a red hawthorn tree

A red hawthorn tree in the bottom of The Field.
The tree looks like it is covered in a thousand tiny rosebuds.
Unlike the native hawthorn, the red hawthorn has double flowers.

 

And there are plenty of the traditional white blossomed variety nearby.

the bluebell wood

 

Woodlands in May.

The fresh green leaves on the beech trees.

The carpet of bluebells with their intoxicating scent.

Dappled spring sunshine. 

Nothing beats a British woodland in May.

 

blue skies

 

The biggest bluest skies at the Elan Valley earlier this week where we went for our half term ramble. The boys were keen to see the Claerwen dam (as they had watched Top Gear's Richard Hammond drive a Landrover up the front of it on TV!).

 

 

 

The winter colours were stunning, bleached windswept grasses contrasting with the blue sparkling water.

The Claerwen river flows from the dam down through a wide boggy valley. We walked along a bridleway adjacent to the river. However the track was very waterlogged in places and after a failed attempt to jump a stream with a 5 year old on my back and ending up knee deep in a bog, we turned back! 

These beautiful wild hills definitely need a return visit (and I must remember after a long wet spell, to keep to the high ground).

squelching through fields

 

Last weekend, Littlest and I took advantage of a free couple of hours to 'squelch and squerch' across fields, along country lanes and along the canal to a nearby village, Berriew.

 

 

The rains held off long enough to reach home. It was good to be out... exploring, stretching our legs and eyes. And what a joy to spot the first of the snowdrops on a roadside verge. 

the copper beech in january

Soft winter sunlight casting long shadows.
Bare branches with the last leaves holding on.

 

 

Joining in with 'Tree Following'

a new year escape

 

... to the coastline of Cardigan Bay.

A New Year's Eve walk from Mwnt beach along the clifftops, fields and country lanes. 

The tranquil ancient church of Mwnt with it's whitewashed walls and simple, natural festive window displays.

 

And to blow the very last of the cobwebs away, a New Year's Day ramble to Penbryn beach.
Mesmerised by the big waves. 

A refreshing start to the new year.