#286 - Conkers

We love the seeds of the horse chestnut so much, the children and I can't pass a tree without collecting a pocketful. We have no purpose for them, they just look so gorgeous and tactile, little gleaming nuggets in among the leaves, it's impossible to pass them by.

#279 - Horse Chestnut Seed Cases

We saw these rather spectacular conker cases which had fallen on to the path today. They have turned a rich, dark chestnut colour which draws attention to their dramatic sculptural shape.

#218 - Horse Chesnut flower stamens

Sheltering from the rain today under a horse chestnut tree I noticed how all the elegantly shaped flower stamens were scattered on the ground. Hundreds and thousands of them. I would never have noticed them if it wasn't for the rain forcing me to take cover. Spent a few perfect moments on my knees in the dirt admiring their swan-like curves and delicate translucence.

#209 - Horse-Chestnut blossom

I've never really looked at the individual flowers on a horse-chestnut before, the tree is so spectacular from a distance, holding up its white candles in the Springtime. Close up, each blossom is like a crumpled piece of tissue paper, a surprisingly fragile looking wisp of creased pink and white petal.

#144 - Conkers in Mud

Mostly, everything is just muddy. The ground is soft underfoot and water lies in every hollow. Under the trees, the soil is a rich black with black twigs, leaves and seed-case fragments. Beautiful mud. Yesterday, walking under the horse-chestnuts I kicked through leaves lying dark and curled on the ground and there were conkers - little gleaming secrets under the leaves.