Spring is here

I had a lovely trip to Edinburgh today to visit my cousin. Her hair was so vibrant and amazing against the colours of spring that I wanted to take a photo of her amongst the daffodils.
Fortunately, for me, she was very obliging :)

These are the first photos that I have taken since I lost all of my photos due to a large breakdown/breakage in technology. It breaks my heart to have lost so much important data. I have even lost my images of the wild salmon and deer. Sigh.

However, you cheered me up loads today so thanks Bec. You looked fabulous as always xx

A loss in The Shire

I decided to take a walk in the field behind my parents house today, during the 'golden hour' before sunset. I got it totally wrong and the winter sun was behind the houses rather than behind my favourite two trees, where it sets in the summer.

As I had planned to take some photographs I was a little disappointed by my light failure but it was nothing compared to when I discovered the loss of one of the trees!

Near the top of the furthest-away path from the field, leading up to the Renfrewshire cycle route, is where my two trees lived. Both so close together, spread out in perfect symmetry and forming the illusion of a single tree. The trees confuse the brain in the Spring and Autumn months when the foliage and flowers/seeds on both sides form different patterns and colours - the time when I had always planned to photograph them but never got around to it.

The left tree - the prettier of the two - blooming tiny, white flowers in Spring, is no longer there and the remaining stump gives the impression that it has fallen due to decay.

I am utterly disappointed!

{The Remaining Tree: photo update 02/12/10}

The Ancient Yew Tree of Fortingall

Depending on the website you refer to the ancient Yew tree in Fortingall is the oldest in the UK, Europe or possibly even the entire world. At an age of between 3000 and 9000 years old this is a magnificant tree to visit.

The trunk is a mere shell of what it used to be (16 meters) due to fires and other mishaps over the decades (centuries, even) but there are markers to show where the entire trunk would have been.

A wall now surrounds the Yew to give it further protection, which made it difficult to create a nice photograph to show you. I have decided to show you a new, budding section of branch in my beloved bokeh style, which captures the beginning of spring and the fact that this tree is still very much alive.



For those of you who are religious, or even just curious about the tree and other holy landmarks in Scotland, you can read more about the Yew Tree on this site - Sacred Connections