News & Updates from Clare Walker-BoundingSquirrel · Page 2

One of the things I`m *so* enjoying getting back to this year is wandering round the lovely parks and gardens that we`re oh-so-very-lucky to have in London.

The inspiration to be had there on every visit (at pretty much every time of year) is phenomenal.Am sure have talked about Holland Park before.

But this year its back to its beautiful best and full-on whimsy (the giant chess-set was actually in use when we visited, for example).

This beautiful blue-purple-mauve (it depended on whether or not the sun was out) iris is just one tiny example of their gorgeous planting.

The vibe there has *such* an air of fairy-tales about it that this may have been our first visit for a year or so...but it wont be the last...

Everywhere I keep seeing, not only gorgeous bluebells themselves (the most unlikely were recently nestling beside a rubbish bin) but also people all over the UK saying what a good year it`s been for bluebells here.

I can only agree and post this pic of our local woodland, which does not do justice to the gorgeous purple-blue haze we saw from a distance, but is something to remember them by until next year, as they begin to disappear into late spring heat.

Yes, I admit it I *love* spring. The flowers, the warmth, the colour. And maybe most of all, the new life it brings. Like the cute little goslings we spotted in a local park yesterday. It looked like it could have been their very first swim around the lake.

At any rate, their parents were being very protective, and making all manner of screechy noises at the (larger-and-louder-but-totally-harmless) Canada geese who came to have a look at what was going on.

Once again, our annual visit to Richmond Park did not disappoint.

As well as a red deer herd in the distance, creatures coming closer included younger red deer disgruntled by being unable to rut, curious jackdaws, a green parakeet determined to say hello *and* hide himself simultaneously, seven squirrels...And last but not least, one of the cutest female roe deer we`ve ever seen.

In gorgeous sunshine too-who could ask for more in October in the UK?

It was, finally, so great this week to have great weather, time and the freedom to enjoy the three of these together.

First stop was a local rose garden that has come into its own this year after rain and sun at just the right times.

This picture shows one of them up close, but sadly, can`t convey the wonderful scent of all of them together.

Please just imagine that instead...