Following A Tree 2026

 A month on from my first photo of the young Horse Chestnut beside the village hall where we have our Keep Moving Group.

Now it's Mid April

The leaves have begun to appear but not fully open as yet.

They really are brand new  Leaf Green 

Soon the 'candles' will grow and turn pink or white - I can't remember from seeing it last year which this one is. If white it's a common Horse Chestnut, if pink it's a hybrid, Aesculus carnea, often called a Spanish Horse Chestnut.

 Horse Chestnuts were introduced to Britain from the Balkans in the late 16th century but it wasn't until 200 years later when someone thought of the idea of playing conkers.

Anyone can enter the World Conker Championship if you fancy a trip to Northamptonshire in October. 

I just have them on the windowsills through winter and spring and no spiders seen for months.

Many thanks for all the Happy Birthday Wishes yesterday. I had some lovely cards and a very quiet day after another bike ride - now up to nearly 5 miles, which isn't too bad after more than two years of not cycling at all.

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