tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36289031441197412232024-03-13T03:23:24.140-07:00Janes BlogJane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-71002203279421757132016-12-13T07:33:00.000-08:002016-12-13T07:35:58.977-08:00A Snapshot of Marjorca A memory to treasure a week in North Majorca - a week or so ago - time spent walking - taking in the nature reserves - Albufera just south of Alcudia and La Gola in Pollensa and a walk up the Boquer Valley in search of the blue rock thrush and a visit to Formentor.<br />
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Transport used ? - well the local bus - great service - and very entertaining as anyone will tell you who has travelled on those buses - a queue means nothing and the bus may or may not stop when requested and as many people as possible cram onto the bus until it is impossible to fit any more in.<br />
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The Albufera Marshes stretch over a distance of 1646,48 hectares - it is massive consisting of waterways - walkways - cycle tracks and scrubland with viewing towers and hides for observation at strategic points - the pic above gives an idea of the bigger picture - in the distance a glimpse of Alcudia Old Town -<br />
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Although a continual chorus of bird calls can be heard it is quite difficult to spot a lot - birds are calling and flying through the trees and reeds<br />
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Two special shots for me were the Purple Gallinule see above - this bird is so special - it came strutting out of the reeds right below us - we were looking down from a bridge over the water - I have seen one before on the lagoons on a previous visit a few years back - bright blue feathers and red legs - amazing<br />
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The Little Bittern is only small against the Gallinule - we spent quite a while watching as the Bittern slowly crept into the reeds - sometimes becoming invisible to the eye - although we were aware that it was so well camouflaged as to make itself invisible<br />
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Sheer Magic<br />
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walking shoes on - this was our first visit of the week to Albufera - we would return again later in the week as it so happens.</div>
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Puerto Pollensa is full of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered and only a short bus ride away from Alcudia a scenic trip past Alcudia Old Town and up the coastal road.</div>
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La Gola is a small reserve in the centre of Pollensa consisting of pathways through woodland and shrubberies a lakeside walk - apparently crossbills frequent the treetops but we did not see any but we did see a Siberian Warbler I think- no pic unfortunately-but it was foraging around in the tall bush above this sign</div>
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a Egret and a Heron </div>
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fished at the lakeside</div>
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The park was quite small and set in a quiet area of Pollensa</div>
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Later in the week we made another visit to Pollensa - this time for a walk up the Boquer Valley<br />
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I have read so much about the Boquer Valley it was so so good to actually walk through the rocks and wild rosemary -<br />
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see the goats grazing - and this one was checking I am sure to see if we had brought lunch with us<br />
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- the bushes were bustling with birds but it was difficult to catch them with the camera - the Valley is frequented by the Blue Rock Thrush but we did not manage to spot one I did see a Woodchat Shrike through the binoculars<br />
The views were incredible - stuff that memories are made of<br />
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Next day a trip to Formentor was on the agenda - see my header pic - again a action packed day - all on the local bus - we only touched on the beauty of the area so a visit in the future could be on the cards - </div>
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North Marjorca will always be a special place to me - linking today with Our World Tuesday</div>
Jane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-22905027217762227672016-05-11T04:55:00.000-07:002016-05-11T04:55:38.938-07:00Snapshots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Manobier - a castle - selfies and family time - a chill out for all - just snapshots really and not many words . Wales in Spring - no better place to be - coastal walks - blue skies - yes we were lucky and you know that saying ' a room with a view ' - well this was a house with a view.<br />
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.Taken from the patio -<br />
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and below x marks the spot<br />
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The castle is well worth a visit </div>
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Special times </div>
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And did I say selfies<br />
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And enjoying the view<br />
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Enjoy your week </td></tr>
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Jane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-65263243318535876582016-03-15T04:37:00.001-07:002016-03-15T04:48:45.227-07:00Shots around TownShrewsbury my home town - has a history dating back to medieval times with a colourful history - surrounded by a land of myth and legend - such is the county of Shropshire<br />
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Shrewsbury is a town of shuts and passages -<br />
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Bear Steps - above is a short shut - and was so they say named after a pub which no longer exists - The Bear Inn -<br />
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The Steps lead onto Fish Street<br />
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Fish Street as it implies was full of fish mongers and the smell of fish and at the end of the street you can catch sight of St Julians with a glimpse of St Alkmunds -<br />
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the upper part of the Bearsteps house is a art gallery and a coffee shop - the best Cappuccino in Shrewsbury is served here well I think so !<br />
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More about St Alkmunds<br />
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This is the spire of St Alkmunds - haunted by a steeplejack - who helped to construct the church spire back in the 15c - so it is said the man accepted a bet to climb the tower and fell to his death - numerouis witnesses claim to have seen his form climbing the spire at night - whether this was before or after drinking a pint or two of ale!! it is not known .<br />
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Adjoining Fish Street - just below the Bear Steps is another passage called Grope Lane the scene of many a dubious tale - very atmospheric to say the least<br />
