The Bishop of Nin, Grigor Ninski

This photo was taken recently in Split, Croatia.It is such an impressive statue. I have always admired it while on visits to Split.

A Cascade of Roses

Here are some roses from last year in our garden.

England

A Child of the Thirties

I have just recently realised where the England is that is in my heart. It is the England of my early childhood, a place of magic. It is a feeling that has somehow come into being in my old age. It comes from my childhood, probably continuing until twelve years old. My world was one of freedom. There was no war, my home was happy, we were not poor as so many were in those days, I felt I was part of the village where I lived and all was well. My love of woodland, fields and open spaces developed during that time. I had friends to explore with and a bike to ride. I had a mother, father and a little brother to love. What more could I want?
I have not mentioned school. I did not hate it but I must confess that I preferred the holidays. That is a dreadful thing to say these very serious days, I believe.
England is a very different place these days but still a good place to live. There are so many interesting people here. I am a long way from the fields and woods of my childhood. That world no longer exists. Also the child I was no longer exists. I have always lived in the present with no longing to go back.

RLS

It is not much for its beauty that makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanates from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.

Robert Louis Stevenson

I love old trees. There are some magnificent ancient oaks in Mill Hill Park, not far from where I live. I wish that trees could talk and tell us of the hundreds of years of history through which they have lived. Also, I admire RLS for the way he lived through a lifetime of ill health and never lost his enthusiasm for life.

Spring

One cheeky dandelion popping up on thr lawn.

A few more.

Here are some pictures I took from the TV yesterday evening.

Goethe

What ever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it ....... Goethe

.

I really believe this but I don't seem to have much luck or boldness

in getting down to things.

Life's Progression

Life’s Progression

Appreciate the quickly passing moments.
Don’t waste one!
Moments marking life’s progression
Through the rain and sun.

Sun and rain, joy and sorrow,
Mark the life we lead.
Enjoy today, don’t fear tomorrow,
Let our souls be freed.

MSK
*************
I must confess that I don't always live up to this, but I do try.

Spring is on the way

I love daffodils.

Away With You, Wild Winter

Away with you wild winter,
We are welcoming the Spring.
Snowdrops, crocuses gleam the garden,
Sweet birds are on the wing.

Warmth of the sun’s bright beams
Swelling Life’s new growth,
Slanting rain spears softly falling
Fill flower buds, leaf buds both.

Winter-thin hedgehogs venture
Forth for fattening food,
Snouting about the burgeoning garden,
Searching in rotten wood

For insects fat and juicy
To strengthen their frail, thin blood,
To help them find their prickly mates
And bring forth plump, fresh broods.

Sing joy for advancing Springtime,
Farewell to Winter’s woe.
Hail to the whole of Creation’s wonder
And the seasons rotational flow.

MSK

An experiment

Starkness

I think cropped trees are very impressive in a grim way against the sky.

Thorpe Bay

I rather like this picture taken at Thorpe Bay, near Southend, a few years ago. It is looking towards Southend, away from Shoebury, and it has a sense of distance, I think. As far as I remember it was taken by Joe.

The way into woods at the end of our garden

Memories of Hockley When I Was a Child

I remember Hockley Woods and Beckney Woods in Essex as they were when I was a child in the 1930s, the days when I used to roam about with my friends. The Spring is on its way and before long the windflowers will be blowing in Hockley woods and everything will be glorious. Beckney Woods I recall for the gorgeous bluebells that carpeted the woodland in the May. The scent and the colour were wonderful. I hope that it is still the same.
There was an area of neglected land near Beckney, not far from Plumberow, that was a mass of wild roses, broom, and other bushes. Amongst this wild land there were the remains of abandoned chalet type buildings probably from the 1920s. Everything had run wild. I think these buildings may have been part of a scheme to provide healthful acommodation for the poor. At the top of the hill, beside the wood there was the brick foundation of a ruined bungalow or house.
On the LNER railway bank were small, wild strawberries.. My friends and I would sit on the bank watching for trains and eating the berries. They were sweet and delicious. There were not many trains but occasionally one would come puffing by and the driver would wave to us.
On some wild land on the way to Ashingdon there were wild roses that I loved. Also along the way there was an old woman living in very unsuitable accommodation. She used to shout at us children as we passed, poor old soul.
We would feast on blackberries, in the summer and hazel nuts in the hedgerows. There were sweet chestnuts in Hockley woods.
We felt as free as the air. I think parents are more afraid to let their children roam free these days. It is a shame there is more fear now.

Away With You Wild Winter

Away with you wild winter,
We are welcoming the Spring.
Snowdrops, crocuses gleam the garden,
Sweet birds are on the wing.

Warmth of the sun’s bright beams
Swelling Life’s new growth,
Slanting rain spears softly falling
Fill flower buds, leaf buds both.

Winter-thin hedgehogs venture
Forth for fattening food,
Snouting about the burgeoning garden,
Searching in rotten wood

For insects fat and juicy
To strengthen their frail, thin blood,
To help them find their prickly mates
And bring forth plump, fresh broods.

Sing joy for advancing Springtime,
Farewell to Winter’s woe.
Hail to the whole of Creation’s wonder
And the seasons rotational flow.

MSK

A Funfair

Here is the fair beside Southend Pier. From the age of eleven I went to school in Southend,
and as the years went on I worked there , went dancing there, went to the pictures, and, in fact, spent a
lot of my time there. My home was a few miles away. As a child sometimes I spent a day on the beach in Westcliff or
Thorpe Bay with my little brother and my parents. That was a real treat. For many years now I have lived in a London suburb. This is now multi culturel and none the worse for that. I like to see all the different people and
to get to know some of them.

An Ancient Oak

This is such an ancient oak tree. It is in Mill Hill Park.
There are several ancient oaks there but this is my favourite.

A Lopped Plane

I think there is a stark splendour about this London Plane with the vivid blue sky behind.

My Grandmother, Rosetta Jarvis, nee Smith, I never knew her as she unfortunately died long before I was born.
I should like to have known her.