tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34042767496297190702024-03-19T08:48:45.853+00:00"By Stargoose And Hanglands"John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.comBlogger1272125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-14790132902230210692024-02-18T11:29:00.002+00:002024-02-18T13:26:39.136+00:00Good Days<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I may not be able to get out on the long walks that I enjoy, but I can still totter down to my local community woodland to see the snowdrops - at least on my good days!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlntq1ulC-yHy9eWROyEc30Tf1KUwSFFF7SZknqJrfPNwU2rNn13KaCq6-YBIyiyKcon5nUQj0HAjZWwTKW44cnwA4ZnRCh_PJdQt1Y0xNQGcjtBDGbzTlCosw2V4fboc8A9Uy8g2wLLX8KcNElCy_ICo34AxOXGfsTdB1rBbCXhj5r58IkYCLFUTfGdIc/s2006/DCB_0048%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlntq1ulC-yHy9eWROyEc30Tf1KUwSFFF7SZknqJrfPNwU2rNn13KaCq6-YBIyiyKcon5nUQj0HAjZWwTKW44cnwA4ZnRCh_PJdQt1Y0xNQGcjtBDGbzTlCosw2V4fboc8A9Uy8g2wLLX8KcNElCy_ICo34AxOXGfsTdB1rBbCXhj5r58IkYCLFUTfGdIc/w640-h480/DCB_0048%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtFRT0HNfBOfaHUXXyvR_PhYN-KpGkhptuJ-s3jL-Pt6wLclbhrX3nZ2z-3rAXD19oNql_OHtHNC76ahYXW-VGBUzz1nYU1GmOaGjwLC5e4LQMlz9hijBCoExU46B7_H-F5oYN9fAjK-e2dKal88zCQgqbpznoCk0DwQ7h-MvaSu3Yt66xm7NS3DzOrCJ/s2006/DCB_0050%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1505" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtFRT0HNfBOfaHUXXyvR_PhYN-KpGkhptuJ-s3jL-Pt6wLclbhrX3nZ2z-3rAXD19oNql_OHtHNC76ahYXW-VGBUzz1nYU1GmOaGjwLC5e4LQMlz9hijBCoExU46B7_H-F5oYN9fAjK-e2dKal88zCQgqbpznoCk0DwQ7h-MvaSu3Yt66xm7NS3DzOrCJ/w480-h640/DCB_0050%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_q_WW8zB_Eldh19y8v0pJ2G_4m1Sj_BkkEcfrH3bbCin1CAs1yGRSsHJ_ktUXfKuou2PsjCD2hnhzfQ1XPJBt4m1K53phKzMaTzm4hxcGaw3HH-bE7FqOCdGodPwpIyM_gFKuFgN-Zlm2hIkXuZnC7bKrLsgPCzwuhk5s8zLm6S7rkb5fAHkZUyHNgOLV/s2006/DCB_0049%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_q_WW8zB_Eldh19y8v0pJ2G_4m1Sj_BkkEcfrH3bbCin1CAs1yGRSsHJ_ktUXfKuou2PsjCD2hnhzfQ1XPJBt4m1K53phKzMaTzm4hxcGaw3HH-bE7FqOCdGodPwpIyM_gFKuFgN-Zlm2hIkXuZnC7bKrLsgPCzwuhk5s8zLm6S7rkb5fAHkZUyHNgOLV/w640-h480/DCB_0049%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">There's not much I can tell you about snowdrops that I haven't covered in previous years. Just enjoy!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I came across this old photograph the other day while looking for something else entirely...</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpCcxdKwama-gOPnDakCfB5e8SjndY3HBSd_u2PIZNfki4v41xZZQF48CVjQmNhFaHRmS3RZmw_s00JWQmPO9iEL6o2hC0hDjSSYUBbwP7AIsPktv25q9L5Q25UOW1VW2U1VnxrcQBiyH5xVc5wnXpWyeYpFE7277CVQ0McjlfJlmnwaN1zU23eXl6eZY/s2006/jabez.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpCcxdKwama-gOPnDakCfB5e8SjndY3HBSd_u2PIZNfki4v41xZZQF48CVjQmNhFaHRmS3RZmw_s00JWQmPO9iEL6o2hC0hDjSSYUBbwP7AIsPktv25q9L5Q25UOW1VW2U1VnxrcQBiyH5xVc5wnXpWyeYpFE7277CVQ0McjlfJlmnwaN1zU23eXl6eZY/w480-h640/jabez.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the office and sales room of J H Cooper & Sons in Cambridge. All swept aside now in the name of progress, but for over a 100 years the place where the canny people of the town went to buy their furniture. Mention that you needed </span><span style="font-family: arial;">a bed</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">or </span><span style="font-family: arial;">an armchair in conversation and someone would always say, "Well, if you ask me, you can't beat Coopers". That seemed to be the only advertising they had.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMShBZ_AccFDuO6VF9c12Jt7mA7sp_KXDYLHx8CrRv0-Esubw5JsEXx5ZYBTuO-D8bQqlBXZJG6gJsuCUYPnvHTEKMerr8GHsl5KmesO89f_ZQ9dTV55N8P47tBOxiuxHFtcIgsAbb_iLHbdGXW2xtP6pyX2vtk7rAGFKX1N168ToUnRQS8rjYf0yia1C7/s2006/J%20H%20Cooper.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="2006" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMShBZ_AccFDuO6VF9c12Jt7mA7sp_KXDYLHx8CrRv0-Esubw5JsEXx5ZYBTuO-D8bQqlBXZJG6gJsuCUYPnvHTEKMerr8GHsl5KmesO89f_ZQ9dTV55N8P47tBOxiuxHFtcIgsAbb_iLHbdGXW2xtP6pyX2vtk7rAGFKX1N168ToUnRQS8rjYf0yia1C7/w596-h264/J%20H%20Cooper.jpg" width="596" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Armed with that advice you'd make your way to Newmarket Road. "Yes, sir, we can supply a two seat settee instead of the larger model". "Might I suggest a slightly darker shade, sir, you'll find it won't show any marks". "We can usually have it ready in about four weeks, but some of the men will be on holiday at this time of year, so shall we say six weeks?" It arrived in three weeks.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIokdqnJuAkutX7lKSwY_pYRFbYQx7b62k8VDZyVOLqZqbO10VTYwFO5p9tFmf_9K2dZRpHsxYHXLxLVCtzMzKRNCt5fG0PJithLVpdzm4oaadOOj3hstGNkdijaauaklm_9HdEbd5x5OlgmfJtX9gBulyml3s3WrMZgy5LcImVa67wEZrbXrEcZC8DaWH/s2008/DCB_0052%20-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="2008" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIokdqnJuAkutX7lKSwY_pYRFbYQx7b62k8VDZyVOLqZqbO10VTYwFO5p9tFmf_9K2dZRpHsxYHXLxLVCtzMzKRNCt5fG0PJithLVpdzm4oaadOOj3hstGNkdijaauaklm_9HdEbd5x5OlgmfJtX9gBulyml3s3WrMZgy5LcImVa67wEZrbXrEcZC8DaWH/w400-h179/DCB_0052%20-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm sitting on one of Mr Cooper's armchairs right now!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In order to add "unbeatable value" to this blogpost we'll finish with a little music.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Back in the 1990s I spent my holidays as a walks leader, taking groups through some of the best scenery that England and Wales has to offer. One of the places I went most frequently was the Brecon Beacons National Park (now officially Bannau Brycheiniog) in S Wales. You only occasionally heard Welsh spoken in the town of Brecon, except on market days when all the farmers and their wives drove in from the hills. Here's a piece of descriptive acoustic guitar music, from the great John James, about this resilient group of people....</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OEh-83QMjmg" width="320" youtube-src-id="OEh-83QMjmg"></iframe></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Reminds me of a sunny day when I stood on the slopes of Fan Nedd watching the sheep being gathered on the other side of the valley.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></div>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-53424048328740577822024-01-18T08:23:00.000+00:002024-01-18T08:23:29.842+00:00A Year's Reading<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Last year, for the first time ever, I kept a list of all my reading. It turns out that I read the nice round number of 52 books, which suggests that I read one a week, though I'm a much more irregular than that. In August I read 7, while in December I only managed one. 20 of the books were fictional, either novels or collections of short stories, while the rest were biography, memoirs and factual books. It's this latter group that I'm concentrating on here.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9rqzki880SmB1MwuBMI9DagrfoCJuVKatU0X9cPAL8SOy2yHxYJ4qfSHVqpQVO-ilqxCiDngkTcQb_wNJzNlzH8aWa_5cpvNlc6_uTmiF_WPVvrVutASKaHFN8OZ_IimZgyEolM7sGCfwhLblDS-CyE5ouQzS-wFY4oZWCNpW_hRDNVTUaKUjryR4Oub/s2000/Image1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1866" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9rqzki880SmB1MwuBMI9DagrfoCJuVKatU0X9cPAL8SOy2yHxYJ4qfSHVqpQVO-ilqxCiDngkTcQb_wNJzNlzH8aWa_5cpvNlc6_uTmiF_WPVvrVutASKaHFN8OZ_IimZgyEolM7sGCfwhLblDS-CyE5ouQzS-wFY4oZWCNpW_hRDNVTUaKUjryR4Oub/w422-h451/Image1.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">"The Man Who Climbs Trees" by James Aldred</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you ever find yourself needing to get an elderly man to the top of a very high tree then James Aldred is your man. If the gentleman happens to be Sir David Attenborough you'd better get him safely back down again too. Aldred makes a living by climbing trees, taking photos and working on wildlife films. This book will take you on adventures to Borneo, Congo, Peru, Australia, Gabon, Papua, Venezuela, Morocco and even little old England. It opens up the world of the forest canopy which is otherwise hidden from us, without us having to be stung by bees, chased by elephants or brave these vertiginous heights. If you want a slightly quieter read closer to home, I can also recommend his book "Goshawk Summer" where he attempts to film these enigmatic birds of prey during the Covid pandemic.