May on the Southwell Trail

This week has seen the relaxation of the lockdown rules. Outdoor activity with distancing is allowed including leisure activities like photography. So, after near enough eight weeks without taking any photographs, I am back on the Southwell Trail and enjoying the opportunity to capture the seasonal changes.

Unsurprisingly, there was a real sense of freedom on my first journey out, reminiscent of the first day of the school summer holidays as a child. Everything looked fresh and vibrant; spring had come whilst I was stuck at home. The snowy hawthorn blooms were a delight. March’s bare branches now smothered in green creating tunnels of light and shade along the trail. The seasonal tree trim, like so many people’s haircuts, had clearly been delayed by lockdown allowing nature to take full advantage.

Whether I managed to capture any of this with the camera is broadly immaterial, it was just great to be out, with a reminder that it is the small freedoms that lifts the soul and brings joy to life.

This was some of the hawthorn blossom:

The trail as I left it in March:

Eight weeks later:

The overgrowing trail:

A reminder: