Monday morning Coombe Wood walk in the rain

Although it was raining I went for a walk in Coombe Wood yesterday morning. I've been away for a week so I knew there would be quite a lot of changes since my last visit.

The flowerbeds near the entrance are full of colour now and some of the tulips are beginning to open.

Miniature red tulips, grape hyacinths and primroses.

Euphorbia covered in raindrops.

 The first snakeshead fritillary - a white one. 

Wet primulas - orange inside and raspberry outside.

More miniature red tulips

Raindrops on tiny newly opened ladies mantle leaves

Magnolia buds.

Looking closer at how they push their way from the outer covering.

Fading daffodils.

Crown imperial fritillaries. 

Prairie beds, stark against the surrounding green but new shoots are showing above the surface.

More fritillaries. 

 Heather and wood anemones. 

Wood anemones.

Last time I thought this tree with it's showers of bells couldn't possibly get better - but it has!

New acer leaves. 

Tiny flowers. 

Little buds like bubbles waiting to burst open. 

Rhododendrons or azaleas? Whatever they are they're a gorgeous colour. 

White azaleas showing up well against a big old tree trunk.

Little tree dotted with new leaves. 

Camellias. 

Little white magnolia flowers

I like the way these magnolia buds seem to float in the air like little brush strokes of white paint.

A strong onions scent hangs in the air around these big patches of green.

Looking closer at the white flowers.

Forsythia

Not sure what this is - tiny red buds opening into clusters of little white flowers.

Delicate little zingy lime green leaves. 

The mistletoe is barely visible in the hawthorn tree. Pink hawthorn buds showing now.

Looking across the top flower bed. 

These are the plants that my friend thought looked like asparagus spears - they've grown a lot.

Camellia next to the long shelter. 

The stamens are arranged very neatly like little trumpets. 

Quince/japonica 

Raindrops on primulas

Purples.

Red primulas. 

Marsh marigolds by the pond. 

Thank you very much for joining me. 

Spring Harvest - Minehead 3rd - 8th April

The Spring Harvest website  says Spring Harvest "is a teaching and worship event for everybody. It's a unique break for all the family: holiday, festival, conference and an encounter with God."

I've just had a very enjoyable time there with some of my daughter, son in law and my grandchildren and wider family on my son-in-laws side. Here I will just tell you about two walks and show you one photo from the journey home. If you want to know anything about the festival/conference/encounter with God part of it do ask me.

Early morning walk on the beach with my 10 year old granddaughter. We were amused at our long skinny shadows

I know you don't really want to see my feet - but I feel I need to prove that I really was daft enough to paddle in the very cold sea. Not for very long I have to say! (My granddaughter wasn't as daft.)  

Wet sand glistening in the early morning light

Lovely light on the sea.

Sand patterns

My other walk was a long afternoon walk. I think it took me about 2 hours - I walked from our chalet at the far end of Butlins right round to the tip of the harbour and back.

On the way there is a large sculpture of hands holding a map open.

Information about various walks. The harbour tip is on the left and you can just about see the pointy tops of the Skyline at Butlins in the background on the right.

Looking back at where I had walked to and from when I was almost at the gate (still 10 - 15 minutes walk from our chalet) - the tip of the harbour is in the centre of the photo.

The tide goes out a long way.

My daughter spotted me staggering back from this walk. I had taken on a bit much but I enjoyed the sense of achievement - the after effects took quite a while to wear off though.

We came home on Sunday afternoon - passing Stonehenge so I had to take my traditional Stonehenge from a moving vehicle photo.

Thank you very much for joining me.