Packwood House at Christmas

Packwood House lifted the gloomy grey weather with a display of colourful Christmas decorations. Trees and plants around the house and gardens were adorned with hand made ornaments and baubles. Shelves had displays of miniature nutcracker soldiers. There were colourful Christmas wreaths on the gates to the garden and doors to the house. The wonderful display lifted the spirits. Here are a few photographs taken around the house for you to enjoy Merry Christmas.

Packwood House at Christmas
The entrance to the House with two Christmas Trees
Packwood House at Christmas
Decorated Christmas Trees
Packwood House at Christmas
Another view of the front entrance to the house.
Packwood House at Christmas
Christmas decorations
Loving the Tinsel in a glass jar. Great touch to the decorations.
Packwood House at Christmas
Wreaths on the garden gates
Packwood House at Christmas
Christmas wreath with the lake and extensive grounds in the background
Packwood House at Christmas
Decorations in the Kitchen Garden
Packwood House at Christmas
Detail of the decorations
Packwood House at Christmas
Looking quiet before Christmas
Packwood House at Christmas
Pre Christmas walks at Packwood

Thank you to the National Trust for putting on such a wonderful display and next time I must look inside as this wonderful tweet shows.

If you enjoyed these pictures of Packwood then take a look at the gardens and house in the mist


Knowle High Street in the snow

The snow started falling on a Saturday morning and it was settling on the ground.  Seeing the conditions, I gritted my teeth and decided to head out in the cold.  There could be some good pictures of Knowle village in the snow. Venturing out in the windy cold conditions was not fun.  Being cold and wet, I took my Fuji x100v which is weather proofed and wandered around the High Street taking pictures.  Even though I had camera gloves on, with only the tips of the thumb and first finger exposed, I was getting very cold.  However it was disappointing as the snow had turned to rain and there was little of the white stuff around.  I decided to call it a day and when I got back to my car, I was soaked. Sitting in the car, I noticed that a thick snow blizzard had started.  I decided to be brave and I returned to the High Street for a second time. My decision this time was to use my iPhone13. Going to the northern end of the High street, I started taking pictures and slowly advanced towards the church at the opposite end of the road.  The temperature had dropped and the driving swirling snow was making it difficult to see what was happening. My finger tips were numb so it was difficult to know whether the camera had taken any pictures. I was also shivering and the iPhone was continually slipping out of gloves. I returned to the car more soaked than before and came home. 

Knowle High Street in the snow
Snow swirling around the shops
Knowle High Street in the snow
Little traffic and the pictures take on a timeless quality.
Knowle High Street in the snow
Knowle Church in the Snow

When I saw my iPhone pictures, I realised that I had captured some magical Christmas card snow scenes.  I did have some camera shake on one or two of the pictures but the majority were good.  The reactions on social media were very positive.  I made the long list of #sharemondays2021 and await the results of several other competitions where I submitted the pictures. I am really glad I did brave the conditions!  Seeing the pictures made it all worthwhile!

Knowle High Street in the snow
Without the cars, this scene could be from the Dickens Christmas Carol period.

Some other pictures of Knowle are on my blog including a walk around the area and snow that fell in January 2021


A few pictures of Trees and some Birmingham locations this Christmas

The University of Birmingham
Church Street, Birmingham Business District
Noddy Holder in Lego – Merry Christmas Everyone
The Cathedral looking pretty
with Reindeers and a Tree
Futuristic Christmas Tree in the Cube
Merry Christmas – Mailbox Style
The Custard Factory looking festive
Snow House at the Bull Ring