We were up on the moors two weeks ago on a warm, bright Sunday morning, and looking at these photos now is making me feel all kinds of heart felt good things. I remember the day so clearly, I can feel the light breeze, see the cloud shadows moving gently across the hills, the sublime light and the absolutely glorious, breathtaking colours all around.
Heading up onto the moors to see the heather blooming in August has become something of an annual family ritual, in much the same way as going to the woods to see the bluebells in May has. It's a joyous celebration of the gentle passing of the seasons as well as a profound appreciation for this little patch of England that I've come to call home. We walk, chatter, observe and breathe it in. I try to keep my complete over excitement in check, try to tamp down my Creative Mind as it goes into overdrive, try to be in the moment with my Little People as we go about making our memories together. It truly is glorious where we live, and I am filled with gratitude for it every single day.
The heather this year has been stunning, the colours seem so vibrant and the swathes of blooms look absolutely beautiful covering the expanse of moorland as far as the eye can see. It's such a pleasure to be out amongst it all, pottering about along the stony pathways, then resting a while on a sun warmed rock to enjoy the long distance views with a little bit of chocolate. Always there is chocolate on these sorts of outings, it's become our family thing.
This year there was kite flying too, and I am secretly hoping for this to be a new little add-on element to our heather-appreciation-ritual. I loved flying kites as a child, and so clearly remember the simple little blue fabric kite with it's wooden stick supports that I flew on the hill behind our house. Little B has taken a real liking to the joy of feeling the pull of the wind in his hands, and I've so enjoyed watching him.
I took my Moorland blanket up onto the moors and had a bit of a play with it in it's natural environment. Such fun! I took some really disastrous photos! Hahaha!! But one or two images turned out just right, and I'm enjoying putting together my Ta-dah post for this blanket which continues to bring me so much pleasure.
I can't wait to share with you the final installment of my Moorland Blanket journey. This blanket so deserves it's ta-dah moment.........coming soon.......
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Just spotted a lovely Moorland blanket on the back of the new Manchester family's sofa on Googlebox on channel 4. You're on TV!
Posted by: Jo | September 09, 2017 at 09:34 PM
Wow-those views are so beautiful! It makes me calm looking at the pictures and also makes me want to get away...
Posted by: Elisa | September 09, 2017 at 01:56 PM
Thank you so much for sharing the pictures of the moors. It is so beautiful.
Posted by: diane | September 09, 2017 at 01:00 PM
gorgeous photos. I bought the wool for the Moorland blanket months ago but still have not started as I know once I start I cannot stop and there are several other things that need to be done first.
Posted by: Ellen Colville | September 08, 2017 at 10:26 AM
Such beautiful photos, Lucy! I love the way your creations mirror the natural world!
Posted by: Eleanor MacLean | September 05, 2017 at 07:19 PM
Fabulous! We were lucky to see the heather for ourselves on a recent camping trip to Northumberland...I thought of you and your Moorland blanket! 😊💜💜💜🌊🌊🌊
Posted by: Eleonora from Coastal Crochet | September 05, 2017 at 12:19 PM
I agree with lots if the comments, your photos certainly look like the moorland blanket, they are beautiful. Hoping to buy the kit after I have moved, I cannot buy it now for I just know it would distract me from my decluttering and packing.
Thanks Lucy for taking us into your beautiful countryside.
Hazel c uk
Posted by: Hazel | September 04, 2017 at 08:02 AM
I'm a big heather-lover too! The hills here in Scotland have been beautifully clothed in it for the past month. I think one of the the things that makes it special is that it doesn't last very long - 4 or 5 weeks and the it starts to turn brown again.
Posted by: Lindsay | September 04, 2017 at 06:13 AM
Such gorgeous pictures. I would love to hop over to the UK and see the moorland! I have been to the UK but have never seen this.
Thanks for all you do, Lucy!
