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.
Back Tomorrow
Happy birthday yesterday. That bicycle of yours is going to get plenty of use as the weather improves
ReplyDeleteI hope so but not today - drizzley
DeleteHappy birthday 🚴 🚴 🚴
ReplyDeleteThank you again and thank you for the card.
DeleteHappy Birthday and well done on your cycling mileage. The tree looks like a painting against the blue sky. Catriona
ReplyDeleteFive miles! Well done you. Belated birthday wishes Sue. June
ReplyDeleteWell done on the cycling! Happy belated birthday.
ReplyDeletePenny
Belated Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteConstance
Well done on the cycling. I am looking forward to getting back on mine, though just puttering for fun. The moment the buds turn to leaves is a joy.
ReplyDeleteBelated birthday wishes. Very well done on the bike.
ReplyDeleteI'm very impressed with your return to biking (I live in Virginia, we bike rather than cycle usually). What a good way to celebrate your birth month.
ReplyDeletececi
The green on new leaves is lovely. The leaves and flowers are just waiting for more warmth, and everything will grow. That is a very nice tree.
ReplyDelete5 miles is amazing. That is an impressive distance, especially after your multi-year break from biking.
Well, you sent me looking at videos of the conker competitions as I couldn't picture how it worked. Looks like a load of fun.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the biking!
Love all the shades of green in spring. Hope you have many lovely day of riding. DL
ReplyDeleteOur twice weekly trips to Manchester have been great for watching the trees greening up along the roads and motorways. Blossoms coming and going, leaves appearing, it's been wonderful watching nature. 🌸
ReplyDeleteBelated Happy Birthday, Sue! Don''t mention conkers - finding one of the right size and toughness, then the labour of making the narrow hole through, pushing through the string, and - finally - swinging the conker to bash the foe apart. your post brought the whole thing back. Roderick
ReplyDeleteA very interesting texture of those leaves.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Belated birthday wishes.
ReplyDeleteFive miles on the bike is good. I haven't ridden a bike for years.