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>"Soundings - Journeying North In The Company Of Whales" by Doreen Cunningham</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I nearly included this among the novels I read in 2023; it reads very like one, for she exhibits not only her breadth of knowledge but also depth of feeling. As a young single-mum living in a hostel she decides that she and her little boy, Max, with embark on a journey to see the Grey Whales which migrate along the west coast of N America. She does have some experience of whales and the peoples of the far north</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, but that's now all in the past as young dreams are overtaken by harsh realities. I can't recommend this book highly enough if you'd like to learn about whales, climate change, the changing lives of the indigenous peoples of the north while at the same time being gripped by this brave woman's quest.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>"An Economic History Of The English Garden" by Roderick Floud</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A rather dry sounding title for a fascinating book. Most of us, when wandering around England's great gardens will ask the same question "How many gardeners does it take to look after all this?" Floud goes on to ask many more: "How much did this all cost at modern day prices?", "How much money did Capability Brown actually make?" "Where did all the money for these gardens come from?", "What was the point of it all?" "Did this have any effect of the economy of the country?" "Just how much did it cost to produce a single pineapple when they first learned to grow them here?" - at modern day prices? £569 for one pineapple!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>"Finding Hildasay" by Christian Lewis</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ex-paratrooper Chris Lewis finds himself slipping into the kind of depression and hopelessness which so often afflicts former servicemen once they leave the armed forces. On a whim he decides that he'll walk around the coastline of the UK - including all the islands. He sets off with little equipment, hardly any money and only the vaguest plan. He returns years later with a dog, a fiancée, and a child. Along the way he also raise £500,000 for an ex-servicemen's charity. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKucq-6eAp7bqzow7_YYfdrBNVAAbAtgEg3W0Eb_fzhtmUmBoh_ArjX4y51atEgdnt5Lh43eb9S8MWi1u60K9stvRVuQkBEwjj64xmIScnSyAvFbX8n2uZ8PQyIXfpDvRJiS36mQRS207y8T-01FudBty6EXDijVZ0lxSBbPtDN0c6OnXLzlLJ39mr_5P/s2000/Image2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1866" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKucq-6eAp7bqzow7_YYfdrBNVAAbAtgEg3W0Eb_fzhtmUmBoh_ArjX4y51atEgdnt5Lh43eb9S8MWi1u60K9stvRVuQkBEwjj64xmIScnSyAvFbX8n2uZ8PQyIXfpDvRJiS36mQRS207y8T-01FudBty6EXDijVZ0lxSBbPtDN0c6OnXLzlLJ39mr_5P/w420-h449/Image2.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">"The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England" by Ian Mortimer</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ah, if only school history lessons had been like this! The "time traveller" bit is just a device to put you firmly in those distant days and describe what you might have encountered. It doesn't flinch from some of the more unsavoury sights and smells - a sort of "Horrible Histories" for grown-ups! It tells you about living conditions, food and drink, the laws of the land....everything in fact that those dreadful stories of kings and queens fail to mention</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>"A Wood Of One's Own" by Ruth Pavey</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I always enjoy a quiet poke about in small woods, finding out what's there, figuring out the wood's history, and, often as not, finding unexpected peace and tranquility. Reading this unassuming little book is a similar experience. Ruth Pavey, a teacher in London, has a sudden desire to own some land in Somerset. Having found a suitable plot, she goes to the auction, gets outbid, and buys a piece of land that nobody else wants. How she goes about transforming this unpromising scrap of real estate into something useful to her forms the basis of this quiet little tale.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">"Madhouse At The End Of The Earth" by Julian Sancton</span></b><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Great achievements are sometimes said to be the result of standing on the shoulders of giants, however in some cases it would be truer to say that goals have been reached by standing on the shoulders of madmen, cranks and failures. Those who triumph are celebrated by history; those who fall short are forgotten. This is the story of Belgium's attempt at Antarctic exploration which foundered in frozen seas and the long, dark polar winter. Many of those involved left diaries of their disastrous misadventure and from these Julian Sancton has reconstructed their gripping tale. But among the madmen cranks and failures is a discredited dreamer who saw a possible way to succeed and also a highly-motivated young man who later drew on these ideas and became a household name.<br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>"The Lost Rainforests Of Britain" Guy Shrubsole</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">They are not all in the tropics, you know. There are also temperate rainforests and Britain has some tiny fragments of them, scattered along our western shores. Guy Shrubsole sets out to visit as many as he can, which involves some difficult journeys, some negotiation and more than a little trespassing. Along the way he learns a great deal about these (almost) lost rainforests and conjectures just how much can be restored and how much is gone forever.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;">*******</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some of you will have noticed that I haven't posted for a while and some may remember a long hiatus back in the second half 2022. I think it's time I explained what's going on. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Back in August 2022 I started to get pains in my back and hip; having spent most of my life doing very physical work I didn't pay it much attention. Eventually, at the beginning of October, I was admitted to hospital, had all kinds of blood tests, scans and courses of medication, though it didn't take long till they told me that I had prostate cancer, not only that but it had spread to other parts of my body and was incurable.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I had hormone treatment and, alongside regular medication, was put on a new drug that was being trialed. After a few days I felt good as new and Les and I were able to recommence taking regular walks. My brother has been a tower of strength throughout, taking me to my endless appointments and keeping a grumpy old man positive.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Just before Christmas my blood tests revealed that my cancer had found a way around the medications and was starting to have a party in my bones. Pain started soon after. There are still further courses of action - radiotherapy, chemotherapy and another new drug. I wait to see how this all goes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If I find things to blog about I'll be back here pronto!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p></div></div>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-90786570570600728772023-12-24T13:46:00.004+00:002023-12-24T13:46:56.275+00:00Season's Greetings<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADZF69d1YdP9P-6auU9MgyyuyXjYjhoo9G0xEFtTwKMARVWxE0RfOXqsHbSE8Fsf3EJ2Ia53ktOzUbqO2FhC833wwPNATsKoHchEUjvKwghjvdGLX2eNJ2gumSPjWuRRdGsiTvz-ohycJbANkyF0yK0FbMwDN5ndfHiGmCHH9nz2pZcnt_vU1qR1KRtpa/s2000/christmas%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1518" data-original-width="2000" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADZF69d1YdP9P-6auU9MgyyuyXjYjhoo9G0xEFtTwKMARVWxE0RfOXqsHbSE8Fsf3EJ2Ia53ktOzUbqO2FhC833wwPNATsKoHchEUjvKwghjvdGLX2eNJ2gumSPjWuRRdGsiTvz-ohycJbANkyF0yK0FbMwDN5ndfHiGmCHH9nz2pZcnt_vU1qR1KRtpa/w640-h486/christmas%2023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></p><p><br /></p>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-71677377265866755512023-12-20T09:32:00.005+00:002023-12-20T10:18:13.867+00:00Edge Of The Fens<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Just a brief interlude in this rainiest of Decembers allowed us a trip to the familiar landscape of Fen Drayton Lakes; except it wasn't quite as familiar as usual.</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPH9nwLONgdSvSbxXfGflwKSJWMMGKW-2S0xrNR59r0c7LQ0Z_RHrKDMXqcQ6i3mheDQGl14zlawbhpVVaGwKrraFBw8_tqP0FH_pBZGOKJqi9-aDE2ffxWWHqnaQYDxlW00uZ11hyhc6r2hFit7nswW-TAuVc-nA1Mu65fW7Cfztt6WJhVSLpv5i8VNu/s2006/DCB_0008%20-2n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPH9nwLONgdSvSbxXfGflwKSJWMMGKW-2S0xrNR59r0c7LQ0Z_RHrKDMXqcQ6i3mheDQGl14zlawbhpVVaGwKrraFBw8_tqP0FH_pBZGOKJqi9-aDE2ffxWWHqnaQYDxlW00uZ11hyhc6r2hFit7nswW-TAuVc-nA1Mu65fW7Cfztt6WJhVSLpv5i8VNu/w640-h480/DCB_0008%20-2n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">All the lovely rain has returned this little area on the very edge of the Fens to something like its pre-drainage glory. It's easy to understand how medieval outlaws and rebels could hold out in a watery maze like this and how those without detailed local knowledge could soon get hopelessly lost.