There's been a path through the woods, muddy at times, but so much fun. A tall tower with a long winding stone staircase. A little claustrophobia on the way, but the views were so very worthwhile. Another tower overlooking the wildfowl and wetlands place. A rare duck had come to visit. She's taken up residence in a pen with lots of captive ducks (she's the dark one, a ferruginous duck). It's nice to have an easy life in a safe place, with food delivered daily. But it's even better if you're free to fly away should you choose.
There's been hot chocolate and reading in the chill winter air while children play. More skating. And a bridge to cross. The drop is so steep down to the road below we could hardly bear to look down while we crossed. We had to take a deep breath or two. But on the way back it was easier somehow. We got used to it a bit I think.
Tomorrow is the last day of freedom before school starts again and life gallops on straight into the future. I'm going to be concentrating on not thinking about the scary bits. A day of fun is what required. Wishing you all a good week. CJ xx
I really like these photos. Your boys seem so adventurous. Sometimes I wish my kids each had a sibling of their own gender, in addition to each other. I'm sorry you're feeling scared and anxious. I hope this year is much better than you think it will be, and that only good things happen.
ReplyDeleteNever too many winter wanderings photos! I hope that your anxiety and turmoil passes very quickly and that once life settles back to the normal routine you are feeling more yourself again. This too will pass. xx
ReplyDeleteLove the photos. I'm not much of a winter wanderer; not happy with cold weather. But I love to tag along with others when they post their photos. A friend of mine once told me not to think about it being a new year, think about it being a continuation of life. Maybe that will help.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Sharon
CJ, what brilliant photos....I am not a January person, normally it fills me with dread and horrid winter blues, but, this year I am putting my foot down and not letting it happen!! It will just have to be and I have adopted a positive frame of mind about it. This January I am going to have fun!! Make sure you do too xx
ReplyDeleteI think after a long break with our offspring the thoughts of those all too familiar routines can make us quite anxious. In my house we are all going back to work, college and school on the same day and I always say by the time the evening comes we will be right back into it once more. How I would love to home tutor them and have the money to stay at home. As someone once told me it is just another day no different to yesterday. It won't be long before you can have another fun filled weekend xx
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is I absolutely LOVED all the places you went and the FANTASTIC photos you got! That big long shadow of the tower was something else! When you get stressed, close your eyes and think of sailing out of a calm harbor into a breezy sea and heading off into the infinite horizon. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteLovely, lovely photos! Thanks for sharing them. Wishing you joy in the moment. xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lot of lovely places you've visited recently and your photos, as always, are stunning. Last day of the holidays for us too - they always fly by so quickly don't they? Another week at home without the added stresses of homework etc. would be just perfect. At least we have Spring to look forward to! x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo's CJ, enjoy the last day of the holidays, Kate xx
ReplyDeleteI have probably said this before, you live in a beautiful part of the world. Amazing photos as ever. Sometimes burying your head in the sand is the only way to wait out an unsettling period. I am very good at burying my own head very deep in the sand. I hope that the normal routine will go some way towards settling your anxiety CJ and I hope your year ahead will turn out to be just fine! xx
ReplyDeleteBack to school for Matt today, and straight in to a Physics test! Enjoy your last peaceful day - I'm sure it will be fine. And if not, not long until half term. That's what I'm telling myself. x
ReplyDeleteAll mine have gone back today too, so it's just me and the dogs and a statistics assignment. I'm also mid-way through making my first quilt which is much more appealing than the stats. I can hear it calling to me from upstairs :o) Wishing you a peaceful transition back into school routine- it won't be long before they're all home on hols again xx
ReplyDeleteLovely photos. I was just the same and loved school holidays, I still love having all my family around me. I can't understand these mums who can't wait for the holidays to be over so the kids are back at school.
ReplyDeleteshall we take a deep breath together and cross that bridge together? I'm not looking forward to the start of term either, it will be a month of mocks, and GSCE and A level option choices.
ReplyDeleteThe holidays are so much more fun, aren't they? You've captured some awesome photographs there - love the green aerial one especially.
ReplyDeleteVery good photos. Hope everything goes well for you this year.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are so beautiful and your adventures many. I am not a fan of change myself I have just gotten used to my two being home and now we have the school race starting again.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck on school starting up,
Meredith
Wow, what stunning photos!
ReplyDeleteMy Great Aunt used to live in one of those houses by the side of the Suspension Bridge overlooking the Gorge. (I am eternally sorry she sold it long before I was born, and it's not some lovely inheritance that remained in the family, ha ha...) Lovely Bristol, and what lovely woods and towers as well.
Happy 2015. xxx
What a wonderful selection of pictures. I'm sure that you'll be way too busy to worry about any maybe scary bits!
ReplyDeleteThanks, and you too. Flighty. xx
Beautiful photos. Much as I love my adopted fens, I do miss the hills. I lived between Bristol and Bath until my early twenties and recognise lots of these places. Hoping that the return to routine helps to calm your anxiety x
ReplyDeleteI've always struggled with a fear of the unknown and what the future holds... and it seems no amount of common-sense thinking or positive self-talk changes that.
ReplyDeleteGetting out walking definitely works, as does doing something absorbing (gardening or making). And yes, reading - but it has to be something you're really into or your mind will tend to wander...
