During a visit by our friend and candid photographer Chris, he remarked on how he had been struck with the etherical almost spiritual nature of the gardens as they appeared in the late afternoon sunshine and promptly took off with his camera..

The slide show above is just a few of the photographs he took, but as I looked through them I remembered a few photographs that had been taken last year but during a different season. By way of contrast I have included them alongside these early spring ones.

The following are his words extracted from his letter to me.

How beautiful the gardens looked last week when I took these photographs. I admit too being somewhat unprepared for taking serious photographs but I hope you will find something to interest you within this small collection

First to catch my eye was the deep evergreen of the Bridal Arch set against the winter stripped branches of the trees in the background. Turning to my left I followed the path of the soon to be laid white limestone track towards the ford and noticed how tenaciously the ancient tree roots clung to the Jurassic Kueper Marl

Reaching the ford I had a clear view through the interesting tangle of branches towards the village of Tuxford. This shot would not be possible in April as the buds would have put forth their leaves with those vibrant fresh greens that mark the start of warmer times and obscured the view.

Glancing behind me I caught the long shadows as they reached the 12 Disciples, the local name for the Poplars which line the new track.

To my left stood the magnificent Wellingtonia, towering proudly above all else and dominating the entire scene.

Midway between the East and West boundaries I took my next photograph along the North side of the River and towards Elkesley. Facing the setting Sun the blue sky appeared almost white and the trees black silhouettes.

The Old Vicarage with its twin Balconies and Chimney stacks seemed perfectly symetrical and if anything enhanced the gardens rather than the gardens enhancing the house. Carefull not to step on one of the many patches of Snowdrops I crossed the river to photograph the fallen tree which the children have used as a climbing frame.

Glancing across the river, the sun almost setting now, I caught the golden glow which lit the Bridal Bench laying just behind the swing seat and then one final shot along the river catching the Brides Bridge to the left. Walking closer to it I mused on how different it would look when nature adorned herself with her Spring finery. One last look from the swing seat and it was time4 for a nice warming cup of tea. Thank you Sue.
Chris

Susan and Philip Jubb