Typical British Summer!

It's been horribly wet and windy here the last 24 hours or so and Tilly is less than impressed... she really does hate the wind and rain... consequently we haven't been out walking, or even outdoors other than for her to perform the necessary tasks. So given the weather I've been denied the opportunity to get outside and further explore the features of my new toy, but I have played around a little with it indoors. It's dry now though and the sun has broken through the clouds so we're off out and I hope to capture something interesting before the rain reappears. Before we leave and in true Blue Peter style, here's a little something I prepared earlier....

Arty Grass

Venerable Trees and other Old Farts

I've photographed this tree a number of times and never tire of finding something new to look at when I do. I love the way the bark forms shadows and highlights against the bare wood in bright sunshine. I also love the shapes formed by the broken branches.

At first glance the tree looks to be dead, but look again and you'll see there are small areas of growth. Of course the tree will never regain its former glory, but it's interesting to keep an eye on it and note the changes over a period of years.

If only it could talk, I wonder what tales the venerable old feller would have to tell?

Thinking of old things... I'm going to see the excellent Status Quo this evening, backed by another favourite band of mine Cockney Rebel, so this aging rocker will be watching a few even older rockers doing their thing. Trust me, I'll be singing and boppin' with the best of 'em!

Bound and drowned, but not beaten

Walking with Tilly along the Severn flood plain this morning and simply had to capture a couple of images of this piece of flotsam...

Ivy-bound tree

I just love the way ivy had bound this old tree, no doubt helping suck the life out of it. However having fallen and been floating around in the Bristol Channel for lord knows how long, the tree has finally washed up on the Welsh side of the Estuary where new life is slowly taking over.

New life takes hold

I find I am always impressed with the way Nature works... in this case the ivy having made perfect footholds for new plant growth. Neat, eh?