Thursday 23 April 2020

Sunny Afternoons





This last week has seen some gentle structure return to my days, and I have felt some relief from the sense of purpose it has given me. I have been waking earlier, the sound of the dawn chorus along with sunlight streaming in through the window a far more pleasant start to the morning than the piercing call of my alarm clock. At this time of day the house is quiet and still, so I sit and enjoy my coffee, sometimes taking it with me into the garden while I check on the raised bed and uncover the seedlings.
Then, in what feels like no time at all the house begins to come to life, breakfasts are made, Mog is reminding me to fill her empty bowl and more often than not the washing machine gets turned on. A quick glance at the home learning plan on the table and I realise I need more coffee before the daily routine begins. I am quietly grateful for my large dining table just now,  as along with the school learning pack it  is currently home to a pile of ironing, a peace lily, paper, colouring pens, a toad habitat  in a box and a rough draft of facts about minnows. For some reason it is also home to  a stick and a fir cone.

The time soon passes as we navigate our way through learning in the home environment. It's not always easy as home is usually a place of sanctuary, somewhere to unwind and without the formality of a school day. A balance has to be struck and I've also learned to take a more relaxed approach and understand we don't have to do it all.
The one thing I do insist on, however, is that our afternoons are free to do as we please. Of course during lockdown it isn't a case of going out where and when we choose but we are incredibly fortunate to have some beautiful places within walking distance, so each afternoon we set off on an 'adventure' to see what we can find. The sunny weather has been such a blessing to us and we've been out almost every day. There are  lambs in the fields, toads and ducklings down by the river and if we walk just a little bit further through the fields we can reach the woods.  It would be very easy to continue to walk along the main path here but if we turn uphill and head up the (very) steep track a beautiful sight awaits.













Every year the bluebells put on a stunning display for us and this year was no exception. Blowing gently in the breeze and filling the woodland with their soft sweet scent  they are always such a pleasure to see and we are sit quietly for a while on a fallen tree trunk before making our way home.
Our return journey takes us along the river bank then through the fields. This is Lily's favourite part of the walk, and you can see why.







Lily likes cows and I think they like her too.

I am enjoying our sunny afternoon walks and find we are meeting new, now familiar faces. There's Bob, who we pass down the lane, he lives alone as his wife sadly died last year, and a lady we see in the fields with her huge dog, Mack. We always stop for a (socially distanced) chat, so it will feel strange when the lockdown is relaxed and we will no longer see them.
As we head home up the lane and across the stream there is always time for a quick game of Poohsticks. I promise I'm not keeping count but I'm sure I've won the most times up to now : )
Stay well.

J. X


56 comments:

  1. Sounds like you've got into great lockdown habits and are making the best of it! The weather certainly helps :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm trying my best, Louise, and the sunny weather is certainly helping to keep my spirits up. X

      Delete
  2. Such beautiful photos, blue skies, lambs, bluebells, my idea of heaven. It sounds like you've got your days planned out well, it's so good to be able to make the most of the gorgeous weather we're having just now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jo. I find some structure to my day is a huge help. X

      Delete
  3. Lovely photos as usual Jules, I love the first one and the close-up of the bluebells is beautiful. I'm surprised Lily managed to get so close to the cows, I find they usually scarper, but these ones look quite docile and laid back :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Eunice. The cows are quite young but you could maybe try Lily's approach in future. If you look closely at the photographs you can see Lily introduce herself, reassure the cow, sing it a lullaby, then stroke it. :)

      Delete
  4. Ah, how lovely - I’ve been wondering how you both were. Am deeply, deeply envious of your access to woodland and bluebells. Have not yet managed to find any within walking distance and am surprised to find THAT is what I am missing most - I thought it would be the fells.

    Take care. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought you might like the bluebells. It's a shame you don't have any close by, as it's the best time to see them here just now. I'm longing to get back on the fells, especially in this weather. X

      Delete
  5. Beautiful photos. Thank you for the bluebells, I am going to miss them this year as we have to drive to get to a woods to see them. In fact I have a note in my diary for next week to do just that, that was me planning ahead at the beginning of the year!

