A Few Ramblings…
Forty-six year old Christian happily negotiating the world with a wife and three daughters
Carters Steam Fair – 11th May 2013
The signs have been up for a few days and the girls have been getting increasingly excited by prospect of an afternoon at the fair.
Carters Fair often have a drive through Maidenhead on the day that the fair opens and this was confirmed early on via Twitter.
Accordingly, armed with my trusty Lumix, we headed down to Bridge Road to watch the parade as they wended their way through the town.
Later, in the afternoon, we took Sarah’s parents along with us to Pinkneys Green to enjoy an afternoon at the fair.
We had a great afternoon and the girls are already looking forward to Carters’ return visit to Maidenhead in the autumn.
Spring sunshine at Braywick Park – 7th May 2013
After the Bank Holiday Monday, which we enjoyed at Cliveden, I decided to take the following day off as well.
We dropped the two older girls at school and then adjourned for a breakfast treat at the excellent Palmieri’s café.
Later in the day, we made the most of the sunny weather and paid a visit to Braywick Nature Park with Emily. It was nice to be able to give her some time on her own – something that can prove quite tricky, when you’re the youngest in the family!
Spring colours at Braywick Nature Park
A giant butterfly
A large grasshopper
An enormous dragonfly
An outsize bee
Green leaves at last!
Looking along the stream
A cedar near the water
After what seems like months of cold, wintry weather, it’s wonderful to see the trees and flowers finally bursting into life.
Spring colours at Cliveden – 6th May 2013
On what was one of the sunniest and warmest Bank Holiday Mondays in recent times, we decided to take mum up to Cliveden to see the spring flowers.
We left in good time and arrived soon after the opening time to join the crowds already flooding in, all determined to enjoy the sunshine.
We made our way out of the car park and walked past the fountain, on our way to see the tulips in the Long Garden.
The fountain bathed in sunshine
Spraying water
The fountain with house behind
In the Long Garden, we were greeted by the sight of 20,000 Golden Apeldoorn tulips all looking spectacular.
Tulips in the Long Garden
A sea of yellow
Walking through the tulips
Family snapshot
Looking down the Long Garden
More tulips
Forget-me-nots
Delicate flowers
We walked around from the Long Garden to the back lawn, pausing for the occasional photo on the way.
Chestnut leaves in the sunshine
Rebekah and Holly
Mum
Holly
Bluebells
The back lawn was looking as immaculate as usual, with the formal planting as impressive as ever.
Flowers on the back lawn
Formal planting
Red tulips
Red and yellow
Topiary
With the crowds ever increasing, we decided to head back to the car park and escape for the afternoon.
In the afternoon, we enjoyed had Sarah’s parents around to enjoy our first BBQ of the year.
It later transpired that the number of people visiting Cliveden on the Bank Holiday Monday had broken their records. A great day all round.
Spring finally arrives on Ray Mill Island – 4 May 2013
It’s been one of the coldest springs that I can remember, but finally the trees are beginning to show signs of green.
With the temperature in the mid-teens, the weather was appealing enough to warrant a visit to Ray Mill Island.
We even managed to enjoy our first ice cream of the year!
Spring colours on Ray Mill Island
Weeping willow
Spring blossom
Trees on the island
Grape hyacinths
The girls with ‘The Companions’ statue
Holly
Spring blossom
Feeding the ducks
Spring by the Thames
Tree climbing!
Mallards
Holly
Emily
Holly
Emily
Rebekah
Time for an ice cream
Ice cream break
Spring leaves in the sunshine
A Few Ramblings... 