Nature in London, Spring?

I went last month to London: I was genuinely expecting spring. I carried cute tank tops, and maybe one jacket, just in case.

The first week of May, the low was 8 degrees, with strong winds. The second week was probably nicer weather. The 3rd week saw the heat wave, and the last week the rain.

Such confusing weather. If this were a man trying to woo a woman, he would not even know what he wants.

Moss growing so happily.

I can't believe the lush green.

Hola.

I had to identify this, it is a Clematis, a double flowered variety, spotted growing in the wild. 

Poppy. 

An abundance of roses: they smelled wonderful.

Just your average magpie, Epping Forest.

Always love to see small weeds and plants growing in the unlikeliest of places.

I am not sure if these ducks patrol the Hampstead Heath park only during Spring, or is it year round?

An abundance of nature always makes me happy. Wildflowers growing like it is nobody's business. Moss thriving on old trees. Busy bumble bees, magpies staring at you, pigeons and crows coexisting, swans paddling briskly, a lone small fox, roses ready for inspection. But most of all, the old trees standing their ground.

Feels like on the edge of the world, Seaford, UK

A small town of 25k residents, Seaford is probably famous for being the base for the hike to the seven sisters cliff. It is a very cute town, a lot of elderly British people call this their home.

I do land up walking towards local churches and cemeteries, I find them beautiful.

Never seen this one before.

It was so windy and chilly on that day. One side is the English Channel, and the other, colorful cabins.

Walking on these pebbled beaches always feels like physiotherapy for the feet.

Hola.

What do you call a raven/crow meeting?

I found a small cabin/store where a young local woman was selling gelato. Hers was the only store for miles. Some smart supply-demand mapping!

It was quite a hike. The cliff was quite a steep walk.

The town of Seaford from above.

Wildflowers, limestone cliffs and the beautiful waters.

Finally, the seven sisters cliff.

Jotting down random thoughts.

We stopped here, The Grumpy Chef, for a Matcha. I recommend it.

It is such a familiar feeling to see that most towns have a library, church, post office, a town square, almost formulaic.

I probably would not go back here. I liked it, the view was incredible. But I did not fall in love.

Can't seem to forget, Amberly, UK

This time in the UK, I vowed to do more day trips, to more green lands. My first day trip was to Amberly; a tiny, fairy-tale village. Surrounded by lush green meadows, dotted with sheep and horses. Amberly is part of the South Downs National Park and is a cycle, horse and hike route. There is nothing much to do here except be in nature. There is but one coffee shop that closes early.

In fact, enroute to Amberly, I reached another town, Brighton, this was not intentional. I then decided to spend some time there before getting on the right train to Amberly. 

The quintessential red booth. From where I stood, it all looked like I was taken back in time.

I love watching horses, such beautiful animals.

Hola.

A beautiful reminder that you can cycle, go horseback riding or just walk.

What wallpapers are made of.  And also, what dreams are made of. It was one of the tiny public footpaths off the main road.

More horses. The sky gave such a dramatic backdrop.

Hello tiny being.

Such a unique home. Rather, such a unique roof.

Horse gazing is a thing, I am certain.

So should be sheep gazing.

I felt I was in an English movie.

The best part of not having a route or a deadline is that you can stop when you want.

Love these small trails.

I sat for a while, clearing my mind, scribbling notes.

If I am ever in want of beautiful and open lush green spaces while in London, I will visit this village again.

An accidental stop, Brighton, UK

This was the case of me reaching the wrong destination (I was enroute to Amberly) and then alighting from the train because I had no good reason not to explore this beach town. I was not on a schedule neither had a plan.

Brighton is bright, colorful. As you exit the railway station, you see a typical town. Cafes. A church. A main street with shops - odds and ends, convenient stores, pharmacies, eateries, hardware stores yada yada.

And as you walk a little, straight up ahead, you can get a glimpse of the ocean, the glistening English Channel rather. And as you cut a small lane to the left and then another right, you are suddenly in the more colorful and touristy North Laine. I felt like I walked from a sleepy beach town to a bohemian paradise.

For the most part, Brighton is a quiet town, who one day, saw tourists and evolved to make them happy.

This street was so bustling. I landed up doing a bit of shopping.

Umm.

If you see a whale mural, you must take photos.

I walked into a non-descript cafe, with no expectations. I tried their barista recommended hojicha latte. It was so good! The cafe is called Olea Specialty Cafe & Matcha. If I visit again, I will have the same order.

Scotland - A Place on Earth??

There are places you have heard about in your life. When you actually visit them, you are surprised, let down or you simply nod along, appreciating the beauty.

Scotland made me question everything that I have heard and everything I believed. It was magic on earth. Was it even our planet? Do we deserve such a place on earth? Where we are chasing rainbows, healthy cattle grazing lazily, tall grass in so many colors you lose count, the clouds know the act - and contribute valiantly, streams do their small part.

Every vista was worth remembering.

If only this book could be read here.

That pink.

Colors doing their magic. The sound that the wind made, with the grass swaying like they´re drunk in the wind. 

We sat here for a while, taking it all in.

We saw so many rainbows, but never normalized it.

Loved the dark and light game that the clouds played.

A writer's paradise.

Wild.

For a few minutes, we were alone, no car/person in sight. Such solitude.

Somebody made a small tomb, maybe for a pet?

Hola.

Wild flowers grow around the fresh water lochs.

Rainbow over loch ness.

Sun and shade. And rainbow.

They got up in unison, which almost made me jump back.

I would go back in a heartbeat. Get on a train to Edinburgh and then one of them local busses.