Friday, April 13, 2007

Blossom Hill

The weather in the UK over the Easter weekend was glorious so I took full advantage of this and went out. One of my trips took me back to a place I knew as child but hadn't been back to for a looooong time. The walk was up a hill near Gloucester so we parked and then started our ascent. Almost immediately, we noticed that there was blossom almost everywhere we looked. It looked like the trees were covered in candyfloss or cotton wool. The first photo is typical of the sight that greated us at every turn and below is a close-up of the tiny flowers that cover the trees in their millions!

The day was hot and at times the ascent was steep though there were also tracks that traversed the side of the hill. On such a track we found a shady bench that entreated us to rest awhile. How could we refuse? The light was dappled through the trees and we watched the birds and butterflies go about their busy spring business before setting off and finding a trail that took us upwards once more.

When we got to the top of the hill the view was magnificent if a little hazy, and we could see far and wide for 360 degrees. The photo below, although not great, gives you a little taste of what we saw. It shows Gloucester Cathedral towards the centre of the picture, with the centre of the city and then the suburbs stretching outwards from it. Gloucester is not a huge city but it is one with a rich history. In the distance, you can just make out the Malvern Hills which look blue in the haze of the afternoon sun. A cool breeze was blowing on the hill summit which was most welcome. Once we had rested we started our descent, back down through the blossom trees, whose petals drifted on the breeze like confetti.

I will write more about Gloucester and it's history sometime, which stretches back to the Romans.

29 comments:

Janet said...

Oh, what beautiful photos!!! Hi, Michele sent me :-)

Biff Spiffy said...

I thought I wanted to go to Hawaii for my next vacation (holiday?). You've changed my mind.

carmilevy said...

This looks like a walk I'd love to take: preferably with your expert guidance. You have such a cool way of looking at the world!

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Those little bloosums are amazing! So intricate and beutiful and to see them covering the tops of everything...Just gorgeous! You live in such a beautiful country, dear B-K...!

Jean-Luc Picard said...

You certainly highlighted our lovely weather.

Michele sent me here.

Preeti Shenoy said...

Wow--it looks like the 'Blossom hill' was set up just for you to take pictures.Your pics are a real treat Bob-kat.You've got a good eye.

Anonymous said...

Yay, you are an amazing photographer. I'll keep an eye on you.

Anonymous said...

And there I was thinking you were going to talk about the wine! :D

Looks beautiful :)

Katherine said...

Pretty! I'm so jealous. We actually had snow the Saturday before Easter and since then the weather has been in the crapper. SIGH

kenju said...

Lovely photos, Bob-kat!

Unknown said...

Beautiful shots! What a great way to spent your holiday weekend.

Here via Michele's,

Chelle

Pat said...

Looks like we both made the most of the weather. Incidentally your animal photos, in particular, are excellent. Just popped in to say hi!

Ramona said...

That is sooooo pretty! I'm envious as we're still in the throes of winter. (It even snowed this morning!) Please send some of the Spring Sunshine and the Blossoms our way!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful. I feel as though I joined you folks on that walk.

Showing my ignorance here...how do you pronounce Gloucestor? I'm sure I've heard it a million times but I'm still not certain of its pronunciation. Is the "c" in the middle pronounced as "s" or "ch"?

Thank you for the encouraging words in your last comment on my blog. I truly do appreciate the thoughts and they lifted me. I AM looking forward to the alone time with my youngest. Will miss my better half but she won't be gone long and the Lord will take care of her while she's absent.

Jean-Luc Picard said...

I visited on my own here yesterday. Now Michele has sent me!

Melody said...

Lovely photos Bob-Kat. You are a wealth of information...

Unknown said...

Very pretty pics, the last one is awesome. Michele sent me

kimbofo said...

Michele sent me to say thanks for taking me on a lovely walk! The cherry blossom trees are beautiful at the moment, aren't they? I live in London and I love seeing these trees in bloom -- they look like they are covered in snow.

Shephard said...

I'd love to hear more about Gloucester! :)
Great pix.
~S

Karen said...

Oh, how pretty!

Our Easter weather was cold and blustery but a nice day was had by all.

Michele sent me to say "hi". :o)

The Turmanators said...

Lovely photos and I enjoyed hearing about another country. Michele sent me.

Roxie, Sammy, Andy and Shermie said...

Breathtaking ... and without breath, we are struck speechless by both the beauty of the pictures and the beauty of your telling.

Roxie, Sammy & Andy

Anonymous said...

How beautiful to see everything in early bloom. So glad you had such a delightful Easter renewal.

Thanks for your visit to my site and your sweet comments.

kenju said...

Michele sent me back to see your nice pics, Bob-kat. Get a good night's sleep and come back to play tomorrow.

Michael K. Althouse said...

We just don't have buildings like that in California. Wait.... Nope, can't think of any!

Mike

Anonymous said...

Thanks for stopping by. BTW, I agree with you about the Gnomes, but we part ways on baked beans.

Just so you know.

I hope that doesn't change things between us.

Cheers.

srp said...

What kind of flowering trees are these? The flowers look a lot like the Bradford Pear trees here and when the leaves replace the blossoms it looks like it is snowing all around. Beautiful view!

diyadear said...

will look fwd to the post on history.. pics r nice.. enjoy!!

JAM said...

Beautiful. A very inviting looking trail in that photo. Love the view of the city as well.