A Chat in the Garden with ... my friend, Rosie!

Welcome back into the tranquil walled garden of A Pile of Leaves; winter is in the air (I hope you’re well wrapped up). This morning I’ve asked my lovely friend Rosie Anthony over for a chat; in addition to being knowledgeable about trees and plant-life, Rosie’s a wonderful photographer of it: her pictures reveal the detail of leaves and bark and flowers to be subtle and bewitching as the lines of faces. She also kept me sane when my job was sending me funny, which was no mean feat. (And she has a lovely blog she doesn’t update nearly enough – read it and encourage her!)

So welcome to the garden, Rosie! Will you have a cup of tea?

Nick! Yes, let’s have it with some cake – I made my favourite and brought it with me, I hope it hasn’t been squashed in my bag. Slice of almond and hazelnut chocolate gateaux anyone? There’s plenty to go around and perfect with friendly chat.

Ooh, lovely, thank you! Are you really going to apply to be on the Great British Bake-Off?

Perhaps in twenty years when I’ve baked more, had time to learn flavours and maybe grown a skin thick enough to cope with the “helpful comments”. To be honest, I love baking and adore the programme. Who couldn’t love Mary Berry, with her kindly, lovely ways? But I just don’t think I’m good enough. I know I make things that taste really nice but they don’t always look it! For me the look just isn’t that important (obviously I want it to look as though it was made by a top French patissiere, but I am being realistic), I just want to be able to bake things that delight people. Honestly, I’m terrified of Paul Hollywood!

What’s your advice to someone like me who, in the kitchen, is a danger to himself?

I think if you truly are a danger (have I told you that once I managed to set my oven gloves on fire in Home Ec. at school?), then you are probably best just staying well away from a kitchen! I think though, that you just lack confidence and feel under pressure with people around. Am I right? My advice to you Nick, make everyone leave the kitchen so you can do it without anyone watching and try to relax!

Can I thank you for your gorgeous picture of fallen leaves with which I have wallpapered my blog? What trees did they fall from again?

You’re very welcome; I’m honoured to feature on your marvellous blog. The leaves are from the cherry tree that I can see from my office window. Cherry trees happen to be my favourite tree (delicate blossom and splendidly coloured autumn leaves), but this one is particularly special to me. When I am having a bad day, a quick glance through the window and I feel instantly soothed. Seeing it in its full autumn colour left me know option but to grab my scarf, camera and lie on the floor capturing the loveliness around me.

All your photos of natural things are so beautiful. What sort of thing will usually grab your attention and make you take a picture?

Usually something very tiny catches my eye. I love taking photographs to show up the detail. If I can do a close up of a small section, then I will. My macro lens is my most used lens. I think I just want to show people what little bits of beauty and awe make up a whole big lovely thing.

How long have you been taking photographs? Have you been on courses and night classes and things?

I became interested in photography when I was learning about botany at university. As I said earlier, the details of flowers just grabbed me and I wanted to record them. Then I started wanting to share them and joined flickr. It was all probably about 6 years ago now. I haven’t ever been to classes, just read some magazines and practised, practised, practised! Like anything, the more you do it, the better you get. I think it also helps to have a passion for your subject. I love the things I photograph so much, I can’t help but want them to be seen in the best light possible.

You must have to hunker down in quite uncomfortable positions to get so close?

You certainly do! But you get used to it. My family and friends are all quite used to me suddenly throwing myself on the ground to take the perfect photo. It helps that they all thought I was slightly crackers to start off with!

You have a whole book of photos of my favourite flower, the poppy. Is it your favourite too? Why do you think it’s so fascinating?

I have just learnt about the Victorian language of flowers, where certain flowers were used to express emotions. The poppy was used to mean imagination and fantastic extravagance. It is my favourite flower, but only the small ones! I like the red common field poppy, Papaver rhoeas, best of all. The fragililty breaks my heart and what better petal to convey extravagance than the silken blood red tissue.

You are officially a tree expert. What tree is your favourite? I love an oak tree and of course the horse chestnut, but I actually think my favourite is the sycamore.

I find trees inspiring and peaceful. Being amongst them is good in every way. I particularly like sitting under one in summer with a good book and a slice of cake, but you also can’t beat just staring at them during autumn when their leaves are changing colour. They seem to light up even the dullest of days with their fiery lanterns glowing through the gloom.

Who or what inspired your interest in horticulture and the natural world?

That was my beloved botany teacher, Nigel Brown. I learnt, and continue to do so, an incredible amount from him. Not only the facts but about being passionate and loving the natural world. The natural world was a part of his soul and he gave a little piece of that to all of his students. I learnt to respect and adore the world around me from him. He also is the man who inspired me to pick up a camera!

We’ve discussed your childhood love for Pippi Longstocking and I must say, she seems to have been a positive influence on you, even if you have never beaten up any policemen (to my knowledge). What other books did you love as a child?

