Foraging walk.

This weekend I headed out on a guided forage walk. I had wanted to go foraging for aggggess, but never knew where to start. So I thought this walk would be perfect; it would give me an idea of where to go and learn what to look for so that I can head out on my own whenever I like. Plus, it means I had to talk to people which I generally avoid at all costs, but need to get used to.

It was misty and muddy but it turned out to be a pretty beautiful day! We found loads and I learnt a lot. We saw a huge variety of berries, mushrooms, nuts and herbs. I didn't pick any of the berries though, I didn't want them to get smushed up in my bag! Next time I'll definitely take a little plastic box to protect them.

Best of all though; apple trees! About a dozen, all different varieties and all full of fruit. It was amazing! Apparently they are part of an old orchard the monks of Kirkstall Abbey planted, but has long since been abandoned and left to grow as nature intended. I grabbed as many as I could carry. I wish I'd have gotten more. You need someone tall to help you apple pick. Al the best looking ones were at the top... The mass of apples became apple-cinnamon swirles and are soon to be a batch of apple sauce or jam, or maybe even a pie. I can't decide!

I'm a little gutted that the seasonal timing wasn't so great (some berries were overripe). BUT, I now know the basics and can build on it with trips out by myself. I can't wait to go mushroom picking next year and in spring I am going to go crazy for elderflower. How could anyone not want to make Elderflower Champagne!? Fingers crossed for hazelnuts and blackberries too.

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Framing some Instagrams.

I decided to get some of my Instagram photos printed a few weeks back. It always seems a waste to me to only have photographs in digital form. Thankfully, there are a million companies out there that do instragram-prints. I decided to used Polargram mainly because their site was super easy to use and the delivery ended up being pretty swift too. Since they arrived they have sat around not doing very much. So, I had a look around for some inspiration on how to display them. I was going to pin them up using bulldog clips then remembered I had a square frame that had been laying around for years. AND, my 12 prints fitted it it perfectly. It was meant to be!

I messed around with the order for a while and when I was happy used masking tape to fix them into place. I used masking tape so that if I wanted to do something different with them or stick them in an album later; they wouldn't be damaged. When I put them in the frame I was super happy! I've got it propped it up on the dining table at the minute but it will be going up on the wall very soon. I will definitely be getting some more printed soon and display them. One more step closer to completing my goals.

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Lock 3: Leeds-Liverpool Canal.

So, as of tomorrow 'By the Lock' is officially no longer by the lock (Although I will be keeping the name). We're handed over the keys, and we'll be in our new place. It has been an amazing two years here by the canal. I have really love it and I am genuinely sad to be leaving it behind, but equally excited to get to know our new place. Here is what I was lucky enough to see every day;

(The second floor balcony, in the middle, is where we lived)

(The ducks followed me around the whole time, wonder if they know its me know feeds them from the balcony?)

This part of the canal is right in the city centre of Leeds. It's pretty amazing, I don't think you'd ever know if it wasn't for the looming buildings around. There are an endless stream of ducks, the occasional swan or flock of geese. We've seen minks and foxes. There are hundreds of birds, flowers, berries and beautiful trees.  I am going to miss hearing the sound of someone winding the lock open and running onto the balcony to see what the boat is like. I'm going to miss the water freezing in winter and the amazing sound when the rain is heavy. I've got used to the constant trickle of water at night, its pretty soothing. Its such an amazing place. We're moving about 8 miles away but we will only 2 miles away from the another part of the canal, I'm looking forward to exploring.

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Barcelona On Film - 2

Camera: Olympus XA2 // Film: Fujicolor C200 Expired: 2006.
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Can you tell I'm short from the angle of some of these photos? Ha. They're from the second film from our Barcelona trip. Some of the photos turned out great, but I know I missed a load of amazing shots. The film didn't pull through properly and I didn't realise until half way through the day, boo! By then the day had got a little dull.

You can see in all of the photos too how green it is, that city is full of trees. The beautiful architecture mixed in with natures makes it my favourite place. The first photo is the view over the city and out to sea from Park Guell. You can see Sagrada Familia on the left, it looked pretty amazing from up there. 

You can see more of the photos from this film on my flickr.

A Sculpture Park + A Picnic

I have wanted to visit the Yorkshire Sculpture Park for a long time. So, this weekend, we took advantage of the beautiful weather, packed a picnic and headed out.

I had no idea how huge the park would be and how many sculptures there would be in it. There is a huge lake right in the middle and the views all around are beautiful. The majority of the sculptures weren't listed in the guide we picked up so we veered off the suggested route a little and explored ourselves. Some were so easy to wonder past without realising (like the guy stud up on the tree!) so it was fun to wonder around and explore.

We walked around for hours, and looking at the YSP website now we still missed so many of the sculptures. The whole place is full of sheep, geese, ducks, swans and all of their Spring babies too. I had the best time, and I will definitely be going back. Mainly because the gift shop was amazing and I didn't get chance to choose anything.

You can find a listing of sculpture parks all over the world here! If there is one near you, you should definitely go. If you're in Yorkshire, I'd highly recommend the YSP. Wear trainers, those sheep poop a lot. Have you ever been to a sculpture park? I'd love to visit some others!

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