Northcliffe Park

I've been overwhelmed by the response to The North-South Divide. The most wonderful thing about this site is that people do truly engage with each other's blips, and I feel honoured that you engaged with yesterday's puzzle so whole-heartedly. In the end I had a very clear winner in Sgwarnog who provided a very clear and precise explanation (giving coherent form to my own vague ideas - so must be right!) and suffixed it with a little whimsy to clinch the deal ...

The trees with the leaves are on the North side, and if you took the image in early Spring, the effect would be reversed. The trees on the north side are partly in the shadow of those on the south side. Those on the south get more of the sun early in the year, and rely on that warmth to develop leaves, so the leaves on that side develop earlier. The fact that they are developing leaves earlier puts the north side in even more shade, so slows the development of the buds into leaves there, until the avarage temperature getsa bit warmer, and the sun gets a bit higher as spring progresses. In this explanation, the leaves on the trees have a similar lifespan, it's just that they're at different stages of development. Those on the right, the north side, are younger, therefore don't have the urge to jump off quite yet.

Apart from that, this is the first proper chance that the remaining leaves have had to gaze on the moor, rather than the town, so they're making the most of it.

Second place goes to the very first person to make a comment, PappaG, who came up with ...

Tree on the left is facing south and is gutted as the other tree faces Bonny Scotland....hence why its 'Bonnier!!'

And I'm going to give the final podium place to Elwetritsche for ...

The one on the left is facing south; it's hotter down south and it doesn't take that many "leaf clothes" to stay warm.

The only prize I can offer is to suggest you check out their great journals!

Nothing more from me tonight other than to say that it's been a frustrating day at work, every job taking longer way longer than expected - which means I have to be carrying loads of stuff into the weekend. And I'm afraid the trees and bench theme is carried forward. Thanks for all the amazing comments and hearts and stars. You're all wonderful. Have a really great weekend.