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZ31iUUlMp7-0G5zI3cFDUSzKzCRY5yXdqaVYGIfLIosZw6NTUSipGVGNihrdmAw5gqeTl1TF4p1Iw8oKJF4Ybt3GAYAnh2sL6_QQmf9zdHXVblSlqHM21q6E9iOwmlnD7o8SGcVZ3yapSYx3BCxsyx37nf-uVY4ZOsa9zePzB61AeFZ94QHheWNnkCre/s2006/DCB_0015%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZ31iUUlMp7-0G5zI3cFDUSzKzCRY5yXdqaVYGIfLIosZw6NTUSipGVGNihrdmAw5gqeTl1TF4p1Iw8oKJF4Ybt3GAYAnh2sL6_QQmf9zdHXVblSlqHM21q6E9iOwmlnD7o8SGcVZ3yapSYx3BCxsyx37nf-uVY4ZOsa9zePzB61AeFZ94QHheWNnkCre/w640-h480/DCB_0015%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">It's all rather a long way from the summery days of freedom and fun which the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) promises on the welcoming sign. Water levels can rise quickly here and they'd taken the precaution of closing the car park which can get cut off. That was no surprise as the RSPB tends to be very safety conscious these days - signs recently seen include advice that muddy paths might be slippery,</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7D7Onp9clVsYIpnfYXz1W11_X2AWyUW86BwHKzmrfCAID9uGneVHR6a1VdhqqLWB5UVTpEKWaLZ5RcqPf9qlfdc4eWiWvbZhZtD1CMLx39KxI9TzT6zJ7thrNoElhs5HGTWuKVQ6S6tutK45ab5WqBHlg9MpRPLv5BSwzZrDW0Fvz5PDTBvKfP0DBtj3/s2006/DCB_0010%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7D7Onp9clVsYIpnfYXz1W11_X2AWyUW86BwHKzmrfCAID9uGneVHR6a1VdhqqLWB5UVTpEKWaLZ5RcqPf9qlfdc4eWiWvbZhZtD1CMLx39KxI9TzT6zJ7thrNoElhs5HGTWuKVQ6S6tutK45ab5WqBHlg9MpRPLv5BSwzZrDW0Fvz5PDTBvKfP0DBtj3/w640-h480/DCB_0010%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We parked in a safe place on the approach road and walked from there, making sure to be careful on the muddy path. </span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOm-gk7G6mUFGIYK1ltcaEhsc0aBEvhHapkPKzjZVfAlFOi_5BjYiO4-k3YP4R3-nop_TUAfntdvX7GFvpW864ofOo1jUsPwBflzq7THZeQLAaWuz0Vrglpbs9yCcuLLP4_jR_7j55uQ_t16TxR3QUvRwBp0gmqPvZnojYqWz9pRuPuJfWRWs4px8P9j7r/s2006/DCB_0013%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1507" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOm-gk7G6mUFGIYK1ltcaEhsc0aBEvhHapkPKzjZVfAlFOi_5BjYiO4-k3YP4R3-nop_TUAfntdvX7GFvpW864ofOo1jUsPwBflzq7THZeQLAaWuz0Vrglpbs9yCcuLLP4_jR_7j55uQ_t16TxR3QUvRwBp0gmqPvZnojYqWz9pRuPuJfWRWs4px8P9j7r/w480-h640/DCB_0013%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">All the expected birds were present, but none of those occasional rarities that add a little spice to the day's observations. It soon began to drizzle and the camera was cradled inside my jacket like a spoilt little dog!</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02Nn15falIbZtgNBRGvpAL41sFvBeRtbGSJmJozcnuPv98t2ZEtQMfIPpf9cUsgL_eAvMqjOU2n3p9Gza0Z3-auSOGSKEyffVMR870Z5dxH2SdoSNpxWP_SkfWC5rFlw5ZNxtKnEtEHI_uCk_9bChERJcgKX42ruYrkNQp81thwIhpPVdbN4cGfp200pP/s2006/DCB_0016%20-2n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="2006" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02Nn15falIbZtgNBRGvpAL41sFvBeRtbGSJmJozcnuPv98t2ZEtQMfIPpf9cUsgL_eAvMqjOU2n3p9Gza0Z3-auSOGSKEyffVMR870Z5dxH2SdoSNpxWP_SkfWC5rFlw5ZNxtKnEtEHI_uCk_9bChERJcgKX42ruYrkNQp81thwIhpPVdbN4cGfp200pP/w640-h360/DCB_0016%20-2n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Just a faint blush of sunlight lit the land (and water) as we got back to the car, but we'd already decided to head elsewhere.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16ptwg7krj4Whs3xQ-ppnGyXpPYD_i-fbO7Rihr4KZ-W3_EflBJENw_-51OR7F_uTzo9n3y7xs8yVL39K0DxBRfJyUsOGELRhEuKtHcbNnpvXUxFplgilHbabu7lwe9ttt7kbA3m0jlEmDLmS2JhYVZdvmyeOPn88ahLk3vF2ua_KDcPZB36pXdKtPCEV/s2006/DCB_0018%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16ptwg7krj4Whs3xQ-ppnGyXpPYD_i-fbO7Rihr4KZ-W3_EflBJENw_-51OR7F_uTzo9n3y7xs8yVL39K0DxBRfJyUsOGELRhEuKtHcbNnpvXUxFplgilHbabu7lwe9ttt7kbA3m0jlEmDLmS2JhYVZdvmyeOPn88ahLk3vF2ua_KDcPZB36pXdKtPCEV/w480-h640/DCB_0018%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Whenever you explore this dead-flat area your eye is inevitably drawn to the array of church towers and spires that punctuate the endless horizon. I'm sure the Fenmen of old must have oriented themselves in the watery waste by those same landmarks. It may even be that these dominant features were built to guide ships on their way - this is not so daft as it sounds for quite large vessels could at one time navigate the fenland waterways.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOYuTcf6Gv7YEuY6-p7qRcQj__0HlwQLFYm1GTXBFg0io4y3aQEPdt1Q5mwm-GmEzF49pon1qZpCctgNlpBgG1BeANyOQ204P-PEYZJFfCmml2Nx4qzpRuKNxrYeRvBPO6bfGX67AC5TnjMoVMllKM4V5QUwIcsIdhqCQVb44g9s7jYeI5rTeMYjVZHsi/s1006/DCB_0021%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1006" data-original-width="756" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOYuTcf6Gv7YEuY6-p7qRcQj__0HlwQLFYm1GTXBFg0io4y3aQEPdt1Q5mwm-GmEzF49pon1qZpCctgNlpBgG1BeANyOQ204P-PEYZJFfCmml2Nx4qzpRuKNxrYeRvBPO6bfGX67AC5TnjMoVMllKM4V5QUwIcsIdhqCQVb44g9s7jYeI5rTeMYjVZHsi/w300-h400/DCB_0021%20-2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The church at Fenstanton is dedicated to St Peter and St Paul, and Peter's keys and Paul's sword are shown over the porch door.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwGR9582YlKehkH76PMx-OPNKPi7gKtV8Zo_QlIMmfaOHvBGKiu1RpRb9eKoNx_E5BwPJGx5GAEcdtvW9ngUpH_p1Us2xd8Ma-1UTYr2M6nyaM_kJkHmgw6Jn3FFQzovarBh7VgmwUwjK-MfbLfRhX8a2DfY8IluLpIfp2kMfwx2XACUI2s34HTEnJcMi/s2006/DCB_0022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwGR9582YlKehkH76PMx-OPNKPi7gKtV8Zo_QlIMmfaOHvBGKiu1RpRb9eKoNx_E5BwPJGx5GAEcdtvW9ngUpH_p1Us2xd8Ma-1UTYr2M6nyaM_kJkHmgw6Jn3FFQzovarBh7VgmwUwjK-MfbLfRhX8a2DfY8IluLpIfp2kMfwx2XACUI2s34HTEnJcMi/w480-h640/DCB_0022.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The church dates from the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, much of the best building stone having been brought from Barnack by boat. We visited <a href="https://bystargooseandhanglands.blogspot.com/2023/06/hills-and-holes.html" target="_blank">Barnack Hills and Holes</a>, the site of the quarrying, back in June of this year. Many of the churches along the Fen Edge owe their grandeur to the availability of this excellent stone. But it's the chancel and in particular that huge East window that draws the eye.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqNqA0IzjYdEbCS3sLceD1Xc4fSwuZo5bG8F5PKUevja9mnObJf8flCnhNr_8cOOlm-0aLfcg9pvJLxTuwuF2C88mWUOMdiFhC7O2jbN0q_zKKw_v1-4pQpNlv560ZoXwG4VohozIyRiwc1t8jmPJMmTtiSFWCjH628TaF-51Nvk6hX5zydzeBaPfI8VL/s2006/DCB_0025%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1339" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqNqA0IzjYdEbCS3sLceD1Xc4fSwuZo5bG8F5PKUevja9mnObJf8flCnhNr_8cOOlm-0aLfcg9pvJLxTuwuF2C88mWUOMdiFhC7O2jbN0q_zKKw_v1-4pQpNlv560ZoXwG4VohozIyRiwc1t8jmPJMmTtiSFWCjH628TaF-51Nvk6hX5zydzeBaPfI8VL/w428-h640/DCB_0025%20-2.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">It's worth pausing to admire the early 16th century pulpit and a Christmassy display of candles.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaA70XF0fHYCOb-6AgIzONRS-3cG_rzdmzze7PNMDc5KcFff33dwxTpRYG4c__rUagtkZBKlFCU_v9yU_7gUbVmM5sLz9QtYwNVr-cd5CPYnPmTdJmBkl2euVQOcVtFCuaAO8wrzjD6uNZdInUlS62h5XAm5JG9jf62xLpk0eMWp7OTZgZQoKPNkhvrdo/s2006/DCB_0026%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1418" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaA70XF0fHYCOb-6AgIzONRS-3cG_rzdmzze7PNMDc5KcFff33dwxTpRYG4c__rUagtkZBKlFCU_v9yU_7gUbVmM5sLz9QtYwNVr-cd5CPYnPmTdJmBkl2euVQOcVtFCuaAO8wrzjD6uNZdInUlS62h5XAm5JG9jf62xLpk0eMWp7OTZgZQoKPNkhvrdo/w452-h640/DCB_0026%20-2.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And here's the window itself. The "tracery" - that's the network of carved stone that holds the glass - is exceptional. It's unusual to see such a large window in a village church.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwqM3tNd6nLIOmusDS2ASs9xU2bA7Z99n0jZSGb-SM4peo3jO7l4jyXKUQwJ3FUKBywsDzAU3AhvwXXypYsx8kXAOJxKz8pu-G-RD13yAlBdTCCswu4qGEHskI2RFpuZ5NeJ4q3jwG55S9Ibgoyd8DoOSIr_dYHksJqDN5h7QJxB2iGpDQcesDQMQYcF-/s2006/DCB_0030%20-2nb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1488" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwqM3tNd6nLIOmusDS2ASs9xU2bA7Z99n0jZSGb-SM4peo3jO7l4jyXKUQwJ3FUKBywsDzAU3AhvwXXypYsx8kXAOJxKz8pu-G-RD13yAlBdTCCswu4qGEHskI2RFpuZ5NeJ4q3jwG55S9Ibgoyd8DoOSIr_dYHksJqDN5h7QJxB2iGpDQcesDQMQYcF-/w474-h640/DCB_0030%20-2nb.jpg" width="474" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The stained glass dates from 1876 and is by Henry Hughes of the firm Ward and Hughes. It depicts scenes from the life of St Peter.