Spring finally came around and she emerged from a place of comfort and calm. Her favourite treasures lay before her. She saw a table full of curiosities that she could hold in her palm, taking in the detail of each one. Vessels with soft clay moulded like frilly petals and orbs which could home miniature worlds. She imagined curled rose petals held within, surrounded by a swirling nectar. She'd delicately shake the sphere like a snow globe, watching the petals gently fall. A moment for reflection and then again, to relish in it once more. 

Candy pink gerberas shot up, up, up to lean and relax. Poised in the air with ease. She traced her fingers along the petal edges. No time for 'loves me, loves me not' games here. She observed how the petal layers descended into a close-knit ring near the centre. The continuous hoop mirrored her undulating thoughts. Maybe she could put her thoughts in one of these vessels, to retrieve them later as necessary. Would she go back to some of them? Where they conducive in allowing her to build the dreams she had for herself? 

Maybe some of those thoughts were better off withering into crinkled leaves, disintegrating into finite dust. She could take off the stopper from the bottle, tip it into her hand and gently blow away the crumbling remnants. She didn't want to dwell. She knew this was the season of rebirth and it was time to plant some more seeds. For fresh shoots to push on through. She thought about how in the dark of winter, she'd questioned whether the bare branches would ever burst into blossom buds again. Deep down, she knew they would. 

A miniature tree was perched at an edge, poised with zen. She appreciated being able to fit it in her hand, channelling it's energy. Yet. she also considered what it would be like if the tree multiplied in scale. She would find it the size of a grand oak, with wiry branches curving to greet her with crystalline fruits. Taking a bite from the mango-shaped matter would be a treat and she'd sit beneath the translucent canopy until dusk settled in. A chance to catch whispers from the sun; feeling replenished from the natural world in every way.

Anemones of the soil kind. She was just as fond of the sea kind. She imagined a fresh sheet of paper, cut into miniature fan-shaped petals. A tapered paintbrush was dipped in water and paint, to gently lay strokes. The rosy hue dispersed, gently crinkling the paper as it was absorbed. She delved into her bead trove to find a speckled pin with anther-like dots emerging all around. It was perfect for holding the crêpe petals together. She dreamt of blue skies, laying on a warm blanket put out by nature - grass or sand? Grass, on this occasion.

Vibrant magenta shells were bursts of colour within the visual layers. She felt like she could call on the callas. They listened when she spoke. Their conch-like curves swayed over to be a carefree ear. Sometimes it was pleasantries and on other occasions, they discussed how she could also arch her petals in the way she wanted. The fleurs had a natural way of doing so. Just a little bit of guidance, for when she spent too long cooped up in the same position. It was time to lean in towards the sun. Stretch. Bend. Welcome in that newness. 

What was it about flowers? Maybe it was their delicacy and beauty. Their ephemeral nature felt like a reminder to be present. Enjoying life while she could. The calmer colour palette reflected the season of buds. She was in the right place. The dusty lilac hues of the echeveria harmonized with dulcet bluebell tones. Purple pansies sat comfortably, emerging from the base of the table. She gazed at Spring in it's entirety, especially as she'd waited so long for it. When it finally came, it was everything she expected it to be... and then some. 

​

My 29th birthday! What a lovely day it was. Me, sis and mum visited Langton Greenhouse in Leicestershire. Giant burnished giraffes at the entrance were a surreal
and inviting way to enter the place. ​​Lavender lined the path, where the gentle twinkling of lights emerged behind buds. Light has a way of bringing out the shimmer of beads too.
 This was the case with the abundance of gems making this skirt sparkle. A flower or two wove it's way into the beady constellation, of course.

I'm always on the lookout for new features for the garden; think pots, plants and sculptural elements. I spotted rocking pyramids. It happened to be Glastonbury last week and The Killers took to the main Pyramid Stage. Me and sis went to see them perform in Luxembourg, which was an amazing experience. I wasn't at Glasto, although seeing how awesome it looked took me back to the time we got to hear them in all their glory. Their rendition of This Charming Man gets me on my ​feet.

Upon entering, an array of orchids lined the ledge in shades of pink & cream. I remember purchasing a beautiful light pink one a few years ago for my studio, when I first started D&T. It's such an elegant and delicate plant. I did find they can be a tad particular when it comes to maintenance and watering. Even so, when someone knows how to best look after them, they thrive and a vast collection can blow you away. I got to experience them in full splendour this year, when I visited Singapore for my 30th birthday. More to come on that soon!