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Linking to <a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.co.uk/">Our World Tuesday</a> - best wishes for a lovely week - Jane<br />
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Jane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-44298671293476798852016-03-07T06:30:00.002-08:002016-03-07T06:30:32.935-08:00Looking back - February pictures and memories Hello just a few pics for the record - memories of days out and times shared - precious times - time to reflect on life and how short it is - every moment to be treasured.<br />
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We spent a few days in a village called Mydroilyn near Newquay Wales in a cottage on a farm it was quite isolated but great for walking and bird watching - the birds were amazing and quite obliging for the camera - fabulous<br />
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A great spotted woodpecker just outside the lounge window - and below a nuthatch<br />
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there were lots of other birds - blue tits - this one was trying Blueys breakfast cereal !!<br />
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great tits and a coal tit and two jays - pictured below<br />
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A favourite of mine the jackdaw - full of character and fearless with bright blue eyes</div>
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A 4 mile walk on the second day proved to be a success - the scenery was stunning even though the paths were wet and very muddy - we did a circular from Aberaeron to Aberarth - walking alongside the River Aeron and up through Panteg Woods - I took my header shot of the Mandarin duck as we walked upstream and the pic below is looking back down onto Aberaeron</div>
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and the next shot is looking down from the top of the hill down to Aberarth - shame about the solar panels !!</div>
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The skies were hazy - with a light breeze and there were a great many red kites wheeling around but I didn't get a good shot - but they were fantastic to see - </div>
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The next day we went to<a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/llanerchaeron"> Llanerchaeron a National Trust </a>property approximately 4 miles inland from Aberaeron we walked in the woods and here are the captures of the spring flowers </div>
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we took the river walk</div>
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Nature at its best</div>
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Bluey came too !</div>
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The Llanerchaeron cat - sitting in the walled garden looking very contented</div>
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I have ended with a few pics of places visited - firstly Cwmtudu beach </div>
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and a shot taken in Aberaeron</div>
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Posting also this week to<a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.co.uk/"> Our World Tuesday </a></div>
Jane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-60802964920632837272015-11-17T06:21:00.000-08:002015-11-17T06:21:23.224-08:00CretaHello - I have not posted for a while - but I wanted to share a few moments with you if you have time - Autumn in Crete - we have not visited Crete for a few years now - time to rekindle that love story we thought - we stayed approximately 18 km from Chania <br />
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- not far from Kolymbari and the Rodopos peninsula - if you close your eyes to the new roads and building work the old Crete is still there - hidden away in the ancient olive groves<br />
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and small tavernas in the hillside villages -<br />
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raki is still the favoured tipple!!<br />
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- but the tractor is the new donkey.<br />
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The autumn bulbs were beautiful-<br />
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fragile and resilient in their struggle against progress<br />
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and also the native goats<br />
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everyday we walked using the local bus now and again but mainly walking - I had downloaded some walks of the internet to take with us and they proved to be really good - in fact we must have been quite conspicuous because towards the end of the week - locals were tooting the horns on their trucks and giving us a wave as they sped by - we only went on one organised trip which took us up to Imbros village - for a breakfast of cheese pancakes and honey and then a 11 km walk down the -<a href="http://www.kambos-village.gr/en/travellers_guide_to_chania/imbros_gorge">Imbros Gorge</a> -<br />
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fantastic - a bit tricky at times but definitely not to be missed - lunch at the bottom of the Gorge in Komitades and then a coach trip back.<br />
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We spent quite a bit of time in Kolymbari -<br />
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from there we walked to Afrata on the R Peninsula -we passed the monastery <br />
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a fair climb - and it was hot - what is that saying 'only mad dogs and english men (and in this case an english woman go out in the midday sun ' - but it was well worth it - watching the goats showing off jumping to and fro on the rocky ground and the goats watching us<br />
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The real stars to me were the Swallow Tail butterfly - <br />
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they were every where in the olive groves - on the bougainville and up on the mountain roads - <br />
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stunning<br />
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Thankyou for calling by and God bless Paris - JaneJane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-68127763043039285462015-08-04T04:54:00.001-07:002015-08-04T04:54:15.488-07:00My World in a Few PicturesI haven't visited the world of bloggers for a while - but today I felt that sudden compulsion to post a few pics - my life has been busy with much of the usual excepting I have added a new interest - painting and decorating and restoring garden furniture to its former glory - I have even been allocated a drawer to keep my paintbrushes -paint etc by OH in his garage !! I must post some pics for the record - meanwhile here are a few of my shots taken on walks over the past weekend<br />
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The pics are taken along the footpath next to a working stone quarry - this land has been reclaimed and reseeded with wildflowers by the stone quarry and nature has gradually come back to this area - as you can see<br />
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I love the word bumble and I think it suits the bee very well - you know they bumble about from flower to flower</div>