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIE-S_L3lnr1J8ogXHCBXxrPxmM6Tehio08-22-MhCoB-ekOQH8Vxyobxov3WO7_wRyPSqZEsqi26SfEr2lM4l0skn5J5PNguMKzoc3Gufcm68hAac9FrUxKYD84DVdRL8htcc8DeFjf0DFkZKeuUtoy-a098oXcD6aoAwOL-sGMwI0-BiV49CfOQDZ5W/s2006/DCB_0027%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIE-S_L3lnr1J8ogXHCBXxrPxmM6Tehio08-22-MhCoB-ekOQH8Vxyobxov3WO7_wRyPSqZEsqi26SfEr2lM4l0skn5J5PNguMKzoc3Gufcm68hAac9FrUxKYD84DVdRL8htcc8DeFjf0DFkZKeuUtoy-a098oXcD6aoAwOL-sGMwI0-BiV49CfOQDZ5W/w640-h480/DCB_0027%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Also in the chancel stands a memorial to Lancelot "Capability" Brown who was Lord of the Manor here from 1768-1783. Brown was the father of English landscape gardening and designed the grounds of many grand stately homes. The inscription reads as follows:</span><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ye Sons of Elegance, who truly taste </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Simple charms that genuine Art supplies, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Come from the sylvan Scenes His Genius grac’d, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And offer here your tributary Sigh’s. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But know that more than Genius slumbers here; </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Virtues were his which Arts best powers transcend. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Come, ye Superior train, who these revere </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And weep the Christian, Husband, Father, Friend.</span></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Although he owned the manor Brown only lived here for a very short time, but it's thought that he intended to retire here, however he died suddenly before that could happen. His son, also Lancelot Brown, did inherit the manor and is also buried in the churchyard.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsgCNt5Qik_HRjll6ls9tEpgK8wB7_YmiQ_qCqxM8lrxhWBYQXyhh_BhOFTtlycXnFuCjvQCl0tFH3xRDdA9MM9Xz9A-VARI4cdISYcCQ8M7jBVwizyQMmPv9uGXYFz2I6IRm7A8ZRLJ1reLuVZtj5p9BdepcXWzhxHuhCAsyv_un1GlFdl1eF1Ax_d6H/s2006/DCB_0028%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsgCNt5Qik_HRjll6ls9tEpgK8wB7_YmiQ_qCqxM8lrxhWBYQXyhh_BhOFTtlycXnFuCjvQCl0tFH3xRDdA9MM9Xz9A-VARI4cdISYcCQ8M7jBVwizyQMmPv9uGXYFz2I6IRm7A8ZRLJ1reLuVZtj5p9BdepcXWzhxHuhCAsyv_un1GlFdl1eF1Ax_d6H/w480-h640/DCB_0028%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Lancelot, the son's, wife Frances is not recorded on the large memorial but has a separate, much prettier, memorial in the corner of the chancel.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpT5O_CFwN9Qs4t98yN9pUeYRV9KS2Uf1hNHRyxrS0U4rSJqTHcQbOfyfk8AlqCAJduQL-QYjBfp8NBw-Zmd3AGxUHsB2lT4qziElSUAtT8VzQHFtgj1_2tSjDIR7gh6MWgV27q28upR8t9nsO3XZmxaTW4SMznHittKzKxXWaBx4Dy8JiHdvvzkdeCE4w/s2008/DCB_0035%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="1944" height="495" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpT5O_CFwN9Qs4t98yN9pUeYRV9KS2Uf1hNHRyxrS0U4rSJqTHcQbOfyfk8AlqCAJduQL-QYjBfp8NBw-Zmd3AGxUHsB2lT4qziElSUAtT8VzQHFtgj1_2tSjDIR7gh6MWgV27q28upR8t9nsO3XZmxaTW4SMznHittKzKxXWaBx4Dy8JiHdvvzkdeCE4w/w479-h495/DCB_0035%20-2.jpg" width="479" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Another plaque records that Henry Howland lies buried in the churchyard. He was the father of John Howland, one of those who sailed on <i>The Mayflower. </i>There's also a sketch of the Howland House in New Plymouth, Massachusetts. Many claim to be descended from John Howland including Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Richard Nixon and the two George Bushes. The <i>Pilgrim John Howland Society</i> paid for the plaque and one of the church bells. Maybe someone should point out to them that this building is a symbol of the very intolerance which forced Howland out of the country.<br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMZk_Xba7teVC8GAxAtxg4uDfyxbxmbgQBN-3Y-XHLaKpBHgrCqeNk6mIuhRHZPikcoGouNso2dbTPeKOeTlI0RoCeUaQIkuwb570MhDhCY7oqQmiq5mReHyr0RjRMjaWZdxo5P3aNL35LOh70dsGHZQmhXWZWQvCgTOtSUUuB0ke_3FOgU-3KtmixGpH/s2006/DCB_0036%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMZk_Xba7teVC8GAxAtxg4uDfyxbxmbgQBN-3Y-XHLaKpBHgrCqeNk6mIuhRHZPikcoGouNso2dbTPeKOeTlI0RoCeUaQIkuwb570MhDhCY7oqQmiq5mReHyr0RjRMjaWZdxo5P3aNL35LOh70dsGHZQmhXWZWQvCgTOtSUUuB0ke_3FOgU-3KtmixGpH/w480-h640/DCB_0036%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">There's also a modern wall-hanging by Ian Thompson, apparently the coloured silks change hue as the light changes. He also designed a very striking modern stained glass window, which I can't show you because the good people of Fenstanton have decided to stand a large and rather scruffy Christmas tree right in front of it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTOpCncajkoptccAS0s3M51mSOdnCVgdDQQ5BfCMP9HaBbcEnZTq7Hix787U6u3IONyX0DE1pEx4mIWYk9hkoEfvpTk9-v1gwVrMHE10S1Q5qDnlHzEBMlTbW5tE3L-rRqk1KPX_wtRQcw_8p4z2giEEEIFm7aQyxRzFv8zOKaoFUcaShwi3xz89jf0Yx/s2006/DCB_0038%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTOpCncajkoptccAS0s3M51mSOdnCVgdDQQ5BfCMP9HaBbcEnZTq7Hix787U6u3IONyX0DE1pEx4mIWYk9hkoEfvpTk9-v1gwVrMHE10S1Q5qDnlHzEBMlTbW5tE3L-rRqk1KPX_wtRQcw_8p4z2giEEEIFm7aQyxRzFv8zOKaoFUcaShwi3xz89jf0Yx/w640-h480/DCB_0038%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If you want to celebrate Christmas you could always look at the beautiful scene depicted by Clayton and Bell in one of the windows. Lets have a look outside.....</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89MMs9gzLOFO4mJ9CjfV9O-RDtOvTOybcaRivZFZvFNqGyzZKgSS1qVI4UU1USttYNd3BcE06Gh8n8rZIBzUU7LIsxcAot2jePkom5aMK2kcAh1cOzPUwaQcR7h3rkp796SgrlqHWzZBOSsarK8KtsUAuEeb8c6Z4dvDEmCskd2VMbBnicp4K9H2vfFpT/s2006/DCB_0041%20-2n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89MMs9gzLOFO4mJ9CjfV9O-RDtOvTOybcaRivZFZvFNqGyzZKgSS1qVI4UU1USttYNd3BcE06Gh8n8rZIBzUU7LIsxcAot2jePkom5aMK2kcAh1cOzPUwaQcR7h3rkp796SgrlqHWzZBOSsarK8KtsUAuEeb8c6Z4dvDEmCskd2VMbBnicp4K9H2vfFpT/w480-h640/DCB_0041%20-2n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In the churchyard there's the base of an old preaching cross. It's difficult to date these, but it almost certainly pre-dates the church building.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8uMKBASybPjLfuhyGn3eMaiKBowUUrRFXt3x72Z2MxkTHUyAwIwwpwHG_Q15zvTlWiEWO4r1h8nTfEZmw1FoCIuYJt0OogFmAvVIj8UpsK7xVoizyFS5rVrmCPEZUFN_ZeOEKL6K77CbaDnLZCu5aNd_2NYViP2Jr2pGNSYuP1KoFvSlurQcNR-_7IIx/s2006/DCB_0044%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8uMKBASybPjLfuhyGn3eMaiKBowUUrRFXt3x72Z2MxkTHUyAwIwwpwHG_Q15zvTlWiEWO4r1h8nTfEZmw1FoCIuYJt0OogFmAvVIj8UpsK7xVoizyFS5rVrmCPEZUFN_ZeOEKL6K77CbaDnLZCu5aNd_2NYViP2Jr2pGNSYuP1KoFvSlurQcNR-_7IIx/w640-h480/DCB_0044%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">There are a number of old tombs and gravestones which seem to have acquired an odd pinkish patina, presumably some kind of lichen.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R55kIAcoC5BToqzTBicR3UMrcmKaq-5qP6trScI8M22gaJbxrWr8Bf51qOCvupDHOr5M6QqNIaQRnl_DKh8Ah632sdR19jZCm-J9LN1yghbuqLL06CgvTsDmebmWKDl7Ck91fBaAKfIZawaTYXwWl-QNf-nPX9HRLgTVKUIVOWf6WUq65Djt8qsSLC-m/s2006/DCB_0043%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R55kIAcoC5BToqzTBicR3UMrcmKaq-5qP6trScI8M22gaJbxrWr8Bf51qOCvupDHOr5M6QqNIaQRnl_DKh8Ah632sdR19jZCm-J9LN1yghbuqLL06CgvTsDmebmWKDl7Ck91fBaAKfIZawaTYXwWl-QNf-nPX9HRLgTVKUIVOWf6WUq65Djt8qsSLC-m/w480-h640/DCB_0043%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On the north side of the church I found this attractive old door. But what I was looking for was this....</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLQVPt6_J0-f6hwGe79W8plXBMSay1lxrUW4IE2o65bfwViMPbVD2vOyZ6BtFXGWfwiahCyakaLBhyphenhyphenUyXdJ_Z31lU9OigyjAROP4XLRyRTUFYQX7RJVLk0SpCz_tilwM_izwsvkSDlX_X5WkNy0D5FISWObfXRvMB_-mOdxO8YD-05MiQakaRKjfgiruK/s2006/DCB_0042%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLQVPt6_J0-f6hwGe79W8plXBMSay1lxrUW4IE2o65bfwViMPbVD2vOyZ6BtFXGWfwiahCyakaLBhyphenhyphenUyXdJ_Z31lU9OigyjAROP4XLRyRTUFYQX7RJVLk0SpCz_tilwM_izwsvkSDlX_X5WkNy0D5FISWObfXRvMB_-mOdxO8YD-05MiQakaRKjfgiruK/w640-h480/DCB_0042%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">No one seems to be quite sure where "Capability" was buried. But did they once?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Snooping around online I found<a href="https://www.fenstanton.org/old-fenstanton/i-knew-the-last-person-alive-to-see-capability-brown/" target="_blank"> this peculiar story.</a>...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The author of the piece claimed to have met the last person alive to have seen Capability Brown. Michael Behagg, a well-respected member of the community, recounted that many years ago the church needed a new heating system. The only place to site the oil tank was on the grave of Capability Brown and Bridget, his wife. The remains were therefore respectfully disinterred and buried nearby, but the site of the burial was unrecorded. Mr Behagg was the last to see the remains before they were covered up.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Strange.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.