348/365 Sunset & tree

Tonight's sunset was a fabulous sight. I had to pull over on the way home from school and backtrack on foot to capture the tree in silhouette, then I used a Topaz plug-in to enhance the image. (Jodie was very patient while I took some photos, as usual, what an angel.)

343/365 Misty morning, wintry tree

The mist lay across the fields this morning as I took Jodie to school. It wasn't looking quite so impressive by the time I returned, but I couldn't have gone back for cam without making her late. The mist passed in front of a weak wintry sun.

313/365 Before the fog

The fog was visibly advancing across the land towards me when I pulled over to take this shot. It reminded me of a scary novel/movie called The Fog, but the fog isn't evident enough in this image to call it The Fog.

299/365 Tree by the Brook

Oliver took Jodie and I to the Brook where he meets up with his mates this morning. It was further than we expected, walking across fields, climbing styles and fences, stepping stones across a stream, but it was great to see where he has his adventures and I got some good pictures too. He even helped his little sister over the styles!

133/365 Tamarisk (Tamarix pentandra)

Our tamarisk tree is covered in a deep pink haze of tiny tight buds. This is Mark's favourite tree in the garden and its usually at its best late May/early June. When the buds open out the tree looks fluffy. I'll post another when its in full bloom.

130/365 Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)

I got up close and personal with a conker tree this afternoon. I pass some on the way to town (near the Toll House) and have been meaning to pull over and take some pictures while the blossom is out. I have never looked closely at the flowers before so was interested to see pink and yellow centres together like this. Luckily a lot of the branches were almost to the ground. In autumn we'll be looking for conkers.

98/365 Toll House in Spring

In 33/365 this tree was dusted with snow. I just had to stop on the way past it today to get this shot of it before the blossom is fully open. As I said back then, its one of my favourite trees. Today though, I took some more detailed shots of the Toll House itself. The folk who live there have 2 huge dogs with deep gruff barks to match! I think they might be great danes.

The downstairs window used to be a bay window but a vehicle crashed into it in the 1960s, you can see the brickwork is different where it has been repaired.

38/365 Armchair soccer

Oliver spent a lazy afternoon on his PS2 Soccer game. He usually has a coaching session but today's was cancelled so he had a kickabout with a few other lads who turned up, then came home. While he was out, Jodie and I went to Darley Park, so here are a couple of extras.

33/365 Toll House in winter

There is an old Toll House near where I live and across the road from it is one of my favourite trees, which will no doubt feature here again as the seasons progress. We have had a decent snowfall which is lying like frosting on a cake along the branches. The Toll House behind is now a private house and a listed building. Built in the mid-19th century, it was restored in 1976.

See http://bygonederbyshire.co.uk/articles/Toll_House,_Kedleston_Road,_Derby_-_then_and_now

I had hoped to find more info, but this is all there is! (Let me know if the link doesn't work!)