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I am not sure whether this is a bee - but it was very beautiful </div>
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Wild scabious and wild parsley below </div>
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I am linking to <a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.co.uk/">Our World Tuesday </a>today - have a good week - Jane</div>
Jane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-18535020109488748612015-03-23T08:52:00.000-07:002015-03-24T03:48:19.797-07:00Hartland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hartland in Devon - a breath of fresh air - amidst a flurry of flowers<br />
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Snowdrops have naturalised in the woods over the years -<br />
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spreading down through the woods to the torrents of water below</div>
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So many walks - my favourite was the walk from Stoke - with its its high church tower - used it is said by mariners passing through on the turbulent seas - as a marker -we certainly used it when we took a wrong turn - because our garden looked out towards the church</div>
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-Yes we started in Stoke onto Hartland Quay - followed the coastline from Hartland Quay to Hartland Point </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BEM9W_VBktM/VQg0Btq8p0I/AAAAAAAABzI/L7c_tJXt9fI/s1600/hartc1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BEM9W_VBktM/VQg0Btq8p0I/AAAAAAAABzI/L7c_tJXt9fI/s1600/hartc1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a>Interesting walking countryside and a snapshot from every which way - and I took a few!!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QdJeYdFXcGU/VQhlQh3bJOI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/w8V7VSOSAek/s1600/hartd1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QdJeYdFXcGU/VQhlQh3bJOI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/w8V7VSOSAek/s1600/hartd1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a>Favourite walk for me was through the woods towards Blackpool and the Mill Cottage</div>
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- it was muddy along the pathways <br />
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but well worth it -<br />
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and to catch a glimpse through the trees of 'Barton Cottage' as it was called in 2008 - the cottage was used in scenes in the BBC adaptation of Sense and Sensibilty<br />
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The video below - gives a quick glimpse of Blackpool Mill and the woods beyond<br />
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Blackpool Mill Cottage belongs to the National Trust and can be hired out for weekly lets or short breaks - it is a blast from the past with no TV etc - but an idyllic spot<br />
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Linking to <a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.co.uk/">Our World Tuesday</a> - enjoy your week - JaneJane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-49065861368949021862015-02-24T07:29:00.000-08:002015-02-24T07:29:25.275-08:00Weekend WalkaboutsClunton , Clungunford and Clun<br />
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the quietest places under the sun<br />
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A E Housman<br />
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Clun - last weekend was a sleepy village - cold winda at bay - mists and fog left in the valleys behind us - only crisp sunshine and blue skies .<br />
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The intention of the day was to visit the castle which is an English Heritage site - protected now - but showing the ravages of time <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EvQC9HJ8l2Q/VNoX42HouRI/AAAAAAAABuA/48GctykW2zU/s1600/clun2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EvQC9HJ8l2Q/VNoX42HouRI/AAAAAAAABuA/48GctykW2zU/s1600/clun2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>The castle ruins stand proudly on a mound<br />
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and the walkways take a circular route - offering fantastic views<br />
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The river Clun runs through the small town and on towards Clungunford where it toins the River Teme<br />
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And this weekend it was a drive out to Dudmaston Hall - a National Trust property - and a Snowdrop walk - well worth a visit - a 17th century country house set in impressive grounds and nestling in the Severn Valley </div>
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A paradise for walkers young and old - walks planned out accordingly - we chose the snowdrop walk and we were not disappointed</div>
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We dodged the showers and wandered round the woods</div>
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more snowdrops </div>
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We walked through the trees around the lake see header pic called at the coffee shop - - and then made our way home - enjoy your week - linking to<a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.co.uk/"> Our World Tuesda</a>y today - Jane </div>
Jane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-69091372752447172232015-02-04T05:34:00.000-08:002015-02-04T05:34:38.103-08:00Everyday blogJust an everyday blog about nothing in particular - in fact just a general ramble about this and that - a walk down the frozen fields with the dogs - a trip around the garden - iris riticulata just come into bud<br />
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Snowdrops are beginning to drift and a primula vulgaris is just showing to the left of the drift in the pic</div>
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filling up the feeders - camera club tonight - subject is "Pink" OH has got a nice little number- flamingoes at Slimbridge-<br />
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and mine is of course a subject close to my heart - a wild flower pic<br />
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-ragged robin quite scarce round here this was taken in Wales on the cliffs up above Newquay last summer - made a start in the greenhouse - onions started off to be set in the allotment.- a fantastic sunrise this morning - heavy frost but no snow or high winds as yet <br />
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- but I thought you may like the attached video - I did<br />
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Enjoy your day - JaneJane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-67318351727116243482015-01-27T01:20:00.000-08:002015-01-27T01:27:51.059-08:00A Weekend SurpriseWell Saturday we visited Stokesay Castle -below is the North Tower and my header pic was taken from the ramparts of the South Tower-zoomed in of the River Onny - I loved this view it was cold up there - the wind blowing strongly.<br />
Stokesay is not so many miles from us - but somewhere we have driven past but never stopped - Stokesay is an English Heritage site and we have just become members so we thought why not and what an hidden gem-it does not have a history of wars and battles but was more a wealthy family home and manor house- built in the 12th century by Laurence of Ludlow a wealthy wool merchant and land owner.<br />
