The beauty of nature

Sometimes, nature just makes me stop and stare and yesterday morning, it did just that.  We had had some rain and as I was heading off down the garden, I just needed to stop and look at this cobweb, coated with raindrops, like tiny jewels.  

It is stunning, isn't it?

It is good to take a breath and enjoy what nature offers.  It is moments like this that are so memorable.

Winter has arrived

Last week it was much colder, as winter started to make itself felt.  Above is Clematis Wyevale looking beautifully statuesque with a dusting of frost.  

As we were going into the city centre, we were stopped in our tracks by these amazing icy spiders' webs. 

They look so beautiful.

I can't remember ever seeing something similar, although it could be I just wasn't looking!

These are all at the front of the house, along the railings.

Aren't they incredible?

Then on Sunday morning, this is what greeted us.

Even with the frost, ice and snow, this salvia, Cerro Potosi, still had a flower.

The winter flowering jasmine was also braving the temperatures.

I also found two raspberries - one was eaten before I took the photo - and they still tasted good!

Contrasts in the garden

 The garden is slowly moving into autumn, though there is still some colour about.  The other morning, I put the bird food out and saw these amazing cobwebs covered in dew, so rushed back inside to get my camera before they disappeared.

 I think they would be most at home in Miss Havisham's garden.

Cobwebs are the most wonderful constructions and yet we can destroy them in seconds.  I must admit I don't much like walking face first into a cobweb - the strands do cling so much!

 Just to show that there is still colour about, here are some photos of Cosmos Sonata, grown from seed and one of my very few successes this season.  I wasn't sure where to plant them so shoved them into a pot in June.  They just sat there and sat there and grew foliage and grew taller, but no sign of any flowers.  Then, at the end of August, a few buds started to form and eventually, they opened.

 I only had six plants, but they have been beautiful

 This was the view last week before we had the frost.  I was convinced that they wouldn't survive and I would have to remove a soggy mass of plants.

 Here they are again, this morning.  They look a little battered, but are still hanging on.

Another view this morning.  I have been delighted by the vibrant colours and have ordered more seeds of this variety for next year.  I know that it is only a matter of time before the frost gets them, but until then, they continue to lift my spirits.

P.S Don't forget to enter my blog giveaway - closing date on Friday 2nd November.