Danish Scurvygrass (Cochlearia danica) is a salt tolerant plant which has benefited from the salt put on out roads in winter. Like many seaside plants it has adapted to living in the harsh environment that salt air creates. Our use of salt and the small light seeds has meant our cars provide both the environment and the means of spreading. Now you know what to look for you will see it often. If you keep your eye out in the spring.
Primroses are unusual they have two morphologies, Pin and Thrum. Pin with the female parts at the top and Thrum with the male parts at the top. So Pin flowers can only fertilise Thrum and visa versa. They are a heterostylous species.
Following on as I was already there with all the tools more Bonsai Root Pruning. Well you know how it goes. Do something for the first time and straight away for a second time. I wonder if there’s a third….
You can find the first here
Converting a small tree to a Bonsai begins here for me. I’ve collected a number of small trees over recent years I now have the task of root pruning. Something I’ve never done before. See me wrangle my Sweet Chestnut and attempt my first pruning.
Went to the David Hall in October to see Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra. A really tight performance. I’ve not known them to be otherwise of course. This is the first time I’ve seen them performing old style around a single microphone. It was nice chatting to them between sets and after the encores. It helps of course when you’re accompanied by an aunt and cousin of one of the band.
Painting of Lytes Cary Manor, East View
Painted, this time from the East, a great view of Lytes Cary Manor. This one looking back to where I painted the manor first time.
At the right is the Chapel with its gothic mullioned window. Manicured lawns stretch away to the North with large box cut domes lining the pathway. Looking to the North gives a view of the Dovecote set in the middle of the pasture.
The Walled Gardens of Cannington lie within the grounds of a medieval priory. The gardens had undergone extensive redevelopment when officially opened by HRH the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward. The Gardens, located near Bridgwater, provide a superb facility for students at Bridgwater College. As you walk around look out for the ‘hot’ Herbaceous Border; the Blue Garden; the Sub-Tropical Walk; and a Victorian style fernery.
A still life of beach combings
It was my first visit to shingle ridge of Chesil and while photographically interesting both scenically and for the flora. It seems the driftwood and flotsam was what I took away with me. Some of the species found are Spiny Spider Crab (Maja squinado), Dog whelk (Nucella lapillus), Sea Wash Ball, Egg Case Of Common Whelk (Buccinum undatum) and Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis). Chesil is one of three major shingle structures in Britain.
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Painting of Sunflowers, Field of Dreams
This painting was inspired by a visit to the Field of Dreams at the Barcroft Hall Estate in South Petherton, Somerset. The owners reclaimed some abused land and planted one of the largest collections of annual wild flowers from around the world. Several years running the fields were seeded and open to the public in the summer. This attracted thousands of people who came to walk in the meadow along the mown paths.
A mixture of 57 species wild flower from around the world were broadcast sown to create a dense display of colour. In 2012 a whole field of sunflowers were planted and the seeing the two fields next to each other suggested this combination as a subject to paint.
Originally created to drain the Somerset Levels it never really worked. Luckily as part of the wetlands of the Somerset Levels it still has scenic and wildlife value. Finding myself here for the fist time in years, having moved away. I took the opportunity to capture the scene. Restoration and improvement for wildlife continues. The scope has increased in recent years. Improving the area for wildlife and the visitors. A unique place, come and see if you’re in the area.
Painting of South Drain looking east from Edington Road, Burtle, Somerset
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