I am posting a few pics taken on the day - click on the pictures for a larger view<br />
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This is the North Tower and below from a different angle<br />
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I was fascinated by the shapes and angles of it - below- this room is a haunt for the Pipistrelle bat - I hope that is the correct spelling - anyway I could not see any evidence of the bats but there was a few old swallow nests up in the eaves I like bats - apparently they return in the evening</div>
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The buildings are impressive and so is the church of St John the Baptist this shot below was taken from the South Tower <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-usraL405uRk/VMYvLzh6JWI/AAAAAAAABns/ILTKNzaRVn0/s1600/st14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-usraL405uRk/VMYvLzh6JWI/AAAAAAAABns/ILTKNzaRVn0/s1600/st14.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>over the roof of the Great Hall and towards the church</div>
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I was fascinated by the steep stone stairways all around the castle and thought sadly of those poor sevants long ago trundling up and down those stairs and up and down again</div>
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We were given audio tapes at the entrance gate to listen to as we moved around the castle and they were very good - describing what would have gone on in the hall (see pic above) - the colourful clothes - jesters - singing and dancing - best silverware on the tables laden with food as guests were entertained.<br />
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I have added a link which gives you a little more history of <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/stokesay-castle/">Stokesay</a> and a fantastic pic - taken from the bottom end of the churchyard - anyway itis much better than mine - so we shall have to return to get that shot without a doubt!!-it really is a must.<br />
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The above shot looks out from the Great Hall to the Gatehouse and below is a complete look at the Gatehouse</div>
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The garden was beginning to wake up ready for Spring </div>
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Aconites</div>
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Snowdrops</div>
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and Hellebores</div>
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We talked to a warden - she said she had worked at Stokesay for a number of years and had fallen in love with it over the years - she told us the gardens had so many changing faces throughout the year - herbaceous plants - the apple trees - roses - providing colour throughout the year. I am sure we will return - thankyou for calling linking to <a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.co.uk/">Our World Tuesday</a>- Jane </div>
Jane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-67513391661414004502015-01-20T04:33:00.000-08:002015-01-20T04:39:52.115-08:00January Walk<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVqHKpo_Q1Y/VL5G7TAj9GI/AAAAAAAABjo/kHMywzWKhtE/s1600/walk5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVqHKpo_Q1Y/VL5G7TAj9GI/AAAAAAAABjo/kHMywzWKhtE/s1600/walk5.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
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Out and about breathing in the crisp air -the dogs enjoying their early morning run -<br />
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the trees are bare <br />
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- but look at those shapes -<br />
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soon each tree will be covered in summer colours - but for now now each one is different -<br />
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standing proud,<br />
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We were watched from above by a haughty crow<br />
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- who was lazilly drinking in the rays of sunshine and in the tree above a woodpecker tapped furiously - but I didn't spot him and then a reply from the trees beyond another bout of furious tapping<br />
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Shropshire has escaped the snowfall so far this week in the UK - except on the higher ground - look at the distant hills in my pics.<br />
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- just frost for us and muddy fields when the sun wages war on the frost.<br />
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Not much colour to report - but I did glimpse a flash of gold<br />
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from the broom and the teasels stood out above the bushes - click on the pics for the bigger picture<br />
<br />-see my header pic - the route that I have taken has not been accessible for a few weeks - to muddy - especially with a predominately white dog who loves to run like crazy through all the wettest of places - so until next time - I am linking to Our World Tuesday today - JaneJane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-42245283335680751412015-01-13T03:45:00.000-08:002015-01-13T03:45:26.395-08:00Out and AboutA great way to brush away those cobwebs is to get out and about in the countryside and to link up to Our <a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.co.uk/">World Tuesday</a> - so pulling the socks and boots on - hats and scarves being essential - here are a few pics to give you a birds eye view uf our weekend.<br />
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A walk on the Clee Hills in Shropshire was the choice - we have only ever driven through this area before - it is approximately 40 miles from our home - such freedom<br />
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- Brown Clee is the highest point - height being 540 m -<br />
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yesterday it was bitter cold with a brisk wind and sharp showers - but even so the sheep were up for a photo shoot -<br />
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posing I swear<br />
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for the camera.- click on the pictures for a closer look<br />
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We returned home yesterday and watched silently the peoples march in Paris on the television our hearts and thoughts were with each and every one of those people on the crowded streets<br />
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Earlier in the week we had taken a stroll along the canal towpath at Cheswardine - a bit of a murky day with a few sunny spells<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IjJChf83zuY/VLPJoiRNVsI/AAAAAAAABhw/1RJcfxPxppk/s1600/SWANBN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IjJChf83zuY/VLPJoiRNVsI/AAAAAAAABhw/1RJcfxPxppk/s1600/SWANBN.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>It was lovely to see that the swans had managed to successfully bring 3 cygnets through the winter months - almost grown .... and that song - how does it go -There once was a ugly duckling ,,,,,</div>
