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

Boys, Branches & Bonding ~ The Mendip Hills

A good a place as any to blow away the cobwebs is atop the Mendip Hills.

This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty can feel stark on a Wintry day but its views across to Bristol remind you that civilisation is not far away.

We drove up The Coombe, a sweeping, windy road that leads up to the hills from Burrington. It's always good to keep your eyes open on this stretch as there are walkers and cyclists at every turn.

We parked up and donned our wellies and walking boots and pulled our hats down over our ears.

It was nippy out!

The girl led the way but the boy soon caught up and the two of them were soon exploring the dead tree, beneath which they attempted to build a shelter from fallen branches scattered on the ground.

A shift in family dynamics occurred today, heralding a change from last week's daddy/daughter pairing. Today was time for some daddy/son bonding. With sticks.Me and my girl led the way, finding a downward hill, following the muddy horse tracks leading us into the unknown. The boys lagged behind distracted by sticks and branches which obviously had to be turned into weapons of various descriptions. I believe a light sabre battle may have taken place at some point.

The stick warfare seemed to bring the two together as they walked and talked. And battled their way around the muddy paths. I left my DSLR in the car and a comment was made about how I was managing not to lag behind taking hundreds of photos - obviously I had my phone to hand for a few occasional snaps.

The tree looked so stark and striking standing alone on the wild landscape.The sun came out for a while, low in the sky, shining its rays through the branches below.Through the trees the muddy paths led us through a blanket of ferns.

This may become a new favourite place to explore.

x x x

 

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

Walking from our doorstep {Country Kids}

Sometimes it is just as easy to pop on your wellies, hats and coats and venture straight out from your own doorstep than pile into the car and drive somewhere new.
For two consecutive days in the period between Christmas and New Year the children wanted to walk to the nearby fields.
At the end of the lane we have lots of green space; playing fields, farmland, small holdings, all with many footpaths to explore.
Certain areas are in the pipeline to be built on.
This deeply saddens me as it will destroy the rural buffer we have here and also make our lane a dangerous rat run - emails have been written, but the impact they will have I don't know.
I just hope that the other green space is safe and left for children, dog walkers, everyone to enjoy.

Day 1
The weather was perfect - sunny and very cold.
We set out mid afternoon and the sun was already starting its descent down to sunset.
We walked hand in hand across the field - no cows to worry about this time - and found frozen puddles.
The girl had her dog spotters book and ticked off a Pug and a Border Terrier.
Then the sun did its thing - I just stood and watched it whilst the kiddos smashed ice.

Day 2
We retraced our steps as the children just wanted to smash more ice again!
Luckily the weather was super cold again and the sun was shining.
Huge chunks of ice were smashed out and some modern art was installed on the field floor.
I found beautiful frosted leaves.
The girl found a diamond!
Then my feet got really cold - why do they never feel the cold so much?!
We wandered back - again watching the sun do its thing.

Cold sunny days have long been a favourite of mine.

Linking up with the fabulous Country Kids...

x x x