New beginnings...

Some simple pleasures to round off 2018 and ease into 2019...

Bristol cathedral's rather lovely nativity... a place to spend a few moments quietly contemplating.

A bracing Boxing Day walk through woods and by the spectacular Clifton suspension bridge...

Winter sunlight on ferns...

 A moment to sit and think...

A bit of time to finish hooking my scrap busting blanket, which turned out to be a very satisfying project, not least because I didn't spend a penny on it and I have cleared about 1/3 of my unused yarn stash!

A bright start to the New Year was perfect for a walk to shake off cobwebs. Looking back on the pictures I took I am struck by what a focal point the Anglican cathedral in Norwich is. From the riverside path...

From the viewpoint at Mousehold Heath...

Through the trees at Kett's Heights, another new discovery for me, just 30 minutes or so walk from home...

Against a backdrop of slowly sinking sun and dramatic clouds as I made my way home...

The light was lovely - through golden gorse...

And trees stripped of their leaves...

Delicate grasses...

And ancient brickwork...

And enough blue sky to remind me that even winter has its bright moments...

I am resolving to be more appreciative of my world, and to try to find a meaningful way through life this year... 

Wishing all a peaceful, restorative and healthy 2019.

S x

winter skies...

I can't pretend this is my favourite time of year. I'm not great at cold weather and endless bleak grey days which don't lift the spirit much. But we do have some lovely skies - and the lack of daylight has one advantage inasmuch as I am more likely to catch the sun setting or rising. In the depths of December I feel as though I go to and from work in the dark and barely see a ray of light but just in the last week or so I have noticed the mornings lightening a little bit.

Believe it or not, this first picture was taken last weekend, about 10 am as I walked into the city, looking across the market towards St Peter Mancroft church. Loved the light in the clouds. It poured shortly after this - but for a few moments it was beautiful.

And a week later, a little after 7.30am on the way into work, definitely not still completely dark. It was very cold, with an ethereal freezing mist, which didn't clear until the middle of the morning, that made Waitrose car park look slightly eerie.

Today, I spent a few hours tidying up my courtyard garden. It is so sheltered that it never catches the frost and everything starts shooting sooner than out in an open garden. I uncovered early snowdrops just beginning to flower, crocuses, hyacinths and a few daffodils pushing their way into the light. Spring colour not too far around the corner...

S x

sleepy cats and 60mph photos...!

Thankyou all so much for your nice comments - funny how 6 months ago, I truly felt I was happy just to keep updating my little 'electronic diary project' regardless of whether anyone read it. I still sort of feel a bit like that but actually I really enjoy the interaction with all you lovely people out there in blogland and I love to read your comments. 

I also love to look at other great blogs - I am constantly fascinated by the fact that you get a snippet of life on the other side of the world or from someone looking at things from a totally different perspective to me. I am slightly conscious that I am at risk of spending way too much time following other posts, so am trying to be strict with myself about blogging time and how many more blogs I add to my list to follow!

But...I did want to share this one with you...I have had a couple of nice comments from Mikko Tyllinen who is an artist in Finland (somewhere I have always fancied going to visit!) and I had a curious look at his blog. He creates some beautiful colourful paintings - very clever! Pop over and have a look if art is your thing!

Also thought I should just even up the cat pics and feature Basil today as Jemima took the spotlight last time!

He is actually looking a bit of a poor old thing just lately - they are both 14, which I suppose is no longer young for cats but Basil has had his share of 'health issues' along the way and spent several months on medication which they now think may have slightly damaged his kidneys. Sometimes he still behaves like a kitten but I'm not sure the recent hot weather has been great for him - he moves so slowly around and just seems to sleep where he stops, sometimes in the oddest positions. He's definitely got a bit scrawny again and for some reason, when he's not quite right, his coat seems to lose its soft, black shiny feel and turns a bit brown.

Excuse all the clutter in the background - we are moving son 2 into a tiny flat for his uni work experience and he seems to have an unbelievable amount of 'stuff' to take on Saturday!

As far as the cat goes, I suspect that sleeping (or pretending to!) in the hotspots doesn't help...

Have you tried telling a cat he probably shouldn't get overheated and please, could he drink a bit more water?!

Hasn't been much time for photos this week, but I did snap these out of the window of the van we borrowed to collect some stuff for son 2's big move (thank goodness for freecycle! we have virtually furnished his flat with donated items!)...

As you might know, I have a bit of a thing for clouds and skies and these sun-rays just looked like they were pouring through the gaps in the clouds. (I'd like to point out that while I was hanging out of the window, trying not to get my camera blown away, R was driving, not me!) 

Til next time then, 

Sx