Same time next year?

There are some places I return to photograph regularly. In some cases it becomes almost a ritual. There’s a tree next to the road on Ridgeway Hill which I pass each time I cycle to Weymouth; everytime I stop to photograph it, recording its changes throughout the seasons.

Then there is this small bluebell wood.

For the last two or three years since I discovered it I have risen early one Sunday in springtime and cycled out of London into the Hertfordshire countryside and then on until I reach this quiet woodland.

It lies on an undulating country lane just out of Hertford, the county town. Every year I am never sure how far along the lane I have to cycle to reach it so every year it surprises me.

Once I have discovered the carpet of blue I prop the bicycle up on the road side and for half an hour lose myself in the woodland. I pause, notice, listen, smell and finally photograph the bluebell glade.

Here are some of the photographs I took this year. There’s the traditional view across the wood but this year I paid attention to some of the other details such as the young leaves on the trees. I also played around, deliberately moving the camera and zooming in and out to create blurred effects.

Eventually, though, I have to get back on the bicycle and ride on. But there are the photographs and the memories. And there is always next year.

Same time next year?