Herbationes

In a previous post I mentioned the artist Rowland Suddaby. While looking for information about him on the web I came across a book about Suffolk that he had illustrated, it was for sale for a few pounds from a second-hand book dealer ... so I bought it.   Suffolk by Olive Cook, in the Vision of England series, published 1948 "Vision of England - A new series of personal books on the English Scene" was the conception of Clough and Amabel Williams-Ellis. You may have heard of Clough Williams-Ellis as the creator of the architectural fantasy village of Portmeirion in Wales, he also backed the establishment of the National Parks and was a founder member of the Council for the protection of Rural England ... and Wales. His wife Amabel (née Strachey) was a writer particularly interested in folk-lore and legends. The team of people who worked on the publication The book jacket was designed by Kenneth Rowntree , an artist and designer with close association with the

This morning, to my surprise it snowed. A light covering which after an hour disappeared except for shady spots out of the sun's warmth. Traces of the early morning snow in the shade of the hedge. After eating my lunch I noticed the sun was shining so I decided to go for a walk with my sketch book. Although once I was outside the shelter of the building and gardens on the edge of the village, the North wind was stiff and cold and the distant clouds probably hold more snow. I'd barely crossed the first field when I spotted a hare. No , not 'a' hare but a meeting of 5 hares ... maybe 6. The Buzzard I often see on my walk, was on her favourite perch on the remains of a dead tree. She took off and soared around high over my head. I crouched down on the edge of a ditch and tried to film the hares (if you double click on the video you should be able to view it full screen) ... Hare and Buzzard watching ... apologies for the buffeting wind. Two hares crosse