KNITTING

I'm not a very accomplished knitter but when I saw a book called 'Knitting Block by Block' by Nicky Epstein I just had to have a go. Originally I decided to make a throw of knitted blocks but since then I've modified my ambitions to make a cushion!

DO YOU REMEMBER THESE?

Rain, rain, rain
And mud, mud, mud
I'm getting a little tired
of trying to clean up my dog

This photo is one I took last summer and, having just read Justine's blog on Lightroom presets, I tried out the Creamtone one and fiddled with it a bit. I like it better this way. The original rose was pink and, although pink roses are beautiful, it's not my favourite colour.  The rule of thirds went completely out the window on this one!

DRAGONFLY

Dancing on the breeze
Precious jewels flashing in the sun;
Spirals and globes hinting at sinuous movement.
I put down my camera and stop dreaming.

DUCK SHAKE

A lot of water disturbance for such a small duck! I watched it for quite a long time playing around on its own, dipping its head under the water then coming up and shaking vigorously. I wasn't that sure about posting this as the duck is pointing in the wrong direction, but I thought it quite a good one to demonstrate Kat's Rule of Thirds.

HANGING ON

You can see the buds forming but these dead leaves are clinging on until the last moment before giving in. Stubborn!

KING'S STANDING CLUMP

This clump of trees, high on the Ashdown Forest, is named King's Standing as it was believed to be the site of a stand, or hide. It overlooks a valley through which deer would have been driven, to be killed by the hunters waiting in the stand. It is supposed that Henry VIII hunted here.

Don't you just want to join that M up to make a heart?

HEATHER IN BUD

It's a beautiful day today - the wind has dropped and the sky is blue, and I went for a walk up on top of the forest with Misty.  We met an old dog-walking friend who, like us, has owned many Wolfhounds and she told me of the death of her beloved Flora at the weekend. Flora was only just over 6 and died of bone cancer. Wendy has lost three Wolfhounds to bone cancer and, of the six that we've owned, we've never had one case. Isn't that strange? I felt so sorry for her - she just wanted to cuddle Misty and smell Wolfhound. I know exactly how she feels and I dedicate these heather buds to Flora.