Monarch of the forest

Playing catch up today, by backblipping the shots I took on Sunday...

This morning's walk in Epping forest, brought nothing in the way of sunshine and this week we didn't even have the benefit of atmospheric mists and the droplet laden leaves and webs that they reveal.  Nevertheless, Zeus enjoyed his walk as he always does, seeking out more and more impossibly sized branches in the hope that they will be thrown. Even he wouldn't  tackle the fallen branches from this mighty oak though!  I'm sure I've blipped it before but it does deserve another showing I think.  Info below for anyone interested:

This "monarch of the Forest" stands in a clearing at the junction of several rides between Fairmead Bottom and Connaught Water.

Alternate names for this Quercus robur are Cuckoo Oak (it is near Cuckoo Pits) Bedford’s Oak and Grimston's Oak. The later is the one most frequently used. J. T. Bedford was involved in the battle to save Epping Forest from destruction in the 1870s. Robert Grimston was a 19th Century cricketer who died in 1884.
The tree is estimated to be about 350 years old.

Meanwhile back at home, Violet is spending the weekend with us and today she is 17 months old!  She posed for me wearing a rather splendid pink tutu and a top which has a squirrel - wearing a tutu- on it: perfect!
 She features in my 'extra today and you can also see another shot of here here if you care to look.