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And the other birds said in so many words - Get out of town - well not any more for this one and his or her siblings - what an elegant bird this will be come Spring <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTIivk6HRS8/VLPJfkxgOmI/AAAAAAAABho/GXdmBEvf0Pw/s1600/SWANAB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTIivk6HRS8/VLPJfkxgOmI/AAAAAAAABho/GXdmBEvf0Pw/s1600/SWANAB.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Enjoy your week - Jane </div>
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Jane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-35073535892895664402014-12-22T07:23:00.000-08:002014-12-22T07:23:29.308-08:00Christmas Wishes and Helleborus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello - well all we need is a little dusting of snow -only a touch will do to finish off the Christmas preparation - it is wet and windy here - and I must say it feels pretty cold -I am linking today with <a href="http://macromonday2.blogspot.co.uk/">Macro Monda</a>y and am posting pictures of my Helleborus - I love them - so wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year xx JaneJane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-26703183225187605002014-12-16T03:01:00.002-08:002014-12-16T03:07:09.626-08:00Odds and sods Well hello you bloggers out there - hope you are all ok - it has been a funny old month here - OH has tripped over and smashed his ribs up - so I have needed to take over all manual duties - which has been a bit of a laugh - with me with a gammy hand after my broken wrist in the summer - having difficulty even with getting into a jar of bolognese sauce and having to flag down the first person to pass the drive gate to unscrew the jar to much hilarity - anyway we have survived and now are able to fit in the odd social event and get out and about.<br />
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A trip into Shrewsbury <br />
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- Christmas Shopping and a spot of lunch at our favourite coffee shop<br />
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on Bear Steps <br />
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- lots of atmosphere and lots of past history in times gone by - close by<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oNX52jOdXy4/VJAIqu5V9DI/AAAAAAAABbA/i7oHwoRIfME/s1600/shrew4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oNX52jOdXy4/VJAIqu5V9DI/AAAAAAAABbA/i7oHwoRIfME/s1600/shrew4.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
St Akmunds church<br />
-take a glance in the other direction - Grope Lane -<br />
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Click on to get the bigger picture</div>
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Christmas lights are so pretty this year - my header picture was taken on Wyle Cop.- this is Mardol<br />
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Nantwich is a little town in Cheshire a place we sometimes like to visit - this is the church tower of St Marys<br />
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- on the way back home that day we decided to call at Moreton Corbett castle - there was a beautiful sunset <br />
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and perfect conditions for a few pics <br />
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- and of course to top the list - a visit to Shrewsbury Station<br />
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and a long wait rewarded with a steamer on the station <br />
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Very atmospheric </div>
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- it was a cold frosty evening<br />
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and earlier that day we caught this steamer roaring down the line <br />
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-pic taken from a tiny bridge over the line -imagine the excitement - best wishes to you all - Jane linking today to<a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.co.uk/"> My World Tuesday</a>Jane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-36062819066750847942014-11-24T04:08:00.002-08:002014-11-24T04:09:35.995-08:00Looking back - my entry for Macro Monday 2 I am posting to Macro Monday 2 - I feel the need to dream of summer days and the buzzing of bees in my garden -I tried this year to encourage the bees and butterflies by setting their friendly plants.<br />
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So relaxing to spend time in the garden - working away to the buzz of bees - you know we take so much for granted in our busy lives - relaxing with nature can be so medicinal and rewarding</div>
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The foxgloves below are semi wild I think - they are self setters - meaning they self seed here and there but always they look fantastic and add style to the garden</div>
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the pictures posted are my favourites from the different seasons of the year - this Red Admiral butterfly below seemed to wait patiently for the picture to be taken - or maybe it was blissfully supping the nectar of the plant</div>
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This shot below was taken last summer while out on a dog walk so is not my garden and I am not sure what the plant is - do you know? </div>
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This bee below was blissfully browsing in the gardens at Hidcote - a fantastic garden in the Cotswolds well worth a visit if you can - click on the pics for a better look</div>
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Do you know I feel really uplifted - thinking of those summer days -Happy Macro Monday to you all - enjoy your day </div>
Jane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-33090095246491501182014-11-20T07:49:00.000-08:002014-11-20T07:54:35.159-08:00The Forest of Dean and a few days away<br />
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The Cistercian abbey of Tintern was founded on 09/05/1131 by Walter de Clare - Lord of Chepstow - we spent quite sometime trying to get a good shot - in fact it became to be a bit of a challenge so much that we may have to return again to have another go!! - below is my best shot to date <br />
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- I had found a picture of the Abbey in a magazine - taken by<a href="http://www.wyevalleystudios.co.uk/landscapes.html"> Wye Valley Studios</a> I have attached the link - the Abbey was taken from the other side of the river - the river was in flood this time and the afternoon was drawing in so reluctantly we gave up - the pictures on the link are amazing I think - but of course so much equipment is needed for those kind of shots and a strong shoulder is needed to take the weight.<br />
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Earlier that day we walked the paths deep into the forest - the trees were so colourful in their autumn shades<br />
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on the way back to Bream we stumbled across a railway restoration building -so we followed the path down into the valley for a better look - OH was well pleased with the find and I must admit it had a strange fascination for me too - not so much the workshop</div>
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but the old trains waiting<br />
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to be rebuilt<br />
