Circular walk, West Malvern, near Worcester.

This walk starts and ends by the Outdoor Centre in West Malvern, at the top of Old Hollow road. Walk down the path through the outdoor centre and on to the farm. You cross the yard through the two metal gates and then stick to the path through two fields in which sheep are grazing. At the top far corner f the next field you go up through the next field and in the top corner you pass under trees to a path entering the wood. After you pass through the wooden gate you go a little further up before meeting a path making a t with the one you are on. You have now done the hardest part of the walk. Take the left hand path and you follow the ridge through the woods until you reach a metal gate. This is a long flat section of the walk. You now go through a farm yard and then on to the bottom of a private road. Just past a few houses on the left is a footpath sign, and following this you go through a few fields and then are back at the first farm at the outdoor centre.

Sheep freshly shorn

Here are a few of the sights I saw today following this walk.

First field

View north

Towards wooden gate onto ridge

Tree detail

Ridge path

Path in dappled shade

View west towards Herefordshire

View east across to Malvern Hill from second farm

Lower path back to first farm

Interesting burr in hedgerow

Beaches and coastline near Morpeth, Newcastle.

I enjoyed a fabulous couple of days exploring around Morpeth in Newcastle. One day we spent exploring the East coast of North England. There are many castles dotted around this area but it was the sand the sea, the fabulous rock formations and the incredible sky that I fell in love with. here are just a few of the pictures I took.

Bees and Vegetables at a friends allotment, Morpeth near Newcastle.

Whilst visiting friends in Morpeth near Newcastle, they took me to see their allotment and the bees they have. They have only been keeping bees for a short while but already have had two honey harvests. The bees clearly love it there an now they not only have the two original hives, but a new young swarm, which are currently housed in the middle nursery hive box.

We were very lucky whilst we were there as the queen from one of the two established hives decided to go on a walk about. When still young queens will leave the hive occasionally to go out on mating flights, and the worker bees crowd around the entrance waiting for her return. The queen returned while we were there and you van see her in the close up picture, she is the largest bee in the centre of the frame.

Two hives and centre nursery hive

The return of the Queen

Appleby, Cumbria

On Sunday 28th July I visited friends and we went to Appleby in Cumbria. Unfortunately the castle there was shut for the day, but we enjoyed a walk along the river. Rain the night before had swollen the river and the water was rushing past, and quite brown. The day however was lovely and having admired the garden and fountain at the Hospital of St Anne's enjoyed a walk along the river banks and through the wood. I also rather loved the carving near the play area, whilst the children enjoyed the swings and roundabout.

Formby beach, Liverpool.

Formby beach in Liverpool, on the west coast of England is truly beautiful, especially in the warm weather at sunset. These pictures I hope show you just a hint of that beauty.

Beautiful moth, Malvern, Worcestershire.

My garden is full of fabulous butterflies, peacock, admiral, orange tips, cabbage white and loads I don't know the name of. Unfortunately they flit around from flower to flower or dance in the air spinning around each other like the DNA helix. This constant movement makes them impossible to photograph. I have spent many hours attempting to sneak up on one or patiently sitting next to the flowers which a few moments before I sat down had been covered in butterflies, waiting for them to return. So far all this effort has been with out success. Which is why I love this moth so much. Not only is it rather stunning compared to the common brown moths, and the markings on its wings look so like love hearts, but it spent all day sitting on my honeysuckle having a snooze. Unfortunately I have no idea the name of the variety, but a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. If you know its's name or have any tips on photographing butterflies please I would love to know.

Walk from the Wyche to the singing Kettle, Malvern Hills, Worcestershire.

I enjoyed a very windy Sunday walk yesterday. It certainly blew away the cobwebs. The plentiful rain we have been experiencing lately means it is very lush and green at the moment. Park at the Wyche church carpark and then walk south along the path furthest away from the church, if you want to follow this walk.

Happy Sheep

Pine cones in the tree canopy

Fox gloves

The pathway

Lovely cows

More lovely cows along the pathway.

Staying young

When I was young
Life seemed so full of choice,
And as a coil to be sprung
Or a choir in full voice,
All energy and volume raced,
To every chance and opportunity,
Each new experience embraced
Without a shadow of anxiety.

Young I wish my spirit stay,
However great my years.
To find the joy in each new day,
Storing memories as souvenirs.
Don't let routine or duty
Suppress my capacity for fun,
But instead see beauty and comedy
In everyday until lifes done.

by Izzy Silver

Its not only the weather.

Its not only the weather making me feel blue, so today I will have a little wallow in the doldrums, before I promise tomorrow to be the bright and happy me. Feeling poetic, pathetic and melancholy I have another rather cheesy but not cheery verse to share.

A bit blue.

If misery likes company
Why am I alone with my tears,
Feeling lost and desolate
Overshadowed by my fears.
Solice is not found in solitude,
But lives where there are friends.
Everyone needs a hand to hold,
A knight who will defend
You when your feeling lost,
And cheer you when you win,
Or everything is valueless,
A waste of adrenaline.
Your whole lifes a story to tell,
The twists and turns, the highs and lows.
Life, the bright and scary carousel,
Until finally we decompose.

Izzy Silver.

Peonies

Thrust from the earth
Phallic red columns
Hungry for warmth and light
Transformed into sturdy bushes
Green soft delicate foliage
Bearing expectant globes
Which open slowly to reveal
Puff balls or open bowl forms
Whites, yellows, reds and pinks
Light floral fragrant perfume
And then again they disappear
For winter they sleep
Warm and the hidden beneath      the soil
Buried treasure

A perfect bloom