Derbyshire- was it summer or winter?

Derbyshire: the land of sheep, cows, pubs and hills. 

Last week I spent my time walking, cycling and playing board games with family and friends. It wasn't a great week for weather nor a rubbish one but we managed by taking shelter under an abundance of trees. 

Although Derbyshire is known for it's hills and valleys it also has many flat walking and cycling tracks that can easily be as long or as short as you like as you can't move a metre without seeing something stunning, so there is no feeling of missing out. 

We followed old train line tracks the majority of the time as it was easier for us all to potter along and  enjoy the magnificent landscapes.

One day, after a short walk, we stopped off at Bakewell as we were desperate to see where the Bakewell tarts had originated and also what the original Bakewell pudding tasted like. None of us knew what to expect as it's appearance was not very enticing and to be very honest I'm not completely sure now, it was a very odd texture, like butter, and had much less pastry, very different to the Bakewell tarts sold in shops.

Around the area we kept bumping into these tree trunks which had become more metal than wood, with coins hammered and bent into them. It is signifying 'trees are made of money'. I enjoyed discovering new customs and traditions from this new area of England, it meant that I was constantly learning something new.

 

Everywhere around us was suited for the outdoors, with an opportunity to do almost anything involving outside there was no reason not to join in. We went out rain or shine and embraced the wintry summer that Derbyshire showed us.

The house we were staying in was situated on quite high ground which meant it was very chilly, however it did mean we really experienced the country. We woke up with cows at our windows and sheep by the front door.

A long weekend in Weston-Super-Mare

It has been exactly 5 weeks since my final exam, and 4 weeks since I broke up for holiday, which has meant I have had a lot of free time and if I am completely honest I have not been using it very wisely. So it was a great relief to be invited to go to Weston-Super-Mare with my aunt, uncle, grandparents and cousins as I was off-school earlier than usual and they often go away during term-time as it is often cheaper, less busy and just because they can as my cousins are only young.

Weston-Super-Mare is not well-known for its sandy beaches, they are instead rather pebbly and rocky, which is perfect for rock-pooling and paddling, which my cousins enjoyed immensely. It was a great challenge dragging them off the beach; away from the intriguing puddles of fresh sea water full of shells and pretty stones.

My cousins' very tiny feet and ankles soon got drenched as they paddled, splashed and ran through the water-filled craters that the sea had made, but it didn't lure them away, I think they would have stayed there until they struggled to walk with the weight of the water that had clung onto their clothes.

I think the beach was fascinating to them, they seemed in awe of the vast and seemingly endless horizon and the abundance of areas to explore.

In order to capture many of theses photos I had to squat, crouch and lie on the floor, which I think truly baffled them.

I adore taking photos of the sea and the beach because it is so photogenic but also, like my cousins, I get thrilled by what photo opportunities it offers. There is a limitless number of things to discover and capture in a photo or just in your memory.

Although the main point of going to Weston-Super-Mare was to be near the sea, we also visited Doniford farm, where we got to feed a lamb and got chased by turkeys (I didn't like that part so I hid behind my uncle). There were plenty of activities for both the adults, me (yes, I don't count as an adult yet) and my cousins. However, this farm was not just a typical British farm with typical British farm animals but also had animals such as coati's and a bearded dragon, this meant it kept us amused for most of the day. There were also some very cute ducklings that waddled around.


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I have decided to take a different approach to my blog and use it instead as a creative outlet for my photos and memories, like a scrapbook. I feel this is what I enjoy the most and it doesn't put me under pressure, which had put me off recently. This means that my blogposts won't have a schedule and I will only post something that I think is worth posting, but I do enjoy writing these so the blog won't be deserted.