Running Diary {Longleat 10k}

The Longleat 10k had been looming on my half marathon training plan for a while and I was looking forward to it - although with some trepidation once word of the hills had spread online and was confirmed by a running friend in the real world. Due to this I started to look upon it as a training run, rather than any attempt to set any 10k PB, so I went along yesterday in quite a relaxed manner just looking forward to running in a crowd with the only target being conquering those hills.

I gave myself a good half an hour to get there, having checked the route online, and was hoping to meet my running friend at 8:15. However, the traffic entering the event was heaving and I was stuck for a mile in a slow moving line that resulted in me parking up at 8:55 with the race due to start at 9:00. I made a mad dash to the toilets, pulled on my running vest, called my friend to say I'd see her if I see her, wrestled my phone into its armband, yanked my buff over my ears - it was chilly out - and shot over to the start line where, thankfully, they held off the start for about ten minutes. I had planned on putting myself midway in the sub 10 minute mile and sub 9 minute mile start area but nobody really knew where these were so I moved down away from the front as I didn't want to hold up the fast runners. Then we were off.

The B&W Photography Project no. 7

Canal

Narrow boats, slowly chugging.

Moored up, woodburners smoking.

Water calm, imagery reflecting.

The sights and sounds of the canal.

A simple life.

 

Read more about the canal and see the colour image here.

 

 

x x x

Canal Life {Bradford-on-Avon}

This weekend we took a family jaunt along the Kennet and Avon canal, this time at Bradford-on-Avon.
This canal is a favourite of ours and we regularly take a walk alongside it at various spots locally.

 Determined to use the DSLR more I had it at the ready.

The colours, detail and additions to the narrowboats caught my eye; plant pots, woodburner chimneys and even a heron on board.

This time the men led the way having some deep detailed conversation about WW2 as they walked side by side.
Occasionally the boy would look back - not looking for me but with concern about approaching dogs.
We are still working on that.

We found a bench upon which to sit, and shiver, whilst we had our lunch.
I'm determined not to let the weather stop us eating al fresco!

At Avoncliff we stopped to take in the view, avoided the pub, and began our return to town.

Following a selection of rain, sleet and hail the sun came out providing some perfect light and reflections on the water.

Finally, can we mention this boat?!
I love this boat. I'm not stalking the boat, honestly, but it is very similar to one that I have spotted before, and fell in love with.
The colours are beautiful and it looks so inviting.
Just to say I didn't, but I really wanted to peek in the portholes. I have images in my head of what lies beyond.
Every time I see these boats, and walk the canal, it ignites my desire for a simpler way of living.

Maybe one day.

As a weekend getaway.

x x x

Lacock Abbey ~ Frozen World

Two Saturdays ago saw some chilly weather, albeit not quite frozen, for our jaunt around Lacock Abbey to see the Frozen World art installations; sculptures from a variety of artists inspired by the icy shapes of Winter.
Lacock is a much visited place for us here and we love to see the changes through the seasons.

The snowdrops did not disappoint and they are beginning to carpet the floor throughout the Abbey grounds.
 

The sculptures themselves were installed all around; in the brewery, up in the trees, on the walkways, in the gardens and in the cloisters. They were all beautiful in their own way with many changing in the light. Unfortunately the sun was behind the clouds for most of our visit so I had to imagine the change to the sculptures with the sunlight doing its bit - we returned the following Saturday but sadly no sun at all came out to play.
As well as looking at the exhibition pieces we kept ourselves busy...
 

As we wandered around in between the talking and walking I got my head behind the camera but I also had a feeling I was being watched!
 

A visit to the Abbey grounds is never complete until the rope swing has been well and truly swung on - I think that has been our favourite installation over recent years!

Linking up with Country Kids...

 

x x x

 

Disclaimer: This is not a promotional post. We are members of the National Trust and love to share our experiences at their properties and events.

Barges & Bonding {Country Kids}

The weekend saw us take a family walk along the much visited local canal.
You may have noticed this is becoming another favourite spot for us. I love eyeing up the barges, the boy has time to spot some birds, the girl can hone her photography skills - she is fast becoming ready to be a mini blogger in her own right, and importantly it is a peaceful spot for some family time.

We left the car at the in laws and headed across the playing fields which were bathed in sunshine, giving me and the husband the perfect opportunity for a 'shadow selfie'.
Meanwhile the girl was setting up her own camera.

The canal was looking particularly lovely in the Winter sun and while we sat for a break - ten minutes into the walk!?! - a Kingfisher was spotted across the water.

Then we walked, and talked, and walked some more.
As we walked along I noticed a pattern emerge.
The girl and daddy strode ahead whilst the boy stuck close to me.
The term 'daddy's girl' definitely rings true in the 76sunflowers family fold - as does 'mummy's boy'.
As they walked I could see their bond getting stronger and stronger...

Just look how in sync their footsteps are!

Does this pattern ring true with you?

Linking up with Country Kids

x x x

Winter sun and a village walk {Country Kids}

This weekend saw some beautiful sunshine, and it was cold - a perfect combination...

The kiddos' Uncle had visited for the weekend bringing his new toy. He took us for a spin in his spanking new Landrover Defender which went down well with the kiddos - the husband was also caught giving it the eager eye.

Being Sunday, it was soon back to the routine of waving bye to daddy as he went off to work, leaving just me and the kiddos. The day was far too nice to be indoors so we set off from home for a walk around the local villages, the Winter sun casting its long shadows once again.

Gates were climbed on for a better view but the horse didn't come and say hello today - he's there in the distance though.

We took a peek at the empty village pub - it used to be a lovely setting for a Summer's drink outside or a cosy Winter's drink by the fire. Then Marco Pierre White left, apparently chain sawing down the sign on his way out, and it stands empty again.

The farm had its trolley of plants outside for sale - this time narcissi. Once again I had left my purse at home - one day I will get something for the garden from here!

On the walk back home I kept feeling a little hand reaching for mine as tired legs were setting in.

I always love to walk like this and often wonder how long will this need to hold my hand last?

 

Linking up with Country Kids...

x x x

Alpacas & Narrowboats {Country Kids}

Last Sunday saw a window in the day for some time with my boy.
We dropped his big sister at soft play hell for a party, and headed up to a local village to drop in to say hello to Grandma and Granddad, before going for a stroll along the canal.
I was on the look out for narrowboats.
The boy was on the hunt for alpacas!

We soon found them on our walk across the fields to find the path down to the canal.
One alpaca in particular kept eyeballing us - I'm not sure what he was thinking.

The boy led the way down the steep path and soon had his binoculars out looking for narrowboats and trying to identify whether the bird he had spotted was a crow or a rook.

On the return leg the boy decided he would like a go with my camera.
The above image was the resulting shot.
The steep path back to Grandma's for a biscuit!

I'm linking up to Country Kids here...

x x x