A Temple, Puddles and Birds.

I had a go at another Christmas make idea, I was looking for something less time consuming than the owls.

I came up with this little birdie. He's a cross between the coloured birds in this post and the quilled bird in this post.

I think I'll make the wings a little less frilly for the next one, then do a few more to sell cheaply at the next fair. They're very simple to do...

1. Cut a piece of card into a bird shape (this particular shape is taken from "Christmas Crafting in No Time")

2. Fold a length of paper into a concertina, round the ends with scissors, insert into a slot cut into the, glue wings together at the top, and attach a thread for hanging.

I am also making more owls for the forthcoming nursery fair. Why? Because... all seven hanging owls and the spicy owl pillow sold at the school fair on Saturday - hurray! I put the price at £4.50 for the hanging owls and £7.50 for the owl pillow. So just for those that's £38 direct to the school which is more than I would have given in a straight donation, plus I did enjoy making them, and of course, taking photos of them, putting them on my blog and receiving some lovely comments about them! Thank you to all who did take the time to comment, all comments are much appreciated. I must admit now that the thrill of making them is starting to fade a little, but I'll manage a few more I'm sure.

Yesterday afternoon we went for another little walk. Anyone who follows my cycling posts will probably have noticed little hilltop folly which frequently appears in my photos. Despite living here for nearly 10 years, I'd never made the little detour up the hill to visit the folly, till now. However, we soon realised we hadn't picked a good day...

... a huge enormous puddle! I waded slowly through it carrying N. It probably stretched for 100yds and for about 50 of those it came up to within 2" of the tops of my wellies.

Hubby and A decided to try skirting round the puddle (you can just make them out on the far right of the above photo)

It initially looked like they'd made the better choice, but they got very muddy.

Still, we made it!

The folly (or temple as it's often called) was bigger than I thought it would be, and although empty there was more inside than I expected - such as the remains of a fireplace and evidence of an upper floor level with the windows. It was built in 1760 so is also older than I expected too. Apparently its original use was thought to be as a religious shrine and later it was used as hunting base, being close to a deer path.

At least it provided shelter from the wind.

The views were pleasant too, though we resolved to come back and appreciate them more on a nicer day.

Sunbeams and the setting sun peeking through a gap in the clouds.

We returned to the car along the cycle path to avoid the puddles. I love returning to a warm cosy home after a cold and blustery late Autumn walk - one of my favourite things!