<br /></span><p><br /></p></div>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-77476092756533886892023-12-12T09:37:00.001+00:002023-12-13T06:29:06.406+00:00By The Big Water<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjlNZhOwKKfwjxoFB6WikJoICyoL1vbuiRU1UUvaYT_DZb6sQMpC8P3QllFNi3zQMb6rSVRISm2KH6gw5YLEJyezZRsAy4s0Da4Bd3yJzhaLbOK2Y7tA5D9cG4tUQCavAZIwSe2SnH_IxlVGNtfGNjqR-NLTSKZsvv2fP9HVT3EqXQNa99W72ofNBRmuY/s2006/NVR_0402%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjlNZhOwKKfwjxoFB6WikJoICyoL1vbuiRU1UUvaYT_DZb6sQMpC8P3QllFNi3zQMb6rSVRISm2KH6gw5YLEJyezZRsAy4s0Da4Bd3yJzhaLbOK2Y7tA5D9cG4tUQCavAZIwSe2SnH_IxlVGNtfGNjqR-NLTSKZsvv2fP9HVT3EqXQNa99W72ofNBRmuY/w640-h480/NVR_0402%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Real life and English weather can sometimes conspire to reduce the amount of time I spend out and about, but occasionally you have to "make a break" from confinement. So my brother Les and I headed for Grafham Water, a man-made reservoir which is about 40 minutes' drive from mine.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvocK1uZrImWcQqjBXPkunlxTuvB5nc1Ses7QaX87iGAWAbEl4mHHOnwJ1dcns4v0p0P0M5Eakp-9HMdqF7q3oXsr7d2b6_8OW-z8lqG2GYR-YM0OqkuQZM4z9YtjKMzjQGhxjphdJEfU1ylspuTQwWB5adN4mmutmsQ8tb9FaQLpSouFxby3SJKA-GLk/s1000/NVR_0395%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="1000" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvocK1uZrImWcQqjBXPkunlxTuvB5nc1Ses7QaX87iGAWAbEl4mHHOnwJ1dcns4v0p0P0M5Eakp-9HMdqF7q3oXsr7d2b6_8OW-z8lqG2GYR-YM0OqkuQZM4z9YtjKMzjQGhxjphdJEfU1ylspuTQwWB5adN4mmutmsQ8tb9FaQLpSouFxby3SJKA-GLk/w400-h220/NVR_0395%20-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The door of the Park Ranger's vehicle gave a clue as to what the countryside is like after a wet and gloomy month. But we were going to head along the concrete dam which gives easy walking and good views across the water.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoNdRzRONTLzrcqcFYkGCCERFA4yTIRK_3EKNuq9iNZl5bdGCcHbzPIROMBE7JrCOIIPWUFIlwJE16aPRUNE5sorX0kaChnI6cWO-di0jYcQQU0jn3ZIs1uwIUA1wXIsEQKIfiVLO0hGCJvtKS4e9J4xP04kKM4y9Ynn2TUs3weSaW8xUPtaMNiu5yNKc/s2006/NVR_0397%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoNdRzRONTLzrcqcFYkGCCERFA4yTIRK_3EKNuq9iNZl5bdGCcHbzPIROMBE7JrCOIIPWUFIlwJE16aPRUNE5sorX0kaChnI6cWO-di0jYcQQU0jn3ZIs1uwIUA1wXIsEQKIfiVLO0hGCJvtKS4e9J4xP04kKM4y9Ynn2TUs3weSaW8xUPtaMNiu5yNKc/w640-h480/NVR_0397%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The skies soon clouded over, but down to the south-east it was clear, allowing the low-angled winter sunshine to reach in beneath the grey blanket and bring a warm glow to the December scenery.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5zq85XuTqUPIH-TX-aMtkbd419Ekp_fDuoImaiRslh0RdvWXol_NpXF0r1hiOn2ZmOZGtt_n8dl13pdD056-z1htWWVDWCcLbdT8IZGD49fyjQn344SwEZ-hFDWLDGIbfotGkH_5adevBuFhxh3X9DhZsgfyPnAiMWXYtbVg_hVJgKn4Hrt-cb1ka1Mu/s2006/NVR_0399%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5zq85XuTqUPIH-TX-aMtkbd419Ekp_fDuoImaiRslh0RdvWXol_NpXF0r1hiOn2ZmOZGtt_n8dl13pdD056-z1htWWVDWCcLbdT8IZGD49fyjQn344SwEZ-hFDWLDGIbfotGkH_5adevBuFhxh3X9DhZsgfyPnAiMWXYtbVg_hVJgKn4Hrt-cb1ka1Mu/w640-h480/NVR_0399%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I paused to take a photo of the pier leading out to the Valve Tower, mainly because I always intend to but also because today the lighting on the distant shore gave a nice symmetry to the scene. As Les pointed out, in all the many times we've passed this way we've never seen anyone doing any work here; maybe it's all operated remotely nowadays.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmcd-nrEYHb0nTn_W-m8y3U72E5F0QfdpevTKnhwHW680lyGgN5f1iZZouQyfdzNNySdAPqrioD6FmWyZJaZdkGAoTfCmtbY0KLEmmlU8ERuHg6Ta4GdwBcly1p7zGKQ2VXHt4vgcptxEkL6KNRZTwXYlZzubKUZcn5X6wogXmZIR9PMsxkaNiN2iz0gG/s2006/NVR_0403%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmcd-nrEYHb0nTn_W-m8y3U72E5F0QfdpevTKnhwHW680lyGgN5f1iZZouQyfdzNNySdAPqrioD6FmWyZJaZdkGAoTfCmtbY0KLEmmlU8ERuHg6Ta4GdwBcly1p7zGKQ2VXHt4vgcptxEkL6KNRZTwXYlZzubKUZcn5X6wogXmZIR9PMsxkaNiN2iz0gG/w640-h480/NVR_0403%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The usual winter birds were all present: Tufted Duck, Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Goldeneye, a few Shovelers and Wigeon and a single Pochard; Great Crested and Little Grebes, Cormorants, Grey Herons, Coots and Mute Swans; some Canada Geese and, though we didn't see any, I'm sure some Greylag Geese were there somewhere. The only wader we saw was a Common Sandpiper.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1nafnPu0PkRjUIVAMbD0sv40Og5vhqGUDfoSwaDHOyxgswKui-LlGaHT3C0Ihf-2xlikVoTePs1BBduJ79QoL_p4se7QOAOZW_lAfVc_RHPOlr5I0YI6cv7jMHiznulFFzJ7jL3ZCsPNK8pzH3LkbMJ47MwR2ZuLibYl_1KePWn4d2aRsGVmH7VjUr9l/s2006/NVR_0401%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1nafnPu0PkRjUIVAMbD0sv40Og5vhqGUDfoSwaDHOyxgswKui-LlGaHT3C0Ihf-2xlikVoTePs1BBduJ79QoL_p4se7QOAOZW_lAfVc_RHPOlr5I0YI6cv7jMHiznulFFzJ7jL3ZCsPNK8pzH3LkbMJ47MwR2ZuLibYl_1KePWn4d2aRsGVmH7VjUr9l/w640-h480/NVR_0401%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We followed the path along the southern shore for a while.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPAuXCm8n_-9mEFowjEb0dMbritC5HOn-QwpEF4GuaqiBtUiNIb9H_AGc1yR5gkp6Ma-ghgC-8caht-qv8RwblY8Y7xaF9Q-NPd8mnd0RORRM4Z5YriUN1V4_-iqwd9BNzt3m-KScvxkTES2PELLwsPuKwVeqDKVTxYV0TzX3NkSHHtl-IuC11vqhntQv/s2006/NVR_0404%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPAuXCm8n_-9mEFowjEb0dMbritC5HOn-QwpEF4GuaqiBtUiNIb9H_AGc1yR5gkp6Ma-ghgC-8caht-qv8RwblY8Y7xaF9Q-NPd8mnd0RORRM4Z5YriUN1V4_-iqwd9BNzt3m-KScvxkTES2PELLwsPuKwVeqDKVTxYV0TzX3NkSHHtl-IuC11vqhntQv/w640-h480/NVR_0404%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Eventually we arrived at our favourite, slightly rickety, bench where we had our customary banana and hot chocolate while scanning for birds. Then we had to retrace our footsteps back to the car park.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwFY_Epfl95GhRclqEjdUdPKT4UgG0UISInIsKbsTFK513yKjP-DIp1AxgSBDM_Y58LfdnK4LbVODCYq1OEKVGNXPi2oI_aImdqMbkKlw3YySDrYhz-UQwN2q_4dRTfgnewBpScR6VP0RfLV88-2FUVGCZ6lGWPsjon5wn2rEoT73nmqih-WZCWtJroi7/s2006/NVR_0405%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwFY_Epfl95GhRclqEjdUdPKT4UgG0UISInIsKbsTFK513yKjP-DIp1AxgSBDM_Y58LfdnK4LbVODCYq1OEKVGNXPi2oI_aImdqMbkKlw3YySDrYhz-UQwN2q_4dRTfgnewBpScR6VP0RfLV88-2FUVGCZ6lGWPsjon5wn2rEoT73nmqih-WZCWtJroi7/w640-h480/NVR_0405%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Back at "the quiet corner", which is often a place to see many ducks, there was a working party clearing some of the reeds. Very necessary, but also rather noisy, work.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilqOpH4Qkl1DfwKwexmQ2ZfwKiyHB5bQMFninEN5pCM3nHHN6zISkL_ApOlOcJn6nZf7m64yKxlvg4bAyBmpyuQhDkfcXlcISj-sjkADMyVQkD8mNc6Cx5TdVacusfTfmgKm1vXJqeJdKdmopG6lZLmOxh6Q_CbAEQl2Cskd5_WwcZs0JI8S1aknxd_ziI/s2006/NVR_0406%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilqOpH4Qkl1DfwKwexmQ2ZfwKiyHB5bQMFninEN5pCM3nHHN6zISkL_ApOlOcJn6nZf7m64yKxlvg4bAyBmpyuQhDkfcXlcISj-sjkADMyVQkD8mNc6Cx5TdVacusfTfmgKm1vXJqeJdKdmopG6lZLmOxh6Q_CbAEQl2Cskd5_WwcZs0JI8S1aknxd_ziI/w640-h480/NVR_0406%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Like London buses, I don't take any pictures of the Valve Tower for years, then two come along, one after the other! The dam that we have to walk stretches right along, from right to left at the back of the photo. See that farmhouse just to the left of the tower......?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGNq1yvF1ATJDJb4ECvgS-6Z8DRw2UCdXT5BBGfuUbN8xuQ_DDefZ6snwzIf-Khcu7eVX7-jJ15jP9tUnrASK45KShmdsvcYYlGvQKAcRnsMEVovG509-7C_RxvphL2zismN8KfUuy4P5u6qaCtML4-KdquYtykVbIvlbg4sDx0O-sinGo-LWix7uaNMc/s2006/NVR_0407%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGNq1yvF1ATJDJb4ECvgS-6Z8DRw2UCdXT5BBGfuUbN8xuQ_DDefZ6snwzIf-Khcu7eVX7-jJ15jP9tUnrASK45KShmdsvcYYlGvQKAcRnsMEVovG509-7C_RxvphL2zismN8KfUuy4P5u6qaCtML4-KdquYtykVbIvlbg4sDx0O-sinGo-LWix7uaNMc/w640-h480/NVR_0407%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Nearly back to the visitor centre now, where there was a tempting sign.....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLJ3YGzhui8VsSyS9HDSJiy7-UV3sCv2jAxeDJOeddiXhqFp8o8Ire-s8uZUSyUI7Rwr_zQn2mBGhRhdoZ0RSVUOufpHTB37rtcSBCedWQW0mU3Gi-QIyhnkQT-bw3LWYjBxjJ2bd1gTjuQWeHvwaDNVmhJJ_w4fIdNoWoM-aM5Er9R8FGMCUqg_E4cFP/s1000/NVR_0396%20-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="1000" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLJ3YGzhui8VsSyS9HDSJiy7-UV3sCv2jAxeDJOeddiXhqFp8o8Ire-s8uZUSyUI7Rwr_zQn2mBGhRhdoZ0RSVUOufpHTB37rtcSBCedWQW0mU3Gi-QIyhnkQT-bw3LWYjBxjJ2bd1gTjuQWeHvwaDNVmhJJ_w4fIdNoWoM-aM5Er9R8FGMCUqg_E4cFP/w400-h235/NVR_0396%20-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In mid-December? No, of course we didn't!