Country Pursuits

Sonning Common is not a traditionally pretty village.  But it is very well placed in a lovely part of England, on the edges of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.  At the end of July it is particularly beautiful as there are flowers and trees in bloom, the fields are green and alive, and the hedgerows are fragrant and dense.  Red kites screech as they fly overhead, their forked tails used like rudders as they ride the thermal air pockets. 

The countryside invites many pursuits - riding, cycling, walking, etc. - and of course Flower Watching.

To be a flower watcher you need to be willing to gather together and drive to a particularly rare and beautiful field of poppies at their prime. 

Or daisies, or cow parsley- it doesn't really matter which as long as it's a big field and in full bloom.

You must also walk within the fields looking at the blooms individually.

Another method of flower watching includes photographing the field and/or individual blooms.

 Of course you could get a little carried away with this.

Sometimes it's just nice to mess about with friends and record the moment.

I find it hugely heartening to know that there are people in this world who still appreciate the beauty of a blossom, and their impact in numbers.