Spring in a Victorian Cemetery

There is a Victorian cemetery near my flat, and I walk through it most days on my way to the Underground. I love the walk — the peace only broken by the caw of citrus-coloured parakeets (there’s a colony nesting in the trees) and rustle of leaves as squirrels chase each other around the headstones. This squirrel played statue while I took his photo — can you see him?

Spring literally arrived overnight. The sun came out and spread carpets of snowbells and crocuses over the fresh green grass.

And, here and there, a flash of yellow, as daffodils unfurled.

a street away from the bustle of London on a busy weekday morning. Just me and the squirrels and carpets of flowers.

Orchid Fever

I’ve spent a lot of time these past few weeks doing dutiful things — moving to a new flat, work stuff, teaching — and I’ve passed my camera looking at me balefully on my shelf on my way out the door. So I hived myself off to Kew Gardens yesterday to look at orchids. As you do.

“Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale, her infinite variety.” Thank you Shakespeare.

Snapshots of Morocco

I was primarily in Morocco on a rug-buying jaunt for clients, so didn’t have as much time as I would have liked to slow down and take in the atmosphere. But I did catch a few moments here and there.

A quick lunch in the Fes souk…

…the view from the Fes café…

…people watching in Marrakech…

…while enjoying a nus nus coffee…

…knick knacks for sale in the souk…

…and carpets, lots and lots of carpets… I was in search of the lovely white and black Beni Ourain wool carpets of the north…

Animals were a regular part of the scenery…

…Ifrane’s famous limestone lion…

…and storks industriously building nests anywhere high… They particularly like phone masts.

And, of course, there were flowers…

…and views…

…and sunsets.

Spring in Morocco

Just back from a quick trip to Morocco and it was a revelation. I’ve been there more times than I can count, but never in February. And February in Morocco is beautiful. The snow still caps the mountains, the sky is a clear blue, the fields are green from the winter rains and the almonds blossom pink and white in the valleys.

February in Morocco. Ssshhhhh. Let’s just let it be our little secret.

Red Geraniums

I walk down a London street. Grey has settled on the city like a dirty blanket. Then I see red.

Then I think, “I have never noticed how beautiful geraniums are”.

A Walk by the River

I’ve been making the most of living by the River Lea these past few days — going out for walks or jogs whenever I can, especially as I’ll be moving soon. Tottenham Hale has been a wonderful place to live — quite a hidden gem of London. Sshhhhh. Don’t tell anyone.

I’ve been living with the calls of geese, ducks, moorhens and gulls resonating in the background of my life. And I love to see them on my walks…

…not to mention the lovely mute swans…

…and the herons.

When the morning sun pulls me out of bed early, I pull on my jogging shoes and head along the towpath to the local park for a slow jog…

…admiring the sunlight streaking across the green fields and the quiet of the morning, broken only by the calls of the birds on the river.

And, in the lee of a garden wall by the towpath I glimpse some white — early daisies.

January offers its own gifts if you take the time to look for them. Perhaps all the more special because you have to work to uncover them.

Poinsettia Haiku

Crimson Christmas star —

hot-blooded Mexican gift

to melt winter’s chill.

Snowdrops Haiku

 

Hidden under leaves

a surprise — glistening white

December snowdrops.

Christmas Cactus Haiku

December opens

Nature’s present — pink flowered

joy — Christmas Cactus.

Orchid Haiku

 Beguiling beauty —

swan-necked and graceful orchid

exudes elegance.