I,m back in time for New Year.

Hi, Since my computer passed away I have not had much opportunity to post any blogs, I had Christmas presents to make for the grandchildren plus upright and umbrella swifts for Amber, photographs to follow shortly. I am now the proud owner of a nice shiny laptop and will be posting again very soon. Regards to all and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year.

Early Christmas and something else.

What does this have to do with Christmas? All will become clear later.

For all those people who love the idea of Christmas arriving earlier and earlier each year, and who look forward with anticipation to each new plastic awfulness, then read on, here is a special treat. Amber and I , at great personal cost, paid a visit to a nearby garden centre to bring to you these photographs. These trees are 7 to 8 feet tall and are very expensive.

A little garish perhaps?

This display was quite attractive, but I do not remember any mermaids at Christmas when I was a child.

Another plastic corner.

On the car park of the garden centre are these artificial trees, lit up day and night.

I am now taking you on a tour of the Gentleman's conveniences, deserted of course, as I believe they will be of interest to anyone who wonders what garden centres spend their profits on

These plastic reindeer and sleigh should have been at the beginning with the other decorations.

The ladies toilets are nowhere as exciting as the mens, according to Amber.

Just in case anyone is wondering, I do like Christmas, what I dislike is all the hype and false cheer and plastic.

Flowers

Today is very cold and damp and the warm days of summer are a fading memory in the minds eye, as an antidote to this I have uploaded(note the computer speak!) some of my favourite flower photographs in the hope that they will uplift the spirits of all who see them. Not the most colourful but sea holly is one of my special favourites.

A lovely wild rose.

Poppies are such beautifully fragile looking flowers.

Not strictly a flower but I think it's lovely.

A nice looking clematis.

A nice example of a blushing pink hydrangea blossom.

This is wild garlic, not only looks nice but smells pretty good too.

Celandine, a welcome splash of colour in the spring.

Another welcome visitor in the spring.

This is the water crowfoot.

A lovely white Daffodil.

Two more beautiful Clematis flowers.

A mystery flower, I think it might be an Iris.

More Trees

These are a few more trees from my collection, sometimes I take a photograph because a tree is an unusual shape, sometimes because the trunk or the bark is different, but the main reason is, I just really love trees. This is a lovely, solid, comfortable looking tree.
A face in the wilderness..
There is a place in the Lake District where sprites and other woodland creatures have been seen, it is a magical place and fills ones heart with peace and tranquility. It is perfect for meditation as all outside noises fade into nothingness, except for the whispering of the trees.
This fallen tree is gradually being taken over by moss and lichens.
A photograph of the start of an upright swift that I am making for Amber.

A strange scene of a forest in Scotland. The trees were raised on hummocks of soil with drainage channels between the rows.
This was a tree that I used to climb whilst watching for deer, it is a lovely old tree.
Trees have an amazing ability to regenerate from dead looking trunks, this for me is a wonderous sign of Old mother Natures tenacity and zest for life.
A diamond like pattern on the trunk of a fallen tree.
This tree is the Guardian of the sacred place I talked about earlier, she watches over all who visit or live there.

Tree's

Tree's, what could be nicer than walking through the woods, breathing in the scent of leaves and damp earth, listening to the wind whispering through the branches, feeling the magic all around you. Woods are wonderful places, full of mystery and hidden secrets, hidden eyes watch as you walk by, small creatures chatter and rustle amongst the branches. Truly a place to reflect on the beauty and the wonder of nature. Autumn, A special time of the year.
This was a large growth halfway up the trunk of an otherwise healthy tree.
This branch reminded me of a heron or similar type of bird.
I am watching you;
This is the lower trunk and part of the roots of a gigantic Yew tree.

Another tree with attitude.
Dragon tree perhaps?
This was another yew tree. As you can see the roots have formed a solid mat on the ground.
A truly beautiful and majestic Oak tree.

One of the nicest sights I have ever had the good fortune to photograph.

More of Mr Mogs Mushrooms

Some more of my Magical Mushroom Tour. These photographs were taken over a period of several months and in different parts of the country. The names of most of these fungi are a complete mystery to me, but the many different forms and colours fill me with wonder. This group looks like a small village of domed huts.

Beautiful coral shapes.

Almost crab like.

A family group perhaps?

This one always reminds me of a cuttlefish bone, the kind that is given to pet cage birds.

Fairy parachutes?

This next series of pictures is brought to you courtesy of the Mushroom Ballet Company.

These are the patrons of the Ballet Company leaving after the performance.