Scouting For Picnics And The Basket Company Giveaway

I love nature.

I love the patterns and shapes.

I love the beams of light that end of the day .

I love photography.

For the stark look of a pylon I feel the world is balanced when I take a picture of countryside and nature.

" Late as it was,

The early bird still sang, the meadow hay

Still buttercupped and daisied, sky was new."

Seamus Heaney


Choosing the ideal picnic spot

When picking a picnic spot you have to think about who is in your group , no point picking somewhere rural if there isn't toilets some where close by. Luckily I can nip back home from the countryside I can be tree to home in under 2 minutes ! it is that close how I love being near the countryside.

City parks can make ideal picnics spots take my park for instance backs onto a field full of poppies !

Even if your park doesn't back on to a field full of luscious swaying poppies then they are still beautiful tranquil places ! You can combine a picnic with reading , family games the possibilities are endless. If your picnic spot is on top of a hill then make sure what you carry up there is light and do bring all your rubbish down with you.When picnicking do prepare for the elements ~ the good old favourite the pac a mac should be an essential in every picnic basket ! And do wear appropriate footwear I do deny I was wearing sandals the other day when I got lost and when I took a shortcut across the field and got attacked by a thistle.

Also respect your environment and those around you, it goes without saying.


You may recall how I took myself in the colder weather for a picnic , you see it doesn't matter what the weather is you can always be prepared for a picnic , even if the weather is so bad that you have to have the picnic inside.


I can tell you that The Basket Company have kindly agreed to give away a picnic basket away for 4 people and I have to say I am rather jealous. please remember that if you win that you will please take me on the picnic ~ promise !?

You can visit The Basket Company on Google + You can say HI to them on Twitter ! they are also on Youtube  and not forgetting Pinterest 

Here are the necessary Terms and Conditions ~ make a cup of tea settle down and read them please !

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here are the Terms and Conditions.

1. The promoter is The Basket Company 

2. Employees of The Basket Company,Ninjakillercat blog or their family members or anyone else connected in any way with the competition or helping to set up the competition shall not be permitted to enter the competition.

3. There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.

4. Route to entry for the competition and details of how to enter are via Ninjakillercat blog

5. Closing date for entry will be 30th June 2015 After this date the no further entries to the competition will be permitted.

6. No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason.

7. The promoter reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms and conditions without notice in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of the promoter’s control. Any changes to the competition will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the promoter.

8. The promoter is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by any third party connected with this competition.

9. No cash alternative to the prizes will be offered. The prizes are not transferable. Prizes are subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute any prize with another of equivalent value without giving notice.

10. Winners will be chosen by the use of Rafflecopter

11. The winner will be notified by email and/or letter within 28 days of the closing date. If the winner cannot be contacted or do not claim the prize within 14 days of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner.

12. The promoter will notify the winner when the prize will be sent.

13. The promoter’s decision in respect of all matters to do with the competition will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.

14. By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.

15. The competition and these terms and conditions will be governed by [English] law and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of [England].

16. The winner agrees to the use of his/her name and image in any publicity material. Any personal data relating to the winner or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current [UK] data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party.

17. Entry into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.

18. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Network. You are providing your information to Murals Wall Paper and not to any other party.

19. Uk only.

Upon A Cherry Orchard I stood

I've caved in and gone all birdy ~ think I'm channelling my inner Bill Oddie. Who knew there was such a selection of bird food for errm birds ~ Robin mix , blue tit mix etc . There's more choice that a sweet pick and mix.

I have also started watching Springwatch and I so enjoy #30dayswild the today day saw me upon the the poppy field you never did see something more stunning in your life.

So upon a Cherry orchard I stood looking upon a Poppy field.

Empowerment Comes In All Shapes and Forms

All the world can pass me yet when the weather is perfect ; the prefect storm of weather I call it , I yearn to be out and about . To be free as I was in those long hot summer days when life's pleasure was a copy of the Bunty and a funny foot. There's much to be had of equality and the need for this girl can ; this girl could when asked at school about presents for Christmas my answer was

" Why a 10 speed speed blue racing bike "

This drew gasps from my fellow classmates as particularly the boys as surely I should want a nice pink practical bike no doubt with sparkles. I got my 10 speed racing bike and we cycled everywhere together i was very much free when I was on my bike I was empowered : the bike was a Raleigh Wisp.

I was Bunty reader and recently I was thrilled to buy a 1980 Bunty from Kedleston Hall second hand book shop where they are selling old books to raise funds for some flooring they need to replace.

So I got a Bunty annual and I have been slipping back in time to when I used to read it , many comics were around then mainly ending in a Y .Life can be lashings of ginger bear and lemon drizzle cake , in fact I have just had some lemon drizzle cake from the staff room alas no ginger beer. The cake is back in the staff room  well healthy living  week was SO last week !

Empowerment for me at the minute is routine I would still love my bicycle with a basket , I am going to do my adult colouring , I will plan some recipes, I will order some Pimms . I will also get out and enjoy the countryside I love going different directions tonight I think I will head towards buttercup meadow.

Walking In To June

Here it is June and whilst walking back from work I spotted this snap dragon growing in the village church wall., love that nature clings on to sheer impossibilities.

Joseph Joseph Knife LockBlock

I have just got back form work and I am here typing this , not knowing what to say my mind is blank. What could I blog about I know a cup of tea I could blog about the cup of tea I am drinking it is in a mug but the mug isn't very exciting oooh the weather I could blog about the weather.

As soon as I type about the weather it as if the weather gods have heard me and the sky is pitch black and threatening to rain.



OOH I know I could tell you about my friend Mr robin that comes to visit me bob bob bobbing into my garden the same robin that visits me when I go visiting me in the woods. As I can't seem to capture the pesky little fellow on film then doubt you will believe me on that.

I could tell you about my son doing his GCSE's and how I deliver instructions to him when I leave for work like they do when you are on a plane a sort of flight safety information but with a house.


"The exits are here here and here"


I will tell you of my love for Joseph Joseph * puts straight up I wrote about a potato masher , sure sexy good looks and functionality I am talking abut this with passion as I LOVE it. Ooh there you go I found something to talk about  if James Bond could choose a kitchen what would he chose . I believe he would choose a Joseph Joseph knife block with its secret safety feature.


The safety feature is designed to stop children getting hold of knives and this is a brilliant feature as you have to have your eyes peeled when children are in the the kitchen.

The knife block I think you will agree looks fabulous like a secret agent ( as was pointed out in the comments ) , The knife block with out the knives costs (£60 )and with the knives costs (£150)  the slots for the knives are universal ones so no need to worry if your own knives will fit.


The knives can be only released by adult hands no little ones getting hold of knives when you aren't looking. The knives can only be released by adult hands by holding onto the release buttons on the side which is ace. Watch this youtube video and you will get the right idea.

Disclosure I was sent this for review , however James bond was not included * sob  I would loved to have been shaken and stirred.