Tyntesfield {National Trust} #HDYGG

Last Sunday we spent a lovely couple of hours exploring the grounds of, the National Trust property, Tyntesfield. As with many Trust places Tyntesfield has been pictured on this blog before back in Autumn 2013 and early Spring this year.
Autumn leaves were still aplenty but it was the gardens that I enjoyed exploring on this trip.

Getting up close again and appreciating all that trees have to offer on the way through to the greenhouse area.

In the Orangery garden plenty of blooms were still going strong, although some were starting to call it a day.

 Inside the Orangery itself was an impressive collection of ornamental gourds.

This sad flower caught my eye, somebody had placed it carefully in a corner so as to protect its fallen head.

Inside the walled garden plenty of flowers were still blooming but my eyes are always drawn to the doors - excitedly one was open today so my imagination couldn't run away with me too much as to what lay on the other side!

Linking up with Annie at, the gorgeous Simple Wanderlust linky, How Does Your Garden Grow?

x x x

Yoga at home

I'm not going to make out that I am some kind of expert, super flexible, yoga bunny - I don't know my ashtanga from my vinyasa - but I want to say how much I am loving Yoga and highly recommend it. I find it to be a great de-stressing and relaxing tool as well as improving my flexibility and ultimately my fitness.
I have dipped into it for over a year now but recently I have ramped up the amount I am doing, partly due to a running injury that has kept me off the pavements but also due to the relaxtion time it gives me - perfect at the end of a manic day. I am also hoping the Yoga will strengthen the muscles needed to return to running.
I currently aim for a daily session and try to do a minimum of twenty minutes.
Yoga is fantastic to do at home as it requires minimum space - ideal for my cosy lounge - and minimum equipment.
A mat is ideal and a block and towel are additional extras for certain stretches and moves.
I find it best to do my Yoga practise when the children are at school, on my days off, or when they are asleep - it is best to practise without interruption and in a peaceful environment!

As a keen beginner I followed Erin Motz's 30 Day Yoga Challenge, which can be found on YouTube, and more recently her Yoga Challenge at erinmotz.com.
The latter challenge increased my ability and I found myself moving around a lot with a definite increase in blood flow and heart rate.
I follow the tutorials on an iPad, initially propping it up on the cushions on the sofa - this works ok but is restrictive when you're hanging upside down and not really 100% sure about how your downward dog should be looking.

Recently I was sent the Logitech Hinge for the iPad Air to try out with my Yoga practise in mind.
The hinge means the iPad can be tilted at different angles so I can position the iPad in a more user friendly place and see it better from the different angles my body gets itself into.
The protective cover is a stylish durable fabric and allows full use of the camera, microphone and charger.
The iPad automatically turns off when the cover is closed.
Here's how it looks:

When opened, the smooth gliding Hinge can be positioned to an angle within a 50 degree range and holds firmly in place.
Here it is positioned for my Yoga practise:

 

This stand has definitely been a great extra addition in my Yoga practise as it enables me to check the poses. As I move around the mat I move the stand around safe in the knowledge the iPad isn't going to slip and I can maintain concentration with my Yoga.

 

I'm now off to perfect my double pigeon - a great hip opener and supposedly good for strengthening the important muscles for running.

Hopefully I'll be back pounding the pavements sometime soon but I know I will definitely keep the Yoga practise up.

 

Do you practise Yoga at home? Do you have any top tips for Yoga practise?

 

x x x

 

 

Disclaimer: I was sent the Logitech Hinge for iPad Air cover for review purposes and also received a Yoga package for my at-home practise. As always, the words and opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Project 365 #45 {Back on the treadmill}

We are settled back into the routine of school and work following a relaxing half-term break.
I was a little bit in denial about work on Wednesday but with my job you just have to slap on a smile and get on with it.
My clientele soon made me laugh so it was all good.

Project 365 #45

Day 306
A trip to work with the husband followed by a short, but head clearing, walk on top of Burrington Ham.
Day 307
The children are back to school so time for a grown up coffee.
Day 308
Finally, some crisp, chilly weather for the walk to school. Unfortunately it didn't last long before the rain arrived.
Day 309
The boy's second tooth finally came out today at school.
Day 310
A frosty start to the morning and the first scrape needed for the windscreen.
Day 311
Trying to get ahead on the weekend's homework for the children. Always a chore whatever day or time it is.
Day 312
A quick trip to the Scrapstore for some work provisions followed by a wander around Lacock. We beat the rush and it was nice see the village at this quieter time of day.

Linking up with The Boy and Me...

x x x

The Courts & Forest School Play {Country Kids}

So my favourite break from work, the October half term, is sadly over.
Now we are back on the treadmill and juggling the balls of school, work and family life.
Time to look back on those heady days of being a SAHM and sigh at how I didn't appreciate it at the time!
Anyway, we had a fantastic week with no alarms to dictate our days.
The children were keen to go The Courts gardens, a nearby National Trust location.
It has the perfect balance of gardens, lawns, orchards and Forest School area to keep the adults and children entertained.

Since I have been lucky enough to have my own DSLR camera the girl has been desperate to get her hands on my old compact. She is definitely my daughter as she spent half her time taken boot shots - blogger in the making maybe?!

 The leaves were asked to be explored; kicked, thrown and hidden behind.

The Forest School area here is a big hit with my two and they happily played for an hour. I noted some ideas for work whilst they explored the dens, played in the sand kitchen and clambered over the logs. It made me realise that this kind of area, and opportunity for outdoor learning, should be embedded in schools, no matter how old the children are. I don't think they ever grow out of this sort of play!

 

Linking up with the super Country Kids...

x x x