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We’re still in that period where we are experiencing A Year in Wivenhoe. There’s not quite a trashy Sunday night TV series to be made out of it, but the plot is forever taking on twists and turns, and mostly all for the better.

Which brings us round to the Bluebells of Wivenhoe Wood. It was around this time last year that @AnnaJCowen and were putting into place the final arrangements for the Great Escape. Houses were to be viewed, bags were to be packed and bluebells were around, but not to be seen.

We had heard all about the lush fields of purple splendour (steady) over in the Wood, but were too busy doing the dirty with the estate agents to think about taking a walk out on the Wivenhoe wild side.

Which is where this blog post comes in, and where I get to state quite uncategorically a genuine non-ironic: CRIPES Comrades.

How spectacular are these? They must be one of the Seven Wonders of Essex, edging out Rollerworld and the teenage fun that can be found within.

A spare morning midweek, and I headed off deep into the Wood. If you go down to Wivenhoe Wood today then you’re in for a big surprise. My surprise was in being able to use my in-built compass (NOT on the iPhone) to locate the lovelies.

I’m still getting lost in Wivenhoe Wood, and so took the approach of a random right turn here, a couple of left approaches along the footpath as it carves ever deeper, and then WOH!

Here be Bluebells.

It was my complete good fortune that I randomly stumbled upon the field of bluebells, using some inner bluebell magnetic mechanism. It was that kind of perfect morning.

I don’t think I’m giving too much away when I state that the morning glory can be best viewed from the vantage point of beside the picnic tables [point of order - Wivenhoe Wood Working Party is carrying out a restoration project here on the 15th May.]

With autumnal traces of burnt, crisp leaves still littering up the footpaths, the bridleway was enhanced with a beautiful lining on both sides from bluebells. It was as though Mother Nature had lined the passages within the wood to greet anyone fortunate enough to pass through.

Told yer it was that kinda poetic morning, Comrades.

A Polish relative thrice removed once told me about the importance of finding the exact right moment to capture bluebells in all their prime moment. We were on a Cumbrian holiday by mistake at the time; booze got the better of the bluebell hunt. It was mid-November after all.

Judging by the beauty of the Wivenhoe bluebells, I’d wager that there’s about a week of life left in them. Catch ‘em while you can kids. They are the ultimate in Open Gardens – a free for all field of blue scented dream. My April cold was cured after a morning of sniffing around in solitude.

Next week on A Year in Wivenhoe: the wisteria tree of, um, my back garden and its uncanny knack of growing at right angles and spreading spring love in a very precise and scientific approach to the form and fauna.

Lovely.

Plus: I’m playing around with the new Flash slideshow software above. It’s a bit hit and miss, but does the crude job of combining images and audio. The functionality lacks the ability to stop the audio after one loop.

Whoops.

I’ve been quoted “$50 for customizzzation.”

Gee.

Thanks but no thanks, fella.

There’s a handy mute button in the top left hand corner if it is getting on yer tits. I rather like the opportunities it presents…

Plus Plus: as ever, if you are viewing this as a very kind Facebook reader, a head over here for the full multi media nonsense.