Just what the Doctor ordered

 

I find the last weekend of October very challenging.   It is depressing when the clocks go back an hour and if this isn’t enough, there are grey skies and a perpetually damp garden to cope with.  I feel like hibernating under the duvet until the spring comes.   However, this year Doc had an inspired idea to brighten us up.  He suggested to some friends of ours that we all go to Westonbirt Arboretum for a day out.  Autumn colour, leaf kicking and a good walk were just what we needed before the gloom of winter takes hold.

Doc and I had not visited this wonderful treasure trove before.  Trails guided us to the seasonal hotspots and we loved the Acer Glade and the National Japanese Maple Collection.   The colours were electric – reds, pinks, oranges, purples, gold and every shade of green you could imagine.  Doc took well over a hundred photographs.  

There was everything we could wish for – dry weather, beautiful vistas, unusual species of trees and acres of grassy space to wander.  We even sat outside and enjoyed frothy coffee and a delicious spicy apple cake.  It was a busy weekend but despite the crowds, the trees soon gathered everyone in and we scarcely noticed we were not alone.  Trees have such a calming effect, don’t they?

Nester: Leaf Peeping!

Westonbirt offers something for everyone, all year and we will definitely be going back.  It was a real tonic and we felt invigorated.   Doctors don’t always reach for the prescription pad, thank goodness!

www.forestry.gov.ukk/westonbirt