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and the forest all around<br />
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seemed to give a mysterious feel<br />
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to the place<br />
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meanwhile back at the ranch !! well we stayed on the edge of the forest in the village of Bream - the common land stretched out in front of the cottage and the forest trials were to the left in the picture - sheep grazed the common land <br />
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and chickens definitely free range<br />
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were just over the garden fence and occasionly in the trees<br />
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apparently wild boar roam in the forest but we did not see any - so no pics of them sorry<br />
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Thankyou for calling<br />
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Best wishes<br />
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Jane<br />
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Jane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-9721563074756559562014-10-24T01:50:00.000-07:002014-11-11T00:12:31.949-08:00TheTower of London and the DordogneHello again - we have just returned from a visit to the Dordogne in France - fantastic scenery - lots of laughs with the group we were with . and brilliant excursions and a good quota of free time in Souillac our base,<br />
We stayed the night before in London prior to catching the Eurostar to Paris - so we caught the underground to Tower Hill to visit the Tower of London - to see the<a href="http://poppies.hrp.org.uk/about-the-installation"> Remembrance Poppies</a>- well it was daylight when we started out - but night had fallen when we arrived and it is pretty much only round the corner!!- yes you have guessed it - we took the wrong line - it should have been the Circle Line - anyway we finally arrived and it was spectacular<br />
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it was very emotive and so silent at that time - we wandered around for quite a while and then moved on towards the river - <br />
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Tower Bridge always looks so splendid -<br />
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click on the pics to get a better look -then we made our way back to the Underground making certain we caught the circle line !!!<br />
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The folowing day we met up with our group for the week at St Pancras and away we sped on the Eurostar to Paris - Gard du Nord <br />
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was massively busy and with no time to spare we joined our group to catch our connection to Austerwytch to board the train for Souillac in the Dordogne 400 miles on !!.All went well , with glimpses of Paris on the way <br />
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- I worried about the wheels on my trolley case on our station dashes but they stood up to the test and their guarantee statement!!.<br />
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We sped north through France at the speed of light - well not quite but pretty fast - admiring the changing countryside from large agricultural expanses t small patchwork meadows - picturesque farmhouses and barns <br />
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- sampling the catering facilities on the train - a trolley laden with I don't know what - you name it - he had it in stock - he didn't speak much English - and we don't speak much French - so a fair amount of pointing and laughing took place- the outcome was ok - 2 small bottles of red and a bar of unknown chocolate !<br />
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Our hotel base was in Souillac and it was extremely good our room had large white shutters opening out onto the view of the church tower <br />
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- complete with chiming bells - but you know allthough the chime was quite loud we never heard it through the night - now whether they turn the chime off or perhaps our senses were dulled by the free flowing wine at dinner!<br />
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I had chosen this trip because although there were arranged trips out - there was also plenty of free time to view the local town -<br />
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We were amazed at the clean tidy flower laden streets -<br />
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no litter - no bins - so refreshing - and amazing scenery at every turn -<br />
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We went on several tours out first one was to La Roque-Gageac - the journey in itself was amazing - chateaux at every turn perched miraculously on the sides of steep sided cliffs <br />
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- and the day ended in a trip on the River Dordogne<br />
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on a traditional boat -<br />
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we also visited Rocamadour with unbelievable scenery -<br />
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houses and churches perched periously on the sides of the cliffs - and it is said that pilgrims climbed to the top on their knees to repent their sins - every turn was a picture to be taken <br />
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- the whole region is a gourmet region - specialities being pate de foie gras - I am vegetarian so this is abhorent to me - walnuts - now we did sample a little walnut liqueur but I found it to bitter for me but OH thought it good - we did not purchase any because like the truffles for sale it was pretty expensive!! - moving on from Rocamadour - and I must say here that our local lady coach driver was amazing - she wheeled and turned the coach through the narrow streets and in one place - the coach park - the back end of the coach appeared to hang over the side of the cliff and we could see the houses below<br />
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- Rocamadour is built on three levels we were on the second level - to reach other levels you must either walk up winding steps cut out of the cliffs - whch take you past tiny churches and chapels <br />
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- the atmosphere was amazing it was Sunday and all of the churches were full to the brim with local people and tourists passing through - the singing - candles and incense burning at every turn - or lifts operate between the levels of the town - as we steamed out of town we were brought back down to the practicalities of modern day living <br />
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- a car boot at the top of the town!!<br />
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On now to Martel and a ride on the Truffadou train - this line has been restored - it was used to bring the truffles into town - OH and myself are"anoraks" we love a steam train - and this one was a little gem - see what you think this is off you tube my version was a bit topsey turvey<br />
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The train stopped at a little stone hut - all the wares were quickly put on sale - even a litter bn was put in situ - we bought a poster<br />
