Hasn’t the weather been beautiful? It’s been a total joy to be outside. I’ve found myself pottering around the garden, pulling the odd weed. The ground is so dry that they’re not coming out so easily, but it all helps. We’ve even managed family walks, this week, thanks to the sun making an appearance.
Outside
At the weekends, we like to take longer walks than we have time for during the week. Not always easy to persuade the children to come out, but when they do they love it. On Saturday, the two older teens joined us for a walk up the hill. Something magical about reaching the top and listening to the sky larks as they fly almost below you.
Sunday, it was just the three of us, so we went over to the next village and enjoyed a lovely walk. We walked through the fields and along the river and up into the woods. I love this walk and not just for the gorgeous views. The gates and footpaths are well looked after too, making it easy to know where to go.
New boots
We do quite a few miles walking a week. I joke that the only shoes I wear are my slippers and my walking boots, at the moment. In the last twelve months, I’ve worn my walking boots out like no other year. The soles and the sides. I’ve been waiting for lockdown to end so I can buy a new pair. It was the one and only shop I wanted to go to, so Sunday we went.
I found a pair that should last me a while. They are slightly heavier and protect my ankles more than my old ones. Not easy to run in, but good for walking. Also found a pair of walking sandals. I usually leave it too late to buy sandals, so pleased that I thought ahead. They keep your feet cool, but the soles are thick enough to cope with stony ground. Perfect for the hotter days.
Pastry course
Eldest teen expressed an interest in learning how to make pastry, so I’m taking her through the different types. We started with sweet shortcrust and made pies. I’ve always said that life is too short to make puff pastry, so buy it, but I’m facing up to teaching her how to make it. Not sure I’ve made much since school.
Tulips
My outdoor parrot tulips have bloomed. These are the ones that survived the football game a few weeks ago. They make a good show, but the other bulbs around them haven’t made an appearance yet. I need to plant something else amongst them, for next year, as the tulips are a bit lonely in the new flower bed. I think they could all do with a spot of rain.
I think they are gorgeous and wonder if they get their name from the shape as well as the colours.
According to my Fitbit, I’ve walked over 58 kilometres this week. Amazing how it mounts up. Always with this furry fellow beside me. We’ve seen the mad antics of hares and stealthy ways of deers, as well as all the little birds singing their hearts out. I do love our family walks. Nothing like it for blowing away the cobwebs.
Happy St George’s Day. Fun fact. When my father worked abroad, his colleagues were an international lot. Most countries have got their acts together and have a whole host of national days that they take off as holiday. To make up the shortfall, the British part of the office would take national holidays off that we don’t celebrate in the UK. Like St George’s day.
It’s kind of nice to think there may be a group of expats somewhere in the world, taking the day off for St George’s Day.
I’m off to make some jammy dodgers to celebrate, like I usually do. Hope you all have a good weekend.
Joining in Anne’s word of the week linky. My word(s) is family walks
It has been lovely! I have been outside lots this week making the most of the sunshine too.
It sounds like you’ve had some lovely walks and really needed the new walking boots.
Those tulips are beautiful! x
They certainly are!
What lovely views you have. I was hoping for a family walk this weekend but with one child in self isolation thanks to a contact at school I guess it wouldn’t be fair to leave her behind. There is always next week, sigh. I hope you enjoy your baking and the jammy dodgers, I love the St George ones. I don’t think I’ve made puff pastry since school, but I see it made on cookery programs and it is so different to how I was taught. I may give quick puff pastry a whirl one day.
I think there is an easier way of doing the puff pastry than the way I was taught at school, and maybe you too. I’ll have to do my research.
What lovely photos of your walk, so pretty there. It’s nice that the weather has been on our side these past few days.
Your tulips are stunning, I’ve never seen anything quite like those before.
I love the pic of Hero just basking in the sunlight. He’s so handsome!
I’ve just made myself a cuppa and now I really fancy a jammy dodger after looking at yours. 🙂
Less of the basking. I think he was making a case for him having a piece of toast or cake. Didn’t matter which. Preferably both.
Oh, I love those St. George cookies – fabulous!! That yellow bush is gorse, I’ll bet. Is it prickly? I always like the look of it. Nice walking photos – I’m not sure I would have noticed the dragonfly shadow. Good work! 😀
Yes it is gorse and it is prickly. The thorns are about an inch long.
You are so lucky to have such lovely walks near by! I love that tulip, never seen one like that before. Those rhubarb and custard tarts look delicious!
The petals are so pretty
The pastry course sounds fun. My eldest wants to learn how to make choux pastry but I’m not sure I’m up to the challenge! #MMBC
I love making choux pastry, almost as much as I love eating it. Yum. Yum.
How lovely to get out for some nice walks, especially when you have such beautiful scenery and nice walks on your doorstep. The rhubarb and custard tarts and the St George’s Day jammie dodgers look very yummy. I have to admit I can never be bothered with making puff pastry and always buy it instead! Love those parrot tulips – so pretty. #WotW
The rhubarb and custard tarts were yummy.
Parrot tulips are so gorgeous! Love your photos. #MMBC
Aren’t they gorgeous flowers?
Excellent jammy dodgers and those parrot tulips are stunning! I have also worn out my slippers, my trainers are getting thin, but my walking boots seem to be taking the strain and have been the winners this year! #MMBC
Mine were old to start with. They stood little chance.
I’m so glad you managed a walk. I totally understand it’s hard to persuade the children to go along, but once they’re on their way I’m glad to know they have fun. So glad your weather’s been nice. Ours here in the Netherlands is pretty good too.
They do benefit from the walks we take, and not just physically.
I am loving the warm spring weather too. You cover some ground in a week! Good for you for encouraging your kids to hike with you. I bet your Hero loves it.
He loves it when we all go out.
Those parrot tulips are beautiful. I have never seen any tulips like that. You have some lovely walks in your area. We got very bored with our local walks this last lockdown. Those jammy dodgers are a great idea #WotW
We are lucky with our walks, but I love doing a regular walk and seeing it change over the seasons.