My home town is often criticised for being dreary and dull. Nobody else is allowed to say that; only me. It’s my prerogative for being born there.
Queen Victoria allegedly insisted on closing the curtains of the train as she travelled through the district.
Yet, so often we ignore the brilliance and beauty of what is right in front of our eyes. Too often we dream of more pleasant surroundings, and there is nothing wrong in doing so. But we should also take time to see what we have before we rush off in hope of something more stunning.
My home town is not beautiful, but it’s mine.
Search and you shall see.
Maybe Queen Vic should have opened her eyes a little more generously, or at the very least drawn the curtains on the off-chance of seeing something unexpected.
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Autumn leaves by the canal, Aldridge ©3Di Associates photography
The withering leaves
Gather time in their colour.
Embracing changes.
Autumn is more than approaching ©3Di Associates photography
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” ~Albert Camus
Fallen leaf ©3Di Associates photography
Fallen ambers glide
Onto the timeless pebbles.
Wherever they go.
Blues and hues ©3Di Associates photography
Mesmerising colours seemed to fall from the sky along each individual leaf, that remembers softly as it calls for the end.
Canada goose ©3Di Associates photography
It arched its body in a defiant flap but would never let me catch it.
Silently and gracefully it returned to its flotation in the water – ready for me to study its beady eye.
Canals and puddles ©3Di Associates photography
I’ve wandered this path
For a thousand moments.
Never seeing it.
Glistening towpaths ©3Di Associates photography
There’s beauty anywhere, if you look hard enough. How many feet, of man and beast, has trodden this way? The uneven steps are evident of movement. History creeps along its lines and time seems to be reflected in its watery partner.
Water ways ©3Di Associates photography
Loving old priceless things,
I’ve scorned those seeking
Truth outside themselves:
Here, in the tip of the nose.
Layman Makusho
Grasses by the stream ©3Di Associates photography
Gather leaves and grasses,
Love, to-day;
For the Autumn passes
Soon away.
Chilling winds are blowing.
It will soon be snowing.
John Henry Bonner
©3Di Associates
This used to be one of my favourite places as a child: a little contrived but I always liked its form.
Enjoying the final fling of summer ©3Di Associates photography
“The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it”
J.M.Barrie
More pathways ©3Di Associates photography
Posts on the pathway
Do they guide or enable?
Free to be myself.
Water plants ©3Di Associates photography
There’s nothing there. Nothing to see but reflections of former glories.
Reflections ©3Di Associates photography
If we look we can see, without searching.
When will we learn to appreciate the places and the people who are nearest to us?
When will we accept their imperfections and their brilliance?
Ignoring neither, living with either – within ourselves.
Finding beauty ©3Di Associates photography
Hidden in tarmac
It shields its majesty well
Alight in the rays.
Little things …………………… ©3Di Associates photography
“Life is a thing to be lived, not spent; to be faced, not ordered. Life is not a game of chess, the victory to the most knowing; it is a game of cards, one’s hand by skill to be made the best of.”
― Jerome K. Jerome
(An author from my home town)
CB
3D Eye 
Never thought of that as a “Japanese garden” before … just always liked it, a simple emotional response.
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I agree. It’s not really reminiscent of a Japanese garden but as a child I always thought it was rather exotic. CB
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Thank you for visiting my w6bky blog, and liking the First Moon Shot post.
And, thank you for sharing the inspiring photos in your Autumn Days post.
Sadly, many seem to ignore the beauty all around us, provided by Mom ( Mother Nature, that is. )
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Thank you. I love the word “inspiring”. We hope that if our words and photos are inspiring, then we are doing something right. CB
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I absolutely love this post Clare! Savouring every scene, every thoughtful word. Thank you. Sharon
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Thank you Sharon. I was actually inspired to do such a blog after reading and seeing one of yours. It’s good to remind ourselves of the loveliness in front of us. We all too frequently ignore it. I’m looking forward to taking more photos as autumn approaches. I love meditating whilst taking and reviewing photos. Cx
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