This month marks the 25th anniversary of our arrival in Cambridge and one thing that Nigel and I both remember is that the trees were dropping conkers so fast it was 'dangerous' to walk underneath them! Also Nigel was appalled that the local children left so many lying around until we realised just how many trees there are in the city. Our chestnut trees are now afflicted with leaf burrowers so they look a mess and have turned brown and crinkly already but they seem to have done better this year than last and there are lots of conkers. They are falling early this year and are quite a hazard for cyclists on some roads but I was pleased to see little boys filling their pockets - while I was filling mine - there is something irresistible about a shiny brown conker.
Gorgeous shiny conker shot - love them! Glad to hear your local boys are still conkering. Not so glad about the chestnut tree blight that's affecting so many of our trees.
Brilliant - I was going to post a proper conker shot tonight but got caught out in the rain! This is great...autumn is properly here! love the colours...
Is it that time of year already? I'll miss conkers here in Israel. Finding conkers and the smell of horse chestnut leaves reminds me so strongly of going back to school after the summer. Love your commentary.
They are irresistible I agree. Soemthing about their feel and shininess. Memories of childhood and autumn......aaaaaggggghhhh. When my partners daughter was much younger, we collected loads, allowed to use a drill and then we threaded loads onto a long bootlace. To this day it is hanging in the garden....must be at least 7 or 8 years!
Lucky you! We don't have many chestnut trees here in the states as some sort of blight killed them off in the last century. I like that you have shown them in the shelled as well as shelled. It always amazes me how well protected nuts are.
September 19th, 2011
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Bonkers Conkers, love it.