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">*******</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>3 Lads Singing</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The singing group, The Young 'Uns, got their name when as teenagers they found they could get served (under age) in one of their local pubs, which turned out to be home to a folk music club. They were made welcome and, liking the atmosphere, they became regular visitors, eventually daring to stand up and sing themselves. Although they can sing an old song with conviction they began to write their own songs which, in traditional style, were based on real events, often stories which they'd seen on the news or read in the papers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>3 Dads Walking</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Andy, Tim and Mike got to know each other when each was hit by the tragic suicides of their daughters. They decided to go on a long walk across the country to raise awareness of the issues, campaign for suicide-prevention education in schools, to talk to each other about their grief and encourage other men similarly affected to seek out help.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's what happened when all six men met up....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2OEx5t748rY" width="320" youtube-src-id="2OEx5t748rY"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">You can find out more about 3 Dads Walking here: </span><a href="https://www.3dadswalking.uk/"><span style="font-family: arial;">3 Dads Walking</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you enjoyed the singing and songwriting of the Young 'Uns you can find numerous clips of them on YouTube.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-89849682624324410582023-12-03T10:59:00.003+00:002023-12-03T10:59:39.694+00:00Calendar Time<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Those of you who've been following this blog for a while will be familiar with my yearly collection of photos - one from each month - that usually sees the light of day each December. If I'm a little early this year it's because I have a slight cold at present and it's horrible outside. So grab a cup of tea and a mince pie and drift through the year with me. Starting in....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>January</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHscVUBDm5-o4kxuI-iXgVP5MyspsaxuhcwDQrDowJjoxNvNHgPBYaph1Vfp6RAanNcad5PdCjs_4bksOrQ97SuNPV1vC5nWwyGb2mtZ10Ze6Uc8h0NY0kE3EW-VgrbItMFtg5Ox0oLp5KdggAQgjjrmh3YZa4piqOLUT596-8kR1MpClG3RoyUyk7exe/s2006/A%20Jan%20a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHscVUBDm5-o4kxuI-iXgVP5MyspsaxuhcwDQrDowJjoxNvNHgPBYaph1Vfp6RAanNcad5PdCjs_4bksOrQ97SuNPV1vC5nWwyGb2mtZ10Ze6Uc8h0NY0kE3EW-VgrbItMFtg5Ox0oLp5KdggAQgjjrmh3YZa4piqOLUT596-8kR1MpClG3RoyUyk7exe/w640-h480/A%20Jan%20a.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>February</b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJK5oOmoPFKS4cH98W3yLWul3KoML4bmyMnbQu0oCi9hhOl2kkdPjPaZvOYHdZTJm5avY53tl_DHs6GJzNv4XhnPsk0nJ86mA2AjrCTMBwo5HxRUAzSS7ac4g1DUHs7nGEnxGu2OdWRGv3VnmMSlhvNG23hhu2FPVaibgRoVIwNktOy0FgPAH8M7eGCEmB/s2006/B%20Feb%20a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJK5oOmoPFKS4cH98W3yLWul3KoML4bmyMnbQu0oCi9hhOl2kkdPjPaZvOYHdZTJm5avY53tl_DHs6GJzNv4XhnPsk0nJ86mA2AjrCTMBwo5HxRUAzSS7ac4g1DUHs7nGEnxGu2OdWRGv3VnmMSlhvNG23hhu2FPVaibgRoVIwNktOy0FgPAH8M7eGCEmB/w640-h480/B%20Feb%20a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><b>March</b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfyC-QxILy3IBf8TsdYN7s5-ZGpW3jYsUimAKsHS_Pbu2Vd7_oDx4qdksUNIuntusgJRJwrZKPj14nLeaxQZXnZ5hyfk4J6JmX6nyOE2LvxbWBEDQJvUpDoxnQNgR8W-G_9kaE3qPSdegQefs5dlRjnfqEpT3gz10IGwDq5SySDF_ymbDDN_mBUOEc3hN/s1918/C%20Mar%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1918" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfyC-QxILy3IBf8TsdYN7s5-ZGpW3jYsUimAKsHS_Pbu2Vd7_oDx4qdksUNIuntusgJRJwrZKPj14nLeaxQZXnZ5hyfk4J6JmX6nyOE2LvxbWBEDQJvUpDoxnQNgR8W-G_9kaE3qPSdegQefs5dlRjnfqEpT3gz10IGwDq5SySDF_ymbDDN_mBUOEc3hN/w640-h478/C%20Mar%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /><br />April</b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6TdNlXv7FI1DYJcXiodO8EoJRVQ59oUY0ADiYkLGtD08KLuvOgndFERQ4BRdW8wrSL1M-_I60glFtkmgFYBBMIpJnfnjILgDKbitlTlWa67oHpYRMbKngKjPvUs5GMfaOoPhRBgZ2l-lUwmUWILCYqW2q6EOOF_PSQGm8H8RsmiCj1znQQzjr78rXs3n/s1915/D%20Apr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1915" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6TdNlXv7FI1DYJcXiodO8EoJRVQ59oUY0ADiYkLGtD08KLuvOgndFERQ4BRdW8wrSL1M-_I60glFtkmgFYBBMIpJnfnjILgDKbitlTlWa67oHpYRMbKngKjPvUs5GMfaOoPhRBgZ2l-lUwmUWILCYqW2q6EOOF_PSQGm8H8RsmiCj1znQQzjr78rXs3n/w640-h480/D%20Apr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><br /><b><br />May</b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeU22-ad-eIGX7EQN9U4OxxfaQ18ofqErKOXjf0zV5NhcKWDJukFegW85BifTqMBjMoTIr3rHVCksWTZ7lhYa2pvS8LqrNkCJ0og5whvGyIWQeT1-8im9xlCuW0ZWqyAH1aoKM2K9cHpnpNgxMkdwF1EtUUtNHe7hqw6zvO_iOTMDCCkcoKvFa5zaepmA/s2006/E%20May%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeU22-ad-eIGX7EQN9U4OxxfaQ18ofqErKOXjf0zV5NhcKWDJukFegW85BifTqMBjMoTIr3rHVCksWTZ7lhYa2pvS8LqrNkCJ0og5whvGyIWQeT1-8im9xlCuW0ZWqyAH1aoKM2K9cHpnpNgxMkdwF1EtUUtNHe7hqw6zvO_iOTMDCCkcoKvFa5zaepmA/w640-h480/E%20May%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><br /><b><br />June</b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTc45ompUlPxiqxHIEFYrjSVqbxsC4Ic2CQm1ezMx1-9o6PkuqqeuBS-sGcjGG1YXzMBIwY_qYg8I_kh1zrDYAilMGoAWmcvaFa0wrHrLNHugzkYelysy_9QIVFbxBgAWhmN-h9A9LtwiyyIK5q_daxX4QpECysCbIccAllJ104Z742GTzMY2AnBD2lgt7/s2006/F%20June%20k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTc45ompUlPxiqxHIEFYrjSVqbxsC4Ic2CQm1ezMx1-9o6PkuqqeuBS-sGcjGG1YXzMBIwY_qYg8I_kh1zrDYAilMGoAWmcvaFa0wrHrLNHugzkYelysy_9QIVFbxBgAWhmN-h9A9LtwiyyIK5q_daxX4QpECysCbIccAllJ104Z742GTzMY2AnBD2lgt7/w640-h480/F%20June%20k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><b>July</b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpme30gvl3BrMUoLY4hsfAJmVLMiEbTTyom1K7C9DITeHG81iK1DKCPKsK4yxNq0J-gwUDmMCklqWRaYIt2jasiqE6ojOZs3xrbSBnxpzT5nhpPTG72w00FoQzoaZLbBhk1JbHgkbXmQEEkVBIhyphenhyphenJPU0kCCEKIPQw1WCNIhtFNGiL5NzKHXXGTl5qnWV0/s2006/G%20July.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpme30gvl3BrMUoLY4hsfAJmVLMiEbTTyom1K7C9DITeHG81iK1DKCPKsK4yxNq0J-gwUDmMCklqWRaYIt2jasiqE6ojOZs3xrbSBnxpzT5nhpPTG72w00FoQzoaZLbBhk1JbHgkbXmQEEkVBIhyphenhyphenJPU0kCCEKIPQw1WCNIhtFNGiL5NzKHXXGTl5qnWV0/w640-h480/G%20July.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><br /><b><br />August</b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNFs2tKodZhx_ZwBCzx5NWbNNv8dQSdAIsrRDjIfNfG9sKFRkDgME2_L7ESjko3PSXMsQj25F3EuRElHRNydEGsyTf9W-dnznggDdGrxl2qwPiMM-1T632zDQB2FU5hdE-AUpju526h6_hYIaBHwrSDlGIeLmvvg-eWVpClTSoWmndc8DrA_WpoRaxe6W/s2006/H%20Augustb6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNFs2tKodZhx_ZwBCzx5NWbNNv8dQSdAIsrRDjIfNfG9sKFRkDgME2_L7ESjko3PSXMsQj25F3EuRElHRNydEGsyTf9W-dnznggDdGrxl2qwPiMM-1T632zDQB2FU5hdE-AUpju526h6_hYIaBHwrSDlGIeLmvvg-eWVpClTSoWmndc8DrA_WpoRaxe6W/w640-h480/H%20Augustb6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><b>September</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4-32yUOkuH3d5mUsupN6LuWmkUB65iRJd6_xMxaYOdCbS0qo7dmKz_g4YAUxZ1jZdgFhZaSvmCaobJFzocdPkdi5sux_ca4vXKJ5gRxIuZXdA-ZSMm4mw15i05LbrYhOiuRqb6Lt2UYVA9sBJa0XgvIAriKFB-7mPB0D5wJIxD_vvrbuKycPdA46RE27/s2006/I%20September.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4-32yUOkuH3d5mUsupN6LuWmkUB65iRJd6_xMxaYOdCbS0qo7dmKz_g4YAUxZ1jZdgFhZaSvmCaobJFzocdPkdi5sux_ca4vXKJ5gRxIuZXdA-ZSMm4mw15i05LbrYhOiuRqb6Lt2UYVA9sBJa0XgvIAriKFB-7mPB0D5wJIxD_vvrbuKycPdA46RE27/w640-h480/I%20September.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>October</b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68XlCMBiZnnTf8SmtLRndIpmAxFk5SMLUD7ZqMEflgr_RokFMrhTOfZT8C9dvNjbo7DdtTfyoZExM-CnnWasRwhGc2_Mfxr3kwEAqTIeKG8L5lidYvuHF08Wn_oQSQMB_chnmhBhuhwjvR4PpGmEtWjH3oVBfRzl6cTlJ436mHj8axQ0Jc2eQMe6duPsJ/s2006/J%20Oct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68XlCMBiZnnTf8SmtLRndIpmAxFk5SMLUD7ZqMEflgr_RokFMrhTOfZT8C9dvNjbo7DdtTfyoZExM-CnnWasRwhGc2_Mfxr3kwEAqTIeKG8L5lidYvuHF08Wn_oQSQMB_chnmhBhuhwjvR4PpGmEtWjH3oVBfRzl6cTlJ436mHj8axQ0Jc2eQMe6duPsJ/w640-h480/J%20Oct.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><b>November</b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zeWkGEFHkUPmD1_-CBPSEE8t1br7yTfjh8avipXqAoG_vGLB56BKFKjYznVW3p2ng37ltb0UOHjpfBWo8HrEHnnNdbsN2P29JK6lZ27DhBWJlq4RPQgFLPB7pnHB5NyFUuB8TLbmEZJEXEuI78jGT8r4j5H2-iCUCkmzfcysrlyjCPsQBYMsmTCHXP0x/s2006/K%20Nov%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zeWkGEFHkUPmD1_-CBPSEE8t1br7yTfjh8avipXqAoG_vGLB56BKFKjYznVW3p2ng37ltb0UOHjpfBWo8HrEHnnNdbsN2P29JK6lZ27DhBWJlq4RPQgFLPB7pnHB5NyFUuB8TLbmEZJEXEuI78jGT8r4j5H2-iCUCkmzfcysrlyjCPsQBYMsmTCHXP0x/w640-h480/K%20Nov%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><b>December</b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: red; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkdN3bd-5mwNH3Yza41OGElKQURhs9zt5OqObPlKgtVuIbXjYPuD_kleuurMg2r_Rgx1JIZ9SjoQdDHZfE8gsvcuzMsQ4q7G36KODjFGd4Lksa31PE7_zZnEpRSr6zrijcE3UmqIsTa9ySvnTzuP-ltqH6FOQ7QeouCeepfL0_Est4AhjbOqR1UbgroSW/s2006/L%20Dec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkdN3bd-5mwNH3Yza41OGElKQURhs9zt5OqObPlKgtVuIbXjYPuD_kleuurMg2r_Rgx1JIZ9SjoQdDHZfE8gsvcuzMsQ4q7G36KODjFGd4Lksa31PE7_zZnEpRSr6zrijcE3UmqIsTa9ySvnTzuP-ltqH6FOQ7QeouCeepfL0_Est4AhjbOqR1UbgroSW/w640-h480/L%20Dec.