I love going out and about with my camera – I really need to do it more often! These photos are from one of my favourite places to walk around – Delapre Park.
Can you tell I like trees? And reflections. And birds! LOL 😉
I hope you enjoyed the views!
I wrote about Summer Leys Nature Reserve a couple of months ago, but I actually went there for the first time in 2019. In June, 2022, I went back and enjoyed another walk there – this time taking photos of the animals and birds that use the reserve as their home.
We’ll get to the creatures in a minute, but here is a reminder of how lovely the reserve itself is.
I visited in the summer again and as you can see, the fields, flowers, plants and trees are in full bloom.
Now to the animals and birds which is what took me back to Summer Leys in the first place.
The first thing I spot is this butterfly resting on a leaf. I am not sure, but I think this is a Polygonia c-album – a species which is common around the UK (Wikipedia). Insects are notoriously difficult to photograph, but this one was kind enough to rest long enough for me to capture it.
As I wander along the path, I come out into open fields where these sheep are grazing or having a rest – oblivious to me watching them.
There are also a few Highland cattle at the reserve. These grazing animals help keep the grass short throughout the year
Close up of one of these huge beasts. Good job my camera has a long lens on it!
A much smaller mammal, the grey squirrel is a resident of the UK and can be seen everywhere from parks to reserves like this one. I love watching them scamper around.
There are so many birds to be seen here too like this bullfinch.
And this Long-tailed tit (you can just about see it in the trees).
The reserves gives the birds a little helping hand with these birdfeeders. If you stay quiet and in one place for a short amount of time, then more will come – like this Blue tit.
And this Great tit.
As a walk around, I see a flash of movement in the bushes and managed to capture this cute little fellow – I believe it is a Willow Warbler.
I think it’s great that places like this are dedicated to looking after the wildlife.
There are also different kinds of habitats for every species to have a chance of success!
No matter how big or small you are!
If you are ever in the area, I recommend a little walk around Summer Leys Nature Reserve, it’s a great spot for wildlife watching and getting back into nature.
Peace and Love.
October – December in photos!
I always try to get out for a walk at least once over the weekend and I can’t resist taking photos of the vivid colours of nature while they last this late in the year.
Four ‘photos of the day’ that make me smile because they evoke some lovely memories.
The weather changed for the worse in December and we had snow on the ground.
Sending you all love and best wishes for the coming year! Let’s hope 2023 is a year of peace, joy and wellness for us all!
The Changing Seasons is hosted by Ju-Lyn at Touring my Backyard, and Brian and Bushboys World
The Changing Seasons is a monthly project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently — though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.
For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different. Some focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.
But in the end, it is your changing season, and you should approach it however works for you.
There are no fixed rules around post length or photo number — just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement.
Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them.
Another lovely spot to take a walk in Northamptonshire if you are ever here, is Summer Leys Nature Reserve.
An old gravel pit which has been transformed into a nature reserve, Summer Leys takes about an hour to walk around unless, like me, you stop and take lots of photographs, then it will take a while longer – but that’s all good if you want to spend some time surrounded by nature.
There is a pathway that takes you around a lake in the centre of the reserve and, I would say, that it is one of the less popular places to walk around, so there have never been that many people there. Maybe it’s a different story at the weekend!
Setting off from the car park, you follow the path through woodland where the birds are chirping and the trees are rustling in the breeze.
The wood makes way to a tree-lined path.
It won’t be long before you see your first hide where you can sit and watch the different species of birds that breed there – if you are lucky enough to spot them!
The reserve is not just for birds, the habitat is perfect for insects to and there is a whole meadow which has been dedicated to butterfly conservation. (More on the insects at Summer Leys in my next post!)
Part of this meadow is also home to grazing animals like these sheep.
Keep walking and you’ll find yourself surrounded by trees which form a natural arch across the path.
Before you reach the end of this path, you’ll see a small area where the birds have been given a little helping hand.
It’s a lovely place to do some exercise too!
There are plenty of flowers which always add a splash of colour to all that greenery.
Out of the woodland again, you’ll be closer to the water.
Go through the gate and follow the path around the other side of the lake.
Meander your way through more woodland, again full of the wonderful sounds of nature.
One last look at the lake from a different perspective before reaching the car park again.
If you’d like to learn more about what Summer Leys Nature Reserve has to offer, go to the Wildlife Trust’s website. Better yet, go and see it for yourself!
I have lots of photos from places I have visited in the past and today I was reminded of this lovely pocket park known as Hunsbury Hill Park.
According to the local government website, this park formed part of an Iron Age hill fort which I didn’t realise until I read it today! – You learn something every day!
I visited Hunsbury Hill Park nearly 10 years ago and, looking at the photos, it’s about time I went back!
It’s sometimes surprising what your local community has to offer!
Before I went on holiday in August, I went for an interview for a new job at Hilton in Northampton and was offered the job on the spot. I could not have been happier!
Since the end of last year, I had not generally been happy at work. I had good days, but overall, I found it extremely stressful. I was going to work with butterflies in my stomach and feeling stressed before I even got there! That kind of feeling is just not sustainable. I felt like I’d aged in the year that I had been working there!
In my life, I have always said that if I am not happy with something, I will do something about it.