Ah, cacti. There's such a variety of fascinating globular forms, shapes and patterns. Just don't get too close, as I've found on occasions - mainly when tending to the the terrariums. I've
made a cacti planter featuring various lengths and ochre pebbles, reminiscent an Arizonian landscape. This piece entitled 'Sanguine Saguaro' was painted in the summer, where the
​colours used created a psychedelic twist. I imagine walking through this scene would be quite the experience. The bright orange buds of my Christmas cactus are a beauty too.

Speaking of Spore, it felt like a dream when we visited ​the cactus garden at Changi airport. As hinisha_ mentioned, it was like walking into a large scale version of one of my
terrariums. Moon cacti with an array of vivid bulbs dotted the floor, alongside large spiny barrels from the same family. There's much inspiration to be discovered from every garden I
visit. The blue bud above reminds me of the Himalayan poppies I spotted at Coton Manor. I wandered through wooden islands decorated with flower pots...which blooms to choose?

Calla lilies are stunning. I planted some a few summers ago, in rich purple & pink shades. I've re-potted them this year and I'm glad to see they've grown again. Check out the sunset gradient above. Contrasting speckled leaves fan out with an elegant snap. Since we're talking leaves, let's take a moment to appreciate the eye-catching nature of the Polka dot ​​Begonia. One to grace a table top near me soon? Some begonias have the most striking leaves - check out the Ribena-dyed effect of these and the continuous swirls of this variety. 

Yes to the prospect of a large wooden wall filled with botanical art. You could stop by for your daily dose of flora-on-paper. Wispy poppies stood out against an eggshell white
background and fern tendrils adorned the page. I also had some fun decorating a wall of my studio with an array of illustrations painted over time. The surrounding motifs on each
​complement the central design. I've tried my hand at pressing florals too - foxgloves and pansies worked particularly well. Gerberas, not so much. What to create with the​ petals...

I find myself covering pretty much every spare inch of square space with a plant, where I've mentioned this in the mini rockeries post too. I briefly recall questioning whether it's really necessary to buy the bromeliad (or such) to grace a surface near me, I've found that yes, yes it is. Some recent purchases include a ​miniature calamondin orange tree and a sansevieria with the sunshine yellow edges. The garden back home is rippling with black scallop leaves pouring from many a pot.

On the subject of sansevieria, we came across striking marbled stalks, in an outdoor feature in Portugal. I love seeing plants that would usually be considered an indoor one, being at
home in the warmer climate of the outdoors. More agave appreciation in my previous post. Back in December I bought an amaryllis lily in a terracotta pot, which brought a
​festive feel with it's rich red petals. Should you need more reason to ​surround yourself with foliage, I came across this article which adds insight into why plants make people happy. 

A giant angular rock - were it filled with amethyst crystals, the temptation to say 'let's get this one for the garden' would be real. On this occasion, I'll take a moment to appreciate the stormy bands of black and grey. In the canopied greenhouse area, mottled acer trees stood in corners with swishy red leaves. A layered bench was dressed with a collection of leafery. I've been propagating the colourful coleus, where one of these wooden frames would be perfect for arranging all the tiny seedlings and the bright leaves coming to follow.

 I chose a delightful orange dianthus for my 28th birthday and this year's birthday plant was a Vial's primrose. The floral tips feature a lovely blend of lilac and contrasting ruby. Native to China, this charming flower can be found sprouting near watery valleys and wet meadows. It's great coming across greenery I haven't seen before; the garden centre can
be a utopia for this. These cabbage-like fleurs were spotted in Covent Garden, which I've since learnt are called ornamental brassica and are indeed a part of the cabbage family.

 A creamy dahlia sat amongst an eclectic mix of stems and a family of bewildered stone owls. I thought about planting more of these blooms this year. The Spectacle (a Thai iced tea colour) variety and the popular Café Au Lait shade are beautiful. They weren't available when I shopped for them, however I came across some alliums, which I've also wanted to see grow in the garden for a while. I chose the Dutch Garlic, Round-headed Garlic and Sicilian Honey Garlic (sounds like I'm seasoning up a meal). Delicious,

Tea time has got to be one of my favourite times of the day. It's perfect with coffee & walnut cake. A variegated ruby ficus framed the setting beautifully. The fractal-like patterning and jewel tones co-ordinated with my new primrose. A reason to invest in a rubber plant? Makes sense. My illustrations have featured a botanical theme recently and I'm excited to explore that more. I'm about the petals and that's for keeps. Take a peak at the delicate lilac bell layers I came across on a walk in Letchworth. Summers spent this way are a dream. 

