Last week it was lovely to see the other blogs that joined the Planet Penny linky party and to read all about everyone elses happiest moments.
This week has been very busy on the day job front and the weather has been definitely wintry, even with a mini-blizzard when I was in Ikea in Leeds briefly on Wednesday.
But this week’s happy moment was not a bit of retail therapy. It was a collection of wonderful moments that filled one of my early morning walks.
One of my favourite routes is to leave my house and walk towards the school and church, crossing the old bridge that goes over the canal. Although we had gales earlier in January, this morning was completely still. So still that the water on the canal was hardly moving and the dramatic sky was reflected back almost perfectly from its glossy surface…
It was very cold but not frosty and the water was still but not icy.
Although it was around 8.30am, the sun had just got up over the horizon and while it wasn’t out, it was lighting up the clouds, producing some interesting and dramatic sky views. Combined with the mist and haze at ground level, it turned my morning exercise into a really magical walk…
It can be quite difficult to be motivated to get out and get some exercise in January, even with New Year’s resolutions but I was so taken with trying to take photographs of the light, the water and the sky that I strolled along quite happily and did my planned three mile walk without wanting to turn and head for home early.
When I got back home it was turning out to be quite a bright morning and I had a quick check in the garden and saw these beauties peeping out from under the weeping silver birch… Snowdrops are one of my favourite flowers and they are a welcome sight. The promise of spring not too far around the corner…
I love the way you’ve captured the images of the clouds in the canal
Thank you for visiting and sorry to be a bit slow to respond – my internet has been a bit poorly xxx
Beautiful photos! x Teje
Thank you for visiting and sorry to be a bit slow to respond – my internet has been a bit poorly xxx
Beautiful photo’s – nature rewards the determined January walker! 🙂
Thank you for visiting and sorry to be a bit slow to respond – my internet has been a bit poorly xxx
Your winter walk looks amazing. Love the still water reflections. A very happy moment for sure. I find carrying my camera really helps on walks. Helps me to focus on my surroundings more.
Thanks for visiting and for the comment – completely agree about carrying a camera although I find my phone takes better pics than my camera!
Wow your photography of the canal are amazing. I really liked seeing the changing views depending on the light. It’s also great to see some flowers at this time of year. Have a happy weekend.
Ali xx
Thanks Ali – being by the water is always lovely I find, have a great weekend too x
Your photos are stunning. Lovely area.
Thanks Corine – the interesting light on some days makes up for the dull and grey days like today x
Your canal photos are so atmospheric. I have been writing a Snowdroppy post for my blog for next week, with the question has anyone seen any this year yet. So yours have beatten me. Perhaps I will have to change it to has anyone seen any wild one.
Hi Ginny – I can’t believe how early mine have come out. They must love that little spot under the tree xxx
Lovely photos, I like the reflected sky.
I have three snowdrops so far – not many but enough to make me smile!!
Thanks Laura I think a few daffodil bulbs are just poking through the soil now – that’s a real sign that spring is not far away x
Lovely sky photos – I like a nice cloud or two! I spotted some snowdrops in our garden this week; it’s so exciting to think that Spring is just around the corner. have a good weekend. x
Thanks for visiting and I hope you are right about spring! x
You have captured winter’s beauty with your lovely photos. I love the snowdrops! Very lovely.
The skies were even more beautiful in real life but at least a photo is a reminder x
What wonderful photos. The skies are magical and the reflections in the canal are so perfect. And what a delight to come home and find a clump of perfect snowdrops. Plenty to feel happy about in this post.
Snowdrops are amazing little flowers – and so resilient to be out in January x
Beautiful skies are always so uplifting, aren’t they? Thanks for joining in with Happy Friday again.
Its fun – thinking about a happy post makes me look for more happy things about the week, which is always good in January!