Welcome to the A to Z challenge, a blog post everyday of April apart from Sundays, covering every letter of the alphabet. My theme is travel, that thing that we haven’t been able to do over the last 12 months, so it seemed appropriate to reminisce about past travels we’ve taken, looking forward to when we can travel freely again.
Today we’re looking at something that is universal when travelling, and that is enjoying natures beauty. Whether it be a rural or urban travel destination there is always something to appreciate, even if it’s just hanging baskets in front of buildings.
Graveyards are a great place to see nature, especially old graveyards. This is a graveyard in Norfolk with poppies taking over.
I love the sounds of bumblebees enjoying plants, and I also love exploring a butterfly house, especially if you’re lucky enough to have one land on you.
These gardens are at the top of the building in London that is known as the walkie talkie because of it’s shape. An indoor garden with views across London which on the day we went we couldn’t see as there was thick fog outside the window. There are restaurants and a café amongst the beautiful greenery. Unsurprisingly it’s the highest garden in London.
The signs of spring are universal across the world, with flowers blooming everywhere. Cherry blossoms are such a cheerful sight and can make anywhere look beautiful – it would be lovely to see the cherry blossoms in Japan, as all the pictures that are shown look absolutely stunning.
Do explore the local markets instead of the touristy ones when you go somewhere new, as so many things will be the same but there will be lots that’s fresh and new.
Wander off the main streets and find hidden alley ways that are adorned with fabulous hanging baskets that are overflowing with colour.
A beautifully poignant place to visit in England is the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire where there are nearly 400 memorials in amongst 25,000 trees. War memorials are again things that are universal across the world, but different in how each country commemorates them.
My final photo for today is the Gallipoli memorial at the Arboretum which I felt was fitting as tomorrow is Anzac day. I took this photo when we attended the Anzac day service there when we were still living in England. The dead trees surrounding the memorial are meant to signify hands reaching for help and beside each dead oak is a holme oak tree, these are natives from the Gallipoli peninsula.
Thanks for stopping by and make sure you visit other bloggers who are crazy enough to be doing the challenge with me – Click Here to visit the master list of participants.
Stay safe and have a good day.
Previous A to Z posts:
2018 – U is for Unconditional
2017 – U is for Ullapool
2016 – U is for Unique
Tasmanian Abroad 
I love nature around the world – sometimes they change as much as the buildings around them.
That top garden, walkie talkie, is like a garden in the sky although I probably wouldn’t want to look down.
I love cheery blossoms – they just makes me want to be happy looking at them.
Have a lovely day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like your use of the letter U. Lovely nature and scenery all around… universal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh dear, that Gallipoli memorial nearly brought me to tears but I’d love to see it even though I know I’ll cry. memo to self… Add the arboretum to future travel…when/if.
https://cassmobfamilyhistory.com/2021/04/25/fill-the-billy-for-the-boys-anzac-day-2021/
LikeLiked by 1 person