When I returned to the UK in 2018, I found my perfect job in events. I just loved the environment, the variety of work and the people I met along the way. I found it really exciting! But, in 2020, I was made redundant because the COVID pandemic meant that the business, along with many others, wasn’t making money and had to make cutbacks.
I was gutted!
The two jobs I have had since then have not been for me!
So, when I got offered the job at Hilton, I was over the moon. I am back in events! You are now looking at the new Conference, Events and Sales Executive!
I am learning lots and every day, something new comes along – without fail. No one likes being the newbie, but I am looking at it as a period of growth. Every day, my confidence is growing, and I know I am going to love it even more than I do now. I don’t even mind going into work anymore which is a huge difference, and it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
Despite following the wrong path over the last two years, I realise that sometimes we have to go through these negative periods to reach a place of joy once more!
I try to be as positive as I can and even when I might not believe it sometimes, my mantra has always been that everything works out in the end. Peace and love to you all 🙂
The Changing Seasons is hosted by Ju-Lyn at Touring my Backyard, and Brian and Bushboys World
The Changing Seasons is a monthly project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently — though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.
For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different. Some focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.
But in the end, it is your changing season, and you should approach it however works for you.
There are no fixed rules around post length or photo number — just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement.
Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them.
What a wonderful August I had. I got to spend two glorious weeks on holiday with my friends. And where better to go with them, than to one of my favourite places on earth – my old home of Thailand! Plus, we spent three days in Singapore – a new destination for me.
Singapore was nice, but very expensive. I’m glad I went, but probably won’t go back. There are fabulous things to see and do, but I much prefer the crazy and chaotic vibes of a city such as Bangkok.
But, we had a great time and saw as much as we could in the three days we were there.
On the first day, I took a stroll along Orchard Road – one of the main shopping areas in the city.
One of the places you must see if you are ever in Singapore is Marina Bay with its iconic tourist attractions like Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
And the Merlion.
A short walk away is the lovely Gardens by the Bay, especially attractive in the evening when it’s all lit up. My friends and I were too late to see the light show, but it’s still beautiful in the daytime.
A close-up view of the impressive Marina Bay Sands Hotel. This time from the gardens.
You must see the marina in the evening when the lights from the city are reflected in the water. It’s stunning!
Soon enough our time in Singapore was over and we headed to Phuket in Thailand. In all my time living there, I had never been to Phuket, so it was nice to see somewhere new.
We stayed in Splash Beach Resort in Mai Khao. The hotel itself was lovely with a swimming pool, beach bar and restaurant, but as this is their low season a lot of the facilities were not open. Still, we had a lovely ten days there just chilling and exploring.
The beach is some 11 km long, but the sea was very rough, so we couldn’t swim. The views were epic though!
We took a trip to Koh Phi Phi. I had been there in 2008, so it was nice to see it again. It is beautiful and I am happy to see that the authorities now ban tourists from its beaches for a few months at a time in order for the area to replenish!
Back in Mai Khao, we were right next to the airport and every day – many times a day – we watched planes take off over the water – what a thrill!
Of course, we also enjoyed some delicious Thai food which I have missed – one of my favourites is Pad Khapow Moo Kai Dow (Pork and rice with a fried egg on top!)
And we drank some lovely cocktails while watching the sunset!
Yes, I had a fabulous holiday and who better to spend it with than my good friends – Trudy, Jamie and Olivia.
Unfortunately, while I was there, I tested positive with COVID. I thought I had got away with it, but there you go.
I am happy to report, I am back in tip-top shape! 🙂
The Changing Seasons is hosted by Ju-Lyn at Touring my Backyard, and Brian and Bushboys World
The Changing Seasons is a monthly project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently — though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.
For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different. Some focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.
But in the end, it is your changing season, and you should approach it however works for you.
There are no fixed rules around post length or photo number — just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement.
Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them.
Whilton Locks, near Daventry in Northamptonshire, is the name of a seven-lock system which forms part of the Grand Union Canal – the main waterway from London to the Midlands (Wikipedia).
Back in 2013, I took a trip out there to take a gentle stroll along the canal. If you get the day and time right, you won’t see another soul which means you can really appreciate the sounds and peacefulness of the countryside for yourself!
A boat passed me by, I watched as it created gentle waves in the water. Once it had gone, the water was so still, creating mirror-like reflections of the trees.
It’s a lovely place to go for a walk and it’s high time I went back!
I took so many photographs when I visited Hitchin Lavender fields last year, but I’d like to share (what I think) are the best ones.
If you are ever in the area, I recommend a trip to this lovely spot!
Lavender is another favourite flower of mine, so I was really excited when I found Hitchin Lavender – a family-run farm specialising in the cultivation of this beautiful flower.
I visited in July last year and while there was lots of lavender, if you visit later in the year, there will be even more! The main flowering season is between mid-June and late August.
You are free to wander across the fields, up and down the rows, taking in the intoxicating smell! You can pick your own lavender or buy lavender products in the shop. You can even take a picnic and sit and enjoy the views.
It’s not just lavender that is grown here – there is a wild flower meadow, and fields of sunflowers which flower from the middle of August.
It’s a lovely place to spend a few hours.
Lavender represents purity, silence, devotion, serenity, grace, and calmness, so let’s enjoy some of that as we wander through the flowers.
Gorgeous isn’t it? 🙂