​

We hadn't made any specific plans, so we quickly searched Google for places to visit. A 'nature reserve', you say? We hopped in a taxi and arrived at our destination. Our enquiry about tickets at the main reception was followed with 'this is actually a campsite'. Ah, right. Google failed to mention that. No problem; a chance to explore the local area... and what an area it was. Huge cacti forms stood with unfurling agave dotted close by. I'm beginning to feel they're a rose bush equivalent here. Yes to a garden which spans to home them all.

Mars, we here? The landscape took on an intense russet hue as we made our way around the winding roads. A great shade for a bronzing palette. One you wish you could dust over yourself whenever that sunshine dose is needed. A geologist would've had a field day. I stopped to appreciate the various stony forms embedded in the land. You can read about my appreciation for all things rockery in this post. Seeing as we're here talking stones, take a look at this one, which looks like light embodied - potentially as a bolt of thunder. 

Keep those stone formations coming, Portugal. Here, the corrugated lengths of the agave had a blue tinge, with a silvery touch. A lilac shrub sprouted boldly from the cracks. The purple flowers are reminiscent of this one, which had invited a few guests of its own - a sedate kaleidoscopic party. I was expecting greenery when we decided to visited this holiday destination, yet I wasn't expecting full-blown colossal succulents. You can probably imagine how excited I was. 'Look at this variegated one over here too!'  

Our walk took us past colourful homes, where those famous tiles came to feature again. Our first encounter with them can be found here. Bougainvillea canopies draped overhead; vivid pink petals contrasted with vibrant walls. Tall foxglove stems have spread across the garden at home, delicately dropping bells along the way. I'm happy to continue finding them dotted through the soil. Talking florals, I've been experimenting with illustrations which merge the botanical element with a fashion perspective. 

Take a peak at the markings of this florally plant, which wouldn't look out of place in the baked landscape around us, as well as in Jumanji (Robin Williams edition). Palm trees framed picture-postcard buildings, where architecture ebbed into the horizon. I'm all for walls a shade of pistachio. We stopped by a charming dessert place for some gelato in fab Ferragudo. Here during World Cup season, the locals came to sit and enjoy the big match, adding to the friendly atmosphere. There's more of this day at the 10.40 min mark, on sis's vlog here. 

Captivating fleurs and motifs feature on many a tile. The linear blue tendrils have me thinking about plants in this colour. I recall talking about the subtly bluish-grey echeveria in the boaty post here - what an idyllic day at Rutland Water that was. There was also the beautiful blue Himalayan poppies spotted at Coton Manor, which I've yet to see in a flower bed around me since. Pinks and red collaborate in curved vases for one of my first plant/floral illustrations. Angular stems come through with as much impact as the vessels themselves. 

An element of the fishing life was embodied in this painting we discovered, perched atop the winding cliff. I can totally appreciate a good hat and the blended blues of the fisherman's hat echoes the waters perfectly. A palm sat comfortably in front. Is it need of a good drink or is that shade of coppery brown it's natural hue? Either way, yes to sporadic palms planted in many places. The collaboration of colour continued at every turn, with sky-hued sailboats and homes in shades of apricot, 

I'm in my green element for sure. A quick note to self for the future - pay a tad more attention to planty barbed edges, while appreciating cacti arms and admiring the coastal view. There's a slight chance one of the little spikes will leap into action. A sharp ouch as I nicked my ring finger (felt like a thorn encounter), reminding me that gardening gloves are a good call. Should've packed them. Roses and agave continue to have more in common. A quick tending to the wound and then it was swiftly back to all things nature. 

The leaves towered proudly in the glorious evening sun. ​A mottled pattern coursed through the length, like multiple glass fragments. It was reminiscent of scattered brown and cream seed beads. The intricacy of terrazzo comes to mind. Recently, I've been on the search for a planter with this pattern. I've seen miniature pots, yet I haven't come across one which could hold a multitude of plants. I've thought about making one, which would involve cement, moulds, sanding, polishing etc. Time to get experimenting with mediums? 

 I remember reading about the Japanese concept of 'forest bathing' or nature therapy. The idea of being surrounded by the calming environment to help with mental well-being and overall happiness. It's all true. I'd suggest no to hugging agaves though. Not that I tried. Here's a fun perspective I read on tree-hugging. It would probably apply to non-spiky plants, as well as trees. The coursing of energy and all. Being around these beautiful stripy triumphs, I'm wondering how to go about growing larger-than-me succulents back home... 