Best of luck from a fellow worrier. I'm sure you'll have a great 2015 where all's well :)
Sarah x
Life can be scary, esp as New Year starts and you almost feel under pressure to make NY's resolutions etc, but enjoying time with your boys is what it is most important. You have been to some fascinating places - the tower looks incredible!
ReplyDeleteTake care
Caz xx
As always beautiful images. I love the overhead swan lake photo.
ReplyDeleteAre you reading Five Quarters of an Orange? (When I saw that picture that is what I thought of - if so, I love that book; have read it several times.) You have been wandering in some picturesque places and have captured some amazing views!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, CJ. I hope things are feeling a little less scary today. I've been pondering at what point the New Year ceases to feel new - I love that feeling. Great photos capturing special times with your family x
ReplyDeleteI loved your photos. :-)
ReplyDeleteI understand the feeling of never wanting to stop spending time with your boys. I enjoy my days with mine as well.
Thank you for sharing,
Carla
CJ I'm exactly the same way with change. It drives me a bit bonkers. I'm trying to keep the New Year list short. Not resolutions so much as small family projects ... Anyhow, your winter world with the boys looks just fantastic. It sounds like you've had some dreamy holidays. I think we managed some nice Mother and Son times the second week in. Though, I won't lie I was pleased to drop him off at school today and see his backside (I even posted it on Instagram, ha!) The embrace of the school year routine is a warm and fuzzy place for me ...
ReplyDeleteI wish we had all the wooded trails and towers to explore as you do! I'm sure the boys think it's magical to be able to romp around all these different terrains. I get so nervous about change, too, but I'm sure 2015 will be a wonderful year! Hope you're having a great day, CJ!
ReplyDeleteChange doesn't have to be a bad thing. Does it give you something that you didn't have before? Hold on to that. Take care CJ x
ReplyDeleteHey CJ,
ReplyDeletePlease don't fret about change on the horizon. It may be good for all, especially you.
It wasn't Cabot Tower, but I'd love to know where your tower is. I always think that Bristol is such a photogenic city, and you've captured it so very well. The Suspension Bridge always makes me feel queasy though.
Have a good week, lovely girl.
Leanne xx
You could always homeschool them ;) Haha great photos. I think that if you are afraid of 2015 that is a good sign that you have a wonderful life because most people get excited for the new year to change things for the better!
ReplyDeleteyour photos. they always weave such a magical story. I hope that things are feeling less anxious for you and that 2015 can feel bright and open, full of possibilities. xoxo
ReplyDeleteWe're starting school on Weds which is also the husband's birthday.. we started the year away and I must say.... it soften the blow... it doesn't feel like a huge 'beginning' if you know what i mean and now we're jet-lagged and fuzzy so I'm not really sure what day it is! Take care.
ReplyDeleteGoodness you've been busy, and as is so often the case your images are of places I know and remember fondly.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping 2015 is a good year that brings you and yours only good things.
I hope the year for you turns out as wonderful as your pictures. Those are wonderful moments! I too am not good dealing with change but often it leads to better things. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteSchool must be in full flow by now; does it feel like we've never been off?
ReplyDeleteYour photographs are awe inspiring dear friend. Every shot up there is so special....your wanderings are like a dream!!! And I am with you on this new year bit......struggling a little myself at the moment. Sometimes it is all so much. Here is to coming into the year with one foot in front of the other. Thank you for passing on the beauty CJ! Nicole xoxo
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures CJ and Happy New Year. I love the aspect looking through the window. Xx
ReplyDeleteHey cj, am slowly catching up on blogs and echo so many of the sentiments you speak of in this post. I was sorry to see my little ones return to school - such lovely happy moments over the hols. I loved your last post too. My kids were on the seafront on new scooters! We should organise a meet up! Hoping 2015 is a great year for you. J9 x
ReplyDeleteA new year so a new start & all that. That's the way I'm looking ahead xx
ReplyDeleteLovely photos CJ... I hope the first day back at school went smoothly :o) xx
ReplyDeleteIt can be a hard time of year. I like change if it isn't too big but huge upheaval isn't good and we're facing that this year so I know what you mean about things feeling scary. I think I enjoyed the whole winter break a bit too much and I'm finding getting back into normal life a bit of a struggle. ;) Fabulous photos. Wishing you a fantastic 2015. WW x
ReplyDeleteI love the photos of your winter wanderings - the 5th one especially, what I wouldn't give for a view like that from my kitchen window - I'd happily do tons of washing up if I could stare out at that.
ReplyDeleteNew year is such an unsettling time, I hope everything feels less daunting soon x
Beautiful, beautiful images! And that tower knocks my socks off. Thanks for sharing your wonderful world with us!
ReplyDeleteGoodness, some stunning views there CJ. Wishing you and yours a very happy New Year xx
ReplyDeleteYou could always homeschool your boys, she says mischievously, then they'd be at home all the time! ;-)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, gorgeous photos, again. I loath spiral staircases and have a fear of tumbling down one and never being able to stop. Or getting wedged in a narrow one. (I've given this too much thought... xx)
Wow, I loved your photos CJ. They are stunning.
ReplyDeleteJacquie x
Beautiful pictures!! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSandra
Beautiful photos of your winter wanderings. That tower looks amazing, such wonderful views from up there. xx
ReplyDelete