow, although I'm not sure they date back to Roman times.
It was just so lovely to be out there in the sunshine, sitting in the sun and wondering about plans for the summer.
I have a few up my sleeve that I am ruminating upon....

Floral Accents

So, when I rule the world I've decided that there will have to be a weekly delivery of flowers to every home. They lift the spirits.

I'm left in charge of watering and attempting not to kill the plants at Mum & Tim's house whilst they enjoy France. What this also means is that I'm free to pilfer the flowers found in the garden (as found here - some way down), now there's a surfeit of flowers and it's hard to choose. I've managed to fill three vases! Well ok, I've filled one vase and two posy vases, but the thought is the same. I love the posy vases because all those little flowers that you don't feel able to pick do at last have a home in the house.

They're pretty huh?
Now I just need to work on my camera skills.
Or live in a house that isn't so dark inside.

A Little Of This...

and a little of that...

I keep waking up with this sore throat, which hurts my left ear when I swallow. By mid-morning it's ok but then I hear my voice start to fail me. Then it's ok again around lunchtime but starting to go again in the afternoon and evening. It's a little sore right now. Poor me.

I feel as though I've got a cold, but without actually having a cold. It's quite odd. But then I'm quite odd.

So, it snowed the other day. I laid in bed and wondered why there were squealing children in the street. It's a quiet village I live in and you don't normally hear the kids in the street. I eventually hauled myself from bed and pulled the curtain back a little to see what the day had in store for me.
The view from my window was this:
A lovely scattering of snow for my viewing pleasure. I toyed with the idea of throwing on some clothes and running to the garden to make a snowman, but then wondered on the exact kind of snow that had fallen, because there are two types of snow. I decided that I would believe it to be the kind that doesn't cling and roll easily, that way I could imagine making a snowman whilst remaining in my warm cottage, just taking pictures of the snow outside my window.
I love the views from my windows. Look at all those lovely trees. And, is it just me or does snow just make everything look so pretty and fresh?

I drove past the fire station on Easter Monday and the firemen had clearly had no fires to contend with judging by the size of the snowman outside the station, which is still partially in existence today. Although not recognisable as much more than a pile of snow. He was wearing quite a jaunty bandanna on Monday though and looked justly dapper.

Went to The Collection on Monday and really enjoyed it. Was suitably fascinated by it and lost quite some time in there. I had no idea that so many artefacts had been found locally. Rachael reliably informed me that the only place more has been found is at the Thames, which I find incredible. There was a great map showing all the old settlements that ended in 'by' or 'thorpe' and there are very few near me. It obviously wasn't the place to be back then. I was enormously restrained and resisted the purchase of an Art Nouveau book in the gift shop, but it was a really very lovely book.
Is it me, or is restraint just no fun at all?

I'm not sure how I found this next video, it must have just popped up whilst I was browsing the wilds of youtube, but I think it's very cool, I also found the British one which was inspired by this one. I'd love to be a part of something like this:

I have a hint of sadism running through my veins. I didn't feel very good at the weekend and decided to chill out and watch some movies. It didn't help that when I got up every single TV channel appeared to be dead. I don't cope well with such deprivation. Anyway, I curled up with my blanket and a hot chocolate and watched Ray, which I really enjoyed. Then I chanced turning back on my Sky box and lo and behold, some of my channels returned. Hurrah. Once again I had Discovery and Animal Planet, because, that's where it's at I tell you. Well I do love Diva too, but that's because I'm a little addicted to Style by Jury. I need help. I know it.
Anyway, digression over, I watched The Day After Tomorrow, which I have seen before and whilst I enjoy the general plot, the fantasy and the CGI there are things that really, really bug me. Well one thing primarily, why the hell do they burn the books? Books don't burn. They really don't, the edges char and that's it. But that's what they chose to make us believe they burn. Not the huge amount of wooden furniture. No, the chairs are only good for making snow shoes. This annoys me, because although the plot is unbelievable in itself, the book burning I just can't suspend disbelief over.
I digressed away from my sadism - although it is still related to this movie. I have this really strong desire to time travel. Not just because I want to go back and forth in time, but because I want to go back a couple of hundred years and show them this movie. Tell them that this is the future. Because they'd never understand that we could make it appear New York was lost in a tidal wave, they'd never understand CGI and it would really mess with their heads.
I'd want to show them Jurassic Park, or maybe just clips, make them believe we'd recreated dinosaurs.
I have a place reserved in hell for me. It's a little funny though right?

Daisies

I've said before that I love daisies so when I went out to the garden centre with Mum the other day I decided I'd treat myself to some of those gorgeous pink ones.

Only they didn't have any.

The following day Mum arrived with a tray of them which I've planted up outside, with one exception which I kept for inside.

Look how pretty it is. Absolutely gorgeous in its little terracotta pot.
I couldn't resist a photograph or two when I saw the drip of water hanging there.

Really put a much needed smile on my face.

A Flurry Of Photos

After a very early start this morning I wasn't really ready for the world so curled up on my sofa and watched a movie, which finished around 10am. Finally feeling ready for the day I looked out the window and decided a walk was definitely on the agenda.

I headed out over the fields and was surrounded by the song of these and these, both plentiful in the skies, which were filled with cotton clouds.

After the fields, it's a world of trees and the birds were strangely quiet, with just the sound of the trees groaning gently in the strong winds. I love that all of the fragile snowdrops are out, their white bobbing heads encouraging the advance of spring.

As are the daffodils, which, whilst blurry are still gorgeous. Next time I really must remember to take my camera with me. I love my phone and most of the time, the photographs come out reasonably well in my distinctly unskilled hands, but it would be lovely to get even better. There are so many opportunities for pictures out there.

The knotted, twisted trees beg to have their photo taken. When I hear that low groan of their branches it always makes me remember the trees in The Lord of the Rings. I imagine them talking to themselves and each other, naturally wondering what they're saying. Wondering if they welcome the birds nested in their branches, or feel the same way as we do when a pigeon blocks our chimney with his abode.

This one feels as though he's been brought to his knees, and yet remains distinctly majestic. Is that possible anywhere else but nature?I think this is the treasure tree. Somewhere out there is a map that has this tree marked upon it. It has an 'X' for marking the spot, and that's definitely an arrow lower down, so somewhere off to the right, is buried the loot. For sure.
Does anyone have a spade?So, is a wooden horseshoe as lucky as one that actually has graced the hoof of a horse? What is it about the horseshoe that makes it lucky? I should like to know!Check out the local wildlife! It's cool huh?Look at the snail trail!Last but not least, arriving home, pink faced and windswept and happy to see the lovely weeping willows that have made their home along the side of the village beck.

As an aside, I had a super time at the gig of the band below, as always. The pub was packed to bursting but so very friendly. At one point in the evening a chap dropped onto the bench next to me, turned and said "Is it always this good in here?" And you know, yes, yes it is. Whilst it's a very popular pub, it also feels a little like a well-kept secret. It's the venue of my music quiz, which is legendary, there's also jamming sessions every Sunday, and general quizzes, it's just a great place to chill out and chat. I'm starting to feel a need for a pineapple juice and lemonade, although when the barmaid knows that to be your drink of choice you may need to question the frequency with which you frequent the establishment!