Ferragudo was a pleasure. As dusk set in, we made our way back to Portimão. A delicate sunset appeared like a watercolour wash on paper. Rock formations were dotted majestically in the waters and the horizon was tinged with rainbow hues. I'm getting a Baked Alaska vibe with the mountainous feat on the left. The Great British Bake Off is having an effect on my outlook. To be honest, I'd be happy to see dessert in everything I glance at. Shrubbery and green shoots surrounded the scene, where there was no filter required here, whatsoever.

I have to say, this is one of my favourite posts and one day that I'll look back on with fond memories. The thought of a massive greenhouse filled with succulents and flowers is exciting. I'm thinking a variety of anthurium, orchids and an entwining hoya kerrii. Many a wooden terrarium too. My latest creation features a dome of sempervivum and lithops blending effortlessly with pebbles. Until I find myself strolling through vast leafy/rocky terrain again, the miniature versions have a way of taking me back.

​​

​July this year saw us take an amazing family trip to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday. We all wanted to be by the beach - the sun. sand and a subtle tan. Our morning flight meant a
not-so-bright wake up at 3am and flight at 6 in the morning. An hour on the plane and a hat-draped snooze later, we arrived in sunny Portugal. First on the agenda was a hearty
​breakfast, followed by a dip in the sea and a sand manicure. Ah, the beach. A knee-deep lounge in the water, sitting in the doughnut float. The simple and calming joys of a sea soak.   

We stayed at the Jupiter Algarve, which had comfortable rooms and friendly staff. I would recommend it for sure, especially as it was a stone's throw from the beach. The view from our room balcony overlooked the twinkling sea and the majestic building above, where every morning felt that extra bit zen. You can see it all unfold on sis's video here. ​We were based in Portimão, which had a family-friendly feel and pleasant buzz about the place. The sunshine and sand always helps. On our second day, we decided to venture into Lagos.

A colourful carousel in town ​added to the backdrop of pastel buildings. Shop fronts in the lanes featured an array of souvenirs, from shell-adorned boxes to rows of magnets. As well as cork art. More on that in a mo. A gallery window exhibited rock-inspired art, with vibrant hues smeared skillfully on a canvas. Which reminds me, I have to experiment more with
impasto paint in the coming year. I've dabbled slightly, yet haven't got around to creating an entire piece with the medium. It tends to get a bit messy, particularly having to clean the
brushes with turpentine. The end result is worth it though. The art has a tactile, raised surface, which adds to the impact.

A local artist beautifully captured the rocky vista, at what appears to be golden hour. I love the use of such vivid colours to capture the striking subject on canvas. I knew I couldn't be
the only person in awe of the landscape. I took many a picture of the stony cliffs, which I'll be sharing in the coming Portu posts. A well-layered stippled palette - a good sign the paint
​ and ideas have been flowing, This year, I experimented more with shapes and contrasting colours. The Abstraction series features clashing and complementary patterns. 

​​​'​Hey, shall we hit up the cork factory?' Anyone? Cork was a big thing in Portugal. Tourist spots and vendors sold cork bags, sandals, purses and art-adorned slabs. There was a small
purse with colourful flecks in the cork; I remember thinking, if they had made that in a larger size, possibly circular and satchel style, I would have snapped it up. Well, should you find yourself in Portugal with time on your hands, you know where to go. Cork as a canvas. I do like an unconventional canvas. Not just good for preserving your favourite tipple, ya know.

Detailed tiles lined many a wall. I thought it'd be fun to try my hand at different crafts, so earlier this year I bought some mini tiles and and a pair of tile-cutters, to create mosaics on
paper. Grouting and walls we'll save for another day. Speaking of tile work, I came across the craft of Caroline Jariwala of Mango Mosaics, when I was watching Kirstie's Handmade
​Christmas. Pieces spring to life in vibrant florals and lunar panels, where crockery is also creatively re-purposed in her designs. Many a different element forming the final picture.

Once we arrived in Lagos, we stopped in the main city for lunch and then set on our way to the crazy golf venue. Walking though the rustic town, colourful alleyways and repetitive
arrangements entertained visually. Such vibrancy to the city. This year I also combined abstract motifs with fashion illustrations on paper. Seeing as we're by the coast, here's 'Shoal'. I went back to three of the designs in the series a few months later to add finishing strokes. The maroon segment at one point appeared quite ​dense, so I later added the shimmering scales coursing through it. Sometimes, having that time in between allows for the reflection needed.

