Formby beach, Liverpool.

Formby beach in Liverpool, on the west coast of England is truly beautiful, especially in the warm weather at sunset. These pictures I hope show you just a hint of that beauty.

Horse chestnut, conkers to you.

Floral chandeliers

 I love horse chestnut trees. As a child there was nothing better than collecting conkers. I would climb the trees or throw sticks up into the trees in an attempt to get down as many as possible. The joy when you opened up that spiky green shell and found one huge conker, deep velvety brown and blemish free. I would try drying them out in the oven and soaking them in vinegar to make them stronger and then carefully drill holes in them. Suddenly nobodies shoes had laces in them any more. 

Chestnut tree in the avenue

These days I also love the shape of the trees, and I adore the leaves. Such a glorious glossy green, with five "fingers" per leaf, each looking rather like a flatworm or a fluke, but together making an aliens hand.

Chestnut detail

The flowers are also a joy. Each "bunch"  grouped together in a shape reminiscent of either an upside down bunch of grapes, or if you are more romantically minded, a floral chandelier. The smell also is delightful. 

Sunshine, Elgar and bluebells, Malvern Wells Common, Worcestershire.

The Elgars bench path

Horse chestnut Avenue

A wonderfully warm morning, bathed in glorious sunshine. I parked in the upper car park off Peachfield Road and walked along the top path past Elgar's bench. Yellow wood anemones still adorn the lush green grass and the young leaves are now opening upon the horse chestnut avenue.

Elgar's Bench

Mirror like pool

 The pool is perfectly clear and still, reflecting the sky above as well as any mirror.

Blue bells just opening

Beyond the pool I found the first bluebells I have seen in flower this year. It will be at least another week before the bluebells on the west side of the hill open, but here on the east side spring is looking beautifully brilliant.

Bluebell detail

The hill above Elgar's bench