Simon Mattacks

Occasionally, a sprightly bird would burst forth from the greenery on a mission to forage for food for the young chicks. They were nearing the pond, which sat just before the impeccably manicured green of the cricket pitch. Unlike the playing field, this area of the village had been left to nature. The pool was large, with a willow tree hanging over it at one edge.

Occasionally, a sprightly bird would burst forth from the greenery on a mission to forage for food for the young chicks. They were nearing the pond, which sat just before the impeccably manicured green of the cricket pitch. Unlike the playing field, this area of the village had been left to nature. The pool was large, with a willow tree hanging over it at one edge.

Occasionally, a sprightly bird would burst forth from the greenery on a mission to forage for food for the young chicks. They were nearing the pond, which sat just before the impeccably manicured green of the cricket pitch. Unlike the playing field, this area of the village had been left to nature. The pool was large, with a willow tree hanging over it at one edge.

Its long green branches cascaded down into the still water, causing the slightest ripples as the breeze moved about them. A circular bench encompassed the trunk of the tree and offered a shady spot to sit. The pond was host to a variety of plant life.

Its long green branches cascaded down into the still water, causing the slightest ripples as the breeze moved about them. A circular bench encompassed the trunk of the tree and offered a shady spot to sit. The pond was host to a variety of plant life.

Its long green branches cascaded down into the still water, causing the slightest ripples as the breeze moved about them. A circular bench encompassed the trunk of the tree and offered a shady spot to sit. The pond was host to a variety of plant life.

At the far side, bulrushes and grasses had sprouted from its depths and a floating carpet of green duckweed traveled slowly across the water's surface. Amelia looked down at the edge of the pond. On a previous walk, she had spotted frog spawn and was keen to see how the offspring were growing. Much to her delight, at the warm edge of the pond, a flurry of tadpoles were gathered.

At the far side, bulrushes and grasses had sprouted from its depths and a floating carpet of green duckweed traveled slowly across the water's surface. Amelia looked down at the edge of the pond. On a previous walk, she had spotted frog spawn and was keen to see how the offspring were growing. Much to her delight, at the warm edge of the pond, a flurry of tadpoles were gathered.

At the far side, bulrushes and grasses had sprouted from its depths and a floating carpet of green duckweed traveled slowly across the water's surface. Amelia looked down at the edge of the pond. On a previous walk, she had spotted frog spawn and was keen to see how the offspring were growing. Much to her delight, at the warm edge of the pond, a flurry of tadpoles were gathered.

They were nibbling on something so nutritious that they didn't seem to mind her presence. Not too far away, an adult frog emerged from beneath a floating leaf. Its body remained hidden, but its head peered out above the water. It was so still. Amelia had spotted the unusual artwork that the pond was hiding when she first moved to the village. Half submerged beneath the water was a hippo.

They were nibbling on something so nutritious that they didn't seem to mind her presence. Not too far away, an adult frog emerged from beneath a floating leaf. Its body remained hidden, but its head peered out above the water. It was so still. Amelia had spotted the unusual artwork that the pond was hiding when she first moved to the village. Half submerged beneath the water was a hippo.

They were nibbling on something so nutritious that they didn't seem to mind her presence. Not too far away, an adult frog emerged from beneath a floating leaf. Its body remained hidden, but its head peered out above the water. It was so still. Amelia had spotted the unusual artwork that the pond was hiding when she first moved to the village. Half submerged beneath the water was a hippo.

It was carved from the same stone as the horses, and much like the frog, only its head was poking out above the surface. In a place of such comings and goings, this hippo seemed to be a peaceful constant, an onlooker and a guardian. There was so much activity here that Amelia's attention was soon drawn to a dragonfly whose wings were beating furiously nearby.

It was carved from the same stone as the horses, and much like the frog, only its head was poking out above the surface. In a place of such comings and goings, this hippo seemed to be a peaceful constant, an onlooker and a guardian. There was so much activity here that Amelia's attention was soon drawn to a dragonfly whose wings were beating furiously nearby.

It was carved from the same stone as the horses, and much like the frog, only its head was poking out above the surface. In a place of such comings and goings, this hippo seemed to be a peaceful constant, an onlooker and a guardian. There was so much activity here that Amelia's attention was soon drawn to a dragonfly whose wings were beating furiously nearby.

It buzzed erratically about her before darting off for the bulrushes. Before long, a mother duck glided into view. she was followed by a line of fluffy brown and yellow ducklings. While her movements were slow and elegant, they scrambled after her. Although she couldn't see them, Amelia could imagine that their small webbed feet were paddling furiously to keep up.

It buzzed erratically about her before darting off for the bulrushes. Before long, a mother duck glided into view. she was followed by a line of fluffy brown and yellow ducklings. While her movements were slow and elegant, they scrambled after her. Although she couldn't see them, Amelia could imagine that their small webbed feet were paddling furiously to keep up.

It buzzed erratically about her before darting off for the bulrushes. Before long, a mother duck glided into view. she was followed by a line of fluffy brown and yellow ducklings. While her movements were slow and elegant, they scrambled after her. Although she couldn't see them, Amelia could imagine that their small webbed feet were paddling furiously to keep up.

Their barely audible tiny chirps were bossy and demanding, but it made Amelia smile with happiness. She was grateful that she had this opportunity to observe them. Lila also enjoyed watching them take a leisurely tour of the pond. Together, Lila and Amelia sat on the bench beneath the willow tree and looked out through the canopy.

Their barely audible tiny chirps were bossy and demanding, but it made Amelia smile with happiness. She was grateful that she had this opportunity to observe them. Lila also enjoyed watching them take a leisurely tour of the pond. Together, Lila and Amelia sat on the bench beneath the willow tree and looked out through the canopy.