Natural Places in England

Nature is beautiful without effort. It is lovely without pretensions. It is majestic and wonderful and wondrous and loving.

In her embrace, we feel small - utterly insignificant - yet perfectly happy and loved. 

Her swirling colours excite. Have you seen the way she painted the skies? Those strokes of golden red against violet-blue? Beautiful, just beautiful.

Beach at Liverpool

I came to Europe, expecting to spend my time gazing at masterpieces in art museums. I had hoped to divine the secrets of art from world-renowned artists. And then, I saw the place that they painted in.

Such serene and magical places. Every second in such a landscape could inspire poetry, art and music. 

Backyard in Sheffield

Rock Cliffs in Edinburgh

Rippling Waters in Edinburgh

Detritus in Sussex

Seashore in Sussex

There's power and beauty in those surfaces so carefully shaped by Nature. A poetic stanza floated into my mind:

To see a world in a grain of sand,

And a heaven in a wild flower,

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,

And eternity in an hour.

- William Blake, Auguries of Innocence

Nature, beautiful without even trying.