223 - There are certain things that evoke a strong sense of the seasons, and for autumn, one of those is the conker, so that was on my list of ideas to shoot - but the search was a bit harder than expected!
I saw the conker high in the tree (top left) a while ago, located far too high for me to get at it, but it was beginning to split, so a conker harvest couldn't be too far away! So since then I've wandered around various places where I knew that there were horse chestnut trees, but sadly other conker collectors had been there before me, as the newly opened but empty case (top right) shows.
But persistence pays off - eventually one rather battered specimen (bottom left) next to an even more battered seed case.
My search continued - and at last success! A tree surrounded by conkers on the ground, so here are a few samples (bottom left). I'd managed to beat the young conker players to this one! Now I wonder if my grandson is old enough to play conkers?
this brought back so many memories for me, Ian. I just love this picture. Around the corner from the house we lived in when I was a kid, was a chestnut tree. Every year the neighborhood kids would go and collect them. I remember them being so smooth when they first came out of the "shell". It was really exciting to find one that had 2 chestnuts inside. Thank you for posting this picture. I had such wonderful flashbacks! fav
Such a cool collage! And an interesting narrative, thank you. No conkers (or seasons) where I live. I'm always learning something new on 365. Great shots. 8)
Thank you for the informative text and the great collage - now I've seen them I recognize them Every other stall in Barcelona was roasting them about this time in 2010,.
A quintessentially English subject, and very nicely presented! Even after all these years I still think conkers are the most beautiful thing in the world when they are just out of their shells.
Love your collage and narration. Never heard of conkers before and after reading the link you've posted, I doubt any kids in this modern age would have a bar of it. They would rather play on their electronic toys haha.
Thank you Christine. I'm not sure if my grandson is old enough for conkers at 5 - I might have to persuade one of my daughters that they are young enough to play! lol
Thank you Tony - but I hope these weren't what was on sale in Barcelona, since they are poisonous! You probably saw Sweet Chestnuts, which look very similar, but edible!
Thank you Marie - and you would be surprised, they are still very popular, hence my struggle to find some! (Unless its lots of other nostalgic adults collecting them!)
Thank you Lizzy - glad to have stimulated a few memories for you!
Thank you Brian - I hadn't thought of Conkers as being a uniquely British thing!
Thank you Christine. I'm not sure if my grandson is old enough for conkers at 5 - I might have to persuade one of my daughters that they are young enough to play! lol
Thank you Livia - no seasons means you must live near the equator, so this would be new to you. Glad you found it interesting!
Thank you Ann, glad you like it!
Thank you Netkonnexion - autumn is a lovely colourful time for photos!
Thank you Pyrrhula, glad you like it!
Thank you Tony - but I hope these weren't what was on sale in Barcelona, since they are poisonous! You probably saw Sweet Chestnuts, which look very similar, but edible!
Thank you Brian - the search was fun!
Thank you Janet - there is something special about conkers!
Thank you Lucy - do you fancy a game of conkers when you come home?
Thank you Nat, glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you Marie - and you would be surprised, they are still very popular, hence my struggle to find some! (Unless its lots of other nostalgic adults collecting them!)
Thank you Tony, glad you like it!
Thank you Jen - I hope you found them interesting?
Thank you ladyjane - conkers is still a very popular game for children!
Thank you Joan - glad you like it!
Thank you Jen, glad you like it! - please feel free to use the idea!