Suzy Barker

Greetings! I’m passionate about the natural world we inhabit; the written word; and photography. Oh, and I should mention – I’m an eternal optimist. My cup is always half full.

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Category: Country walking

Lincoln Longwool on the Lincolnshire Wolds

February 4, 2020February 4, 2020 Suzy Barker

Fill the frame

February 2, 2020February 2, 2020 Suzy Barker

Nature is my church

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I was mistaken for a highways and byways officer whilst out and about on the wolds with my camera today. This steep, rough track is apparently used by mountain bikers as an exhilarating trail in the pitch black of night. The bikers come helterskeltering downhill wearing forehead lamps, and locals fear that the track should be better maintained to avoid accidents. I didn't like to say that the rougher the terrain the greater the thrill .... . . . #mountainbiketrail #lincolnshire #lincolnshirewolds #roughtrack #vikingway #countryside #countrylife #countryliving #explore_britain #fiftyshades_of_nature #scenicbritain #be_one_rural #capturingbritain_rural #explore_countryside #littlestoriesofmylife #getyourwalkingbootson #thegreatoutdoors #thecountrybloggers #country_features

The best gifts are handmade and created with thought and care. Thank you to my creative family for lovingly spending time making perfect gifts for me this weekend. So blessed. . . . . . #handmadewithlove #handmadegifts #makersgonnamake #littlestoriesofmylife #giftmaker #handmadefood #frommygarden #giftofcreativity #creativekids #mycreativefamily #creativehappylife #celebratinghandmade #sundayvibes #flashesofdelight #thehappynow #livemoremagic #creativeatheart #thecountrybloggers

As Valentine’s Day approaches, and as weddings will be on the minds of many, it seems appropriate to talk about this little beauty. Normanton Church is situated at the edge of Rutland Water, the largest man-made lake in the UK. It is the county of Rutland’s most famous landmark, in a fairy tale setting where the splendid structure appears to float on the lake when the reservoir is full. Not surprisingly, the church is a popular and unique venue for weddings. If you’re dreaming of a white wedding with all the romantic touches then Normanton Church naturally lends itself to such an occasion. Not only is the location stunning for wedding photography, it also has a very special history to it. Back in the 1960’s it was decided a new reservoir was needed to supply water to the growing population, and the Gwash valley in Rutland was chosen to site it. The valley had to be cleared and Normanton Church, originally St Matthews Church, was deconsecrated and scheduled for demolition, but the general public had other ideas and their protests in 1970 were successful. It was decided that the lower level of the church should be filled with rubble and topped with concrete to create a new floor. The church would become a small island once the reservoir was filled, so a causeway was built connecting it to the nearby shore of the lake and an embankment was constructed around the building. A layer of boulders was then put in place as a defensive breakwater. The result was the creation of this unusual landmark. A building which had been abandoned since the 1920’s was reborn as the spectacular wedding venue we know today - lovingly maintained and universally admired. What more could a couple want than a magical wedding on the water at Normanton Church? . . #normantonchurch #rutlandwater #rutland #valentinesday #weddings #weddingvenue #churchesofinstagram #dreamylittleplaces #visitengland #fiftyshades_of_history #photosofbritain #postcardplaces #thisprettyengland #world_beautifulshots #explore_britain #capturingbritain #thisisengland #churchesoftheworld #churchhistory #architecture #countryliving #countrylife #thecountrybloggers #sheclicksnet

Well, what a bloomin' awful weather day it's been. Storm Ciara's howling wind forced the rain through every crevice of our ancient back door and flooded the utility room. The little garden fence blew away which I don't mind at all - I like the "open" look of our lawn blending into the field beyond. It might never get replaced. And one of the chicken coops keeled over in the wind which could have been a horrible disaster. Three chickens were in residence at the time and of course they made a run for the long grass when they finally found their way out, terrified by having their world turned upside down. Once the hen house was righted, two of the soaking wet birds were quickly retrieved and put back in to dry off. The third was missing. The little bantam cockerel called out for her for about an hour whilst we walked the field to try and find her. She was eventually found, bedraggled and shaky, and we were able to pick her up, dry her off and make her safe again. Crazy Sunday! And not a single shot was taken. Well, these are not the sort of events you'd think to photograph are they. So, here's one from Friday, when the sunlight was just breaking through the hazy mist, revealing a wonderful light over a small host of unopened daffodils on St Peter's Hill. . . . . #stormciara #wind #rain #crazyweather #lincolnshire #chickencoop #daffodils #littlemomentsofmine #littlestoriesofmylife #sundaysomewhere #sunlightandshadows #stamford #stamforduk #lifeintheslowlane #theartofslowliving #countryliving #countrylife #thecountrybloggers #featheredfriends #happychickens #happyhens #my_wintertale

Miss Pickering ... a flower shop filled with seasonal flowers, vintage vases and a whippet called Valentine in the window (see second shot). So tempted to go in and ask Miss Pickering how much she wanted for Valentine. 8pm update: See @misspickering for visual floral delights and see @valentinewhippet for images to melt your heart ... SB 😊 . . . . #howmuchisthatdoggyinthewindow #stamforduk #stamford #misspickering #florists #flowershop #independentshop #soenglish #soenglishithurts #dreamylittleplaces #prettyshopfronts #quintessentiallyenglish #markettown #shopfront #facadelovers #chasingfacades #postcardplaces #visitengland #storefrontcollective #stamfordlincolnshire #thisprettyengland #lovelincolnshire

As the brief is 'fill the frame', here's a faceful of Lincoln Longwool, modelling her extravagantly curled and twirled winter coat . . . #lincolnlongwools #sheep #risbyflock #fleece #whatafleece #woollyandwarm #filltheframe #filltheframeweek_nio #countryliving #countrylife #be_one_rural #country_features #lovelincolnshire #lincolnshire #lincolnshirewolds #sheepfarming #agriculture #wool #britishwool #natural #thegreatoutdoors #thecountrybloggers #theartofslowliving #lifeintheslowlane #lincsgrammers #sheclicksnet #nothingisordinary

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