Whenever there's the tiniest glimpse of sunshine, she likes to make the most of whatever is on offer in the way of a few rays!

For #TidesOutTuesday - footprints in the sand, but no sign of either Robinson Crusoe or Man Friday.

Good morning!

"If we had no winter the spring would not be so pleasant." Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672)

For #ThickTrunkTuesday - Salisbury cathedral.

For #TidesOutTuesday - dawn over a Cornish beach.

For #AllMetalMonday. #Steam #railways

"Me and my shadow..."

Floods near Nayland, Suffolk by Sir Alfred Munnings (1878-1959)... perhaps better known for his portrayals of horses and lively country fairs.

Weather-wise, it was a lovely afternoon for a mooch in the sunshine!

For #ThickTrunkTuesday (the tree, not me!)

'Bottoms' up'! Our three female Blue-laced Wyandotte bantams were possibly preparing for a dry run dive for the next synchronised swimming contest!

At this time of year (in the UK) I love to see the hazel come to life... and am always fascinated by the fact that the male catkin and female flower are on the same branch - and need no insect pollinator due to even the slightest breeze blowing the male pollen directly onto the flower...

Tulips on the dining-room table making the most of the sunshine yesterday afternoon..

As it's Shrove Tuesday, it's perhaps appropriate to mention just how much I've always liked the illustration of pancake racing which the publishers chose to use on the front cover of my book, 'Curious Country Customs'. amazon.co.uk/Curious-Coun...

Copenhagen - the horse ridden by Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo - features (alongside many others) in my latest book, 'The Horse Lover's Miscellany: Wit, Wisdom and Wonders', published by Quiller Publishing.

“The trees encountered on a country stroll Reveal a lot about that country’s soul…" ― W.H.Auden

We used to live in France - and this was our view from close to home... what a difference between autumn and winter!

“There is always in February some one day, at least, when one smells the yet distant, but surely coming summer.” Gertrude Jekyll.

The New Forest #Hampshire in late January.

On an early morning walk around this time last year - sadly, today's weather wasn't anywhere near as promising.

From this date five years ago - a frosty morning walk down by the river.

For #FingerpostFriday.

A few rays of sunshine can turn a pleasant winter's walk into a truly spectacular one.

Banking Snow Clouds, Winter Evening in Wensleydale, Sonia Lawson (b.1934) Milton Keynes University Hospital © the artist. Photo credit: Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (managed by Arts for Health – Milton Keynes)

A winter morning mooch in Paris. #BlackandWhitePhotography

And, on the shortest day: “... the bare branches silently speak of a new year, slowly advancing to its buds, its foliage, and fruit.” Richard Jefferies.

Early morning mist over the water (a lake) during today's dog walk.

'Riders on the Storm'... with apologies to The Doors (for those of you old enough to remember their 1971 hit single of the same name!) #BlackandWhitePhotography #Horses #Riding

For #ThickTrunkTuesday - well, it was a thick trunk before being cut, logged, split and stacked Scandinavian-style!

The wetter, the muddier, the better!

In my book 'David Shepherd: Artist and Conservationist' (www.quillerpublishing.com), Mark Carwardine, zoologist, environmentalist & author, tells of when Peter Scott, David Bellamy, David Attenborough and David Shepherd tried to jump-start his car! #Art #painting #Wildlife #biography #conservation.

As it's December and rapidly hurtling towards Christmas, I thought I'd better start preparing to welcome visitors.

As John Masefield wrote: "I must go down to the seas again..." for #FingerpostFriday.

A not-so-thick trunk for #ThickTrunkTuesday - mind you, now I come to think of it, it's not Tuesday either!

For #TidesOutTuesday - en route to Burgh Island, Devon.

Some folk like steam engines/trains, some like art, wildlife and conservation ... some like both - in which case, my book 'David Shepherd: The Artist and His Railways', published by Amberley Books, ought to make the perfect Christmas present! #Art #Heritage #steamrailways #wildlife #conservation.

Copenhagen - the horse ridden by Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo - features (alongside many others) in my latest book, 'The Horse Lover's Miscellany: Wit, Wisdom and Wonders', published by Quiller.

More a milestone than a fingerpost for #FingerPostFriday but - of recent photos - it's the best I've got!

The light and dark of a November afternoon.

"Still round the corner there may wait, A new road or a secret gate ..." J. R. R. Tolkien

For #FingerpostFriday: seemingly, many roads lead to Santiago de Compostela - including this one, the St James' Way, which passes over the River Itchen at Ovington #Hampshire #CaminodeSantiago.

Vibrant colours at the local garden centre.

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning..." #ArmisticeDay.

"Hobson’s warm, witty storytelling makes this far more than a simple collection of facts. It’s a celebration of the horse’s place in our culture ... Beautifully written and full of surprising detail ... [a] delightful ride through the world of horses." Baily's Hunting Directory

"As idle as a painted ship Upon a painted ocean." (Mudeford Quay, Dorset)

Posted for no reason other than the fact that the tree looked stunning in it's autumnal colours set against a wonderfully blue sky!

Good morning - it's a bit of a damp one today!

Mirror image.

Tintern Abbey - as seen from the Devil's Pulpit.