Trip to England

The weather here has been typically English, a reminder of why I moved to Maine!

Exhausted after a long flight the next step of my journey was a 4 hour coach ride from Heathrow up to the north of England. Coventry is a strange town with scraps of its historic buildings remaining squeezed in around modern roads. Most of Coventry was destroyed by bombing in WW II. This looked as if it had formerly been part of a church complex judging by the windows.

I am based near Sheffield on the edge of the Peak District. The lovely view above is at Monsal Head in Derbyshire. The next 2 images are in the same area.

Growing up in England it was always a joy to see the frogs every spring.

This gorgeous skops owl was helping to raise money for a raptor rescue center.

Above and below are views taken in the countryside near Sheffield.

This fascinating twisted church spire is in Chesterfield and is quite famous.

And here is somewhere I had long wished to visit. Chatsworth House. A magnificent house surrounded by beautiful parkland including a herd of fallow deer.

The Peel Monument is in the center of the old part Dronfield, Derbyshire. There are 2 more photographs of Dronfield below.

Yesterday we drove out to the picturesque and historic village of Eyam, famous for having chosen to isolate during the bubonic plague in the 1600's rather than flee and spread the disease to other areas. The photographs below were taken close to the village.

Busy Weekend

It is unbelievable, there is already a daffodil blooming in my front yard!!!!

Spent the weekend doing a Craft show at Plants Unlimited in Rockport. Setting up in a greenhouse it was delightful to be surrounded by all the plants and flowers.

There were about 40 crafters overall.

After a long and tiring weekend, an inspiring stop at Simonton Quarry on the way home produced a large selection of photographs which I am thinking of calling The Quarry Collection! I hope you enjoy these magical and mythical images.

A favorite spot....

Wednesday was yet another of these amazing spring days Maine is experiencing. The wild turkey has made a huge comeback in Maine and they are frequently seen.

One of my favorite spots for photography is Simonton Quarry in Camden. The rocks around the old flooded quarries fascinate me.

As I skirted the quarries, this lovely combination of rock and old pine needles caught my eye.

This is probably where I picked up the tick I found on my arm yesterday! Much too early to be finding these! This rock formation appeared to be one I had not noticed before.

And for the first time the water cried out as the perfect art form, a candidate for my Colors of Water collection of photographs.

Driving home through Searsmont a family was collecting sap from the old sugar maples.

It has been an early maple syrup season, with perfect weather for harvesting.

Beautiful Spring Days

Last Fall was one to the most beautiful I have ever seen in Maine and this Spring is looking as if it is going to be another record breaker.

Snow is holding on in the shady spots while the flowers are exploding everywhere. Down on the pond the ice is melting with more open water every day. I love the whispering sound ice makes as it melts.

Every morning I take a stroll around my garden and delight in the flowers showing their faces to the spring sun.

 

 There are some very happy bees visiting already!