Herefordshire 2023 Visit 2 - Part 4 Queenswood Arboretum

 

On Wednesday 19th April we stayed local and just popped to Queenswood Arboretum in the afternoon for a walk.

We went about an hour later that planned as I'd mislaid my caravan keys and the fob to lift the barrier at the site. After turning the car and caravan and every bag upside down and inside out I eventually found them in the lining of my coat - they'd slipped through a hole in the pocket!!!!

We saw blossom in flower on many trees.

I'd lingered to take photos of the blossom and wild flowers and by the time I walked on B and D had completely disappeared from view. I knew they were heading for the viewpoint so I tried to make my way there.

I found the viewpoint - no sign of them! A photo of the misty murky view - you can see Bodenham Lakes in the photo another Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Reserve. I like it there a lot but for some reason B is not keen.

There were plants flowering everywhere and carpets of Primroses and Wood Anemones

Dog's Mercury

Violets

Primroses

Wood Anemones

Lady's Smock or Cuckoo Flower and a few Lesser Celandine

Still no sign of B and D so I continued to follow the Gruffalo Trail as I knew it would eventually lead to the car park.

B and D finally appeared - they had missed the viewpoint as they followed the wrong trail!

The final post on this short break will be about our visit to the superb Goodrich Castle.

I hope everyone is staying safe and well.

All photos by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera. (I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one I would be grateful for an email first - thanks).

First Herefordshire Visit 2023 - Part 2: St Leonard's Hatfield

 

After lunch on Monday I popped up the lane to the peaceful and tranquil churchyard of St Leonard's Hatfield.  As many of you will know I often wander round the church to see what is flowering as the rear of the churchyard is a "living churchyard" and good for flowers and insects.

The Old School House next to the church often has the Welsh flag flying a reminder that we are not that far from the border.

The grass verge was full of Lesser Celandine.

St Leonard's is old - it has a C11th chancel and the nave was extended in the C14th.

The open timber West Porch is partly C14th.

The churchyard was full of daffodils, primroses and a few white violets.

Herringbone masonry.

I love this early Norman doorway with a lintel of 3 large joggled stones.  The tympanum shows Opus reticulatum (square stones set diagonally).

I didn't go inside the church this time but if you would like to see the interior please see St Leonard's Hatfield Interior

Just one final post on the trip which I'll do next week.

In the meantime wishing everyone a very Happy Easter.

All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera. (I don't particularly rate most of my photos but if anyone ever wishes to use one I would be grateful for an email first - thanks)