Friday, January 28, 2011
Walk at Wakehurst.
Shall we or shan't we?
The wind was cold and despite the promised blue skies the temperature was only 2 degrees.
But yes, we decided to get out and enjoy a walk at Wakehurst Place.
We are very lucky to have a number of National Trust properties close at hand and as members, we should take full advantage of these places.
Today's blog is in 2 parts.
We were greeted by a carpet of cyclamen under the trees.
Snowdrops were up and in bud too.
The old house looked magnificent against the blue sky.
The moorhen enjoyed pecking around in the stream.
Reflections of dogwood plants.
Bill chose just the reflections, creating an atmospheric curtain.
As we continued down the hill through the steep sided woodland, the air was filled with sweetness.
At the bottom of the hill, Westwood Lake nestles amongst the forest trees.
Pine trees and blue sky. Wonderful. 
This is the Himalayan Glade.
Catkins in the sunlight.
The wind was cold and despite the promised blue skies the temperature was only 2 degrees.
But yes, we decided to get out and enjoy a walk at Wakehurst Place.
We are very lucky to have a number of National Trust properties close at hand and as members, we should take full advantage of these places.
Today's blog is in 2 parts.
We were greeted by a carpet of cyclamen under the trees.
Snowdrops were up and in bud too.
The old house looked magnificent against the blue sky.
We decided to walk down the hill by the side of the stream.
Close to the house, gardens are more formal and ornamental than lower down.
Close to the house, gardens are more formal and ornamental than lower down.
The moorhen enjoyed pecking around in the stream.
Reflections of dogwood plants.
I chose to photograph the plants and the reflections.
Bill chose just the reflections, creating an atmospheric curtain.
As we continued down the hill through the steep sided woodland, the air was filled with sweetness.
I think this is a type of early wild azalea.
At the bottom of the hill, Westwood Lake nestles amongst the forest trees.
The ducks spotted us and swam across the lake.
We had nothing for them but they waddled close by just in case.
And I enjoyed a sit down.
Pine trees and blue sky. Wonderful.
We didn't visit the pinetum today, but wonderful trees are just everywhere.
This is the Himalayan Glade.
Catkins in the sunlight.
We had talked of today's walk a couple of days ago.
And last evening Barbara and I settled on Wakehurst Place as a good venue for a Sussex timekeepers day out in early spring.
Not a whole coach load of timekeepers I hasten to add! Just a few of us.
On that occasion we will also eat together in the restaurant.
Today Bill and I didn't, though the menu looked interesting.
Now scroll down to see photos taken at the bird feeding centre.
