Autumn at Kilruddery

One of my favourite past times is to venture off into the beautiful neighbouring county of Wicklow. Known as the 'Garden of Ireland', Wicklow has many delights to offer those who possess a sense of constant wanderlust. 

Kilruddery House in Bray, is one of those places that pulls you back to a forgotten time. The estate features an imposing 17th century mansion and rolling vistas, which plunge deep into the distant mountainous abyss. After a stroll around the estate, the enchanting tea rooms offer a restorative fix in the form of sweet treats and hot cups of frothy cappuccinos. The pretty little vases of flowers on each table were the icing on the cake (or should I say almond cookie). The gardens in high summer are a blissful place, but autumn too has its own sense of magic.

The last traces of summer are evident with the yarrow, roses and cosmos peaking through the fallen shrubbery. The floral specimens are peculiarly juxtaposed with tumbling amber toned leaves, scattered acorns, and mushrooms protruding from the soft manicured lawns. The overall feel is one of beautiful unbridled transition, and reaffirms my love for nature and the curious and intriguing changes it manifests. 

The great mushroom hunt

These beautiful autumnal days are my favourite of the year. There's a certain air of calm, solitude and reflection in the changing of the temperature, light and natural surroundings. Although this September has been a slightly more wet one than we're use to, it does have its benefits, and it results in a copious collection of mushrooms springing up from the forest floor.

I usually spend a few mornings a week trekking through the woodlands in search of my charming fungi friends. They're often found hidden amongst long grasses, and concealed under an emerald blanket of woodland sorrel with dew drops sparkling like fallen diamonds. It really is a sight to behold, and makes the hours in the bone tingling cold a lot more bearable. I've been lucky enough to discover banded mottlegill, chanterelle, fairy ink caps and nitrous bonnet. A pretty selection of tiny treasures that are ready to be made into intriguing eco resin jewels.

Hello from the Lost Forest

Welcome to my new blog. I hope you'll click and subscribe, and follow my new journey through the Irish woodlands, secret gardens and days spent on the farm. I will be offering a little photographic pathway into my world as a designer and a perpetual daydreamer.

Today I spent a sunny spring afternoon in my local park to collect some beautiful wildflowers and marvel at the dappled light flickering through the trees. Bluebells and cow parsley were blooming brightly under the watchful eye of ancient trees. Days like these always fill me with a renewed sense of creativity and inspiration; providing me with a much needed boost to start sketching lots of brand new ideas.