Our Attempt to Enjoy "Sunny Intervals"

The weather forecast was one of those with a white cloud and a sun peaking out from behind.  We optimistically thought we could get a July day out in the sunny countryside.  Sunny it was, for about 20 minutes.  And then the clouds moved in, but thankfully no rain.

So we made the most of it and cycled to one of our favourite spots in the middle of a field and had a picnic.  To get there and back you have to cycle down a tiny track - in recent years it has been rapeseed and this year it was a variety of wheat.

As the clouds got darker we took our leave and headed to the local berry patch.

One positive that has come from the last few months of rain are the fabulous strawberries and raspberries of all varieties growing in mass at this local pick your own.

We went a bit overboard with our picking and will now be eating berries for the rest of the week, but I think you will agree from the photos below that they were just too good to pass up!

A Snowy Sunday in the Park

After a fairly drab winter, snow flurries finally started falling last night around 6pm. By the time we went to bed there were 2 or 3 inches so we set the alarm to ensure an early snowy morning wake-up. It wasn't sunny, but there were at least 4 inches of fresh snow on the ground and we had two hyper active labradors - so to the park!

We wandered around the park, threw snowballs for the dogs and generally soaked up the atmosphere. It being a Sunday, half of St Albans seemed to be in the park, many of them attached to plastic sledges.

Feeling like we had to do more to enjoy the snowy winter weather, we decided to build a snowman.  This endeavour soon became greater as we added a companion and then a little doggy friend.

Our little snowy replicas garnered quite a lot of attention, with one lady saying seeing them had made her Sunday morning! It may have been hyperbole, but it was a lovely compliment to get. Guinness wasn't so sure his replica really suited however!

Can you still spot our snow family?

We were very glad to have our snow fix and intend to take advantage as much as possible over the coming days before it all disappears again.

Two Paths Diverge...

On the long Easter weekend we went for our first cycle ride of the year. Nothing serious, just a little jaunt with a picnic to enjoy the glorious weather. After our picnic we decided to take a random path instead of going back along the roads.

The path led through the woods to the entrance of Heartwood Forest, a mixture of existing ancient woodland and freshly planted baby trees. We cycled through the lovely wooded areas and were treated to absolute carpets of bluebells.

We didn’t have our cameras with us, so we decided to head back there the next day. So, on foot, with Guinness, we once again packed a picnic lunch and walked a 12 mile return trip up to the woods and back.

It is always nice to know that even after 4+ years of living here we can find new experiences on our doorstep. All it took was taking the path less travelled.

Spring is in the air

After last weekend's snow, we were greeted with a far more spring like couple of days this week. After our weekly walk this morning with Marley, Guinness' new best friend/shadow - quite literally, we came home, threw the windows open and induced a spring cleaning of the stodgy air that had accumulated in the house.

With sun shining and a proper sense of warmth in the air we took another long walk to fully appreciate the English countryside in burgeoning bloom.

We finished the walk in the park to find we weren't the only ones taking advantage of this beautiful spring day. It's hard to believe the photos we recently posted from Easter were taken only a week ago...

Hope spring arrives for you all soon!

Happy Easter!

So, this is the earliest Easter since 1912 and won't be this early again for 220 years. Why do I mention this obscure fact? Well because we have been enjoying positively wintry weather this Easter weekend. Yesterday we had brilliant sunshine with frequent snow squalls. Too warm and short lived to stick to anything. Yet this morning what did we find outside? A fine dusting of snow, with more falling.

So, ignoring the fact that it was 730, damn dog, we went outside into the park and enjoyed the first/last snowfall of the year. Here are a few pictures from our little excursion...


Hope the rest of the Easter weekend treats you all well!

And Happy Anniversary Mom and Alan! Thinking of you and hope you have a wonderful day celebrating!




Slideshow music: Vola A Cappella, Jyvaskyla, Finland

A Vision of Home

Tried to get myself a bit motivated this weekend and look at our immediate surroundings from a different perspective. I thought I'd share the end result since it gives a bit of an insight into our lovely little surroundings of St Michaels.



Also just wanted to let everyone know that I've finally made the move and bought a domain name so you can now find my photos at www.malinakphotography.com or www.malinakphotography.co.uk

These are redirected to my pbase account, but that name has also changed to www.pbase.com/malinakphotography (previously www.pbase.com/ayobami) so any links you might have will need to be updated.