Rememeber, Remember...

Warm balmy days disguise the fact that we are just beginning the eleventh month, a time of bonfires, fireworks and toffee apples.
Early morning walks, through a confetti of leaves, are a sheer delight.  Branches shed their caramel clothes to reveal stunning branch etchings on the skyline.  The strength and gravitas of our trees never fails to stop me in my tracks, as I ponder the the many insights that their humble status allows them the privilege of sharing ...

Bay Watch

'Well, this is me at the beach-hut.  Sure is a great vantage point for checking out the action on the beach…'

'And me, well I was just born to surf. Don't you just love the way sea water tousles my coat!'

'Sunday was high drama at the beach, I actually hit the headlines when I  became separated from my pack…  Can you believe that Beach-Banter's SOS described me as a Husky -  Sacre Bleu!

Life's a Beach...

Vulcan relaxes in his favourite armchair, aching joints snuggled into his fluffy throw, the end of a busy day playing in the surf.  'Hey Dudes, this surfing is tiring business...'

Flora and fauna that are able to survive the strong Atlantic winds tend to be skeletal, a complete contrast to the rich vegetation of our daily woodland walks.  Along the coastline, gorse leaves are reduced to sharp spikes, blades of grass coarse, sinewy, razor sharp.  Dry, parched colours and brittle sepals are developed to survive the harsh environment of swirling, salty sea breezes.

Autumn Landscapes

One of the beauties of our English countryside is the clear definition of each season.  Okay, time lines may vary a little, but, distinct colour hues characterise each individual season;  this is integral to both our heritage and expression.  As summer slips over the horizon,  the lowering sun casts amber rays across the countryside, a reminder of the crimson hearth to come.

Arrow-heads of Canada geese etched on pewter clouds begin their long migration south to warmer climes, their haunting cries announcing the official end of summer.

Sunset on Summer

                                         

Our extraordinary summer continues to grace us with opportunities to unwind in the warm Atlantic surf.

White horses roll in on the tide, effervescent against granite rock, providing fun and freedom in the waves.  Simple silhouettes speak a thousand words; relaxed, carefree, alive.  This magnificent cloud formation is known locally as 'The Angel's Portal', a magical inter-dimentional space where, according to legend, the angels pass…

Passion Flowers

This stunning passionflower, one of many, adorns the crumbling wall on the old Sunday-school room.  Sitting, quietly, in the cloistered courtyard, contemplation of the striking purple and cream flower heads inspires a certain awe.  That these flowers can ingest warmth from the sun, hydration from the rain and, with limited nutrition in sandy soil,  produce this beautiful flower is surely a miracle.  One of life's beautiful gifts on a balmy October morning…

Not to be ignored, striking crimson hips add their own flash of passion to the show!

Autumn Blows in...

Wild winds sweeping in across the Atlantic are blowing away the balmy summer garden.  Leaves pirouette on the thermals, en route to carpet the paths and lawn at Valley Garden Paradise, signalling that our wonderful summer is now drawing to an end; what a blessing it has been.  Each stage of the year in the garden holds its own intrinsic beauty, moments of silent perfection available to soothe the souls of all who care to stop, look and listen.  Nature's beauty never ceases to amaze, she surrounds us in her glory every moment of the day, be it a solitary tree in a city street or a peaceful copse far from the madding crowd...

Sumptuous Summer

Valley Garden Paradise is bursting with life, rose bushes laden with buds are an explosion of colour and scent.  Intoxicating and magical, it is a privilege to be custodian of this touch of paradise.  Bees dance from petal to petal collecting the flowers' elixir, spoilt for choice and heady with joy as the nectar goes to their heads!  Drunken bees often rest a while on the warm flags or hitch a ride on my shoulder…

Time to give thanks that summer is here…

David Austin's 'Prince' in all his glory.