    Learning at home does take some getting used to, I guess as we don't make a differentiation between learning and living, and it is not particular formal as in a School setting our home is still the sanctuary that we need it to be. I really hope you don't see that as a criticism just a different way of looking at it, you are so right it is about balance, letting go and you can achieve far more in less time. My mum, a retired primary school teacher, told me in the early days that an hour of one to one is equivalent to a whole day in school! I didn't believe her at first and it has been such a long time since I was in school, but given what my two can get done in hour, I can well believe this now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a similar note to remind a friend of the best time to collect elderflowers :) It's such a shame you can't get to see the bluebells just now.
      I don't see it as criticism at all. At the moment my challenge is in continuing the school's version of the National Curriculum whilst at home and I've already made adjustments to make certain aspects more relevant. X

      Delete
  6. Sounds like you have got into a lovely routine. Haven’t we been lucky with the recent weather. Somehow it makes everything ok. Lovely photos as always. B x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The weather makes such a difference and, like yourself, I am fortunate enough to live somewhere I can make the most of it. X

      Delete
  7. What a treat you gave us with the beautiful photos of the bluebells, stunning! You have got into the rhythm of these beautiful sunny days, long may this good weather last.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you liked the bluebells. Do you have any on the island? X

      Delete
  8. Bits of personally-decided-on routine. So needed, at this strange time.

    And as to all of the new doing-things-at-home, it's so wise to find a happy medium of what _has_ to be done! And what makes-sense to get done. -smile-

    What gorgeous land you are surrounded with!!!! Worth its weight in gold, if it could be "weighed"!!!!

    Ahhhh, the gentle cows. So lovely that your Little Faerie, has such rapport with them...

    🌸🌱🌷🌱🌺🌱🌼

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As with most things, it's finding a balance that works isn't it? As long as we're covering the basics I'll be happy. X

      Delete
  9. What a lovely post. Your early morning coffee in peace and quite sounds wonderful. Unfortunately, I'm not an early bird and without fail come downstairs to a house that's already alive and kicking so it's just a case of grabbing a brew and getting stuck in.

    I can't believe Lily is brave enough to go that close to cows. They are huge creatures! They look like they're enjoying the attention though. I think work in the morning and something more relaxed in the afternoon is perfect. Hopefully, there won't be a time again when we have to do lock down but I think we should make the most of it in whatever way we can.

    Have a lovely day. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My morning coffee is just about the only peace and quiet I get all day, Suzanne, so I relish every second. Once I'm awake I feel I want to get up anyway and these bright mornings lend themselves to an early start.
      Lily loves cows and has no fear of them, which is funny considering she is terrified if a dog so much as looks at her. :)

      Delete
  10. I was only saying to Eddie earlier that the sunny weather has been such a blessing.
    We only go locally (of course) but it is so much more enjoyable in the glorious sunshine.

    I certainly enjoyed my walk with you today, and lovely pictures of Lily and the cows.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It feels good to be out in the fresh air, Jan, especially just now.
      Take care. X

      Delete
  11. As an retired teacher it does sound to me as though you have struck the perfect balance with school work/leisure time. I am sure Lily will remember this time for many years to come and learn many things she wouldn't otherwise have learned.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Pat. I've based much of our recent learning on the local environment to make it relevant and (hopefully) interesting. X

      Delete
  12. OH MY GOODNESS I was all calm and serene and at peace as I wandered along with you along the beautiful forest paths, admiring the bluebells and then NOOOOOOO I am so scared of cows and I wouod have refused to walk that way had we gone with you - I'd have had to turn round and walk back the way we came!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I expected you to be horrified at this, Rachel :) These cows are only young ones and a bit like big dogs really. Lily would, however, be terrified of your Bluebell! X

      Delete
  13. Lily and the cow seem to be having a good conversation.
    The bluebells look stunning.
    Take care

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a lengthy, albeit one sided, conversation. :)

      Delete
  14. Nice to see Lily out without a coat or jacket. We're still in winter clothes here!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We've been very lucky to enjoy some warm and sunny weather here. X

      Delete
  15. That last photo is delightful. You could enter it in a competition.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. Lily can't wait to see the cows each day. X

      Delete
  16. Such a lovely walk! I have never seen a bluebell, except in pictures. Love Lily's approach to cows! Yes, introduce yourself, reassure it, sing a soothing song, and then, stroke! Very clever! Glad you are having sunshine and nice weather. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bluebells are such pretty flowers. The ones we see in the woods here are Native bluebells, not to be confused with Spanish bluebells which are larger, and often found in gardens and at the roadside.
      Lily does appear to have a way with cows doesn't she :)

      Delete
  17. Wow! Those bluebells are so beautiful.

