For whom the bell doth toll

The golf course at Breedon on the Hill is neatly bisected by a public footpath. Of course, it's not uncommon to have footpaths running through, round or alongside golf courses (I can think of three more examples without even trying), but it's always struck me as a rather dicey business; walking in the vicinity of small, hard balls, generally travelling at high velocity. Those actually playing the game, have the distinct advantage of knowing the whereabouts of the other players before and behind them on the course; whereas the unsuspecting walker drops into the middle of the playing field without warning.

And that, we think, is where this comes in:

You certainly wouldn't describe it as pretty or ornate - functional might be the more appropriate adjective - but this bell hangs alongside the end of the line of trees, just where the footpath emerges to run downhill across the course. It seems a very sensible precaution to have a warning bell for the emerging walker as, at this point, the tee is out of sight over the brow of the hill and the path heads straight across the fairway.

Just one problem; we weren't walking downhill!

It seemed a bit late to bother ringing the warning bell after we'd risked life and limb to reach the sanctuary of the tree line.

Seasons in the sun

We walked down here last Friday. This is the path that runs through the top section of Breedon Golf Course. As you can see, it's quite a tree tunnel and it has a lovely feel, especially with the birds singing or a bit of a breeze sighing through the branches. But isn't it interesting, to see a place at different times of the day or in different seasons. The same location can have a whole new feel or atmosphere. I imagine that this footpath could be quite creepy in the pitch black, early hours of the morning.

In winter, the bare branches of the trees trace a skeletal pattern against the pale blue sky. All of the joints and forks are clearly visible, and bristle; almost like a giant upturned yard brush. The predominant colours are the silvery browns, greys and greens of the wood, with the contrast of the reddish brown castings from autumn strewn along the side of the footpath.

Contrast this one...

My immediate rection is that I prefer this photo, taken last October, with the richness of the colours of the turning leaves; but when I look more closely, I'm not so sure. What do you think?

Tangled branches, semi-silhouetted

No work today! Woohoo! Instead, I went for a lovely walk with a couple of friends.We had a great time enjoying the sunshine and the scenery and putting the world to rights.

Part of our walk took us through Breedon golf course. Now it's quite exposed up there, so the whole of the course is edged with ruler-straight lines of poplar trees. There used to be a line of poplars across the road from my house when I was growing up, so they have always been a tree with good associations. Plus, I love the height and shape, especially when they are planted in such neat rows. They take on a certain orderly splendour all of their own. And so, I took a photo.

But then, my friend, being a creative-cookie, suggested I stand at the foot of one of the trees and take a photo looking upward; so I did! And I'm really pleased with the result! I love the tangle of branches, semi-silhouetted against the brightness of the morning sky. Good call! :)