​​​Best believe plant spotting takes place wherever I am. Long lengths of sansevieria cast shadows on the windows, forming the backdrop of sprawling greenery. The patterned lengths
mirrored the marbled surroundings. There's plant inspiration everywhere. I mentioned in this post how plants waken many a vessel - notably a life-size boat filled with them. We
​ finally arrived at our destination, where I wasn't expecting buoyant ladies pirouetting away. What a sculptural surprise. The putting park was empty when we arrived - time to play!

Funky plant forms were embedded in the surrounding rock beds. Giant acorn-like structures and fronds with perforated edges lined our game. Alike the rockeries built in my own
garden, the different heights and layers gracefully draw the eye throughout. On a much larger scale in this case. I'm considering adding more ferns to my garden...maybe a collection
which have a similar texture to the leaves below? ​Orby hedges wrapped around the expressive silhouettes and the dancers themselves added a light-heartedness. 

We enjoyed making our way around the course, at a relaxed and fun pace. I found there was a shot to make atop a mini hill, which I was able to putt in quite easily.  Others were a little trickier to make. The score sheet balanced out again - no embellishing the scores here. ​It was looking fairly level pegging​ throughout, A continuing and curving shot was to be taken, where dad smoothly putt the ball in one go. I took a moment for composure on my chance, to find the ball gracefully plipip in too. Yay! Mini celebration all around.

The pink figure must convey how you feel once you've hit a hole-in-one. Speaking of the dancing ladies, a mini placard told us more about them. Their enthusiasm was the brainchild
of artist Karl Heinz Stock, where he wanted to convey the attributes of 'lightness, elegance and grace' through his organic sculptures. Made from polystyrene and a protective layer of
fibreglass, they added a carefree touch throughout the park. Their bold colours stood out against the lush shades of green. Strike a pose. 

So, squirty frogs were dotted throughout the course. Boom! A jet beam of water came straight for you when you least expected it. They must've been sensor activated. After one encounter, hopping over rock barriers to make a water-free journey was the drier option. Sprinting through on a few occasions worked too. Midpoint, the boat-pulley-system seemed the only way for us to make our way to the next shot. We emerged on the other side unscathed and couldn't stop laughing on the way. We later realised there was the option to circumnavigate the route by walking, but where would've been the fun in that? Our last shot saw the balls vanish into the structure and dad did very well to clinch the win in the end.

​I thought I'd have to hop a flight to Hawaii to see such hibiscus. The exotics come to mind. We made our way back to the main town, taking the scenic route past the beach. There's
always time to stop and smell the flowers. Some of these fleurs may not be the scent-emitting type, yet still have an allure about them. The dried floral arrangements combined ​shells with materials such as metal and paper. There's no end to the combination of styling blooms, be it a rose in a frosty cube or a cascading coral-esque collaboration. 

Palm trees stood breezily along the path, shooting firecracker-like fronds. If I did plant all the fascinating tree species that caught my eye, I don't think there'd be any walking space in the garden. The fiery yellow one spotted at Coton Manor would also make an appearance. The texture of this palm's layered bark resembled stacked shells. It looked as if it you could play a melodious scale, running a xylophone stick across the surface. This tactility is something I want to add in the new shrubs I plant for summer. 

We came to the end of the road, to a vista of sails. All things water were happening on the coastal edge: canoe lessons, fishing, boating and happiness from taking a dip. Eye-
catching lighthouses stood strong and striped, irrespective of the weather having had an influence on them. Nothing quite like horizon gazing into the distance, which was the case
with our day in Rutland Water too. Talk about tranquil. Glancing down, mosaic cobbling nodded to the nautical feel surrounding us. 

A giant anchor sat ashore, where I'm assuming Poseidon lobbed it far from his underwater haven to land here. It did have a trident quality about it. There's a whole new realm of a world in the watery depths and you never know what lays just beneath the surface. Elements can also have a stunning impact at a visible level, such as Colombia's rainbow ​river. The macarenia clavigera plant is responsible for the hues, with lime green and fuchsia appearing in ever-changing patches. This would be other-worldly to see in person. 

​As we strolled along, I said 'wait a moment, I'm just going to take a clear shot of the allium.' Sis, of course, felt Homer-Simpsoning into the shot was necessary. Here's the beautiful
result. Stepping in and out of the photo as I tried to capture the flowers. Straight out of the shot as soon as it was taken. I do like this photo, where I made her a 2018 Christmas card with
a photo compilation featuring this one, of course. Can't wait for Spring to make an appearance again, to see an abundance of petals...and maybe another little photo appearance. 

