Monday Tea…no, Coffee!

Come outside with me. The view out here, as described by my new neighbour, looks like an African sunset. Orange hues blended with saffron and hints of turmeric dust the trees on the hilltop in the distance, capturing the last light of the day in spectacular splendour. 

I suggested tea today because we always seem to drink coffee. It has been a while since I’ve had my Darjeeling tea and I do miss it. What about you – any favourite beverages that you’ve missed?

Today has been my first day getting back to my book and I feel a bit overwhelmed. Not much has moved in the story and, the more I write, the more I realise that this tapestry of suspense is going to require my full attention. Writing the first book laid the foundations for the characters. This book requires more and to give it that extra pull, I need to monitor the characters closely. I don’t know about yours but mine tend to go off the beaten track if not watched carefully.  Sometimes, a new storyline appears because of their actions and I have to reprimand them or lose the plot!

Enough about the book. Let’s sit and enjoy our tea, the view and the wonderful company. Are you coming to the Bloggers’ Bash next month? If you hear a weird squeal, that’s just me trying to contain my excitement! There are so many people to meet and as much as I look forward to the meet and greet, I’m incredibly nervous too! So if you see me holding up the shadows in the corner, do come and hold my hand or bring me some Dutch courage to get me through it all! 

Have a great week! 

Walk With Me

One of my favourite things to do is to take walks with a friend of mine and her dog Marley. We choose various routes that make the walk interesting and thoroughly enjoyable. Here are a few pics I have snapped during my walks. One day I will have my own four legged friend to walk (that’s not a cat!), but until then I borrow the gorgeous Marley who is the best looking dog I know!

Let’s take a walk together…

I have to start our walk at my sister-in-law’s front garden. I love the slate stones mixed with various flowers, soft greys with vibrant reds.

This multi-coloured bark was off a fallen tree in the Swinley forest. I couldn’t resist taking a close up to try and capture the way the bark flakes off in warm reds and browns. It was a huge tree too. Sorry I don’t know what type it was. Hopefully someone will know and tell us.

This mossy patch was next to the stony path along the Swinley forest, hidden in a ditch with trickling water. Can you spot the little faces in the green spongy surface? I see a little face with a mouth in the shape of an ‘o’!

For my last pic I felt compelled to include a snowy pic as I love the snow. This is the forest covered on one of those rare days we all enjoy when the snow is deep enough to slide on and trudge through…yes trudge! (Usually we only get a light dusting!). The softness and white clarity against the surrounding darkness of the trees was serene. The silence that enveloped us as we stood at the top of this slope was a perfect accompaniment to the beautiful imagery before us.

Hope you enjoyed going on a walk with me. Let’s do it again next week!