Catcott

Last weekend I went to Catcott Nature Reserve for a walk, it is on the Somerset Levels with views to Glastonbury Tor.

Information from the Somerset Wildlife Trust:

At Catcott Lows you can enjoy stunning views across the marshes to Somerset’s iconic Glastonbury Tor. One of the lowest parts of the Brue Valley, Catcott Lows is a Mecca for birds that come to breed in spring and take refuge from freezing temperatures in winter. Catcott Heath is alive with dragonflies in the summer and toads, newts and frogs make their homes in the wet fen meadows.

It was a dull cloudy day when we went but these photos do give a feel to the area.

We didn't see many birds - just some swans.  It will be place to return to at different times of the year to see the change of season.

Sunset

One thing that is good about having a dog is the fact that I have to go out walking everyday, that also means what ever the weather is, even when my back is really aching I still have to go out.  There have been a few times in the last week when I have wondered if I will make it back home when my back have been so painful.  But I did and I am managing to walk 3 times a day.  The last walk before doggy bed time is only a short walk so does not really count.

Not only do I experience the worst parts of the weather (and it is not even winter yet) I do get to see some wonderful skies, Saturday evening's sunset was amazing.  Here are a couple of photos:

New dog

I haven't blogged for a couple of weeks as I have been busy with this:

My new dog.  Her name is Tara and she is an ex-racing greyhound.  She came from Ireland and was rescued by GRWE - Greyhound Rescue West of England.  She has an old injury in her back leg which means she will not need lots of exercise (greyhounds generally don't) so with my back problem we are well matched.

She is getting settled in and has been fine when I go to work.  My son often calls in when I am at work as he teaches in this area.

Too early!

My friend and I wandered around the garden centre last Sunday as it was pouring with rain so we had cancelled our plans to visit a sculpture garden.  This is what I spotted:

Please tell me I did not miss halloween, the winter carnivals, the clocks going back and bonfire night, please tell me it is still September and I have not slept through the past 3 months!

Message to the Garden Centre - it is too early for Christmas, I do not want to be reminded of Christmas in September, I am still enjoying the flowers in the garden.  It is bulb planting time, concentrate on that.

While we were at the Garden Centre we couldn't find any bulbs to buy, maybe they have been put away to make room for the Christmas trees.

Posting for Our World Tuesday - click to see many more entrants.

2012 Scavenger Hunt

Well the summer scavenger hunt is all finished for this year. I have enjoyed spending time finding all the items on the list.  I managed to find all 21items listed.  Just scroll down from here and you will see my entries. My thanks go to Rinda from Gallo Organico for organising the hunt. Do visit her blog to find out how other participants did.

I have finished!

When I first started the 2012 Summer Scavenger Hunt the 21st September seemed ages away - now it is tomorrow, the summer has flown by.  I think here in the UK most of us spent the summer waiting for the summer to begin, I certainly did.  It rained so often that by August I had given up on summer.  Then September came and we have had a couple of weeks of sunshine, those gorgeous Autumn days when the light it bright, and it is warm.  This last week I have found myself when at work looking out the window and just wishing I could be outside.  I love these days.  I just want to be outside walking.

I have managed to get all the photos for the Scavenge Hunt, I didn't think I would find a swing but I did, and I thought the bride was going to be the really difficult one, but I found one in the end.  Here are the last few:

 I actually took these train photos a while ago but didn't post them, the first one was taken in Bristol, it the train that goes to the SS Great Britain along the side of the docks. (no. 5)

This train goes along the seafront at Weston-super-Mare.

While at Weston I took photos of the pier, although I have already posted a pier, I thought you might like to see this one as well.

 I didn't have a photo of myself standing by something that symbolises my nation until today when a colleague from work took this photo, a typically British telephone box (no.21).  There are not many of these lovely red telephone boxes left now but this one is on Glastonbury High Street. Some of them are being turned into mini libraries, pop over to this blog to see one.

And here is the swing hanging from a tree, the one I didn't think I would find (no.20)

I am also posting another outside stairway as it is so pretty.

I have thoroughly enjoyed doing this scavenger hunt this summer - my thanks go to Rinda of Gallo Organico. I will look forward to another Scavenger Hunt next summer.

Borders

I almost have all the photos now in the 2012 Scavenger Hunt, just 2 to go now.

Number 3 - A border

I saw this pretty border when walking around Wells last week.

Outdoor stairway

A few more photos for the 2012 Scavenger Hunt:

No. 19 - Outdoor stairway.

