Kite festival

Last weekend I went to a kite festival in Dunstable Downs with the family for a day out. On arrival we could see it was quite busy and there were dozen of kites soaring in the air with the brisk breeze keeping them aloft. There was a great selection in varying shapes and sizes, and we brought some of our own along to join in. As well as the public flying kites there were professional kite flyers doing some great shows and making it look so easy.

We also brought along a picnic with some great food, with a passerby declaring that ours was the best one he’d seen, much to our amusement. After we’d eaten, my smaller nieces enjoyed pony rides whilst the adults wondered off to see what the craft stalls had to offer.

After our kite was flying on its own we all sat down to relax and enjoy cold ice creams and the wonderful view that Dunstable Downs is known for, until it was time to head home.

Dunstable Downs

Hungry birds

Cherry tree and thrushes

I was happily relaxing one afternoon when suddenly I heard a loud chirping and trilling, so I jumped up to investigate. I followed the noise to the kitchen and looking out into the garden I saw dozens of birds flying in and out of the neighbour’s big cherry tree. The birds (If you look closely you can see a dozen or so which I think are thrushes), were swooping down pecking off big, red, ripe cherries. I raced upstairs to have a better look and capture the moment. It was amazing to see so many birds in one place and I was surprised by just how much noise they could create in their excitement. I hope they enjoyed their delicious lunch!

Canterbury

I recently went to Canterbury in Kent for a short day out. I wasn’t able to see everything that makes Canterbury famous but I did see lots that make it a go to for literary fans.

The streams were picturesque with the long grasses growing on the beds, swaying along with the gentle movements of the water. They reminded me of paint strokes made on a canvas, using varying shades of green and yellow.

I also came across Westgate Gardens which is close to Westgate, a medieval gate (now a museum). This too had a beautiful stream which I enjoyed walking alongside to, whilst others enjoyed a gentle, relaxing boat ride on. There were lots of flowers to admire on the way on what was a nice, sunny afternoon.

I hope to go back one day and visit the famous cathedral and maybe have a boat ride but for now these pictures serve as a nice memory of a summer’s day out in a pretty town that really does have an ‘old English’ feel to it.

Fusion

blue and white flowers

I don’t know what these flowers are called but I love the way the lower petals are all white and the upper are blue, making it look like the two separate flowers have been fused together to make these pretty combinations. Also what’s interesting is how the anthers (the yellow bits with the pollen) are on the tips of the petals instead of in the centre of the flower. If anyone knows the name of these lovely flowers please, do let me know.