Rich orange gladioli danced with the tall palms, where you can never go wrong with blooms in this tone. We continued exploring the town, to come across a lively music and beer
festival. A few dessert stands joined the line-up too. It was time for a strawberry and Nutella crepe and some live music. I wouldn't say no at any point in my life to either. You can see
​the tribute to Elvis and our sweet treat endeavour at the 7 mins 48 mark on sis's vlog. We then ventured back to Portimão for dinner and the hotel for a game of pool with dad. 

It's not very often I can step out of the door to find myself at the beach, so I wanted to make the most of it I was accompanied by a hazy lilac sky and delicate swishing heather. The sand resembled multiple mini dunes, ready to mould beneath footprints. It was great being able to see ​the mood the beach takes on at different points of the day. We walked past the beach late another night, where the glowing full moon rippled on the dark waters. I was reminded of the time I spent in Eastbourne and how relaxing the dusky seascape can be. 

Running my hands through the grains, shell shards become unearthed. Iridescent pieces caught the last glimmer of daylight, with creamy brown and white bands decorating the sand. I brought some of the shells home with me, so I could create a sea-inspired terrarium. Pearly stones combined with spiky air plants to best encapsulate the scene. Quiet
​ moments on the beach were serene. Raindrops gently began to make their way down, just as sis joined me. We took in the view, before the heavens opened up something good.

​

Ah London, it's always a fun visit and Autumn in the city doesn't disappoint. We visited Richmond, witnessing all the colours the season has to offer. A cluster of sprouting branches stood in the distance, adorned with jewel tones of ruby, citrine and peridot. ​Walking up a gently rising hill led us to a peak. coming to a view of the Thames meadow. What a spectacular view it was. It has been immortalized in​ many paintings; also inspiring the artist J.M.W Turner.  ​

The trees leave remnants of summer across the floor, yet does so beautifully. A sense of continuous renewal. The floor makes a perfect canvas for mottled leaf patterns. I love how each one is unique, and how the imprints would leave a different mark every time, pressed with paint upon paper. A ​few were collected from various trees to create a little art... I'm looking forward to blending the individual pieces.​

Created by Charles I in the 17th century, Richmond Park is the largest of London's Royal Parks. Known for the many deer who call it home, we spotted them in the distance and carefully made our way closer. There is an enchanting feel about the woodlands. All the enthralling books read when younger seem to spring to mind. I thought back to my visit to a park earlier this year, where I was invited in by many a towering tree. A ​dreamscape surrounded by the majestic animals captures the feeling... with a little Elie Saab gown inspiration. 

As the weather changes and surrounded by Rudolph's entourage, the anticipation of Christmas is here. The beautiful fallow deer allowed us to come close enough to admire their speckled fur. There's a calm feeling in the forest, watching nature just be. I remember seeing the horse-chestnuts fall from the tree when younger, intrigued by how the smooth surface contrasts with its spiky shell. Roasted chestnuts are delicious this time of year.​

As a big fan of vintage fashion, the trusty sewing machine was used for tailoring the shoulders and pleats of my blazer. Knee-high boots were perfect for strolling through the grassland. With many amber-leaved trees creating an overhead canopy, I was reminded of wen I painted one on the studio wall. Feeling at home in the long grass, it's safe to say it felt like I was in the Outback, especially in the snap above. 

Noses to the ground, the deer sniffed for berries and chestnuts for the entire duration. I tried to take a photo of the stag with his antlers ​standing tall, yet he was completely unfazed... conkers were calling of course. Well, when food is on the mind, there's no room for anything else. It was a joy to see the red and fallow deer up close. Maybe Bambi will make an appearance on another visit.​

A much welcome burst of sunshine illuminated the leaves. The natural glow allowed the spindly branches to create layers and entwine against the sky. On the walk back, we spotted some artists taking in the picturesque scene, carefreely painting away -. a little reminder to take the easel next ​ time. It would feel like you have all the time in the world. Back in the studio, those rich garnet hues come to life in a leaf-tail gown. Golden leaves double up as expansive skirts to swirl in. 

Walking on Richmond Hill, the landscape was one I couldn't have imagined and it's clear to see why it's such a renowned viewpoint. The meandering in the Thames actually inspired the namesake city in Virginia, U,S, after the founder saw a curve in the James river (who wouldn't have a ​ Pocahontas moment up here?) The stunning colour palette of Richmond was captured in rich bursts of evergreen, red and fawn. 
 
​