Week 4 – 9. Drops of Water

August 25, 2014 by Trudie Callan 9 Comments

My husband and I have found another local nature reserve. We set out on Saturday for a walk through it. The section we walked was about 3 miles there and back. The reserve is centred on a river called the Hogsmill and it meanders through some unspoilt meadow land tucked away from a busy motorway. We were unaware of the extent of the beautiful green belt. The section that we followed inspired two painters – the 19th century pre-Raphaelite painter, John Everett Milais and his friend Holman Hunt. Milais painted “Ophelia” which shows the willows on this part of the river. Hunt painted the famous painting “The Light of the World” showing Jesus knocking at the door of one of the disused huts at one of the old Gunpowder Mills. One of my favourite paintings now in St Pauls Cathedral in London. And to think I was totally unaware that is was inspired right on my doorstep!  There is reputed to be lots of wildlife  – kingfishers, butterflies. Another visit! We had a coffee and sandwich in a well stocked nursery. Small and cosy but packed full of interesting plants.

The photo is of a spectacular fountain in the middle of a lake in Ewell Court Gardens. This one taken with my point and shoot camera which I always have in my handbag.