Welcome to the latest offerings of the camera club.

We are now midway through a year which sadly continues the turmoil of the previous two.

Thanks to the global pandemic and Russian invasion of Ukraine we are all sadly living in a far different world to the one we left in 2020.

How simple life was then and few, if any, would have predicted all that we have experienced, and continue to endure, since.

Yet we endure and we find ways to make life meaningful because humanity has always found a way.

We are fortunate to live in such a peaceful part of the world.

However the events of the past few years have shown us that even rurality is no defence to the impact of global events.

Solace has always been available in our countryside.

Who has not found peace and answers to their problems by walking around their homes in the beautiful land which has always provided a backdrop to our communities?

Who has not forgotten their troubles at the sound of a bleating lamb or in the smile of a dog?

Even with the soaring cost of living crisis, these things cannot be taken away or charged for.

They are simple pleasures and it is these that make up life.

So if you are down this weekend and want to pick yourselves up then you could do far worse than venture to the hills and ask yourself ‘how green is my valley?’

County Times: Powis Castle in Welshpool. Picture by Jonathan Atkinson.

Powis Castle in Welshpool. Picture by Jonathan Atkinson.

County Times: Many a child's favourite plant. Picture by Mel Evans.

Many a child's favourite plant. Picture by Mel Evans.

County Times: A poppy ready to burst. Picture by Sarah Humphreys Evans.

A poppy ready to burst. Picture by Sarah Humphreys Evans.

County Times: A stunning shot of a bird in full flight in Caersws. Picture by Ben Gethin.

A stunning shot of a bird in full flight in Caersws. Picture by Ben Gethin.

County Times: A misty day at Fachwen Pool near Newtown. Picture by Robin Bridgen.

A misty day at Fachwen Pool near Newtown. Picture by Robin Bridgen.

County Times: Rain on a leaf. Picture by Rob Carolan.

Rain on a leaf. Picture by Rob Carolan.

County Times: A bird takes a well deserved rest. Picture by Stephen Probert.

A bird takes a well deserved rest. Picture by Stephen Probert.

County Times: The cutest squirrel award goes to. Picture by Stephen Probert.

The cutest squirrel award goes to. Picture by Stephen Probert.

County Times: Mother and calf. Picture by Elaine Davies.

Mother and calf. Picture by Elaine Davies.

County Times: A woodpecker in full flight in Newtown. Picture by Rodney Holbrook.

A woodpecker in full flight in Newtown. Picture by Rodney Holbrook.

County Times: A rainbow over Carno. Picture by Andre Hutchinson.

A rainbow over Carno. Picture by Andre Hutchinson.

County Times: A family of woodpeckers. Picture by Dave Lister.

A family of woodpeckers. Picture by Dave Lister.

County Times: Low water levels in Elan Valley. Picture by David Jehu.

Low water levels in Elan Valley. Picture by David Jehu. 

County Times: A happy hare poses for the camera. Picture by Terry Holloway.

A happy hare poses for the camera. Picture by Terry Holloway.

County Times: Feeding time. Picture by Denise Williams.

Feeding time. Picture by Denise Williams.

County Times: Hay Castle in all its majesty. Picture by Stuart Townsend.

Hay Castle in all its majesty. Picture by Stuart Townsend.

County Times: A day out with the family. Picture by Bod70 Amateur Photography.

A day out with the family. Picture by Bod70 Amateur Photography.

County Times: Cormorant visiting Llandrindod Lake. Picture by Steven Weekly.

Cormorant visiting Llandrindod Lake. Picture by Steven Weekly.