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />November and December's pictures date from 2022, otherwise all shots were taken this year. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p></p>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-63822727287887517832023-11-27T11:45:00.001+00:002023-11-27T11:45:50.630+00:00Backtracking<p><span style="font-family: arial;">A couple of weeks ago I had a walk around the village to photograph the autumn scene. Some of the best colour is to be found around people's homes; in fact there are probably as many trees in gardens as there are in the fields and hedgerows in this arable country of South Cambridgeshire. I'm also aware that my photos tend to make things look idyllic, so I thought I would include some of the human clutter for a change. Then I decided I wouldn't publish these photos. Now I'm backtracking and think that maybe I will....</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7_pVM-wZJfHZd1egQrhOweimqN6QrvaKsztUlWswt2eWsNCH3O4-7__MmhrztcEr5QeZx5E93CVtmWuC453N1j6KHc_P8FJE7trb9Di7QT1iPHp5evozdZlTS31eUckdEe1Ols8HttCfn-rjfD3A8bhtM5s3mIN9OZPT6icZXUSI2U3y-xcXYyOHhrl1/s2006/aNVR_0084%20-2k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7_pVM-wZJfHZd1egQrhOweimqN6QrvaKsztUlWswt2eWsNCH3O4-7__MmhrztcEr5QeZx5E93CVtmWuC453N1j6KHc_P8FJE7trb9Di7QT1iPHp5evozdZlTS31eUckdEe1Ols8HttCfn-rjfD3A8bhtM5s3mIN9OZPT6icZXUSI2U3y-xcXYyOHhrl1/w640-h480/aNVR_0084%20-2k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">Near to home. All the leaves have gone now.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUOfHkjt4IgvaTFGjnm8jQMHur2IpJQ3rkz01IVURvO7R0FgWsrUfaU4pGhzv_9fzDEE8_hNOZIPvzeesn1rGK1TGMm95tG2lsNdxS62mRk9QnCGy1Rg0pryue3iw-KmHkxmvdbc6tpIn28GrgJ7FVezHtuDONVyjQDH0bNIXtmjR7l2kZ8O3B7qSzE3g/s2006/bNVR_0096%20-2j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUOfHkjt4IgvaTFGjnm8jQMHur2IpJQ3rkz01IVURvO7R0FgWsrUfaU4pGhzv_9fzDEE8_hNOZIPvzeesn1rGK1TGMm95tG2lsNdxS62mRk9QnCGy1Rg0pryue3iw-KmHkxmvdbc6tpIn28GrgJ7FVezHtuDONVyjQDH0bNIXtmjR7l2kZ8O3B7qSzE3g/w640-h480/bNVR_0096%20-2j.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">A mix of housing.</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRd-6H79w-qavuXunuhfglMDQmMjU4rXKgHRxIYp4wjQxuNk4O4Zns4s8Vzy5gZdQoBwn9Bkt4sYCYQZnxUV7Ej-2Mkf_ToqP3IclfPgbVwyJt55Zjl8r86FoeHul8YHGaixzhLXh9M5Qixe6zZrYrUCBR0ekgVFGIzcmn5tSa5FEtomKsbJbvQVxbikk_/s2006/cNVR_0098%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRd-6H79w-qavuXunuhfglMDQmMjU4rXKgHRxIYp4wjQxuNk4O4Zns4s8Vzy5gZdQoBwn9Bkt4sYCYQZnxUV7Ej-2Mkf_ToqP3IclfPgbVwyJt55Zjl8r86FoeHul8YHGaixzhLXh9M5Qixe6zZrYrUCBR0ekgVFGIzcmn5tSa5FEtomKsbJbvQVxbikk_/w480-h640/cNVR_0098%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">Repair Cafe - I didn't know about that.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgnJhBkhJmAvbe3WjRKR75LqqCRwf_nWm_z0g3Cbly1zeESbFbYwz1XysErR7WcaJPDoHEbRDqfBTdTZulwIbREOv54ytDuOoo6FLeI0JkomEPf6Z1ScD9GFPZVxm4FGkxvFEQ9MgCj35XulGmFRBV4_HMxnSo6eE8AlPvoMITLNo2e002DpT55Cu7936/s2006/dNVR_0100%20-2j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgnJhBkhJmAvbe3WjRKR75LqqCRwf_nWm_z0g3Cbly1zeESbFbYwz1XysErR7WcaJPDoHEbRDqfBTdTZulwIbREOv54ytDuOoo6FLeI0JkomEPf6Z1ScD9GFPZVxm4FGkxvFEQ9MgCj35XulGmFRBV4_HMxnSo6eE8AlPvoMITLNo2e002DpT55Cu7936/w640-h480/dNVR_0100%20-2j.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">On the corner of Chiswick End.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMRbdLlCujaO96XwQkRVNn4g9bnSG0yxSGWEwvvfIXqhI-4uK1pTlsL9lDdIHLErS6RJBVnASztCwWvBkHHgxWV1fRYMHADcrKeBkRkwVTsDjhM2wD-pLjk8fD70jF_4P5H3G0ToYvEzhI3DZPZvhuVzORLcma92HxR-fgtPGhkqkPeiHKhTZmcF-i4Df/s2006/eNVR_0103%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMRbdLlCujaO96XwQkRVNn4g9bnSG0yxSGWEwvvfIXqhI-4uK1pTlsL9lDdIHLErS6RJBVnASztCwWvBkHHgxWV1fRYMHADcrKeBkRkwVTsDjhM2wD-pLjk8fD70jF_4P5H3G0ToYvEzhI3DZPZvhuVzORLcma92HxR-fgtPGhkqkPeiHKhTZmcF-i4Df/w640-h480/eNVR_0103%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">Just across the road from the last photo.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKof6iYW9LDuoU2oj9gYOpP4bPKN1xUWe2Wuk7LnrJ6pMr9KW2FvNpFRj31uvm3t8PTpmAuZyCanDYdV1emUqwgujuhBvoZsazSm4EFLqr9lANOGm9_MljL97_VZLIOOwL1heASJwxP7JXGpv64mRaptSKbOTsIpJvhJuR33zGDfCJdiAbLM33tUkkgmaA/s2006/fNVR_0108%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKof6iYW9LDuoU2oj9gYOpP4bPKN1xUWe2Wuk7LnrJ6pMr9KW2FvNpFRj31uvm3t8PTpmAuZyCanDYdV1emUqwgujuhBvoZsazSm4EFLqr9lANOGm9_MljL97_VZLIOOwL1heASJwxP7JXGpv64mRaptSKbOTsIpJvhJuR33zGDfCJdiAbLM33tUkkgmaA/w640-h480/fNVR_0108%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">There's a window in there!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXhzh2S139ZbrWBA3jIjr8MSMrI3UuZNfo9uI7wGrvfPR4MdZr3jihRI0xMsR6SihhP7h7ySdgeCZNtra2wQgo03iaHWhyjbr_hHKo7sjC3Z0RfncZPiOMXfGuo931jRGJME-OHtMXzHmGOoyg5pN3H9lgiZ3MK7MGGdDjU6qrBUdc3dEbUWCjtZ92ayX/s2006/gNVR_0113%20-2i%20n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXhzh2S139ZbrWBA3jIjr8MSMrI3UuZNfo9uI7wGrvfPR4MdZr3jihRI0xMsR6SihhP7h7ySdgeCZNtra2wQgo03iaHWhyjbr_hHKo7sjC3Z0RfncZPiOMXfGuo931jRGJME-OHtMXzHmGOoyg5pN3H9lgiZ3MK7MGGdDjU6qrBUdc3dEbUWCjtZ92ayX/w640-h480/gNVR_0113%20-2i%20n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">ACE OF WASTE - <span style="font-family: arial;">I like that.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlq7SXj-gIP5sdwk2p5yppYpMXOvn376hnJOS6OyvZo1kEaZuyoId2sM541SmGVDXUrIb_UAhp1ViXdV6_9Cu0ufqI_LJQqEJp1HYgF4WZ6Br7V1iPk9l_4ONx-1Iujc3XgetjPFYKomeN90rHwm1hcWzXzN-YdnB0ACpcHdMIbP4dTv6Mdcgm9ewrwwb/s2006/hNVR_0090%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlq7SXj-gIP5sdwk2p5yppYpMXOvn376hnJOS6OyvZo1kEaZuyoId2sM541SmGVDXUrIb_UAhp1ViXdV6_9Cu0ufqI_LJQqEJp1HYgF4WZ6Br7V1iPk9l_4ONx-1Iujc3XgetjPFYKomeN90rHwm1hcWzXzN-YdnB0ACpcHdMIbP4dTv6Mdcgm9ewrwwb/w640-h480/hNVR_0090%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">I liked the way those faded blue garage doors contrasted with the leaves.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dEScreWyrDfB86pzmQsPBqxoxMtUTadKTnZ_IYU2YiRbslqsYTiTijuZnsfiM8_NykXqLyMiBW2qk1_2avOUOixnjYcASzI878DbTfrJjMyNXjcWywG41bIZE__LwCFbPq0VDtVhx9UY_Er0L6gC0YNZxBkfRNWMDxFd6UoKEsEhavKc1GjHWYmtsKiP/s2006/iNVR_0116%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dEScreWyrDfB86pzmQsPBqxoxMtUTadKTnZ_IYU2YiRbslqsYTiTijuZnsfiM8_NykXqLyMiBW2qk1_2avOUOixnjYcASzI878DbTfrJjMyNXjcWywG41bIZE__LwCFbPq0VDtVhx9UY_Er0L6gC0YNZxBkfRNWMDxFd6UoKEsEhavKc1GjHWYmtsKiP/w640-h480/iNVR_0116%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">Near the horse paddocks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic37WxCVInk_Vj2m0DBjkEsgok3sy0_E-D2ThlPPtYjZJ92amyVwRFOtEuENeTz1uEOcjM5K4u9sDUDFI-kH1O1TaEqVVDBe1DIa6Edx9AbDJqFbHZRDzangWCyKd3ZCrckytv8cDSBf7zyf4pYw0BQWromYCZBhEnj52JcMNiYjUvqAMHO6XVcDDJdaRq/s2006/jNVR_0118%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic37WxCVInk_Vj2m0DBjkEsgok3sy0_E-D2ThlPPtYjZJ92amyVwRFOtEuENeTz1uEOcjM5K4u9sDUDFI-kH1O1TaEqVVDBe1DIa6Edx9AbDJqFbHZRDzangWCyKd3ZCrckytv8cDSBf7zyf4pYw0BQWromYCZBhEnj52JcMNiYjUvqAMHO6XVcDDJdaRq/w640-h480/jNVR_0118%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">Old barn through a gap in the hedge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrMJlfRzpV_GenWa_PzKHqtkCWu0U8Ihp8l23lWgmVlZF1dggU5LpcKn0-1nt7-xUule9alLhkmI0PGfCWkhWGNkA28mnyFiE_JY_HBHdn5_7V3UE0sUxZ4UTUITT4AjTtYecaUZYopw6VSbFiG8j1Webebxg7MNhaBXfTLQtZEpO5llI3R5AbWJU36yS/s2006/kNVR_0123%20-2l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrMJlfRzpV_GenWa_PzKHqtkCWu0U8Ihp8l23lWgmVlZF1dggU5LpcKn0-1nt7-xUule9alLhkmI0PGfCWkhWGNkA28mnyFiE_JY_HBHdn5_7V3UE0sUxZ4UTUITT4AjTtYecaUZYopw6VSbFiG8j1Webebxg7MNhaBXfTLQtZEpO5llI3R5AbWJU36yS/w640-h480/kNVR_0123%20-2l.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">Fenny Lane - (is in my ears and in my eyes)!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOl-pVU3WXOesj5SST3SonLzbL-PAMLzOECodMEdYrGLdhW9XuBhPZ3WpTbJq1Vu91wwx_TodEfqnDiw9MCPydqfYsGQtcw-yfbaNXWsmPt_dbtIrdLkQVnySIFsiigLcBc2FvubMy3s_ezkvjIotUAGV1WOhI_xovPQtu41GZv1hto7UAuznxSWqfOqHY/s2006/lNVR_0137%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOl-pVU3WXOesj5SST3SonLzbL-PAMLzOECodMEdYrGLdhW9XuBhPZ3WpTbJq1Vu91wwx_TodEfqnDiw9MCPydqfYsGQtcw-yfbaNXWsmPt_dbtIrdLkQVnySIFsiigLcBc2FvubMy3s_ezkvjIotUAGV1WOhI_xovPQtu41GZv1hto7UAuznxSWqfOqHY/w640-h480/lNVR_0137%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">Where I used to wait for the bus.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_NS0dW3OcxU3Ih_bw77Fmu9GxxPe-zM5DLctH5UncHAMWHTBr4JjTznQ_sctU4Fm6P-MA1vGEfDFCKS4ufSg7K2yD-cSVLQoi1Rc2gvkpH4L6AgbDz6-kh5Dp_V-zJ0DjZI2_DHnqrioHmMMPazs6OvC-Ywvs4N0-XqKEbETfkalINXIk33rQJ5ygv8h/s2006/m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_NS0dW3OcxU3Ih_bw77Fmu9GxxPe-zM5DLctH5UncHAMWHTBr4JjTznQ_sctU4Fm6P-MA1vGEfDFCKS4ufSg7K2yD-cSVLQoi1Rc2gvkpH4L6AgbDz6-kh5Dp_V-zJ0DjZI2_DHnqrioHmMMPazs6OvC-Ywvs4N0-XqKEbETfkalINXIk33rQJ5ygv8h/w640-h480/m.