    You are so lucky to have such beautiful and quiet places to walk around, especially during this lockdown.

    You have a toad in a box on the dining table? Heheee It must be Lily's. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Nil. I really value our afternoon walks and I realise just how fortunate we are to be able to get out into the countryside just now.
      Haha! Don't worry, I haven't got a real toad in the house. Lily created an animal habitat for a school project and it made sense to create something she had seen on our walks. The real tadpoles (which we are watching develop) are still quite safe in the river. X

      Delete
  18. You have your new routine well and truly sorted and I imagine it must be incredibly difficult for parents to suddenly become teachers. Your walks look wonderful and Lily is such a brave little girl but wonderful to see. Thank you for sharing your lovely photos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am enjoying our home learning, but have now realised the need to ease off on having too much structure to it. I'm not sure about Lily being brave, you should see her when a dog approaches us :)
      I hope you are keeping well. X

      Delete
  19. Love those photos of Lily!
    It sounds like you've got your lockdown life nicely sorted with some education, lots of nature, occasional treats and good food.
    I've loved chatting to new people, we're all relishing that bit of human contact at the moment, aren't we? I hope we can continue to be brave and chat to strangers once all this is over, it could be one of the real positives to come out of the pandemic. xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Vix. It will be wonderful if there are some positives to come out of this situation and I feel sure there will be. X

      Delete
  20. What absolutely delightful photos! Especially Lily petting the cow :) Those bluebells are a sight for sore eyes, how lucky you are to be able to get out and enjoy your afternoon walks. The days here are passing in the same old blur that we forget what day it is! We to are enjoying the sunshine in our back garden and have been planting potatoes and onions. Take care. Best, Jane x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jane. It's great that you are able to spend lots of time in your garden, especially when the weather has been so good. We were going to try planting potatoes for the first time this year, but so far we've just sowed the seeds we could get hold of. X

      Delete
  21. Beautiful scenery and I'm loving all those bluebells too! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Nikki-ann. The bluebells are at their very best just now. X

      Delete
  22. The bluebells look stunning! Nice to see Lily doesn't mind cows. I grew up on a farm and don't mind them either, but living in a town ( even a small one) means that most folk here are very reluctant to walk in the same field as a herd of cows. They think I'm a bit strange. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The bluebells are at their best just now, so we are so fortunate to have easy access to the woods here. I can be wary of cows, although these ones were quite young and just a bit curious. We passed a group of very lively ones, which had just been let out into the fields, yesterday. It was lovely to see them running around. X

      Delete
  23. Oh, those photos are so sweet. Lily and that cow look like they have a real bond.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Stephenie. Lily's favourite animals (besides Mog) are cows. X

      Delete
  24. A lovely walk through the bluebell woods and with a field of cows at the end. It reminds me of a walk we used to do in Derbyshire. On one walk when our girls were Lily's age we were walking through a field of cows only to discover a bull grazing in the top corner that wasn't evident at first. Needless to say we did quicken our step to get to the other side.x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The bluebells have been beautiful to see and have definitely been at their best here this week. Thankfully, we haven't encountered a bull on our walks yet. X

      Delete
  25. We, too are lucky to have beautiful woods and river paths near the house (and we Iive in the city!). Isn't it a blessing? Time passes very quickly when exploring the woods. Love your bluebells meadows, very pretty. We are a bit behind here in Scotland but not long now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I could spend all day at the woods, if we were allowed :) There is always something different to see. X

      Delete
  26. Oh, the bluebells are just gorgeous, Jules. How wonderful to have this beauty in the woods where you walk. MegXx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are so beautiful, Meg. We are very fortunate. X

      Delete
  27. Beautiful views

    Julie xxxxxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The woods are so beautiful in the sunshine just now. X

      Delete
  28. love the pics of Lily and the cow! The cow knows Lily is a kind and friendly girl and shows no fear. Fabulous!

    As always, your photos are a dream. Those bluebells!💙 xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sadie. The bluebells are beautiful, I feel so fortunate to have them close to home. X

      Delete