It was reading Pippi Longstocking that made me lie the wrong way round in bed! Unfortunately, it was so hot under the covers that I nearly boiled to death! I was mad on all of Enid Blyton books. I am still in love with the idea of childhood innocence and long hot summers, both of which are rapidly fading from the British way of life. Images of wandering aimlessly through country lanes, picking fruit off bushes and being happy, still make me smile.

Yes, I have the same nostalgia for a time that maybe never was. Wandering aimlessly and blackberrying in the sunshine. You were an enthusiastic reader as a child, then?

When I was born, my dad bought a big box of books from a car boot sale. Of course I was too small for them and he put them in the loft, sat there, just waiting for me to be ready. I’ll never forget the excitement as a young child of getting a book each time he went to the loft. I’d often cry, “Daddy, daddy, are you going to the loft today? I need a book!” It was a tragic day when the last book came down. I just couldn’t believe that I wouldn’t be getting another from the magical store!

And what’s the first book after childhood that you really, really loved?

I honestly have no idea, I mean when does childhood really end? I went through a phase of reading lots of crime novels, then didn’t get a chance to read very much throughout my Masters. This time round though, I’ve made sure that I always have a book on the go. So far this year I am on book number 42! I find it is a wonderful way to escape from study and the drudgery of real life.

What are you reading at the moment?

The Small Hand by Susan Hill is my current book. I read The Woman In Black for the first time over Halloween and was enthralled, so thought I’d try another of her ghost stories!

Do you have a particular place or position you like to read books in?

I like finding a quiet spot; by the sea, under a tree and so on but I will read anywhere. I read while I’m walking home and most often read in bed when I wake up early.

Do you think a particular book has changed your life?

Can a book change your life? I saw you asked about this in your previous interviews and it got me thinking. I think it depends on what sort of book you’re reading. For example the books that accompany the Great British Bake-Off certainly have revolutionised my life, but will reading The Woman In Black? I’m not sure that it will. I do think that books have an effect on you and possibly change your outlook on life. They make you think and can sway your opinions. I think I’ll sit on the fence with this one, with a very flimsy “it depends”.

Without intending to, my blog has developed a tendency for old kids books, ghost stories, and magic realism. What can you recommend that’s nothing like them?

I really enjoyed The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. It was a lovely story about a girl learning the aforementioned Victorian language of flowers. For a thriller about Bohemians, life and love, I really enjoyed The Poison Tree, Erin Kelly. Anything set in Paris or a cupcake café!

When you read, what voice do you hear? Or are you deep in the action of the novel?

I think I act it out in my head. I visualise a lot of things and imagine who would play the part if it should become a film. I create images and voices. One thing I’m interested in is whether an author can write as the opposite sex… something I’m intrigued about and am now consciously noticing throughout my reading.

In the old crumbly red brick wall of this garden is a green door. It opens onto anywhere in all the world that you could wish. Where would you like to go?

Without a doubt, that would be Paris in any era. I just can’t but help love the romance of the city.

Since this garden disobeys the usual rules governing reality, if you could invite anybody living or dead or unreal to join us, who would it be...?

I’m not very good at answering this question really. I think I’d like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe to help me choose which dress to wear. I would also like to ask Natasha, my lovely flickr friend who I am longing to meet in real life. Perhaps we should ask someone from government so that I could pass on my idea for making petrol cheaper and for a bit of something to look at, I wouldn’t mind if Ed Westwick popped over…

I am coming to stay the weekend with you and your beautiful boyfriend, Rhid, next January (yes, I definitely am this time!) – which Hollywood musical shall we watch on the Sunday afternoon?

Perhaps we could watch a Gene Kelly? Did I ever tell you that when I was little all I wanted to do when I grew up was star in old Hollywood musicals? I think I would have given my right arm to be in Anchors Aweigh! Though it may have changed the plot somewhat if I had been, especially with no right arm and all!

Oh, Kiki’s followed you into the garden. She’s sniffing the compost heap. Can you explain for our reader who she is and how she came to be in your life?

Kiki is our kitten. She is now seven months old but we adopted her about 3 months ago. One night I rescued her from under my car, it’s a long story involving children and broomsticks, and immediately fell in love with the bundle of black and white fluff. A few days later, her 6 year old owner, heartbrokenly asked if wanted her as she was no longer allowed to keep her. I tried to be calm and collected but basically screeched yes and nearly snatched the poor little girls’ arm off, but the good news is that she only lives two doors down and gets to continue playing with Kiki. I try to pass the act off as a Mother Theresa type act of love, instead of me just selfishly not being able to resist owning a lovely, tiny kitty! She also took her first steps outdoors last week. Heartbreaking it is, having to let them go.

Ah, I’m looking forward to getting to know her in January. Thank you for stopping by, and for the cake. You’re a star!