Come away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o
because it’s bluebell time!
Let’s have a peep.
I wonder if how big this blue carpet is.
How big? this big.
No, it’s even bigger and prettier up close.
Two years ago I posted bluebells at Blackbury camp, and I still think it’s the best place to see them, but here at Lanhydrock it’s a close second, what do you think?
Paula at Lost in Translation says that when things are scattered, they are spread out all over the place. That sounds a bit like my desk, but we won’t go there!
Instead, look at the way this white lichen is scattered on the bark of this tree, it looks like paint has been flicked around.
Speaking of bark, Meg has shared some tactile Polish trees.
Jude’s Garden Photography Challenge this month has the theme of wild flowers. She says, ‘this can be at the side of the road, a meadow, a wild flower garden, a single flower.’
Mine is from last year, but it’s May already and they’ll soon be back. In case some of you perhaps from different climates, don’t recognise it, it’s a foxglove, digitalis purpurea. Although the plant is poisonous, the leaves from digitalis is an ingredient used in heart drugs.
If you’d like to join Jude with a wild flower or two you have all of May to do so!
beech leaves shimmer high
in a deep copper haze of
watercolour sky
May 1st, and time for a new garden challenge them from Jude. This month its wild flowers, this is what she says.
‘This month i want to see wild flowers found in the hedgerows, woodlands, farmland, meadows, by the coast, up a mountain, on a heath and even in your own garden. Basically plants that haven’t been planted, but occur naturally, although specifically planted wild flower meadows can be included. Wild flowers provide food for humans and wildlife and are usually hardy, resilient and well adapted to the climate and soils, and yes, sadly often referred to as weeds.’
So my first entry is this sea thrift, it’s one of my favourites, I love how it thrives on virtually no soil, clinging tenaciously to rocks, its deceptively delicate flowers reaching for the sun.
If you’d like to join in this month, visit Jude’s garden challenge page to find out how.
Stunning sky at the beach yesterday
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.
I noticed these buds in the health centre’s garden this morning and had my little point and shoot with me. They were low enough to shelter from the breeze, so worth trying a close up. Judging from the one that’s about to unfold, I’d say it could be sycamore, does anyone know?
I would love to be able to take real macros with a powerful lens, but I can still have fun even with my phone. This is my last post for Jude’s April garden challenge, with the theme of macro or close up, and I’ve really enjoyed it.
If you’re quick, you can still join in, visit Jude here.
Fragrance like almond
reminds me each April
of his distant death
Found in the garden yesterday.
I’m aching all over today after spending quite a few hours gardening yesterday, but I found treasure, I do love a skeleton leaf or flower. So does my friend Sue, she loves decay of all kinds. The lovely Jude is having a macro and close up month for her Garden Challenge too.
Lucid Gypsy 