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- for our summer house - as soon as the train pulled away - they quickly closed up - vanishing inside the shop!<br />
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Another excursion took us to the medieval town of Sarlat -<br />
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again a mixture of wonderful old buildings flowers and coffee shops - we were so lucky we had sunny days up till the last day and then it threw it down - water rushing down the streets - up until then I had wandered how the flowers looked so good because I had never seen anyone watering them - but it seems - no need<br />
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We caught the train back down to Paris - the train was 55 mins late - so we missed our Eurostar connection - we were very thankful that we had our tour guide to banter with the powers that be to get us on the next train to London -Take care -thanks for calling - have a lovely week - JaneJane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-45395597610023337652014-09-12T05:44:00.000-07:002014-09-12T05:44:53.974-07:00Time moves on<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well it seems like for ever since my last blog - but time moves on - a lot has happened - the garden is now finished and the summer house is in place<br />
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- a few hiccups on the way including a fractured wrist for me - painful ouch! - slipped on a muddy patch and threw my arm back onto a pile of stones - everything takes forever to do one handed - I am becoming quite skilled with my left hand ! but the weeds have taken advantage in the allotment - OH has become efficient with chores he never really understood such as hanging the washing out and ironing - but he has kept the home fires burning so to speak - my cast is due to come off on Monday and from then onwards I hope showering with a plastic bag over my arm will be a thing of the past.<br />
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The garden has done its best to live up to its new image - and my hanging pot took first at the Shrewsbury <br />
Show see below - click on the pic for a better look- and now there has been another blip on the horizon my pictures won't load properly - anyway I have found another way around this it is a bit long winded but it will suffice until a better method turns up!!<br />
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Well it is approx 3 weeks later and a better method has not turned up - I havekept my spirits up by uploading pics and bits to my facebook page and kept in touch with my gardening friends on 'Grows on you 'web site - but the deep attachment I have to ,Janes Blog clings on - so here we are again - oh I have started off another blog Somewhere in Shropshire - which will be more of a picture blog<br />
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My wrist is stronger now so I am able to take pics again - and do most gardening jobs and dog walking is back again for me - OH has walked the dogs - but everyday Blue has looked at my feet waiting for the walking boots to go on - and to be fair I knew how she felt - because I missed that walk down the lanes and fields - we have been out and about the last few weeks - two steam rallies - Onslow and Malpas - and a family get together - <br />
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Malpas was a sunny day unlike the rainy sunday for Onslow - no pictures taken by me for Onslow - but I took a few at Malpas wrist is getting stronger at last - the atmosphere was electric as always at these steam revival rallies - you name it - you could see it -<br />
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dogs catching a ride on on miniature engines - and of course<br />
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the fairground -<br />
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and all the fun of the fair - and of course the best till last!!<br />
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Finally a shot taken last weekend of my home town Shrewsbury - a shot of the Welsh Bridge<br />
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- bye for now - enjoy your weekend - Jane xJane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-83501141015880822382014-07-01T05:54:00.002-07:002014-07-01T06:05:42.471-07:00Weekend AwayA few weeks ago the family - eight of us in total -went to the Cotswolds - to celebrate wedding anniversaries and birthdays for us all - a beautiful part of our country - we stayed in the Teachers House in Great Wolford - close to Moreton on Marsh and Stow on the Wold -the house was a dream and full of character at every turn.<br />
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We had never been to that area before and now will definitely return -- click on the pic to read the signpost names<br />
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Our house for the weekend was the Teachers House - secreted away in a tiny </div>
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village Great Wolford quite close to the church - with footpaths winding in between the picture book houses and gardens - </div>
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Wonderful old houses built with Cotswold stone - with fantastic gardens </div>
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I loved this old barn so much that I have used it in my header as well !! our room overlooked it and we watched the swallows darting to and fro early morning so relaxing </div>
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The weekend flew by amidst barbecues - meals out and family stuff a lovely wind down and a time to remember - we moved on from the Cotswolds and spent some time in Oxford calling at Hidcote gardens on the way ( another blog I think!) - on the way home we stopped off at Burford for a wander round - another chocolate box village if you know the saying - its claim to fame is that it is the gateway to the Cotswolds and it really is a charming little village sitting on the side of a hill - if you ever get in that area it is certainly a place to stopover- amazing shops and tea shops I am posting pics of the delicatessen</div>
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click on for a better view</div>
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I found it fascinating. -wishing you all a very good week - Jane <br />
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PS -I am linking also to our <a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.co.uk/">World Tuesday</a> today<br />
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Jane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-35609857871314594242014-05-30T03:49:00.000-07:002014-05-30T04:08:00.003-07:00Six Words Friday<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">- Today</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nature makes a move</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">linking to </span><a href="http://mymemoryart.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="font-size: large;">Six Words Friday</span></a> -<span style="font-size: large;"> enjoy your day - Jane UK</span>Jane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-15144657076510837322014-05-20T03:45:00.000-07:002014-05-20T04:05:29.291-07:00My Walk - My World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today I am posting a few pics to share with you - my walk in the park - I think it is very beautiful - <br />
