I spent last New Year 2010 in a rambling chateau in Normandy at a friend's 60th birthday celebration. Staying for nearly a week we all helped cook for thirty and playing games, letting off 12 lanterns into the night sky at the stroke of twelve on New Years Eve. As we set off to camp on the coast a few days later the air grew colder and the wind brought snow in its breath. This year of course we had the excitement of the snow arriving much earlier and the ground turned to vast sheets of ice. 

A present from Jules

The Tree from Joho on Vimeo.

Giving the roble a hug

As promised, I gave the roble I big hug for you, Karen, and your mum. So did Ricardo but the photo didn't match the sentiment and has been consigned to the bin. Instead, here are some crocus (Crocus tommasinianus, I think) and 

 some mushrooms. A mists and mellow fruitfulness weekend.

The Oak Tree in San Pelayo

Temple of Heaven

Nature can be so untidy...

Winter trees

The trees at Gernika on market day

The bright light of the stars is dimmed;
A few drops of rain begin to fall.
Now the trees know that Autumn approaches,
And softly from leaf to leaf
The news is whispered.

Yuan Mei
China 18th century