The year in reverse, vol. III: Snelsmore Common

Ferns on turn on Snelsmore Common

A quick mid-week post to use up those old photos. At the moment, as this island is covered in fog, drizzle and heavy rain and the sun doesn't seem to come up at all any more I am astonished at the light in those pictures. I went for a Sunday stroll on nearby Snelsmore Common on 21 October 2018. This time I didn't see the ponies though I heard them from afar. I hadn't been to the Common for quite a while (the last time must have been in 2013, see the post here) and it seemed so much more grown over than before. My favourite bench seems to be gone.

Much love,
Qaroline

The year in reverse, vol. II: Furzey Gardens

Autumn-flowering camellia in Furzey Gardens

I visited Furzey Gardens again on 27 October 2018, to show it to one of my friends. Looking at the photos today it amazes me how colourful the leaves were now that most of them have fallen in late November. Because I have been to this garden so often didn't post these pictures before, as I am not very keen on repeating myself - but this time we noticed a beautiful autumn-flowering camellia, and the vibrant pink blooms seemed surprisingly summery.

Further installments will follow!

Much love,

Qaroline

The year in reverse, vol. I: Batsford Arboretum

Because I have been so bad at keeping track through the year, I am planning to upload a series of posts going back to Spring 2018. I can't really believe how fast this year has been running away from me and in the meantime the pile of pictures got bigger and bigger. The weird thing was that I didn't visit many new places this year and it felt a bit pointless to post pictures of my re-visits that look so similar to pictures in previous posts. But of course, there were a few highlights (more to come).

Now that the days are getting darker and darker its hard not to resent spending the working week indoors and I have tried to get outside as much as possible, especially on Saturdays, to make the most of the light. I will also take a few days off next week and go to the seaside again - I think I have done this for the last 4 years now and it has become a tradition. Last year I went to Rye, this time I am not venturing quite so far (again, more to come).

Today a friend and I visited Batsford Arboretum in Moreton-in-Marsh. The day started out with a blue sky. Some people might think of November as predominantly GREY but my November colours are the almost turquoisy blue of a cold morning and the bright yellow of the last leaves clinging to the trees against it. I was fortunate enough to find these colours today; however, at midday we were surprised by a proper autumn deluge and had to find shelter to avoid getting totally soaked. But soon after the sun broke through the clouds and sparkled on the bamboo leaves and Japanese maples.

Much love,

Qaroline