106 AUTUMNAL LEAVES. 



To revert, however, to our forest itinerary. 

 We have reached Ibbesley and passing its small 

 Church on the right-hand side of the way we come 

 in sight once more, on the opposite side, of the 

 Avon, winding up through its low-lying meadows 

 to Ibbesley bridge. The prettily-thatched cot- 

 tages of this charming little village straggle pic- 

 turesquely along the roadway on the same side as 

 the Church, their yellow- washed, brick walls being 

 almost hidden by Ivy and other trailers, whilst 

 the little front gardens, bordered by wooden rail- 

 ings are bright with coloured blossoms yellow 

 and pink and scarlet and crimson windows 

 peeping out from the deep cosy shelter of their 

 amply-sufficient eaves. Near the bridge stand 

 three enormous Elms which crown a sloping, 

 grassy bank that leads down to the water's edge. 



Passing on to the bridge and looking south- 

 wards we get a peep of scenery which would 

 repay one for a journey of many miles to see. 

 Even the sides of the one-arched stone structure 

 of the bridge possess interest and beauty, for 

 they are blotched with the orange, silver and gold 

 of spreading Lichen. Growing from the bridge's 



