There is something fascinating about trees in winter. Denuded of their leaves the shape and form of the tree becomes clear. Sunlight plays on the bark, highlighting the tones and shades. It’s something I want to capture, to keep. Sometimes I get a decent image, but often cameras can’t quite measure up to perfecting the tones & light as nature intended without some work in photo shop.

Bark seems to call to me, encouraging me to explore the texture. It amazes me how different trees can be. Their height astounds. Generally we pass them by, enjoy the shade they cast on a hot summer’s day, bemoan their leaf drop if it makes pavements difficult to negotiate safely. For me winter is THE time to enjoy & celebrate trees. I vow to return & discover more of the trees here; learn their names & history.

My mother in law could tell us names of trees, her ability always impressed me. I guess she retained the knowledge learnt in primary school in the days & times of nature study & nature tables in the classroom.

It’s a while since I’ve visited the Botanical Gardens, hidden in Royal Victoria Park, but I wrapped up warm & wandered round the pathways this morning. The day was cold with the threat of rain, but I decided to brave the elements! The benefit was few people were about. It was just me, my walking companion, numerous squirrels and an assortment of birds. A few other people plus a couple of dogs.

It was good to see that I was not alone in wanting to capture the moment on camera. One chap had a proper camera to hand with super zoom – in contrast my camera would slip into my pocket! I spotted him trying to tempt birds near with treats – unfortunately word got round the squirrel network & they arrived in force!

One of the first things I noticed about the gardens was that something was missing. A flowerbed had been removed. In its place the grass grew long & lush. Look closely & you could just see the circle of the bed outlined. This particular flower bed had been a focal point of the gardens for years. It has been captured on many a photo & publicity shots & featured for the gardens. Sited near the main entrance, close to the Temple. It’s a sad sign of the times of cost cutting. No flower bed to produce a splash of spring, summer or autumnal colour. In future it will simply be a patch of grass to be mown.

There is something fine about a parks department bedding display, edged with grass. The edge cut razor sharp, traditionally with shears. I can almost hear the gentle clip of the blades. Bedding plants for spring would have been classic choices. Forget me nots – how apt that would be! Or polyanthus is assorted shades, combined with wallflowers tightly packed together in the bed. Or those pom pom daisies – bellis daisies with round pink flowers that form a neat edge.

The delights of traditional bedding are sadly, slowly being dropped & erased from our parks – they are time consuming & eat into the diminishing budget. Bath was renowned as for their flowers. Once upon a time we held a Spring flower show here in our park. Now Bath is expert at Christmas markets instead.

My meander around the paths felt a little sad at times. Tired mahonia bushes that should have been bursting with bright yellow flowers looked in need of replacing. I’m suddenly inspired to say I’ll sponsor the replacement of one. Scent is one of the most exciting things about winter flowers. Generally thy are small & insignificant, but the perfume is heady & often you can identify the flower long before it comes into view.

My main companions of the morning were birds & squirrels, many coming close in the vague hope that like many visitors I had come bearing peanuts & treats! Sorry, but not this time. My visit was decided on the spur of the moment.

Back near the entrance I’m reminded of birds that used to live here – white doves. The dovecote still stands proud, wreathed in ivy that is adored by pigeons for the winter berries. I don’t spot any berries here, but think it would be lovely to revive these gardens & breath new life back into them.

It’s been a particularly dry spell. My containerised plants need water. It’s not helped that it’s also been windy so the soil is drying out quickly. But my main priority has been to take fresh water out for the bird bath,

This is the feature of my tiny garden, the focal point. Today, by chance, I walked out to the kitchen to see a robin splashing, reveling in the water level of the bath. It is a constant necessity to keep the water replenished for my feathered friends. A robin has been a frequent visitor this spring. I imagine that it is the same bird, perhaps that is just my flight of fancy! But he has to take his place alongside sparrows that arrive in great number plus members of the tit family.

It’s just a small plot but there is always something new to spot in the garden, especially at this time of year. Today  I have seen the lush green leaves of  Aquilegia. I love the way these flowers pop up at will around the garden. There are signs of a flower bud & I am left to wonder what colour this one will be. Rarely do the new plants seed true to colour. I have tried to keep the rich deep blues & indigo shades that I prefer.

It’s easy to see how this typical cottage garden plant gained the name Granny’s Bonnets. Although my garden is far away from any cottage, many of the plants that fall into this category appeal to me. Even the leaves of my Granny”s Bonnets are pretty. almost feathery in appearance. Soon the flower stem will rise, to tower above the ground before the flower opens.

Today there was time to walk a short distance alongside green fields. I used to take this walk a few years ago. I had forgotten how refreshing this open space is, the sheer joy of wandering along, close to fields, surrounded by trees. Solitude, peace. It is a very restful place & I should make the time to escape here once again. It is peaceful, but not quiet. Birdsong! Loud & clear. I can identify one or two, but it helps to cheat a little & spot the bird singing clearest! Robins are easy to spot & one is determined that I enjoy his robust song. A loud song, complete with trill indicates a wren. These amazing tiny birds have the loudest of songs. “Teacher teacher!” The sound rings out & reminds me of my mother in law. She taught us that this is the call of the Tit family & is now one of the easiest to name.

But there is a faint song that reminds me of holidays. It is a very simple little song, not really very tuneful. A I always said it sounded like a trainee bird, one that was trying to learn a song. I have since learnt that this is the song of the Chiff Chaff. Listen carefully & it does sound as though these are the words the bird is laboriously singing.

But it’s not just the birds that make this space attractive. It is good for the senses, especially in spring. So close to the countryside gardens have the benefit of primroses. These are peppered around the neighbouring gardens. Well of those that have escaped recent development & a fresh contemporary look, or worse makeover  into a driveway. What is interesting is that alongside a newly created drive there is a short row of primroses growing at the edge by a wall. Nature has an amazing way at putting her own mark on man’s designs!

An old cottage is my favourite place to spot. The garden is long & with a lawn that slopes down to fields beyond. Now I remember this garden. The lawn is dotted with pale primroses. It is an amazing sight. I stand & stare, hoping no one will come by. I had forgotten the joys of the walk, the joys of spring. These tiny flowers, not planted by human hand, but appearing each year. Further along the lane I can see more primroses. I hope the reward the homeowners & give them pleasure, that they do not view them as negative or at worse, weeds.