Wednesday 11 May 2016

Blickling Hall's English Bluebell Wood

According to my daughter (who was born in the twenty-first century and is therefore an expert in these matters), I have vlogged. It happened because I thought that you might like to hear the sound of an English Bluebell wood.



Vlogging has its shortfalls. There appears to be no share button for scent. In the absence of virtual scent, you might wish to create your own. Bluebell woods are wonderfully fragrant, but the scent is subtle and doesn't knock you sideways. If you have a few hyacinths to hand, remove them to another room and leave the door open, then place a pile of damp dirt and the odd bark chipping by your computer. Olfactory experts might describe overtones of this and undertones of that, but as far as I'm concerned it's an ambrosial dirt/wood/floral fragrance. 

Please note that considerable quantities of coffee and cake were consumed in the making of this video, so it would be entirely appropriate for you to pop the kettle on. The video doesn't last long, so in the interests of indigestion avoidance, you might want to hit the cake while it's loading. 

https://youtu.be/dlsZfghh_2M



44 comments:

  1. Just had some cake! Technology moves so quick, won't be surprised if scented videos will be possible soon..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That would be great... and perhaps a sharing button for cake.

      Delete
  2. As it turns out I was just eating a breakfast of English muffin toast and coffee, so I had all on hand to watch this video, which was wonderful, by the way. It gave me a real sense of the place—beautiful sights and sounds (I noticed the woodpecker right off). And your description of the fragrance of Bluebell Wood helped me imagine what it must be like. You're a natural at vlogging.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's very kind of you to say. I am delighted that we managed to coordinate breakfast and video.... serendipity indeed!

      Delete
  3. I enjoyed your video Sarah, watched whilst having lunch. Having not visited Blickling before, I enjoyed both your tour of the gardens and the foray into the Bluebells woods, they look so peaceful and quite beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The wood was very peaceful. There were plenty of visitors at the hall, but not many ventured into the wood.

      Delete
  4. A carpet of bluebells is a treat for several of our senses.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is indeed! The weather has been pretty kind this spring, so enjoying the bluebells has been very easy.

      Delete
  5. You did an excellent job with your first vlog, Sarah! While I videoed bees enjoying my Cuphea once, I never posted it - your video was a good bit more interesting. It was wonderful to hear the birdsong accompanying the beautiful views of the bluebells. Too bad you couldn't share the cake, though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did consider filming the cake, but I had eaten it by the time I switched my camera on. You should post your video of the bees - I would love to see it.

      Delete
  6. Oh those bluebells! I'm glad you mentioned the woodpecker. I'd been trying to work out whether it was on the video or here.. turns out it was both! Great video and lovely to 'meet' you!

    ReplyDelete
  7. A lovely video with the woodpecker on cue.
    I have visited Blickling Hall once when on holiday and on another occasion to see the outstanding Holstien herd on the farm there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wonder if they show cattle at the Royal Norfolk Show? I will look out for them this year.

      Delete
  8. I liked your video, because I have my new camera as well and I try to learn more how to manage it. Blue bells are stunning and you can really hear their sound. At least to hear a woodpecker!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so ashamed that I didn't know my camera had a filming facility. I had been wondering how to record the bluebell wood and was flailing around on the internet examining the options when I read about my own camera. I might have spotted the button. It's big and it says "movie". (I am still cringing).

      Delete
  9. Lovely! Thanks for sharing those bluebells with us. I could almost smell them! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. closest I'll ever come to walking thru a bluebell wood!

    ReplyDelete
  11. That was beautiful. The birdsong and the sound of the woodpeckers - a very peaceful cacophony!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like that - a peaceful cacophony. It suits the woodland perfectly!

      Delete
  12. Sarah I really enjoyed this so much more than still photos....seeing a bluebell wood is high on my to do list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so pleased you did. I hope you get to spend some time in a bluebell wood.

      Delete
  13. Excellent video. I would love to visit this garden - especially that double border. And the bluebell woods were enchanting. Poor Ann Boleyn - that Henry was a real dirtbag. Though she wasn't exactly all sweetness and light either. At least her daughter made a pretty big mark on the world. And now I must go find some cake.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am more than a little concerned that you waited until after the video for cake! ;-)
      I hope that you get to visit Blickling one day. I think you would enjoy looking inside the Hall too.

      Delete
  14. I enjoyed the video very much! The tulip borders and the bluebell woods were both gorgeous. I loved hearing the background sounds in the woods, as well. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  15. That worked really well Sarah, I loved being able to hear the birds in the bluebell woods, even if we couldn't smell that lovely scent on the breeze.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I really must get onto Google about the smell issue.

      Delete
  16. Lovely video Sarah, even though a picture says a thousand words a video is so much more! And I find with my own videos that they make a nice diary for looking back, as I film my garden every month – I can compare year on how things develop.
    I would have loved to see those bluebells, I have actually never seen one in real life! I get the odd Spanish intruder blown in from neighbouring gardens, but never a native :-) Maybe I should buy some for my woodland bed for next spring.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I have only ever taken photos of my garden, but I am beginning to think that I should film it - especially as there is still so much work to undertake.
      If you are able to get on a train and come to Norfolk next spring, I am happy to collect you from the station and take you to the bluebells.

      Delete
    2. Thank you for your very nice offer Sarah, but I am not able to get out of my house apart from going to hospital appointment where I have hospital transport. Last time I was at my local park was in 2006. That’s why my own garden is so important to me :-)

      Delete
    3. I'm sorry Helene, I didn't know it was so long since you were able to get to your local park. I have English bluebells under a beech tree in my garden. I will dig some up as they come into flower next spring and send them to you so that you can have bluebells too.

      Delete
    4. Thank you so much Sarah, but you should probably wait until they have finished flowering. While they are still green, wrap the bulbs and roots in some moist kitchen paper and then the whole plants in an open plastic bag. In a box with some padding, bulbs in the green will survive transport very well, and I will get to enjoy their flowers the following year. I will look forward to that, let’s get in touch about it next year :-)

      Delete
  17. Such a lovely video Sarah and the bluebells are so beautiful! Thank you for putting a smile on my face!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh...those bluebells are to die for!xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aren't they? I would love the month of May for the bluebells alone.

      Delete
  19. Our Canvas Tarpaulins are Durable and Tough , Our Canvas Tarpaulins are Made with Cotton Canvas Which make them Water Resistance and Durable.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hii your blog is looking good.Thanks for sharing this information and keep posting.
    For better sofa renovation contact thesofastore gives best Sofa Refurbishing in HSR Laout,Bangalore

    ReplyDelete

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.