I have been longing to see the bluebells this year, for me that means Spring. It is still quite early but I wasn't disappointed ... I went on a walk with a couple of ladies from the Allotment walkers group, to check out a route we are doing later in the week with others. We went to Glovers Wood, Charlwood, which I have been to before (see my old blog Wood Fairy)
This old yew tree in the churchyard dates back pre 1080, the original church was built of wood in 1080 and the tree was already there - yew trees were often on pagan sites and churches were built on these sites, this tree is apparently female and is protected. Charlwood 349 - Ancient Yew Group
Walking on into Glovers Wood there were early bluebells, wood anemone and wild garlic, primrose and more.
Below bluebells
primrose below
Yesterday I had builders round for quotes on a bathroom upgrade, we would like a shower instead of a replacement bath (ours has gone rusty) and the downstairs cloakroom has a rotten floor so needs an upgrade. As I was housebound for the day I batch cooked vegetarian lasagne, made with THIS isn't mince
Curious cows knew it was time for milking and were on their way unheeded.
above; wood anemone.
Above mares tail. I hadn't seen this before but a lady dressed in black with a black leather hat marched out of the woods and as she passed, shouted out 'mares tail'.
celandine above, violets below
recent pagan offerings for Ostara, the vernal Spring equinox, in the woods.
algae pond above and hawthorn blossom below
I was using Quorn before, which is also good, but THIS mince is better as it's moist. I also made beetroot humous, which requires no cooking, just blending chick peas, raw beetroot and seasoning (corriander, toasted cumin seeds, salt, pepper, lemon juice, olive oil, raw garlic cloves all whizzed up).
Today I have been up early to draft some listings on Vinted. I haven't got to grips and still have to upload photos.
On Sunday I went to my old baptist church - I hadn't been for about 7 years. I felt compelled and off I went. I used to enjoy singing with sign language but nobody else was signing. There were many familiar and welcoming faces, but they all looked shockingly older, which means I do too I suppose.
I will go again, but don't want to commit to the housegroup, tithing, regular attendee type stuff.
At the weekend I was in Brighton, shopping for my 'should have been sister in law' who has a birthday coming up. I sat on the beach, slept for a bit, explored the lanes and bought this book!
(what else but India, my favourite destination) with a recent birthday voucher from my son - who knows I love Waterstones, Brighton for its window seats and cosy atmosphere.
I started the Random Acts of Kindness challenge on 17th February - hadn't done it for a long time - if only it became something we did automatically but I have to really think to find ways to fulfill this - and also of course you don't want the recipient of your effort to know as it would be very contrived! I'm still doing it ... sometimes folk are suspicious if youre too obvious! - i.e. not taking the best parking spot at the supermarket.
Today I am off to the allotment to plant some beetroot. We are still getting morning frosts so I am not planting too many things yet. If I dont have you on my sidebar. Please leave your blog details in a comment. It's fun to visit new blogs.
Chat soon....
.
What a great post. Glad you're keeping busy. My random act of kindness is to let people in the supermarket queue behind me, go in front if they have less items than me! You'd be surprised how many people will let you wait while their £90 worth goes through but you only have one item to buy!So selfish and there's a lot of it about!I've discovered golden beetroot at my local farm shop. It's fab pickled in Apple cider vinegar.I remember when you used to go to your old church. Speak soon.xxx
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post. Glad you're keeping busy. My random act of kindness is to let people in the supermarket queue behind me, go in front if they have less items than me! You'd be surprised how many people will let you wait while their £90 worth goes through but you only have one item to buy!So selfish and there's a lot of it about!I've discovered golden beetroot at my local farm shop. It's fab pickled in Apple cider vinegar.I remember when you used to go to your old church. Speak soon.xxx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post
ReplyDeleteYour plant must surely be in the Violet family? I love to see all these new flowers popping up now the sun is shining.
ReplyDeleteA lovely post Betty- it sounds like you are really enjoying your retirement & filling in your days quite well. Its looking very spring like in the woods. That plant you asked about ... the leaves of it look like either the geranium or the primula family to me (flowers look like primula). My eyesight is not the best but I have peered really closely at it. I try to practice the random acts of kindness all the time too - I like to leave excess fruit & veggies in the letter box of people that i know are struggling ... this is a small thing I can do. xx
ReplyDeleteHello Betty! What fun that walking group must have been. I'm amazed by that thousand year old tree, it's astonishing! Our bluebells are about to flower as is the wild garlic, we must be a few days behind you being more Northern! I like the sound of that lady in black in her hat!
ReplyDeleteYou have been industrious with your cooking. Liking the sound of your beetroot hummus.
I bet you're excited for India, a couple of my friends are in different parts at the moment and keep bombarding me with photos.
We should all do random acts of kindness. We put three ancient cast iron garden chairs on the drive on Monday with a Free sign and they were soon gone! xxx
I remember your old blog. I visited from time to time but I'm ashamed to admit I don't think I ever commented.
ReplyDeleteWe had a nice walk too. It was beside a small river, we used to go there often but hadn't in a few years. We found we no longer had the energy to do the entire loop so turned around half way.
You have a nice variety of wild flowers. I enjoyed your pictures. Have a lovely week.
Dear Betty I enjoyed this post thoroughly ♥️
ReplyDeleteYour walk with allotment ladies In woods is beautiful as filled with so many pretty flowers 🤗♥️
The thousand years old tree had me for a while 🥹🥰♥️ how much he must have observed wow 😍
Best of luck for renovation 👍
Your sudden visit to church after seven years made you meet old friends which is refreshing I believe. The realisation of how old they looked to you was very normal I think . Sometimes I rewatch an interview of favourite personality or celebrity the comparison between her old and current appearance hurts a little.no one can escape from pattern nature has set for us 😔
My eldest son likes hummus dish which he was introduced in London.
I love your mention of act of kindness which is needed in the world more than ever for sure.
Stay blessed and healthy my dear friend ♥️
I'm bad for not thinking of kind things to do for others. I smile and say hello to everyone I pass on the street, but big deal, that costs me nothing. My husband has set me some good examples though. He will stop and remove things from the road so the next car won't hit them, rather than driving around them and carrying on his merry way like I would do without a second thought. He would leave a couple cans of the dog food he liked to buy on the shelf to be sure there was some left for the next dog-owner who liked that brand, rather than buying it all when it was on sale as I would've done. This kind of thoughtfulness is one reason I fell in love with him.
ReplyDelete