Fungi

For the first time since we've lived here, which has been a long time now, one of our two yew trees has got fungi on its trunk

They're beautiful: the colours

the shape,  the way they grow one over the other...

and they're big, as you can see from this photograph.

The Royal Crescent in Bath

It seems like ages ago when we were last in Bath, which was four months ago. I've still for some posts from our visit which I will be posting from time to time, to bring some variety as all I am able to post at the moment is about our daily walks during lockdown because of Covid 19.

The Royal Crescent in Bath is a 150m long row of 30 terraced houses laid out in a sweeping crescent. Designed by architect John Wood, the Younger and built between 1767 and 1774, it is amongst the greatest examples of Georgian architecture to be found in the UK and is a Grade I listed building. Although some changes have been made to the various interiors over the years, the Georgian stone façade remains much as it was when it was first built.

Each original purchaser bought a length of the façade, and then employed their own architect to build a house behind the face to their own specifications: hence what can appear to be several houses is occasionally just one.

The crescent has 114 Ionic columns on the first floor with an entablature in a Palladian style above. It was the first crescent of terraced houses to be built and an example of 'rus in urbe' (the country in the city) with its views over the parkland opposite.

Of the Crescent's 30 townhouses, 10 are still full-size townhouses; 18 have been split into flats of various sizes, one is the No.1 Royal Crescent museum and the large central house at number 16 is the Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa which is pictured above.

In front of the Royal Crescent is a haha, a ditch on which the inner side is vertical and faced with stone, with the outer face sloped and turfed, making an effective and invisible partition between the lower and upper lawns. The ha-a is designed so as not to interrupt the view from Royal Victoria Park, and to be invisible until seen from close by.

The walk down to the park was pleasant

We walked along the Royal Avenue

an obelisk behind us

and arrived at the gates, which is the official entrance to the park and eventually, to the Crescent.

Goslings

We came across these four adult geese and six goslings in Stratford the other day.

They were wandering around the park which is across the river from the Shakespeare Theatre. They were extremely tame, and the only time one of the adults got a bit aggressive was when a dog came near them. They seemed to be quite happy with people getting near and having a better look.

Fluffy, sweet  and gorgeous

Bluebell wood

One of our neighbours suggested we visit this wood which is full of bluebells this time of year. It's near where we live so we jumped at the chance - it's always good finding new places to walk. We've been twice so far, different sections of it, and these photographs were taken during our second visit. There is a third section of the wood and we will go there once the weather improves: it's been raining in the last two days.

It's wonderful there. The trees are mature and plentiful, and it's quiet except for the birdsong,

the bluebells are everywhere as is their heady scent.

The woods are situated between the villages of Leek Wootton and Hill Wootton, and we have not been able to find out what they are called. I have asked every person we have come across while walking (fortunately not too many people about, and it's been possible to keep a safe distance every time we have across someone) but no one seems to know what these woods are called. A search on the internet makes me think it's Gaveston Wood, but it could be another one, as the maps were not very clear and there are two woods in that area. So, for now, it's the bluebell wood, even though I will keep on trying to find out what it's called.

I love looking up at the canopy, even though I have to say that I keep forgetting to do so, as looking at the bluebells on the ground, is irresistible

I find the photographs I take of bluebells always disappointing as I don't seem to be able to capture the brilliance, the blue solidity of what is actually there.

Mind you, I only point and click, and maybe I need special filters or special features to capture their magnificence, and I have to be honest, I do not have the patience for any of that as it would detract from the pleasure of being there and enjoying it all.

I particularly like paths that are flanked by bluebells on both sides

A sunny day, and the light that filters through the trees makes it all hazy





while at other times the sunbeam cuts straight through the trees

This is an area, a very large area, full of bluebells, totally overwhelming in its beauty, and I could only capture small parts of it

It's spellbinding

Too many photographs, I know, but it's so beautiful

It's magic - one of the most beautiful things.