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the varied and stunning scenery in my world here in Shropshire has inspired authors and poets alike - <br />
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The leaves were all shades of green<br />
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- the wild flowers and shrubs blossomed at every turn -<br />
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birds sang and squirrels chased back and too - <br />
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forgive me if I ramble on -<br />
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but I felt privileged to gaze on the beauty of nature - before dropping back into lifes reality.<br />
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I am linking today to <a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.co.uk/">Our World Tuesday</a> - click on the pics for a better look - Best Wishes - JaneJane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-88125964047400567372014-05-16T08:08:00.000-07:002014-05-16T08:08:08.434-07:00Weekend Reflections at Slimbridge <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This last weekend gone we visited <a href="http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge/">http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge/ </a>Slimbridge - the Malvern Flower Show - and we called on friends that we had not caught up with for a number of years - lovely time.<br />
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Slimbridge is a WWT Wetland Centre I have added the link - so many wonderful birds and so my Weekend Reflections are from Slimbridge and the Flamingoes - click on the pictures for a better look - enjoy your weekend - Jane<br />
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Jane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-20050886467369537542014-05-02T12:19:00.000-07:002014-05-02T12:19:22.177-07:00Reflections at Portmeirion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Recently we spent some time close to Portmerion in North Wales and so I am linking to Weekend Reflections and posting my Reflection pic - pictures taken on a walk through the shrubberies and woods of Portmerion -</div>
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for a better look - click on the pics to enlarge - and for more Portmerion pics take a quick look at my previous blog - <br />
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Have a good weekend - Jane</div>
Jane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-76390128738702447252014-04-22T05:47:00.001-07:002014-04-22T05:47:33.152-07:00Wales at Easter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wild Flowers - <br />
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Steam Trains<br />
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and Mountains - Wales had shed its winter shroud of mists - turbulent storms and heavy snow and we saw a glimpse of a gentler Wales<br />
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- silence only broken by bird song and the calling of sheep and lambs in the fields and of course the movement of steam trains up the valley.<br />
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We spent the week - us two - two teenage grandsons and two dogs - chilling out - the crew<span id="goog_1073678678"></span><span id="goog_1073678679"></span> we have stayed in this house before - fantastic views (for us ) WiFi for the younger ones - playing on gadgets way into the night and getting up late - us getting up early catching the sunrise<br />
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and walking the dogs - seeing the countryside waking up.<br />
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We took a trip on the Blaenau Ffestiniog Railway which is a fabulous trip <br />
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- steaming through the Welsh Mountains and a visit to Portmeirion Village <br />
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- renowned for its fabulous pottery and incredible architecture. The grounds are extensive - us two returned in the evening<br />
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to walk up into the woods <br />
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and view the age old shrubs and trees - some hundred years old and more- rhododendrons<br />
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and camellias towered to the sky -we also saw evidence of the recent terrible storms - Portmerion lost total 98 trees,<br />
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Returning home and taking a walk out at our local park<br />
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and strolling around its walled kitchen garden and admiring the flowers<br />
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and veggies - as we approached the old brick buildings suddenly a swallow swooped past - the first one for me this year - what a wonderful surprise - of course as they say over here in the UK "one swallow does not make a summer" but it did it for me ! enjoy your week - Jane xJane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628903144119741223.post-16890055878501066272014-04-09T06:14:00.002-07:002014-04-09T06:14:48.178-07:00Somewhere in ShropshireHello - thought you might like to come with me on the dog walk today - quite a nice day - a little misty - still plenty of puddles in the fields but even so very refreshing and good for the soul.<br />
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I haven't taken this route for a while - and was amazed how the crop had grown - the last time I came down here this crop was showing as quite small plants - today the plants were shoulder high with me and I guess in a few weeks they will tower above - it is oil seed rape (I think) - the pollen from the flowerheads can be quite powerful- but the colour is so bright.<br />
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The dogs were excited lots of new smells and new pathways - the field had long stretches of walkway from one end to the other - made by the farmer and his tractors while cultivating the crop - so we were able to extend our walk to and fro.<br />
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I stood and looked across the fields to the hills beyond - on the horizon the hills of Wales<br />
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This old tree stretches out to the sky - that brings thoughts to me of a favourite tree up on Lyth Hill that I visit from time to time and give it a hug I know I can feel the vibrations from deep in its trunk <br />
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Not many people about today down here - maybe they don't like the pollen from the rape - perhaps I will regret strolling through the field </div>
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The hedgerows were covered in white blackthorn blossom - one of my favourites - encouraging a few bees to stray from their flight path - but alas no butterflies perhaps it is a bit to early<br />
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Dogs were a bit muddy and so was I when we reached home - so it was time to get the dogs scrubbed up on the decking - yes a refreshing walk - bye Jane of Levanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425769039578882028noreply@blogger.com4