Southend Pier

I don't know about you but I find it really difficult to think of places to visit and things to do at this time of year.  A lot of places close for the winter which seems such a shame because on days like we have had this past Sunday it is good to get out, and although the temperatures are still bitterly cold the weather is good.  I can't help but feel that options for outings are limited (unless I'm missing something in which case please tell me if I am).

Like I said the weather was good yesterday and it didn't seem right to be spending it cooped up in the flat.  After wracking our brains for something to do for what seemed like hours we decided to drive to Southend to take a wander along the seafront.

It seemed fairly busy although in comparison to summer months in Southend it was quiet.  Instead of the original plan to walk along the seafront we headed instead for the pier (the longest in the world apparently). I don't ever remember going to the end of the pier before, I may have done as a child but I honestly can't recall it.  Either way, I was doing it today.

It was talked about whether we would get the train or walk the journey.  It was cold and we figured it would feel even colder walking out into the sea so the train it was.  It didn't take long and the view back to Southend was pretty good from the end of the pier.

For the return journey we decided to walk.  It didn't feel as cold as we thought it would and the walk would do us good, especially being in the fresh sea air.  So armed with hot drinks from the little café, we started the walk back to the seafront.

I'm so pleased we walked it.  It's 1.34 miles long but it really didn't feel like much at all.  We even had the bonus of watching a seal swimming along beside us for a short part of the way too which really was incredible.  It brought a smile to my face for sure.

So after not being able to decide what to do the day turned out quite well, but if anyone can suggest any other places of interest to visit during the winter months I'd be grateful as I'm drawing blanks over here.

~ Gem x   

My Current (Christmassy) Mood

The mood is certainly moving from Autumn to Winter, or more specifically Christmas.  There is that sparkle in the atmosphere that I just cannot get enough of.

I'd not wanted to focus too much on Christmas this month, saving the excitement and celebrations for December.  But I think it is fair to say that those thoughts are well and truly out of the window and the Christmas mood is well and truly settling in.  Who was I trying to fool with that anyway! 

I've started to sneak in little decorations here and there.  I obviously wasn't discreet enough as James noticed straight away.    

The wax melts have changed from the fresh summery scents to scents of apple, cinnamon and winter spice, and home is beginning to smell just like Christmas and that couldn't make me happier.

Temperatures outside are dropping and cosy nights spent indoors listening to the wind howling past the windows are becoming more frequent.  I've been feeling thankful to be warm and cosy indoors, it has been rather blustery here the past few days.

So with just 36 days to go till Christmas, I'll be keeping you updated with events I'll be attending and all things Christmas in my little world.

~ Gem x

Seasons: A Frosty Morning

I'm not a fan of the cold weather, however I do enjoy this time of year.

I love the different seasons we are able to experience here in England.

Getting to experience the different seasons helps me to appreciate what each one has to offer.

Living where we are now has definitely allowed me to appreciate it so much more, I seem to be able to notice each of the four seasons more than I have ever done so before.

I stepped out into our garden the other morning (still in my pj's) to capture these frosty moments.

We have woken to a blanket of frost for the past few mornings now.  Usually I would hate it, but being off work has allowed me to actually enjoy it for a change.

It's funny how at a time of year that can often be thought of as quite bleak in the countryside, there is still plenty of life and colour about, when you look close enough.

I actually really enjoyed stepping outside to enjoy the peacefulness of the morning.

Do you have a favourite season?

Love Gem x

Center Parcs

I mentioned yesterday about a week away.  I spent the week in Longleat at Center Parcs with James and a group of friends.  We had a great week although the weather could have been a lot better and would have meant we could have had a few walks though the forest and really made the most of being in the beautiful surroundings, instead a week spent inside out of the wind and rain was what we had.

It didn't put too much of a dampener on the week though.  Anyone who has been reading my blog for some time will know how much I love Christmas and Center Parcs did not disappoint.  There were lights & decorations everywhere :)

I just loved the whole feel of the place and am pretty sure I will be going back again some time.

I'm not a sporty person so I didn't get involved in any of the sports activities but one thing I did get involved with was the swimming, I loved it and could have spent many more hours in the pool than what we did.  They didn't even spare the decorations for the pool.

I'd definitely go back around this time of year too, just for the decorations and festive feel of it all.  At times it reminded me of Florida, I love that place too so perhaps that's why I enjoyed it so much.

~ Gem x

Baby It's Cold Out There

I think the title says it all, it's absolutely freezing out there today, and to add to the title I am listening to the song while writing this, I'm a sucker for Christmas songs. 

We took a visit today to the Battlesbridge Antique and Craft Centre, it was cold, oh so cold, but oh so very pretty indeed.

It still wasn't too cold for the swans though.  Beautiful and so elegant.

How gorgeous do those fields look in a frosty blanket.

The centre was quiet, I think most people had decided to stay at home in the warm, they obviously had more sense than we did.  However it meant that it was nice and easy for us to have a mooch around all the buildings looking at the antiques and crafts, without loads of crowds to contend with. 

After walking around for a couple of hours I was feeling as though I had frozen down to the bone and so we went to warm ourselves back up in the local pub.

We were even blessed with some snow, albeit only for 10 minutes.

It was a lovely day, although I'm glad to be at home now all snuggled up in the warm, on the sofa with the laptop and X-Factor on the box.

~ Gem x