vintage wedding photograph

 

At a local auction yesterday was an old wedding photograph, possibly taken around 100 years ago. As I wandered around looking at all the lots this is the one that made me stop and pause. The bride really stood out, the light falling on her dress, the flowers in her hair, the calm expression on her face, her beautiful simple bouquet.

I wonder what their story was, how their photograph came to be on a trestle table in the town hall, and who bought it...

the hawthorn tree in february

 

A grey drizzly sort of a day, and yet the colours on the Hawthorn tree seem to glow when you look hard enough. Maybe it is because everything else seems a little dull in this weather that you notice colour more?

Searching for some sign of life on the tree during its winter slumber, I spotted tiny red leaf buds starting to emerge. A nice contrast to the spent leaf stems of last year which are still attached to the branches.

The new growth from last year is more obvious now with the fresher feel of the bark and it's deep red colouration.

The few remaining haws are well and truly past their 'best before date'.

 

 

And there is some evidence of bird life around the tree...

 

 

I will be sad to say goodbye to 'my' hawthorn tree next month after a whole year of following it. I shall look back at the changes it has undergone during the year. 

Meanwhile I need to start thinking about my new tree...

Joining in with Loose and Leafy's 'Tree Following' project.

trelystan

 

 

Even though I live 'in town', the hills aren't that far away. Within a couple of miles you can escape to what can feel like another world of mountain views and even snow, which delighted the boys! When you reach the ridge of Long Mountain, to the west you can see Cadair Idris and the Berwyn mountains, and to the east the Stiperstones and Cordon Hill.
On a bracing day walking across farmland, the views were enhanced by the beautiful stark shapes of the bare trees and the fields were peppered with molehills, which seemed to be prolific.
Quite literally in the middle of nowhere is Trelystan Church (more here) . It is quite a magical building nestled amongst trees in a field, surrounded by more fields. It was strange to see a Church not surrounded by dwellings, but it felt very much part of its landscape and gave a glimpse into the area's rich history.
It was one of those places where you wonder why you hadn't been there sooner when it's on our doorstep.

woodland snowdrops

 

  

 

A snatched hour to stretch the legs and get some air on a very blustery winter's day. I went to a near by beech wood which we call the bluebell wood as come May it is carpeted with them. At this time of year far corner of the wood is white with snowdrops emerging through the leaf litter. They must have been planted there a long time ago, and I often wonder by whom. I am very grateful to them as their simple beauty en-mass is a tonic to the senses at this bitterly cold time of year.

Oh and look... the bluebells are coming!