Sunday 24 May 2020

Along the River




The weeks are drifting by quickly, and no sooner had I become used to a new routine, it all changed again and I find myself at home full time now, joining in with everyone else who's  losing track of which day of the week it is. It's a steep learning curve. I'm someone who likes a certain amount of structure to my days, so this doesn't come easily to me, but I'm working on it and for the time being at least, I'll be getting plenty of practice.

Being able to get outdoors is a huge benefit. Aside from experiencing a couple of cooler, blustery days the weather continues to be glorious and time spent roaming the countryside is even more relaxing when there are no time constraints. Without the necessity to rush home there is always plenty of time to stop for a picnic, watch the tadpoles and ducklings, or even have a paddle. Sometimes we do all three. We've walked and we've cycled, often taking the same route each day, it seems there's always something new to see and a I find comfort in the familiar, well trodden paths.










We often enjoy a picnic lunch down by the river. The cool, damp air beneath the trees quite a contrast from the warm sunshine. It's simple fare, usually just egg and salad buns, fruit, crisps and flapjack, quickly thrown together in the hurry to get set off, but eaten outdoors in the fresh air it tastes so much more delicious than it would have done at  home.
The recent dry weather means the river levels are low just now. Much of the water lies still and every so often we catch a glimpse of small silver fish leaping up above the water leaving behind a circle of ripples.








Well rested and with all our lunch eaten, we gather up our belongings and begin to head for home.
Whether walking or cycling, our journey takes us high up above the river now. All around us the cows quietly graze, the young ones far less interested in us now than when they were first let out into the fields. The Hawthorn trees are in full flower and we have to brush past the Cow Parsley as it froths over onto the pathway. As we cross the stream there is a final chance for a game of Poohsticks before we arrive home once again.

This week I'll be finding my feet in a new pattern to my days, but as long as the weather continues to be kind, I'm sure I'll be spending much of them outdoors.

Stay well.
J. X

54 comments:

  1. How beautiful! I love our walks on the beach again and in the familiar places we've missed, but your walks in the countryside look so wonderful. I imagine Lily is enjoying all the extra time she's spending with you and being out so much she will be learning new things all the time :) Take care and enjoy yourselves. Best, Jane x

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    1. There's something reassuring about familiar walks at any time, but especially just now. I'm looking forward to walking on the beach again in the (hopefully) not too distant future. X

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  2. As I look out of my window at The Minch and type this (see, men can multi-task 😂 ) and the dreich weather I am very envious indeed of your river and the trees and the cover that they afford. We've just had two nights/days of sporadic full blown gale force winds and it's been most unpleasant with no shelter (and some garden damage). I will walk in the rain quite happily (and be thankful for modern breathable waterproofs) but not in strong winds. As always your photos convey a calm enjoyment. Thank you.

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    1. I'm very fearful of windy weather myself and I'm sorry you've suffered some damage as a result. Just this week the roofer has been and fixed the damage caused by our previous storms.
      We've been very blessed in that this wonderful weather has coincided with the restrictions and we've been able to take advantage of being outdoors with all it's benefits. X

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  3. Just so beautiful, so many different things to see and such a difference to the flat arable fields of Suffolk

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    1. I feel very fortunate that I have access to some beautiful countryside here. X

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  4. Such a gorgeous part of the world. Thank you for sharing the photos.
    xx

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    1. Thank you, Joy. It's a lovely area in which to live. X

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  5. We've been so lucky that this spell of good weather has coincided with lockdown, I think the shape of our days and our mental health would both have been very different had the weather not been so good and we'd been confined to the house. Lovely photos. Your days sound wonderfully relaxed.

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    1. I tell myself the same thing each day, Jo. It's been wonderful to get out and enjoy the outdoors with all the benefits it brings to both our physical and mental wellbeing. X

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  6. Looks so tranquil in the woodland with the river there..like a lovely advertisement for forest bathing. :)

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    1. There may also have been some tree hugging going on :)

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  7. I am missing the delights of the Cow Parsley in both Derbyshire and Scotland - we have little here on our verges - so lovely to see your photos. We are planning a bit of a picnic tomorrow for DH's birthday. Hope you have time for all you want to do at home - I am finding the time just whizzes by even though we seem to be doing less. Stay safe and enjoy the outdoors. x

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    1. A very Happy Birthday to your DH. I do hope you enjoyed your picnic, it's always my favourite way to spend a birthday. If I could send you some Cow Parsley I would, there is an abundance of it here. X

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  8. I finally got around to making your no knead bread for lunch today. It was gorgeous and definately one to make again. Emma

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    1. Thank you for letting me know, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. X

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  9. Yours and Lily’s adventures look very tranquil and relaxing. Your countryside is beautiful and seems empty of people. Unfortunately our countryside and coasts are now filling up.

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    1. It must be such a concern for many, as social distancing becomes more difficult to put into practice. Stay well. X

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  10. Does this mean, that you were working outside of home, previously?

    But finding Joy in being able to be out in nature, is a wonderful Gift!

    What kind of camera do you use? You take such amazing photos. Or is it just your phone? Your photos are always stunning!

