Mottisfont Abbey, a Very Rainy Day. . . .

                                 

During Jubilee week, I travelled to Mottisfont Abbey, 

near Romsey.

Rain may not have prevailed when we left,

but on arrival,

the rain streamed down, & down, & down. . . . .

until we left this National Trust property.

The constant rain did not deter me from taking photos,

but the majority of the day,

these photos were taken from underneath my umbrella.

Finally,

before leaving, when the rain began to ease,

a break in the courtyard area,

were a display of jubilee bunting was on display,

 made  by local school children

This last photo really depicted the character of the day,

a large flower designed umbrella,

 amongst the real fresh ones on display.

Interrupted

With the visit to the Nature Reserve, 

mean't walking & exploring the new walkway

I walked the majority of this 

& even though

 I saw the original path in sight,

 my walk was completely interrupted.

But, although I nearly completed the walk 

& I could see the emerging pathway,

I  was not able to walk pass the male swan,

 protecting a nest of 7 cygnets.

The closer I got,

 the more the Swan would react

 by hissing & movements towards myself.

Although the male

 may have been protecting on the mainland,

the female was just the other side of the nest,

on the waterway.

Definitely good parenting skills to be admired.

Two Swans were protecting & overseeing their babies.

Whilst one remained on the water, 

the other one on land was ensuring 

no one was going to pass by!

My walk may have been interrupted,

but it was definitely worth back tracking.

A good end to my Sunday afternoon.

Re-visit with surprises

For many months, 

I have not visited Greylake Nature Reserve

 on the Somerset Levels.

And much to my surprise, with my latest recent visit,

I discovered that the Reserve 

has been made more accessible for people,

 with a new walk further around the reed beds.

I visited on a very windy but sunny day.

The views from the Reserve

 presented beautiful views 

of a Somerset landscape.

With recent downpours, 

an excess of water still existed.

The extra walk way

 thoroughly enhanced 

my trek around the Reserve, 

I will certainly enjoy my next visit, 

hopefully soon. . . .

Seeing Double

Taken at Hestercombe Gardens during August,

this is part of the more informal walking area,

 a much larger expanse of countryside walking,

 when compared to the formal gardens.

Just love the reflections that are captured on the water.

A sunny afternoon,

the sunlight producing these wonderful images

Last Day of Summer...!?!

Well, they say today is officially the last day of Summer!

Where has it gone....

I still want to sit & relax in sunshine

 & appreciate the delights of summer,

from each individual bloom,

 to the wonderful colour  that surrounds us in summer.

Or to be by the Seaside,

This year really has gone too quickly.....

Never enough time to appreciate

 every aspect of the season.

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Really want just some more quality moments

 from  such a lovely season.....

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Lets hope theres still some lovely weather

to enable us to enjoy all these natural delights!

And Some More......

At the local Flower Show,

spoilt for choice with numerous displays

The display above was made into a Bridal's bouquet,

stunningly beautiful!

The framework of a lantern enabled the above creation,

 it's theme based around Harry Potter

Just loved the very small shoes that was part of the display!

Just A Few. . . .

A few photos from the local town's flower show,

 a few weeks ago.

A lovely occasion, accompanied with my

daughter to meet up with other family members.

Brilliant weather with excellent viewin g

not only my first visit to this local tradition,

 but also my daughters!

But,

an occasion we both look forward to visiting again,

not only to see the displays,

but also to vist & hopefully to buy from some of the local crafts.

An excellent day, more to follow. . . . .

Standing Out From The Crowd....

Just a few of the beautiful blooms of Summer!

Photos taken on visits to Hestercombe,

the  local Flower Show 

 & even from a neighbours garden!

188th Post or 189th Post!?!

It appears I've lost acknowledgement of one of my postings!

Computers can be so frustrating at times!

So, hopefully, this one will be recognised!

~  ~   ~   ~   ~

Images from a place which I find so tranquil,

ideal images of a very grand English garden,

helping to provide an opportunity

 to elimate some of the

 stresses of the week!

And, a place that enables me to visit fairly locally.

A perfect bonus!

Hestercombe Gardens,

a place I really do look forward to visiting yet again!