There and Back

Having walked past the woods some days earlier, I realised that the bluebells were really showing. A few days later and a visit to the Grove with camera was the day`s mission.  From the road, these are the first two images I took - this was before we even entered the woods!   Walking down the side of the wood to reach the only pathway through, we disturbed a deer! Once in the wood, these images were taken from the pathway. Absulutely beautiful! Every year I think the same - I never tire of nature`s beauty. Besides bluebells there was other forms of life of course. This being, so my wife informs me, a Cleopatra Beetle. Then a couple of images of a Small White. Not forgetting the image at the top of this post of the deer we disturbed as we arrived on scene! Overall,  a beautiful area to spend time in.    Index of posts   

Friday started dull and misty (again) despite a forecast of sunshine, so we delayed going out until 10:30 when we headed for the Forest of Dean. Had a bit of a wander along the Sculpture trail before heading to Beechenhurst Lodge for lunch and a coffee. Beechenhurst Lodge (formerly the site of Speech House Colliery, closed around 1906) is now the ideal base for a family day out, the sculpture trail being only of many family orientated activities you can pursue from here. Very difficult to visualise the area once being an active coal area. Freckled Dapperling (Lepiota aspera) We had hoped to see more fungi in the forest as well as more Autumn colours, so it was a bit disappointing to find almost no fungi, apart from this one. As for autumn colours, they were not as apparent as at home. Dor beetle (Geotrupes vernalis) spotted by Rosey. It is a beetle neither of us had photographed before.  Since 1984 The Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust has raised fun...

Lavenham is best known for it`s amazing quantity of old buildings, magnificent church and history - but today it was VWs. Everywhere. They were here in all shapes and sizes. VW, having a very long history of manufacture, has a very large fan club who lovingly preserve anything VW - and I mean anything! The Guildhall reflected in the hub cap of a Beetle. The square was crowded with a magnificent display as well as the playing field area and some places in between. From rusty heap to lovingly restored Campers - they were all here! The famous, rear mounted, air cooled VW Beetle engine. A great nostalgic day in beautiful surroundings. Home