    Your surrounding area, does take my breath away! Really!!!!! I love your water features.

    Question, do you have mosquitoes and biting flies and ticks? Or do you live in Paradise, without them????????? -smile-

    Open up, please.
    In my country.
    With masks/distancing.
    Compromised people,
    Stay home!
    🌱🌸🌱💗🌱🌸🌱

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    1. Until this last week I have still been working, and although I am at home at the moment this could change at any time. Like many of us at the moment, I just have to wait and see.
      I realise how fortunate I am to live in a beautiful area, and to have access to the countryside just now is such a privilege. I do enjoy taking photographs and no, I don't have a camera, all my snapshots are taken using my phone.
      Haha! There are occasionally things that bite, although fortunately, I don't seem to suffer with them until late summer. X

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  11. You live in a beautiful part of the country Jules and your photos, as always, are lovely. I like the river shot - the one below the hawthorn blossom - it looks so peaceful and tranquil there :)

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    1. Thank you, Eunice. I feel very fortunate to live where I do, it is lovely and peaceful by the river. X

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  12. Just lovely! I like the sound of your hurredly assembled picnic and as alwaysm, your photos are a delight.
    I'm sure that, in time, you'll find your own rythym although, satying that, Jon still has to ask me what day it is 9 weeks in! xxx

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    1. My picnics are always hurriedly assembled, Vix :) I'm not at all precious about food. As long as it's simple to prepare and tastes delicious then I'm happy. X

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  13. A lovely collection of photos. It's lovely to have the nice weather along with extra time to enjoy it!

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    1. Thank you, Louise. I'm sure the good weather makes all the difference to our sense of wellbeing. X

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  14. Such lovely scenery! Thank you for taking us along with you on your walks and rides! I am not sure if I'd be brave enough to walk on that bridge that Lily is shown standing! Your picnic lunches sound wonderful, too!

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    1. The bridge is actually a bit wobbly, Bless and yet Lily is also happy to ride her bike over it, whereas I get off and push mine. X

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  15. You are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place.
    The area looks so quiet and peaceful.

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    1. I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by some beautiful countryside here, Nil. X

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  16. Thank you for the beautiful virtual walk. You live near a lovely place

    Julie xxxxxx

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  17. I'm rather intrigued by the bridge which Lily is standing on, that would give me the collywobbles for sure. Such a beautiful place for you to walk and enjoy your picnic lunch, I am always envious looking at your lovely photos. I hope all is well for you with being at home full time, such worrying times. Take care x

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    1. The bridge is quite wobbly, Eileen, yet it doesn't seem to worry Lily. X

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  18. Stunning photos. The one of Lily on the bridge is beautifully framed with the arch and I'd be inclined to print the one of her in the wood with the winding pathway. You're right, even the simplest sandwich tastes delicious when eaten outdoors especially in such beautiful surroundings. I hope you settle down to your new routine. I'm sure being able to get out for lovely walks and bike rides will help. xx

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    1. Thank you, Suzanne. I'm sure I'll settle into a new routine soon enough but maybe this week I'll just enjoy the sunshine. X

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  19. Walking well trodden paths is a very therapeutic way to spend the days and lunch outside too. I’m sure Lily is gaining so much from these special days with you. Hopefully the sun will continue to shine. Gorgeous photos. B. X

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    1. Thank you, Barbara. It feels such a privilege to be able to spend our days this way and my heart breaks for those who are struggling just now. X

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  20. It is so hard when our routines and rhythms change isn't it, especially when it is for reasons that are out of our control. I do hope you can feel settled again soon x

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    1. Thank you. I'm sure I will settle into a new rhythm soon. X

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  21. I've enjoyed coming along on your walk, it was lovely. Thank you for taking time to record and share.

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    1. You're welcome to join me any time, Julie :)

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  22. It's mesmerizing how beautiful it's all around! Love the serenity of the river. The wild flowers overflowing in the ground is just gorgeous. Lovely photos!

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    1. Thank you, Angela. The Cow Parsley is in abundance here just now. X

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  23. Beautiful place to walk and enjoy.

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    1. It is lovely, Christine. I am very fortunate to live here. X

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  24. Absolutely beautiful photos and a perfect river for pootling about in!
    A belated Happy Birthday to Lily.

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    1. Thank you for your birthday wishes. X

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  25. What a gorgeous place. If I lived there, I think I'd never want to come inaide! Being outdoors is just so healthy and calming and that's so inportant always as well as during this time right now. MegXx

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    1. The good weather and being able to spend so much time outdoors is having a really positive effect on my wellbeing just now. X

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  26. Jules I don’t know about you...but my saving grace has been getting out in nature and walking...not always seeing...but walking. x

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    1. It feels very restorative doesn't it. I do hope you have some positive news regarding the house very soon. X

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  27. Just loved seeing your photographs.
    Eddie and I went out earlier today with a picnic tea, and I so agree it doesn't have to be anything fancy … just a simple fare but somehow when eaten outdoors in the fresh air it tastes so much more delicious than it would have done at home:)

    My good wishes.

    All the best Jan

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    1. My picnics could never be described as fancy.:) It's the pleasure of eating outdoors that I enjoy the most. X

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