Silent Sunday

The Country Explorer

Sometimes you've just got to push off the malaise and get out and walk and listen to the bird song.

No rascally Robin on my walk today but a good assortment of birds , I should take some binoculars out ....

I'm better then I think I am , though I have to say I didn't like the staff photo I saw of myself today . I feel ever so slightly like weeble wobble .

So embarking on what I only can call fitography which involves you guessed it getting fit while taking pictures by amy pictures possible. Note pictures drawn in crayon are not acceptable ...

Why I love The National Trust

Why I love the National Trust so much is many !!

I live with easy access to 2 properties Calke Abbey and Kedleston Hall , Calke Abbey is the nearer of the 2 properties and they've both been a source of many a family picnic , visit and adventure over the years.

I love the feeling of a National Trust being my own , it's a if I'm a protector of a time gone by and without it the protection of the Natiional Trust many a beautiful building and way of life would be lost forever . Many of the National Trust properties were handed over them in lieu death tax , many properties that didn't have the luxury of the help of the National Trust have been lost forever resulting in many being pulled down.

It is always a joy to wander round the garden at Calke  ; pure bliss as it's a mobile phone black spot Bermuda triangle and you know what it's heavenly , the need to be connected has been thrust upon us and like the Matrix we've got to pull the plug and break free . We need to see the world with our own eyes instead of through a laptop of computer screen all the time. That's not to say that technology and the past can't live in harmony as indeed they can . Wandering around various National Trust properties there are many ways in which technology is used to say perhaps show you how a restoration was undertaken.

Walking round the garden the previous Sunday I heard a grandparent retelling the beloved story of Peter Rabbit , a kitchen garden of a lovely grand stately home is an ideal story setting. Also this week is  #NationalGardeningWeek and being a member of the National Trust offers us the space and great expanse of garden we've not got at home.

I would love to live in a stately home ! but without having to clean it , the conservation of National Trust properties is an immense task through paid staff and the wonderful army of volunteers. 

My son is studying A level History in 6 th form and the properties provide such a valuable extra resource to his learning , I'm so pleased we are members. The National Trust provide such all round family fun.

Go join and explore the time gone by.

Spring Bursting Through

Ever Wondered Why ?

Ever wondered why I take so many pictures ? 

It helps me in my depression and anxiety journey .

I was proud to stand up for myself when challenged as a burglar dressed in a bright pink coat ! I was told " you've lots of pairs of eyes on you "

I said " Good it pays to be vigilant !" 

They weren't keen on me taking pictures of the houses down the lane .I explained who I was , where I worked and lived . Then  went home got my school id to go back and show them . I explained my breakdown 2 years ago and how walking and pictures helped me . They seemed to accept what I was saying . 

You know what I'm going to continue taking pictures and nothing will stop me . I stay within the law and I'll jolly will keep taking pictures of the lane . If their houses are in the pictures then so be it as as I'm not trespassing as I'm on the public path footpath. 

I'll empower myself and keep doing it !!!

And living near the countryside I fully understand why people are so sensitive about people taking pictures. Burglary is horrible I've been victim of an attempted burglary myself and friends and family have been burgulared themselves and it can deverstate your whole world.

It's my #depression #anxiety journey

And I'll be out later taking pictures with my bigger camera ....

I'll leave my bag marked SWAG at home