Wildwood

A holiday in Southern Spain

We spent a holiday in June this year at The Finca el Cerrillo a restored 200 year old farmhouse situated high in the foothills of the Sierra Almijara region of southern Spain. A beautiful place to relax with friends new and old and like minded people.  we were a group of 15 people all local to Essex and the object of the holiday was to improve our painting and sketching skills.  We were also able to go sight seeing and walk the many trails in the area.  And if you forgot your sun hat well there were plenty here to choose from!  There were many corners and nooks which were an artists paradise, especially the Moorish courtyard which looked as if it had been standing there for years but had been designed and built by the owner

of the Finca.  We dined on the terrace in the evening with wonderful views over the mountainside and the warm balmy evenings well we  were a bit barmy when we had partaken of the delicious wine from the honesty bar, just sign out your bottle or your measure of spirit and it is all assigned to your bar bill. 

The Finca is a couple of miles from the nearest village and some evenings we were taken out to enjoy the ambiance of the locals, on this occasion there was Spanish entertainment laid on the square was ablaze with lights and music with TV camera men and entertainers locals

and visitors mingling together, these four likely lads were the Flamenco   dancers,  and so was this one,

    and here is the waiter totting up our bill.

Another day out we went to the Caves at Nerja, the largest caves in Europe they hold classical and pop concerts there the acoustics are so good this is just one example of the stalactites which are beautifully lit to show of the natural colours deposited over thousands of years. Nerja is also famous as a seaside town and has the famous Balcon de Europe like a short but very glamorous pier open air cafes and wonderful                     views.  Lots of sketching opportunities here and a chance to sit on the beach or drink a glass of wine.

On Sunday there was a festival going on in the National Park, the locals in there best clothes loaded the holy statues onto decorated carts and took them up into the mountains for   a picnic.

      Everyone seemed to have a good time and the horses were left to graze beside the river in

           the shade, a very peaceful setting

There are more photos in the Album, I hope you have enjoyed this little visit to Spain with me

Suki x

A Visit to London

It started out a beautiful day and we had been promising ourselves a visit it London for some time.  We took the train to the O2 and there we boarded the   Thames Clipper a super catamaran  commuter service which goes from the O2 to the Eye. By this time the weather had clouded over though it was not cold just cloudy and dull not what you want for photos on the Thames. We left the pier and started up towards the city.  The Fleet Air Arm were celebrating 100 years of service a so HMS Illustrious an air craft carrier was moored at Greenwich.  There was a fly past of helicopters over London at twelve noon.   It all looks pretty dull and gray doesn't it? Well I did my best to capture dramatic skies.  Well now we have some colour for you, we disembarked at the Tower of London, And these Fellers are The Yeoman  Warders more commonly known as Beef Eaters. Traditionally their duty is to guard the crown jewels but they are guides and make sure all is running smoothly with the visitors and dignitaries alike.    Here is an example the soldiers who guard the Tower are not allowed to move a muscle except in the execution of their duty, and the visitors take advantage of this and some quite unkindly.  A group of visitors were being quite rude and troublesome I was pleased to see a warder  take them to one side and read them the riot act        I think they all felt quite small as the tables were turned and everyone was looking at them!

This is the view from the Tower looking towards Tower Bridge as you can see the weather began to brighten up, and it was nearly time for home.  But one last jaunt for my camera,  I could see the Gherkin quite clearly from the river and from the Tower and as we walked towards it it kept disappearing behind other tall buildings, eventually we got there and here is one view of it still partly hiding. We walked on to the train station and sooooooo relieved to sit down, but it was a good day out I hope you have enjoyed it too

Suki x

Wildwood in May

May is the most beautiful time of the year, the dawn chorus wakes us earlier and earlier, and this year so far the weather has been kind to us.    The birds have all found suitable nesting places and are busy hatching their babies or feeding hungry young beaks with worms caterpillars and what ever else they can find.    The spring blossom and flowers are bursting out and this is why I want to take you for a walk in the Wildwood.   You may think it strange to have apple blossom in the woods but this is the first tree you see, we hare hoping

             to get a good crop this year.  We follow the path and here the bluebells unfold before you, they are as far as the eye can see and the fragrance hits you the light floral of the bluebells along with the sweet mossy smell of the woodland floor.  There many species of wild flowers here for all to see and        

At there best just now are the wild orchids, they are in a clearing which

       is quite difficult to get to and surrounded by trees and bluebells.

You must watch where you walk in the Wildwood for fear of crushing a           delicate flower or plant, if you are very quiet and still  you may spot one of these.  I will bring you more news of the Wildwood as the seasons change, I hope you have enjoyed your walk with me.

Suki x

The Wildwood in April

What has been happening in the Wildwood just recently?  Well Spring

   has well and truly arrived with the cheerful daffodils, and the shy and

retiring (like me) little wind flowers otherwise known as Wood Anemone.

My daughter gave me a bunch of Tulips and when I looked closely see what I found. She jumped out and ran away before I could catch her, I was lucky to get a picture as she doesn't often stay this still.

More lilies, which I love for their beauty and colour

A quick visit to Morgan's garden but he was nowhere to be seen, I spotted this beautiful flowering cherry tree.             On the way out there he was guarding the gate and with a friendly wave of his paw he howled his regards to Cherno!

Abbottsbury Swannery

Over the Easter break we went to visit my Brother BOB who lives in Dorset on the South Coast, We went to visit Abbottsbury, which is a truly amazing place, you can walk right up to the swans on their nests, the sanctuary is situated close to the Chesil Beach where there is plenty of room for them to fly in                    This impressive flapping of wings is by the young males who have not yet found a mate and they are signaling to the girls to show them how great they are.

I hope you liked your visit to a small part of the South Coast, join me again soon

Love Suki x

Morgan the Garden Supervisor

Here you can see that Morgan takes a very keen interest in what goes on in the garden, many large bamboos have     been divided and Morgan checks that the hole is large enough and no bones have been buried there by mistake.   More news on Morgan's activities as it comes in!!

Suki x