A tolerable day at work is one when I can go out for some fresh air at lunchtime, without freezing or getting soaked. Last Wednesday was one of the very best for a stroll, the sun was shining, the morning had been dull and I needed some space.
Next door to the hospital where I work, is a psychiatric unit, around 150 years old and set in lovely grounds with original trees. If the ground is dry I often head that way, come along with me. We’ll begin beside the old lodge near the front gate.
It’s like a miniature gothic castle with its crenalations.
Here’s the back entrance. What can we find in the hedge?
I’m surrounded by birdsong, with a robin singing loudest. Look ahead, we’ll check out the trees.
The bluebells are guaranteed to help get rid of the morning’s stresses.
I zigzag from tree to tree, in and out of the hedge.
These fir cones, like my feet, are rather large!
I would have loved to climb this tree, it looks quite an easy one doesn’t it? The one behind on the left is quite special too,
Look at the chunky bark, it’s been around for a very long time.
On we go towards the perimeter of the grounds, where it’s a bit wilder, and someone’s had lunch already.
Time to curve across the lawn, my half hour is flying by.
But I still need to see that bright tree ahead.
Wow, such a fresh and glowing green!
I linger for a minute, enjoying the shadows, but my time really is up. Thanks to this stroll, the afternoon was manageable, two and a half hours until home time. I’m really lucky with the surroundings at work aren’t I? I hope you enjoyed walking with me, I’m sharing with Jo and looking forward to seeing where she walked.
Lucid Gypsy 
Nice foot, Gilly! 🙂 Amazing what you can do with half an hour and a few bluebells. 🙂 I could sit in that tree (lowest branch) with a book while you scampered about. What a lovely day! Thanks for the link, sweetheart!
Looks like Spring has sprung! Whata gorgeous place to re-charge your batteries!
Maybe climb the tree another day and join Jo there with a book!!
WHAT A lovely walk…just outside at lunchtime. I have nothing like that for lunch. That chunky bark is really chunky! The pine cone is big…can’t tell how big your foot actually is, but nice shoes!
You do have great surroundings, Gilly!
A brilliat place to work, and then stroll about to release stress… in the sunshine just relax and enjoy… 😉
Now that’s a beautiful place to escape to ..
what a pretty stroll –
A very nice insight into your working life and the world around it. As I’ve said before, I relish seeing photos of you, even dismembered. I love the whimsy of “somebody’s already lunched”. What a treat to have bluebells and crenellations on your doorstep. In my working days, I finally realised I had a water gardens on my doorstep, an old cemetery, and even botanical gardens if I rushed. Back to work energised, eh?
Geez! Either I hurry up to eat or do my class homework is what I do during lunchtime. How I am so jealous on how you can spend your lunchtime in such a non-stressful ways.
A lovely stroll, Gilly. I’m sure your feet are no bigger than mine. 😕 The sight of that bright green tree is really uplifting. 🙂
I enjoyed the walk and the grounds very much, but I’m wondering about the psychiatric unit itself. Is it still in use? The building itself looks forbidding and depressing, and I’d think it would have a very negative effect on psychiatrically challenged people. Just wondering if they still treat people there.
Yes they do, and it’s the kind of building that’s lovely on a sunny day and very gloomy otherwise. Its a very highly thought of hospital that does really good work, so no worries ☺
What a beautiful place to stroll, Gilly! Love the first two photos especially, trees are so beautiful. A wonderful place to take a lunch break. 🙂
It is so nice to get out at lunchtime and that felt like a very pleasant way to spend an hour.
So nice to have lovely surroundings where you work. When I worked in Sheffield it was practically in the Peak District so on a long lunch (we worked flexi-time) I could go there, and sit by the damn and read or watch the birds, but even a short break allowed me to walk alongside a stream through a wood to the village. It was a great way to spend the lunch-break.
I loathed teaching as we were not meant to leave the site 😦
Oops, that was meant to be dam!
Great photos Gilly 🙂 And it must be wonderful to work close to somewhere so pretty Gilly, it certainly makes the afternoon go quicker after such a stroll 🙂
Thank you for letting me take a walk with you through this very peaceful looking garden.
I wish I could have a picnic under the shade of those trees.
Issy 😎
What a lovely way to spend your lunch break Gilly! Love that bright tree and the beautiful shadow patterns. And stop exaggerating, your feet don’t look big at all! 😉