Sapphire Star, 2010

 
I am not sure why it took me so long to visit the 'Chihuly - Reflections on nature' exhibition at Kew Gardens, but I finally managed to catch it a few days before it ended. It was not the best day to visit Kew, but the autumn foliage made up [...]

 
In the last year or so, I have visited Kew Gardens three times – all thanks to my friend who is a member, hence I was able to get free entry because of her. So, when she enthusiastically informed me about the new botanical installation by London-based artist Rebecca Louise Law , it [...]

The grade II Listed Temple of Bellona was built by Sir William Chambers in 1760
 
The last time I visited Kew Gardens was some years back in the summer when a friend was visiting the UK. We took a boat from Westminster all the way to Kew, and we had a lovely day [...]

Hampstead heath
 
This autumn, we have had some beautiful sunny days with vivid blue sky in London, therefore I couldn't resist taking the time off (during the week) to enjoy nature in this bustling city. And I didn't have to go far since Hampstead Heath is the sanctuary for nature in London.
 

Hampstead Heath
 
I [...]

 
The title of this blog entry came up because of an article I read recently on BBC magazine regarding the effects of climate change. Higher temperatures and droughts across the globe are having big impact on the entire ecosystems, including the reduction of leaf pigments production and causing leaves to fall from [...]

 
Autumn is my favourite season of the year, so I am feeling slightly melancholic to see the beautiful red and yellow leaves withering away and looking slightly bare. Yet this is the cycle of nature, and even though I haven't been able to go hiking out of London, I am glad that [...]

 
Since my calligraphy classes resumed in September, I have not been able to get out of London for day hikes. Last weekend, my class was cancelled and so I was able to spend the day hiking along the Darent Valley Path in Kent.
Two days before the hike, the forecast looked very grim [...]

I love British summers but my favourite time of the year is still autumn. Although we don't have spectacular autumn foliage like Canada, United States, Japan and Korea, where people would travel annually to specific spots to watch fall colours; we can still take some time to appreciate the beauty of the [...]