One of my favourite walks around Northampton takes just over an hour and circles around the town centre and along the River Nene.
Leaving home, I walk south along the A508 until I get to St Peters Way. I leave the busy road and walk along the footpath that leads me towards the River Nene with Carlsberg to my left.
I carry on walking and bear left, so the river is on my right-hand side.
Across South Bridge, I see the entrance to Northampton Waterside with the former Latimer and Crick building next to it. The building has been converted into flats since then.
I continue to walk along the tow path and see the narrow boats moored up along the river.
At the end of the tow-path, I walk along the path into Beckett’s Park..
Under University Bridge..
And follow the path around Midsummer Meadow.
Until I see The Ark – a floating cafe serving coffee on the river.
Here, the path goes to the left and to the right. If you bear right and cross the river, you can keep following the path if you fancy a longer walk, but today I cross just to take a couple of photos from the other side of the river.
I walk back over the river and see an old Victorian chimney.
Then, I am back on a busy road again and walking away from nature, up passed the hospital until I get to the Wellingborough Road with The Spread Eagle pub on the corner of Market Street.
I cut through the houses to Kettering Road, up Clare Street, and passed The Swan and Helmet.
I’m always happy when I go out and about with my camera and even happier I’ve made the effort to get out into the fresh air – there is nothing better! Peace and Love 🙂
Last week’s ‘thought of the day’ was – smile. The next thing I got from Thich Nhat Hanh’s book – ‘Peace is every step‘ is – hope.
I am a hopeful person. I am someone who hopes that everything will work out in the end. Indeed one of my mantras is that everything DOES work out in the end.
We say things like:
‘Let’s hope for the best’
‘Hopefully it will be ok / Hopefully it will work out’
‘I hope it won’t be too long…’
Thich Nhat Hanh states:
‘If you can refrain from hoping, you can bring yourself entirely into the present moment and discover the joy that is already here’
Is hope an obstacle which stops you being in the present moment?
Whilst I want to enjoy every moment I have on this earth, I don’t think there is anything wrong with hoping!
For me, to hope is to keep positive, to work towards my goals, and to know that everything will work out in the end!
A friend of mine told me about a book by Thich Nhat Hanh – Peace is in every Step, so I bought it. I can’t remember if I have read it from start to finish (I plan to (again!)), but I wrote down some things that resonated with me.
The first one is – Smile.
When I am out and about, I look at people that pass me by. I sometimes smile at them and sometimes I get a smile in return.
When I lived in Surin in Thailand, I’d often get annoyed at people because they kept looking at me (there weren’t many foreigners in that part of Thailand when I lived there the first time), but I soon realised that they were simply curious and if I just relaxed and took it in my stride and SMILED BACK, I was always rewarded with great big smiles and such enthusiasm. It really made my day and I hope it made theirs too!
“Sometimes, your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”– Thich Nhat Hanh
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 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.
Polygonia c-album
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.
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.
November
Four ‘photos of the day’ that make me smile because they evoke some lovely memories.
Holy Sepulchre Church, Northampton
Pink Fuschia
Centraal Station, Rotterdam
Cafe Steijn, Rotterdam
December
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 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.
Take action. Find a new path and follow it until you can see the wood from the trees – Gill Morris
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!
“Every experience makes you grow.” Anonymous
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 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.
Orchard Road, Singapore
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.
Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Singapore
And the Merlion.
Merlion, Singapore
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.
Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
A close-up view of the impressive Marina Bay Sands Hotel. This time from the gardens.
Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Singapore
You must see the marina in the evening when the lights from the city are reflected in the water. It’s stunning!
Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Singapore
Marina Bay, Singapore
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!
Mai Khao, Phuket
Mai Khao Beach, Phuket
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!
Maya Beach, Koh Phi Phi
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!
Sunset over Mai Khao
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!)
Pad Khapow Moo
And we drank some lovely cocktails while watching the sunset!
Sundowner cocktails
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 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.
