Due to a bout of unseasonable weather for Kate’s birthday we were able to take an extended wander around Westonbirt, taking in both the Old Arboretum and Silkwood, a really great way to spend a day. Here are a few of the shots taken, including some wildlife shots from a distance (increasing the need for an extended lens). Also the Magnolias were out in force! We also managed to divert from the seasonal route to take in the 2000 year old lime, prompting a lookout for the other 50 trees dedicated during the golden jubilee.
travel
It’s been too long since my last post, but finally we approach the tail end of winter, and so I thought I’d throw up some photos taken over the winter period.
First up, a trip to Westonbirt (2 shots) with my new Tripod (Manfrotto 190CXPRO3) a fantastic piece of kit, I would thoroughly recommend giving it a try, and the light weight feel is great. There was then a trip to York (3 shots), with Kate taking us on a guided tour of the snickelways, then on to Thixendale.
A beautiful sunny day along the river in Bristol (2 shots), with the SS Great Britain, saw another photo opportunity (again with the tripod).
Finally on to a location I cannot recommend enough, we had an amazing weekend in Stratford, visiting the birthplace of Shakespeare.
Another wander at Westonbirt, this time approaching dusk. Hopefully one of these shots will wind up copetition worthy.
On the same note, you too can enter the Westonbirt Autumn Photo competition: http://www.flickr.com/groups/autumn-westonbirt-competition/ and if you need a day for it, then I can vouch for the fact the amazing colours will definetley still be there tomorrow.
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- Heavy Autumn Shower
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- November Rain
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- Autumn Spectrum
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- A winter scene in Autumn
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- The Hanging Autumn Leaves
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- Park Bench in Autumn
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- More Maple Reds
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- Heights of the Maple Loop
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- Water Droplets on the remaining greenery
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- Forest of Mushrooms and Maples
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- Maple Reds
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- Thoroughly into dusk
Having finally got hold of my new car, what better way to try it out and take advantage of the extra hour on offer than an early morning trip to the beautiful Autumn colour display on offer at Westonbirt Arboretum. It really is looking amazing, and I would say you’ve probably got another couple of weeks available to see the best of it, so get your walking boots on and get on over.
As National Trust venues go this is the most astounding I’ve ever seen, a truly beautiful walk around a gorgeous lake set in and around some of the most amazing autumn colours you will ever see (bar Westonbirt Arboretum of course). I had to grab some photo’s as the perfect blue sky couldn’t help but top off the perfect burst of primary colours.
A venture around the Arboretum at Westonbirt in the rain showed up a few photographic opportunities.
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- A wet fern at Westonbirt Arboretum
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- A leaf in the rain at Westonbirt
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- Contrasting leaf colours at the Arboretum
Kate and I decided to take a long weekend out in Wales, and settled upon the home of Dylan Thomas – Laugharne. It truly is a beautifully picturesque little town, if you’re looking to simply relax and get away from it all, then a simple wander around the area that inspired Thomas’ “Under Milk Wood”, and continued to draw him back.
The beautiful castle really underlines the landscape and gives a spectacular skyline to the town. Not far from Laugharne sees the lovely coastal town of Tenby, well worth a visit. Although most stunning of all was Rhossilli which we took a detour out to visit and were not disappointed with the most picturesque coastal walk I have ever ventured upon, and certainly an area of the world I will re-visit (recently featuring in Torchwood of all things).
A few days of wandering in the countryside gave me the opportunity to take some macro shots of various flowers and insects, these included a day at Westonbirt Arboretum. If you have never found the time to visit I seriously recommend it, we visit regularly and things so frequently change, especially worth a visit in the autumn for some truly breathtaking vistas.
Westonbirt is an historic, Victorian picturesque landscape and an internationally important tree and shrub collection. It is managed by the Forestry Commission and supported by the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum.
The 16,000 trees (3,000 different specimens) come from Britain, China, North America, Japan, Chile and other temperate climates.
Children running on a path through bluebellsWithin the 17 miles of accessible paths and five national collections, children become young adventurers, adults connect with trees through guided walks, workshops, self-led trails or volunteering.
Visit the forestry commission’s Westonbirt website
Easter 2011 saw a trip to York to visit Jill & Graham, fortunately we saw some good weather and managed to fit in a trip to the beach – the beautiful expanse of sand at Fraisthorpe, complete with Second World War defensive ruins – along with several Frisbee matches.
We also managed to fit in a trip to Rowntree’s park, and a walk along the river, see some of the shots below.
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- Not at Easter but from an earlier visit to the city
A holiday in the South West, we had the sun, we had the sights, and we had a great time. These included taking in cream tea’s, ice-cream, wildlife and the amazing gardens of Dunster castle and Dunster village.
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- The market in the middle of Dunster village
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- A close up shot at Dunster castle gardens
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- Hand shot windmill on the somerset levels
We also took a trip on to the Somerset Levels, well worth dropping by if you’re passing.
On March 26th 2010 I proposed to Kate at Westonbirt Arboretum – in the pouring rain – and after some deliberaton (or internal battling, she’s never confirmed which) she said yes. So that has cemented our connection with this amazing woodland area, and long may it continue.
I have attached a few photos from visits to the arboretum around that date.
A trip along the Nile in Egypt is without doubt a once in a lifetime holiday experience (unless you do it more than once, which I sincerely hope to one day); but that does not in anyway lessen the impact of this destination, and I will strongly recommend to everybody to take a trip to Egypt to put the human time-line and “ancient” in perspective.
Remarkably in spite of the age of so many of these great monuments they have remained more preserved than expected, due – I suspect – to hot dry climates. In protected areas coloured dyes even remain really giving you an impression of how it once was.
