Frosty...

Frosty weather certainly do transform

the plants in the garden....

And even the leaves on the ground.

Beyond the Tinsel....

These photos were taken last Sunday,

 as I was delivering Christmas cards in my village.

Not the easiest of walking with all the snow & icy conditions,

but as the light was gradually disappearing for the day,

I took a shorter route via the Church.

Just loved how the church was portrayed with the snow,

& with the darkening colours of the sky,

just looked magical & very seasonal.

A very appropriate walk,

 when we reflect why we have the CHRISTMAS tradition!

Today, Christmas Eve!

Just one more night....

Wishing everyone a

 Very Happy & Peaceful Christmas!

Winter Colour

Although in recent weeks,

 the main colour to emerge this winter has been the white stuff,

 Snow!

There is definite evidence of the lovely warm colour of red.

So many shrubs & plants with red berries,

 a sign of an extreme winter?

Clusters of Rosehips

All of this mixed in with

 the last of Autumn colour foilage

And, such a surprise on a very bitterly cold day,

 following a recent snowfall,

Small, but Bright Pink roses in full bloom!

Only just surviving I'm sure,

 due to the shelter of the thick stone grey garden wall.

But a welcome sight nevertheless.

Droplets of Water....

Snow & ice lingers,

 not rushed at all to de-thaw....

Sunday Walking

An enjoyable walk in East Quantoxhead & the Quantocks,

 close to Kilve & Holford.

The collage above,

 highlights some of the things we saw,

 even Camilla's in flower,

 a beautiful bit of  colour.

Good to see some broom in flower,

 although such a prickly plant!

Sheep roamed on the hillsides of the Quantocks. . . .

Discovered various Fungi,

these presented themselves on fallen branches,

 in amongst the decayed bracken.

Even enjoyed a Sunday lunch at The Hooded Arms Inn, Kilve.

A perfect end to the walk.

A Dash of Spring

On walking through one of the parks,

it was a delight to see so many crocuses out in flower.

Although some yellow,  many were of  mauve/white.

A lovely touch of encouragement for Spring,

especially as the weather was a perfect match today.

Out of the Blue

Saturday, a quiet day in due to winter germs!

Quite frustrating, as although a cold day,

 the sky is beautifully blue & bright with no signs of rain,

which has inspired to seek through my archive of photos,

to find anything associated with the colour blue.

A mixture of flowers to blue skies with trees or grasses aiming high. . . .

Even a resting Peacock taken at Kew.

And, the Statue of Liberty, New York,

 looks outstandingly supreme with its deep blue backdrop,

(Photograph taken by my daughter)

The blueness of skies & sea,

 from the British coastline at Portland, Dorset,

to a photo taken in Tobago a few years ago,

 with its blue sea hightlighting seashells.

Tranquil & warm.

From Winter to Summer, what a thought. . . .

Ivy & Lichen

Visited Burrow Mump on the Somerset Levels,

mainly to see the extent of the floods,

But I can't resist taking an interest in some of the lichen that you see growing.

Such lovely colourings,

 which is of no surprise to learn that these plants have been used for dyes,

 & even medicines.

There are thousands of species to be found.

A plant which  is also very slow growing.

Another favourite is Ivy, an evergreen which also likes to invade trees.

The lichen I had found nearly covered every single branch of the thorny tree.

I just wonder how long that process had taken.

A Quest.

Saturday, although the car started first time since we've had all this snow & cold icy weather,

I decided to walk to a Country Feeds store.

Would have been so quick in the car,

 but well aware the side roads were well iced up. 

Although it was quite cold with a slight chilly wind,

the skies were lovely & blue. 

 I took my time & quite enjoyed the trek.

The store had now moved into a much more modern building,

 but it was situated further away.

Fortunately, there was a slight shortcut with a footpath,

& as I looked behind me,

I noticed the  hills in the distance covered with its blanket of snow.

But venturing on . . . .

I came across a well frozen pool of water,

 which would normally be flowing into a stream close by.

At the end of the footpath, the Sun did not disappoint.

 

But in completing my quest,

 the bird feeders were able to be  replenished

with wild bird seed, peanuts & fat balls.

~   ~   ~

Much needed in this weather.

A Winter's Day

Woke up to Snow. . .

A total disruption to the day. . . .

Not only at my home but all over the country. . . .

The weather created many pretty pictures,

 but the cold was gripping with a very icy chill factor.