For a long time, I didn’t have hobby. When Saturday came around, it would often be spent in my pjs, on the sofa watching TV. I had no love for the outdoors and no desire to go out and be active unless I was at the beach, and this beach was Tresaith, West Wales (if you haven’t been, you should – I highly recommend!). When I got my camera last Christmas, that all changed. Having my camera encouraged me to get outside and thus I fell in love with the outdoors. Now don’t get me wrong, I still have no desire to go camping or anything like that, but I do enjoy filling my lungs with fresh air and seeing breath-taking landscapes.

Until a few weeks ago, I was getting frustrated I wasn’t able to get out with my camera. Then I started to get into a Saturday routine which I LOVE! I wake up and go for a run with a friend, which sets me up perfectly for my day. Following my run I enjoy a fry up, coffee and time with my husband. Late afternoons have been spent with friends and my camera – I have loved it.

Being someone who works in a school, I have the privilege of having school holidays. Today was the first day of half term and the thought of staying home all day filled me with dread. I am now finding if I stay at home all day I become restless and grumpy (nobody wants to be around a grumpy Beth, just ask my husband!). So, I ceased the opportunity and went for a walk, just my camera and me. I parked my car and went exploring a new place. Autumnal walks are just the best – warm colours, crunchy leaves beneath your feet, the smell of log fires coming from people’s chimney’s – my heart fills with happiness just thinking about it.

Along my walk, I came across an abandoned house that just begged to have its photo taken, with the ivy growing up the walls. Once I’d passed the house, I ended up in a village just outside Cardiff (not quite where I expected to end up but I carried on nevertheless). I made it my mission to find Castell Coch, one of Wales’ many castles. I ended up in some woods but got freaked out as I was the only person around and I just kept thinking of scenes in TV dramas where a young woman is walking alone in the woods and something happens. I know this is unlikely to happen in real life but I turned around and left the woods just to be on the safe side! On the plus side, I did stumble upon these mushrooms.

I eventually found Castell Coch (after entering and leaving more woodland for the same reason) and went for a circular walk in more woods, but it’s ok, there were people around this time. HA!

I made it back to my car in one piece, exhausted after walking 7.5km with a gingerbread green tea to look forward to. And so my Saturday Satisfaction continues.