Exploring the Garden

Lauren, James and Theo visited us all today.  

Despite the rain showers, Theo was keen to play outside and enjoyed choosing one or two apples from the tree!

The old Wendy House was a big draw too..

It's good to run off some energy!

And to do some chores..

Flowers in the Rain

After heavy showers this afternoon the roses in David's parents garden were soaked..

The patterns of the raindrops were fascinating on the petals..

The dahlia flowers trap the water droplets in each curved petal..

Close up the drops create beautiful abstract patterns..

Quick Stroll through Bath

I made a quick visit into Bath today, parking at the Cricket Club - so my first photo was taken of the pitch - now that the season has finished, it looks as if work has begun to restore the grass ready for next year!

A little further along the road and a view from the bridge towards Bath Spa station.

Across North Parade to the other side of the bridge for the classic view of Pulteney Bridge and the weir.  The old Empire Hotel is shrouded in scaffolding and plastic sheeting so I chopped it out of the photo but there is more of the same on the old Duck, Son & Pinker corner.  Bath is looking like a city under wraps today.

Here is the wide view..see what I mean?  Not sure why there are no narrowboats along the towpath and floats instead.

Sally Lynn's cafe - the oldest house in Bath - Jane Austen herself could have visited.  Next door is shrouded in scaffolding...

In Abbey Green the tree seems to have grown even larger but the 'green', formerly grass, is now gravel..

A quick snap of the Abbey whilst crossing the churchyard..

A blustery day and in the High Street the clouds are beginning to gather..

Errands completed, heading back to the car along the towpath so a few views of the river..

It's going to rain.. getting very grey..

The Empire Hotel doesn't look much better from this side but it is still a classic view.. even as it starts to rain..

Night Deer..

Just a single photo today.  After the heavy rain and wind last night I opened the door late in the evening to see what had blown around.

Sitting very quietly on the lawn, looking up, was a young deer...

104 Days...

Well, it seems a long time, but Sainsburys are ready!   Just a few shelves of Christmas goodies, but they are well stocked..

Cakes and Pannetone..

And of course Mince Pies..

...and Christmas Puddings...

Rather more subtly, Debenhams have also started to bring in their Christmas stock..

But when you look closely..

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

Garden Fruits

The Cox's apple tree in Mum's garden is laden with fruit.

The apples are rosy, crisp, slightly sharp and delicious and it will soon be time to pick a quantity of them to store on trays for the Autumn and Winter.

These are beautiful apples to eat.  On the adjacent tree are apples of a different variety..

These look wonderful but in fact are not as full of flavour as the Cox's.

The pear trees are also heavily laden with ripening fruit..

The fig tree has yielded a good crop  of delicious ripe figs already and there are more to come..

Once they are ripe it is important to pick them before the insects move in..

The ripe fruit is fascinating to look at when cut open, as well as great to taste!

Family Day

After yesterday's family get-together - obviously enjoyed by Theo 

- as well as his Dad and Grandpa...

Today a smaller group of 14 of us  met for a relaxed lunch at a country pub before some had to set off on journeys home or to work.

A lovely weekend, all over too quickly but lots of happy memories.