7 Days, So Many Monkey Puzzle Trees! Part 3

So the following Friday, having seen 6 monkey Puzzle trees in such a short space of time me and Nathalie headed off for a weekend camping at the Broadstairs Folk Week. Our journey down to Broadstairs was a bit of a nightmare as the clutch on our van (Geoff) decided that the M2 was the perfect place to finally give up the ghost. What could have ended of our weekend away before it had really begun was rescued by the wonderful man from the RAC who managed to find a garage near Whitstable Bay which is very close to Broadstairs that could replace the clutch by Saturday lunchtime. With the help of our lovely RAC man we left Geoff at the garage and jumped on a train from Whitstable Bay to Broadstairs. As we approached Broadstairs Station I was looking out of the window of the train when I spotted a lovely Monkey Puzzle Tree in one of the roads running next to the line!

Broadstairs - Tree 1 (CT38)

We had an absolutely brilliant time at the Festival and on the last night we decided to check out one or two of the pub gigs that they put on. As we ambled along to the first pub Nathalie suddenly stopped and asked me had I seen what was to my left, being pretty 'special' sometimes I looked at the roof of the house on my left and asked what was so special about the gull sitting there? Nat shook her head and told me to look a bit lower, there to my surprise was another Monkey Puzzle tree.

Broadstairs - Tree 2 (CT39)

Before we left Broadstairs on the Monday we drove to where we'd seen the first tree to get a photo. I pulled over Geoff opened the window and took a picture with my phone. As I was taking the photo the guy cleaning the windows noticed what I was doing and proceeded to climb down his ladder to enquire what we were up to. I explained how much I loved Monkey Puzzle trees and told him about my Quest and to my surprise he burst out laughing and told me if I liked this one there was an even bigger one round the corner where he also cleans the windows! With the directions given we then went on to see this lovely Monkey Puzzle tree.

Broadstairs - Tree 3 (CT40)

So ended the most fruitful week of Monkey Puzzle tree spotting since my Quest began and I can honestly say I was totally blown away with my success.

Monkey Puzzle Trees Seen - 25       Monkey Puzzle Trees Yet To See - 5

7 Days, So Many Monkey Puzzle Trees! Part 2

So after my unbelievable day out in North London resulting in me seeing three more Monkey Puzzle trees I little suspected that the very next day I would repeat this brilliant achievement. Nathalie had promised me a surprise afternoon trip during my holidays so when she picked me up the next afternoon, with only the instruction being to bring my camera I just didn't know what to expect. As we headed further out of North London it came to me in a flash where we were heading! Nat had often told me about the huge Monkey Puzzle tree they had in east Finchley Cemetery and it was indeed to there that we were heading.

I have to say the Cemetery is an amazing place full of mature specimens of a variety of beautiful trees and the Monkey Puzzle tree near the centre of the Cemetery was certainly one of the best ones I've ever seen. It stands so proudly amongst the other trees , with a beautiful shape and size that does the species proud.

East Finchley Cemetery- Tree 1 (N5)

East Finchley Cemetery- Tree 1

East Finchley Cemetery- Tree 1

As we were leaving the Cemetery we realised that we had actually missed another Monkey Puzzle tree by the entrance. A smaller tree than the first but still a very nice tree indeed.

East Finchley Cemetery- Tree 2 (N6)

As we had missed this one at first I had a look around just in case we'd missed any others and to both my delight and horror we had. On the opposite side of the chapel from the second tree was indeed another Monkey Puzzle tree but sadly this poor tree was dying! It looked so much like my Monkey Puzzle tree after the idiots next door had killed it that it was quite upsetting.

East Finchley Cemetery- Tree 3 (N-X1)

Still at the end of the day I had managed to see 3 more trees and it wasn't long before I was feeling pretty good! I never imagined for one moment that my Monkey Puzzle tree count was going to be added to so quickly.....

Monkey Puzzle Trees Seen - 22       Monkey Puzzle Trees Yet To See - 5

7 Days, So Many Monkey Puzzle Trees! Part 1

My quest to see Monkey Puzzle trees has been progressing quite nicely but if I'm honest it has also been quite slow. Finding new trees or trees to see was always going to be a patient endeavour so I was really not expecting what happened in just 7 days in August. It all began when me and my mate David Dixon were travelling to Enfield to see our mate Dave Shaw about getting a label for our apiary's honey designed. As we made our way though the back streets of Barnet we drove past a house with not just one Monkey Puzzle tree but......

Barnet - Tree 1 (EN1)

...two in the front garden. I have to say I admire the owners for their dedication in keeping Britain's streets populated with such a magnificent tree.

Barnet - Tree 2 (EN2)

I was thrilled to see two more Monkey Puzzle trees and was still buzzing when I was convinced I saw another tree out of the window as we sped along to Mr Shaw's. As my view was obscured by a lot of roadside hedgerow I was chuffed to bits when DD took us back the same way to confirm my possible sighting. It didn't take long for us to find the place I thought I'd seen another tree and to my delight I was right!

Oakwood (N4)

So in just one day I had added 3 new Monkey Puzzle trees to my list, which was pretty rewarding, however I didn't realise at the time this was just the start of a particular good run for my Quest!...

Monkey Puzzle Trees Seen - 19       Monkey Puzzle Trees Yet To See - 5