Maple

This maple tree is in the ground of Glastonbury Abbey, if you look closely the tips are just starting to change colour.  The first signs of autumn.

A Fountain

Number 9 in the Scavenger Hunt is a fountain, when I went to Bristol a few weeks ago the fountains were all switched off. So I went in search of another fountain, I must pass this fountain a couple of times a week so why I didn't consider it before I don't know.

This is just across the road from the fountain and it is the spring which is the source of the water.
I came home and found this information from the village website:

This glorious fountain is nearly 150 years old.  It has been created from the overflow from the springs which supplies water to the hamlet.  These natural springs have an average flow of 100,000 gallons per day.  They are categorized as "petrified springs" because of the materials high concentration of calcium hydrogen carbonate dissolved in the water.  Not only is the water "hard", but the height of the fountain has increased over the years because of the minerals have built up the rock surface.  

http://www.dulcote.com/index.html

Also on the website I found this photograph in the archives.

I remember passing the fountain in the winter when we had very low temperatures, it looks amazing when it freezes. Next time I will have to stop and take a photograph!

I have managed to get out and get some more photos for the Summer Scavenger Hunt.

Number 12 - A Labyrinth.

This labyrinth is in the churchyard of St John's Church, Glastonbury, see number 17 for a full photograph of the church.

I also found a bride!  I thought the bride would be the one item I would not be able to find.  This bride was in a shop in Glastonbury, the quality of the photography is not good as I took the photo through glass and the shop was in a dark alley, I couldn't go in the shop as it is very small and there were quite a few customers, I didn't think they would appreciate me going in to take photos and not buy anything. I am pleased I spotted it.

Number 16 - a Bride

A couple more pics

I have spent the last week watching the Olympics so have not been out doing my Scavenger Hunt!  Here is a couple I got on a quick outing.

Number 14: A person playing with a ball

Number 18: A movie poster

That's all for now.

Scavenger Hunt link up

Today Rinda is hosting a link up party for those participating in the summer scavenger hunt.  I am really enjoying looking for these different items to photograph, so here are some more I have found:

No. 11 Shadows

Morris dancers

No. 15  someone dancing

These were found at the local hospital fete, I am usually there playing my trumpet but we did not have enough players this year due to people on their holidays.

No. 13  The library in Glastonbury where I spend a lot of time.

Wells Cathedral

St John's in Glastonbury where my daughter was Christened

No. 17 ticked off

No. 7  a person playing a musical instrument, my son,

 so I have plenty of photos to choose from!

So I am almost half way there - not bad for someone who does not go out a lot.  I know my biggest problem will be No. 16 a bride unless I go and hang around the local church on Saturdays and I am having great difficulty finding a swing hanging from a tree, I have been spying in gardens as I drive to work but haven't found one yet.  I am going to start looking for a heart shaped stone as I am sure I will need one.

Do visit Rinda's site Gallo Organico to see many more photos from people taking part.

Scavenger Hunt

A few photos for the scavenger hunt:

No. 6, Glastonbury Abbey - A historical landmark

No. 10, horse

No. 2, a clothesline

Photo Scavenger Hunt

I have joined the 2012 Photo Summer Scavenger Hunt.  It has been created by Rinda of Gallo Organico, and it is in its second year.  There are 21 items on the list as follows:

1. A pier
2. A clothesline
3. A border
4. A roadside stand selling something
5. A train
6. A historical landmark
7. A person playing a musical instrument
8. A person dressed as an angel or a statue of an angel

9. A fountain

10. A horse

11. A shadow

12. A maze, labyrinth, or trail.

13. A library

14. A person playing with a ball.

15. Someone dancing.

16. A bride.

17. A church, chapel, cathedral, mosque or temple.

18. A movie poster

19. An outdoor stairway

20. A swing hanging from a tree (or a hammock)
21.  A picture of you standing with something that symbolizes your nation

So far I have number 1 a Pier and number 4  a Roadside stand selling something both are in the photos from the Bristol Harbour Festival.

Do visit Rinda's site here to find out all about it.

Sunshine!

At last the summer has arrived in the UK.  It is wonderful to feel the sun and warmth.  Sunday I went with my son and girlfriend to the Bristol Harbour Festival which is held over 3 days every year at the end of July.  The festival has a variety of entertainment from dance acts, theatre, circus acts and a mix of music in different venues.

As the weather was so good it was well attended.

This was a display by Newfoundland dogs rescuing people.

 Queens Square

There were plenty of places to eat

The Matthew sailed along the harbour several times.