Posted by: DeLynn | September 04, 2017 at 02:36 AM
Some I know have said its so blank out on your moors, I gasp in disbelief and nearly faint dead away at the very thought of such shallow thoughts ~ what a blessing to live in such unspoiled Natural Beauty... And all the more wonderful that your enjoy it all so much with your Little People!!!!
Posted by: Twigwoman@gmail.com | September 04, 2017 at 02:14 AM
I finally gave in and bought the Moorland Wool pack. I love the colors of the Moor and the colors you chose. I can't crochet to save my life, but I am going to figure it out! Determination!
Posted by: Duabe | September 04, 2017 at 01:45 AM
Absolutely beautiful photos! I love seeing the heather on the moors. Thanks for sharing ♡
Posted by: Anne | September 03, 2017 at 11:28 PM
Just gorgeous, wonderful photos. Looks like a wonderful day you had!
Posted by: Lizy Tish | September 03, 2017 at 04:37 PM
Thank your for sharing such gorgeous photos, makes you want to visit!
Posted by: Melinda Matos | September 03, 2017 at 02:14 PM
The photos do look like your Moorland blanket; so gorgeous! I love your interpretation of beauty! x
Posted by: Andrea | September 03, 2017 at 02:13 PM
I can see why it's not to be missed!x
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | September 03, 2017 at 02:10 PM
Goshdarnit! Now I need to move to England. Those photos are so beautiful! Very Jane Eyre/Wuthering Heights.
Posted by: DramaticLyric | September 03, 2017 at 01:37 PM
It's seeing your photos that reminds me how much I miss my home county sometimes. Thank you for the memories they evoke.
Posted by: Edwina | September 03, 2017 at 09:35 AM
It looks just like your blanket.
Posted by: Charlotte. | September 03, 2017 at 12:43 AM
Reading books set on the moors over the years it's so nice of you to share photos of it in real-time. It's every bit as beautiful as the writers extolled about it in classic books. I wish I could smell it! You'll have to get a kite of your own to fly with Middle Sized B! :-) ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | September 02, 2017 at 11:18 PM
When I first scrolled past this post, I thought I was looking at blankets. Then I cleaned my glasses and realized it was photos of real "Heather on the moors!" Beautiful.
Posted by: Elsie | September 02, 2017 at 11:10 PM
That heather certainly is gorgeous, such a beautiful shade. Thanks for sharing your pics of it! Jillxo
Posted by: Jill | September 02, 2017 at 10:42 PM
These photos are glorious! I drive along a stretch of highway on my way to work, and right now, the grasses on the median strip in one particular section are reminiscent of the colors in the Moorland Blanket. Not quite the same expanse of colors, but a nice little patch that makes me happy to see it as I zoom by on my morning commute. I really need to unpack my yarn for this blanket, and now that fall weather is imminent, I should tackle my own version of your blanket!
Posted by: Cindy G | September 02, 2017 at 10:25 PM
Lucy, your heather landscape photos just took my breath away! I doubt there is anywhere else on Earth that has so much heather set against such a vast horizon. It seems to go on forever - your little slice of Heaven... It's currently 107F (42 C) here in Redwood City, CA - a repeat of yesterday's unheard of temps. San Francisco is 40 miles north and currently 103F (39.4 C). Yesterday was a record breaker for SF, and today has already broken yesterday's record. And Donald Trump says there's "no such thing as global warming." I woke up this morning with a tightness in my chest - no doubt from the air pollution. There are many wildfires raging in California at the moment. Guess I should be glad we're not living in Texas. Feeling so sorry for all those folks. Thanks for bringing us your little piece of Heaven. Your posts always make me smile. The English countryside is beyond gorgeous.
Posted by: Kimmy | September 02, 2017 at 10:20 PM
Beautiful pics and I hope it's still as pretty when I'm there in three weeks time xx Joy xx
Posted by: Joy | September 02, 2017 at 10:02 PM