Big Deal........

This past week has been a week of big deals.

At the weekend, a 50th Wedding Anniversary was celebrated.

Being a Golden Wedding Anniversary, it was only fitting that it was a 'Gold' theme.

OH MY WORD.....

I was AMAZED with the amount of gold china my sis-in-law had amassed.

It was a fun day.

Lots of relatives in one place (a rarity with a big family)

Lots of laughing

And Oh My, lots of cake eaten.

The next day was a garden BBQ followed by a late afternoon on the beach ( a fix of salty air and sand was needed) before it was time to head home.

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Another Big Deal....

My garden.

All the poppies had opened whilst I was away. The first time i've had poppies in my garden. Having 2 bumble bee nests in my garden this year, I thought I would try and help them out a little by sewing some wild seed mix I got from the garden centre. It's the one that's supposed to attract the bees. Next year I will plant the packet for the butterflies. I also was given some poppy seeds by a lovely bloggy friend from her garden. So this year, I have amazed myself that I have colour in my garden, and I have not killed anything off! RESULT.

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Another Big Deal....

Red Kites.

Growing up as a kid, the biggest bird I would see would be a Kestrel, hovering by the side of the motorway as we drove to London. If I was REALLY lucky, once or twice in my life I managed to glimpse a Buzzard. The Red Kite is subject to the longest continuous conservation project in the world. Red Kites were extinct in England by the 1870's. Wales had only 2 breeding pairs in the 1930's. By the early and mid 90's, Swedish pairs were introduced into Scotland, and the Midlands. Around 2004, some pairs were introduced in southern England. 

I first saw a Red Kite about 3 years ago in my neck of the woods. It was so big, I knew it wasn't a kestrel or buzzard so I looked it up, and became fascinated in seeing them. Now, There are a pair that live around my town, and I see them almost daily. They never cease to amaze me. 

Yesterday as I was driving into my road I saw one flying above a neighbours garden. It was a large adult and it was BEAUTIFUL. They have chickens, so I thought it was after them, but it had a mouse in its beak. I was so excited to see one so close. The Bears were not as excited as me, they thought I was being stupid. In my travels around my part of Hampshire I see many now and it's incredible to think how well they seem to be doing here.. The OH has 8 that live around the field next to his work. They just fascinate me, and it thrills me with joy to see the re-introduction of these gorgeous creatures doing so well.

By the way, I didn't take these shots. These are the one's that fly in the field next to the OH's work. Gorgeous aren't they?

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Another Big Deal....

The Lavender fields.

An evening stroll in the fields behind my home. The lavender is out now and what a magnificent sight. I come and walk here through each season, and it never fails to amaze me the beautiful shot of colour here at this time of the year. Even more amazing after the rain has fallen. Last night was a beautiful evening, bathed in a golden light. We walk, first through the upper field. There used to be horses here which kept the grass low, but I think dog walkers complained at them being there and they were removed. Now the grass is long, more of a meadow now. Beautiful none the less with the golden evening glow of the sun. 

We detour first along the corn fields, which are almost as amazing as the lavender fields at the moment.

I do love the Hampshire countryside. Everything is just so beautiful at the moment. The colours are intense and amazing.

At the bottom of the corn field we take a left. Can you see the vibrant pop of purple peeking out there?

There were different colours of lavender too......white, pink and dark blue. All changing colour in the evening light.

We head back up to the top of this picture, passing more corn, then we are home again.

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This week has been busy. My Mac isn't too happy at the moment either, so it's hit and miss with blog posts. I may be taking an unexpected blog break for a bit if it get's too grumpy with me and doesn't want to play ball. So many things going on at schools too. Baby Bear finishes his Infant School in a couple of weeks, and if i'm honest, i'm a little but heartbroken. I know on his final day in school, come home time, I shall have to wear dark glasses to hide my red eyes. I love his Infant school, and I just don't feel ready to close this chapter and start a new one. I guess it just highlights how time flies and how much he is growing up.........sigh........

Oh well........on a different note, my new ripple is coming along nicely. It should be finished by the middle of next week I reckon. I cannot wait. It has been so much fun making this one. It's so 'in your face' bright and jolly. So.........lets hope my little hooky fingers can do it, and my little Mac plays ball to do a  reveal next week.

Until then.....

Cheerio

xxx