MY PERFECT KIND OF DAY.....

I love days like today!  

A day off work.

With friends.

Just to do what we please.... 

After throwing around ideas we decided on a visit to The Craft Barn in Surrey.  Now, I have planned to go here for a l-o-n-g time and suddenly I make two visits in 4 days! But that's a story for another time....  

We arrived at The Craft Barn and there was a surprise in store. Because unbeknown to my friend Jill, I had arranged to meet one of my blog-buddies there. It was lovely to see Jill's look of surprise when Ruth arrived! We had all met earlier this year at a residential in Milton Keynes. It was so good to catch up with Ruth again and we all managed to browse, spend money and admire the wonderful supplies. 

 
Ruth had an appointment so the three of us went to lunch in a pub. And then we explored Godstone, a beautiful village with a green and pond, and an antique shop where I bought a lovely wall mounted candle holder. It will look lovely in the garden and it is rusty and aged, so just the effect I want. 
We then went to the village church, where there is a pirates grave. 

The story goes that the pirate was buried in an unmarked grave and this was the start of strange happenings... until eventually he was
reburied and given a Christian service. 
And next to this church there was another... 

a small church set in grounds with a row of almshouses.  This was an unexpected find and there was much photo taking.... 

We also found a lovely tea room overlooking the village green.  It was featured in a magazine, and the warm welcome and home made cakes certainly lived up to it's reputation. 

The sun shone from start to finish, and it was a lovely relaxing day. Batteries are restored, good company enjoyed, and I bought home many happy memories and lots of photos.  Oh!  And of course... I mustn't forget the lovely papers, dies and other lovely things I bought in The Craft Barn.  I filled my loyalty card in just two visits and now have a £5 voucher to spend.  Must go back soon, me thinks!!   

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Days like today are precious to me.

Time with special friends, wind down time, doing things I enjoy most. 

So it is fitting to add it to Sian Fair's monthly

 'Story Telling Sunday: Pick your Precious'. 

There are other stories to read so why not take time out for yourself and pop over?

 

 

CAPTURE THE MOMENT

It is important to make the most of opportunities when you can, and not let a moment slip away. 

I was reminded of this just the other day.... 

Along the roadside there was a blaze of beautiful yellow dandelions in full bloom. They looked amazing and I thought 'I must pull over next time I am passing to take a photo'. Sadly I was not quick enough. The heat and the sun turned the flowers quickly into seed heads and now that fleeting moment is past. At least I captured it in my memory.

Luckily, there was a photo last year that did not get away.  Driving a long the same stretch of road I saw the newly baled straw.  The field looked beautiful in the early morning light and even though I knew it would mean I would catch heavy traffic it was a moment I did not want to miss.  So I pulled over and took some photos.

That night, driving home from work, they were all gone.

Sometimes you just have to capture the moment before it is lost. 
 

...............

This post was ready to be published and I saved it in draft ready...

But guess what?! 

The sun had been out and when I next drove down the road there was a new flash of yellow.  More dandelions among the old..... 

And I realised that it was not a moment lost after all. Because the seed heads are just as beautiful as the flowers themselves. 

It is important to keep your eyes and mind open.....