Lost in Summer

I haven't been able to write much of late. I am still waiting for the right words.
Instead I thought I'd share a few photos on here...

Nothing beats the view on walking alone

Amazing sky at Newlands Corner

Visiting my very favourite place - the beach. Been here a lot lately for the sea air. This picture captured many years ago - remains the best.

Same beach different shot - taken this year.

Some beautiful roses I bought myself when feeling sad. I always do this. These were unusual - coloured like rhubarb and custard - the photo doesn't do them justice.

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Spotted at a theme park, in one of their garden areas whilst waiting at a ride.

Just so Beautiful

Haiku for March

Light pierces curtain
Sun rises red, burning gloom
Birds nesting wake me.

Haiku for February

Silent like shadows
Clouds grow crystal raindrops
Hailing winter storms.

Looking For The Good

After a few weeks of colds (the never ending sniffles), rain, wind and general grey days, it's no wonder the normal January blues are at an all time high. The other day, I decided to look for the good.

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After heavy rain, came blue sky. Birds seemed to fly more gracefully, darting from tree to tree in the garden. My usual walk to the shops was highlighted by a pink flowering shrub (a camellia, I believe) which I vowed to capture on my phone on the way home, hoping for better light. I found warmth in the coffee shop and the local charity shop. Not just the heating, but kind people who smiled, rather than look the other way. Everyone seemed more chatty about the changeable weather in a heart-warming way. I didn't mind getting wet - my hood sufficed the forgotten brolly (why does it always rain when you have no umbrella ;D and never when you are prepared?!). The dark clouds cleared. The shrub - in the church graveyard was captured (felt a little strange doing this but had to be done... albeit it came out blurred). I apologise for trespassing - as one does!

Beauty lives in nature

I look up to blue skies on my return journey. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day...

Looking For The Good

January
is such a down
turned month to me.

I look around
to find the good -
this is what I see.

Sending 'Mister Blue Sky'

A reminder of amazing summer skies...

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Stormy here today; hail, sunshine, rain, thunder and lightning. With a rainbow arching over the back drop - to cheer up the blackened sky. Autumn...

Still flowering - September in my garden

The rose tree in our garden is still budding. it's been flowering since April - this years record.

The petunias have gone 'leggy'; a phrase I am sure I have picked up from my Dad at some stage... It always makes my husband laugh! The violas in the pot are still there albeit 'very straggly'. They will be for the recycle bin soon...

This rose flowered for my birthday - an unexpected flower from a rose that looked finished for the season. Lovely warm days this week have helped there I think.

Gorgeous Cosmos. Love this colour; grown courtesy of my Dad.

I come from a family of growers/ gardeners; but nobody can beat his plants for longevity. I have not inherited his power (or indeed patience) for potting and sowing but my daughter and I love to bring back 'unwanted' plants from nursery clearance sales. We have done well with a heather bought for pennies two years ago and it is doing really well. Waiting to see it flower when it turns a bit colder.

Enjoy the sun and blue sky whilst it lasts.

Amazing Skies Dawning in July

Beautiful dawn sky 4.40 am yesterday -well worth being awake EARLY

Yesterday we went to the coast. The journey involved lots of cloud gazing for me; being the passenger this time. Special clouds for a very special day. Thought I would share some blue sky here; as today the rain is falling...

Views from my window taken in (passenger) transit

Looking above; at the seaside

I adore this  - my best shot ever...

Waves

I went to Worthing yesterday. I needed to escape...

Sometimes a trip to the coast is all I need to clear my head. Waves. I love the sound of them and the pure energy that they provide. Negative ions give me a boost. Always have done. I sat by the sea for a short while; I burn even with high UV factor. When I got back in the car my wet cargo trousers were seriously helpful; I like to paddle in the sea - don't care about getting wet much... It's good to be a kid again; even for a short moment.

Here are some pics I took. Not as good as our last visit in April but the waves were better yesterday. A lovely sea breeze was just the medicine I needed. One day I shall live nearer the beach - I can but dream. Until then; wave after wave after wave...

Freewrite (spellos allowed) - Blue

I have been sitting in the garden this morning. With a cup of coffee - instant barista style in my mug. The mug is blue with little stars. There are no stars out now just blue skies with fluffy white candyfloss clouds like grannies white hair.
I can smell fresh air blown in from the storm yesterday. Wet grass under my feet fresh linen. The sun-cream I have applied to my face and arms - even at early sun  I will burn - never brown. It smells of the seaside and tickles like hives. I want to wash it off...
I close my eyes. Sounds of the bumble fill my head. Two flit over the flowering shrub behind me. I open my eyes and they fall to the ground fighting for the nectar from the same flower head. I tell them to leave it alone. One flies off. Looking at grass the clover is visited. Another bumble hovers sucking in what it needs. So many bees. An ant tickles my foot. I brush it away. Don't like ants...
I get up and move my chair. My daughter's chair - I don't like mine... It is army camo colours in green - very camoflagued here behind the rose tree and bushes where I can see my whole garden. The wind is stronger today and the oak trees behind me are swaying rustling their leaves sounding like waves at the beach. My eyes are closed to chill and mind picks up each sound. The big dog barks. The birds - swifts shriek and the crow caws grumpily. The sparrow of which are plentiful pick at the fence and tweet in the tree and confer hedge. I imagine their heads turning left and right - surveying. The sparrow hawk has left. They are safe for now. Someone is using a chainsaw. Breaks up the silence. I open my eyes an all I see; is blue.

Books, sunshine and flowers...Summer.

Today we have been to Nymans and what a beautiful morning. Looking up ...

The sky was so blue you could be mistaken we were in England. Take a look at this tree below. It is called a Trachycarpus Fortunei and looks like one of those palm tree umbrellas I imagine on the beaches of the Caribbean. The trunk was almost furry but I expect if it was touched it would be spiky. A very unusual sight and one we had not noticed before. That's the beauty of these gardens here; they evolve.

The rock garden area has come on well since our visit earlier in the spring but the show-stopper as ever had to be the rose garden. In full bloom and inviting; I could sit there for hours in my imagination. So many species it is somewhat intoxicating. 

Another bonus today - two bookshops. The Potting Shed had been set aside today for donations for their bargain books, whilst the other little bookshop sells with a more eclectic collection of second hand books . We found a great little local history book and I got a great novel for a pound. There are even collectable editions there now. Take a look at their website page at http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans/eating-and-shopping/. 

The gift shop has some lovely ideas - I got a few bits including two stones; one for me, one for my daughter. I chose 'Hope' and she chose 'Happy'. The stone attracted me by it's coolness and calming aura on such a hot day. I love it and it was a bargain for only two pounds. It's amazing what you can find at these places. Whatever you do if you visit - you must eat cake! I can highly recommend their scones, lemon drizzle and carrot cupcakes. 

I will post some more rose pictures later once I have decided which ones - so many to choose from. Sending more sunny days...

Beautiful Morning

Here is one of my 'dawn phone photo session' pictures. Enjoy the weather while it lasts.

Halo Rainbow Effect - Sunrise 5.30 a.m.

Red Sky In The Morning Shepherd's Warning

Scary sky. Taken earlier this year...

Frosty Morning Sky

Beautiful sky at sunrise today (well 8.30!)... 

Cloud formation looks a bit like a dragonfly to me

Hello

This is the first time I have ever written on a blog!  I have been writing for years and have been inspired to enter this world. I hope to add some of my new work on here one day. So; watch this space...

I'm waiting for blue skies