Paul Nash at Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens

Spring

Bumble bee drunk
collide into flowers

Body drench with pollen.
Queen Wasp Jaws snap

Stripping wood for her new nest .

Appreciating Gifts Unexpected

Ashdown Forest

Kew Gardens

With the sunny weather and days off from work I have been able to take the opportunity to go out and be in 'The Nature' as the Swede's say. On Thursday I decided to go for a mini adventure and explore somewhere near that I didn't know. Ashdown Forest. Hoping for bluebells ~ tantalizing just out of touch at the beginning of the trail was a cut off woodland with sea of violet blue. I went on expecting trees green and hoping for blue bells at Ashdown Forest. Instead, I got heathland with panoramic views and honey smelling golden gorse with orange tipped white butterflies and the distant call of cuckoos.

I also met a young man at pooh bridge who had neatly dismantled a computer game each part laid out neatly across the bridge. He proceeded to ask me why I was wearing a dress and trousers. I didn't know how to respond other than I frequently did so. "Weird" was his response and proceeded to show me how his swing across the river worked with the unfortunate side effect of being like a "cheese cutter". An interesting 'modern day' guardian me thought. After getting lost after the bridge I ended my walk with 4 whopping blisters from my trusted Birkenstocks who have never failed me before.

I was curious to experience early on in my walk, not just the once but twice, people more local to the area lost asking me directions. Which I was able to do from my scanty guide book. Later on when I got lost I had mis-interpreted the guide book ~ which was written word not visual map. I had not gone with my instincts which were right.

Two days later somewhat hobbling, I went to Kew Gardens in search of bluebells up close. And bluebells I found in such abundance. So I feel even the blisters are gifts encouraging me to keep reaching outside of my comfort zone, to experience and explore more.

So, what do I do with my old shoes no longer fit for purpose? Can't recycle them yet as I am not ready to walk bare foot in the city. Next time shall I risk not taking a map? My blisters transient, my memories clear and lasting.

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Kew

Waiting for the sun to shine with the largest audience he opened up. Cameras flashing lens zooming. A cacophony of screams, screeches, shouts. Children skip run finger tip his feathers. He circles. Wind bellowing his sail. Stills the air before shaking his feathers, rippling eyes flashing fires of stars. Rattle snake whispering stroke of thunder. You are beautiful I say out loud again and again and again...

Kew Gardens

Cherry Tree

http://www.kew.org/

Wounded Angel ~ Emily Young 2003 ~ Kew

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And the Angel loved us so much

His wings burnt as his passion and love for us grew

As he fell.

Knowing that as deep as he sang

Into our hearts of the earth.

The nearer we were to remembering our own wings

Beating so close to our beloved.

As we look inside we come alive to the night.

As we look to the night we come alive to the light.

As we look into the earth we remember the star burning bright.

In our hearts

My beloved.

We are all Wounded Angels

Silver Fox May 2010

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Who is watching who?

Just after I took this photo the man shewed the peacock away. I thought the man must be frightened! I then fed the peacock my oat biscuit ~ he was gentle ~ and as a result of being so close I got some gorgeous pictures...with his permission of course. Prior to this I had heard him calling above the cacophony of children's whoops, shouts and crying. I couldn't work out where he was for ages. And then after one huge call I clocked where he was. On a mound over looking the busiest part of Kew. Protected by a fence on a wonderful stage! Stretched out and pruning his wonderful feathers.

Fern at Kew Gardens