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">School sign.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOZOSsxNDv7g1Co091PvXVXf5170Om5vuePOerTa2UQ4L3SG_5XEKiMbDTWB6dPbnRLuWovSYnfVjq5k8eXi5a8mRkUou7FFVzj_b8NpcQareO4GYOFE6-jJ6Bv9-kPE9MgUrQ8XBbRuzsvFpr498GJT6ATTf1-G27TwVIvTROq-_0UV23mF4tDk6XkeP/s2006/mNVR_0141%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOZOSsxNDv7g1Co091PvXVXf5170Om5vuePOerTa2UQ4L3SG_5XEKiMbDTWB6dPbnRLuWovSYnfVjq5k8eXi5a8mRkUou7FFVzj_b8NpcQareO4GYOFE6-jJ6Bv9-kPE9MgUrQ8XBbRuzsvFpr498GJT6ATTf1-G27TwVIvTROq-_0UV23mF4tDk6XkeP/w640-h480/mNVR_0141%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">Gate.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVz5p-iKcBCAN3WnIhXxCX_SZcZwzobFndHTZ7k8L4YxywA0Kw0RHlORbwBl5j1su8uq04zbWHtn5DnEYZtlSLpNmj7kgZefoGLoRlir96djmsP_dDs1Rmhm2pxTSECXsCW2EHfWjUGFMF2RW8z12jV8He_-IXM5HY2H7P7iTdub0iObHI9Fuy9sbdQNDo/s2006/NVR_0140%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVz5p-iKcBCAN3WnIhXxCX_SZcZwzobFndHTZ7k8L4YxywA0Kw0RHlORbwBl5j1su8uq04zbWHtn5DnEYZtlSLpNmj7kgZefoGLoRlir96djmsP_dDs1Rmhm2pxTSECXsCW2EHfWjUGFMF2RW8z12jV8He_-IXM5HY2H7P7iTdub0iObHI9Fuy9sbdQNDo/w640-h480/NVR_0140%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">Looking down the High Street.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The way I used to bike home after work.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXo7qdUQ9KHkw94JW-K5fFshBY845pS0GWiKpYM8oM4yieJqAuQUra1ljJqf012bpEsc1iYtPPfiWGK0cCP8w8XndBR1_Lr2jd8HLLVVv8t8lFxfce5SHht-XMsjsTkK8kfb9FC3jSd4SlvKRBXx7gUh07yyUCU_q2ePtrlQNVgblX1hyWDymvfUl5X8te/s2006/NVR_0167%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXo7qdUQ9KHkw94JW-K5fFshBY845pS0GWiKpYM8oM4yieJqAuQUra1ljJqf012bpEsc1iYtPPfiWGK0cCP8w8XndBR1_Lr2jd8HLLVVv8t8lFxfce5SHht-XMsjsTkK8kfb9FC3jSd4SlvKRBXx7gUh07yyUCU_q2ePtrlQNVgblX1hyWDymvfUl5X8te/w640-h480/NVR_0167%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">In Malton Lane.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74v9Mbym6oU06e2ZVqk_1kCCoBu9XrTDO5KofSKl8VfRs95ZZJ61vvSGUIFdCN_-G9p5ZJtIeqTJA-Yxr0z_eaniYEdYCplgHDVpON_fUf7quzah8L3nYhiRaAa6W-Cb4Yzj-Ve_5Z4hnVxuy2OEq8U2rLJKMlyCrN7nz7wJfeFfgmBdvKYltvOTNapuk/s2006/NVR_0181%20-2hj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74v9Mbym6oU06e2ZVqk_1kCCoBu9XrTDO5KofSKl8VfRs95ZZJ61vvSGUIFdCN_-G9p5ZJtIeqTJA-Yxr0z_eaniYEdYCplgHDVpON_fUf7quzah8L3nYhiRaAa6W-Cb4Yzj-Ve_5Z4hnVxuy2OEq8U2rLJKMlyCrN7nz7wJfeFfgmBdvKYltvOTNapuk/w640-h480/NVR_0181%20-2hj.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">Sun just peeping through.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJg-sNOkjnYpmPhYhtYrgTD4yvnD9sCZlzXXgsolD0aYRxRyfP7Uzm9esMZnb01bXNyH5qDn5NcLCUqodt1OYzAKyWXCIhs7Ly5B57RUAYUJWO5RpqhlpNLi7iCkByJzqha7KUPfWWcyYJalG-sug8-POXpPtv-3OBSnnqcIFFyEKBia6fxho22nf3r3c/s2006/zNVR_0152%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJg-sNOkjnYpmPhYhtYrgTD4yvnD9sCZlzXXgsolD0aYRxRyfP7Uzm9esMZnb01bXNyH5qDn5NcLCUqodt1OYzAKyWXCIhs7Ly5B57RUAYUJWO5RpqhlpNLi7iCkByJzqha7KUPfWWcyYJalG-sug8-POXpPtv-3OBSnnqcIFFyEKBia6fxho22nf3r3c/w640-h480/zNVR_0152%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">Yellow.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So that's how it looked a couple of weeks ago. Today most of the leaves have fallen and it's grey with drizzle.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-21904618045080711212023-11-21T15:24:00.002+00:002023-11-22T05:46:17.497+00:00From Blue To Gold<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Hitch Wood, in Hertfordshire, is a </span><span style="font-family: arial;">well-known local beauty spot. It's so popular that it has its own small car park and a special waymarked trail to lead you through the best bits. But that's in spring, when the bluebells are in full bloom. What's it like in autumn?</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbU8JKxask3DrVFtTtgpKdymhdaUsig23EgQ5OUajcsSztFoq2NDb1W9boeEoEWdpM1dlJenz1p78wyegRuptcc03qq5KYuNZ43XEFKNKm7Imoi9B2uLNpVjxjIkpzIztLyfkFOVv4c4MVm_S-0WnBg1HGl5wcHjupijx7o1Uj43ocFALrSWfqLt2W_Hi/s2006/NVR_0328%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbU8JKxask3DrVFtTtgpKdymhdaUsig23EgQ5OUajcsSztFoq2NDb1W9boeEoEWdpM1dlJenz1p78wyegRuptcc03qq5KYuNZ43XEFKNKm7Imoi9B2uLNpVjxjIkpzIztLyfkFOVv4c4MVm_S-0WnBg1HGl5wcHjupijx7o1Uj43ocFALrSWfqLt2W_Hi/w640-h480/NVR_0328%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We began our walk at the church in <a href="https://bystargooseandhanglands.blogspot.com/2023/05/royal-connections.html" target="_blank">St Paul's Walden, which we visited back in May</a>. A path then leads behind back gardens and alongside fields, reaching the road at the gate to Stagenhoe Park, a former manor house which is now an assisted living facility for those with long-term neurological problems.</span><p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtzTQQx7Ru5AaUIYSeiu9PLlXtrbIrEASiI139WHBLAgdOKMgxeWlXC4gFkcAyvNyJGhntmsivmbkm7fkjGKO7AAcy2O2KeIIKo-MBcJuLtkuoQt1zM-SLYuijbsqx4xE1oQU6HoldjELLooNaDMPSy8H0WmXw3s8LX-prJavzioPzMe2AjA1UCR3gsYc/s2006/NVR_0330%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtzTQQx7Ru5AaUIYSeiu9PLlXtrbIrEASiI139WHBLAgdOKMgxeWlXC4gFkcAyvNyJGhntmsivmbkm7fkjGKO7AAcy2O2KeIIKo-MBcJuLtkuoQt1zM-SLYuijbsqx4xE1oQU6HoldjELLooNaDMPSy8H0WmXw3s8LX-prJavzioPzMe2AjA1UCR3gsYc/w480-h640/NVR_0330%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Two impressive stags adorn the gateposts. From here we dodge across the road, go through a wood, across a meadow, over a muddy field, and then follow ancient tracks to come out opposite Hitch Wood.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjhQt_NdN5SSE-qygBtnXZWQVGxxzey_OArx-40c4iFBLz1vxpqwM1gFIBD6SIYg6CYtq2kfgjj5ywcxBWNp3p7oagpCLZZucFjOcnU2wU-QEuQc6sf0OZ5T1F9zcyXiQQfvECKqYApBtX3JaTD-6bLB_auSVCXqTbs7EHcunIFs5kZtyVFqcQVVlaLBC/s2006/NVR_0334%20-2n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjhQt_NdN5SSE-qygBtnXZWQVGxxzey_OArx-40c4iFBLz1vxpqwM1gFIBD6SIYg6CYtq2kfgjj5ywcxBWNp3p7oagpCLZZucFjOcnU2wU-QEuQc6sf0OZ5T1F9zcyXiQQfvECKqYApBtX3JaTD-6bLB_auSVCXqTbs7EHcunIFs5kZtyVFqcQVVlaLBC/w480-h640/NVR_0334%20-2n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Our very brief survey suggested that a lot fewer people come out to see the autumn leaves than the hordes who visit the bluebells. Not only that, but of the handful of folks we saw, one was talking so loudly that their thoughts must have been elsewhere and another looked puzzled when I commented on the beauty of the scene. But.....</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzpzs4vjqarmjBxZDVeUynrOToRDjgxHf8b5p5VInd9hPr7L-XgxtP_MM5wKzin9tH0HSQ0p2tfNhqMyVOiTojsuJYa13oyJlyxVHyMdrQ0EsSrH68JMmbMxb_tgaxRPOjKF4SziiC0vtCPYGGYAc38K285wOxXiUnw51Y684nePd2YdqSV8qnL42GvN7/s2006/NVR_0340%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzpzs4vjqarmjBxZDVeUynrOToRDjgxHf8b5p5VInd9hPr7L-XgxtP_MM5wKzin9tH0HSQ0p2tfNhqMyVOiTojsuJYa13oyJlyxVHyMdrQ0EsSrH68JMmbMxb_tgaxRPOjKF4SziiC0vtCPYGGYAc38K285wOxXiUnw51Y684nePd2YdqSV8qnL42GvN7/w640-h480/NVR_0340%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I ❤ AUTUMN WOODS!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A mossy heart-shaped stump sits like a coral atoll in an ocean of gold.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcD0oF-sbo-LwwADJeOuldo4prsRXI-YZvbHm7WgN-ONLbOltt4v9vbVqvRJ00ZYulTxU2NiFWdT0Rw49LKl6bQzVoOCVELUXnvt2ii3Mv_xpTS9lGxLB1R1T5ACl1LTA1-PZYfanzU5ktGf37jxdwP43J8i3jUBETuKjcHR-vH93mDHhUUuWnQoja9NJq/s2006/NVR_0336%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcD0oF-sbo-LwwADJeOuldo4prsRXI-YZvbHm7WgN-ONLbOltt4v9vbVqvRJ00ZYulTxU2NiFWdT0Rw49LKl6bQzVoOCVELUXnvt2ii3Mv_xpTS9lGxLB1R1T5ACl1LTA1-PZYfanzU5ktGf37jxdwP43J8i3jUBETuKjcHR-vH93mDHhUUuWnQoja9NJq/w640-h480/NVR_0336%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The paths were a lot harder to follow at this time of year, covered as they were by the fallen leaves. It's important to try to stay on the paths here, not only to avoid getting lost but also because trampling the ground where bluebells grow can harm the plants, even when the bulbs are lying dormant.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kOAWm8emRPXCelm9DimzTmNC98GpvbGp1FAKK8o6rmYlh0Sy82gTVeKQDfsU96dxV_ZNfXIDLm8U7R6AZsDzLglOvmnOMPoqTvALGKG2kvyN0G0iZsLA_-0VXFPLX4XvKpTqYul2FXKd2ECIWCZlU73X-t3mW8Mf-EauLh3iW1Rs8YYqIysond_w0FL7/s2006/NVR_0345%20-2nh.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kOAWm8emRPXCelm9DimzTmNC98GpvbGp1FAKK8o6rmYlh0Sy82gTVeKQDfsU96dxV_ZNfXIDLm8U7R6AZsDzLglOvmnOMPoqTvALGKG2kvyN0G0iZsLA_-0VXFPLX4XvKpTqYul2FXKd2ECIWCZlU73X-t3mW8Mf-EauLh3iW1Rs8YYqIysond_w0FL7/w480-h640/NVR_0345%20-2nh.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A <a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/buzzard" target="_blank">Buzzard</a> was crying overhead and though I didn't spot the bird I did notice (and photograph) the vaulted canopy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlxeoW_-36ikxaOl1BIep01ZN8IOUoKs0DU9-eWDubImoozh_b5stgJaW4TumL8QSPwpNyaD05dxaJnOYXCF9k5TksnvEZiVWr1Rd7yylUwT4fYf7dYAmZ5JekaAg6vxLUkEBn7rj0UxIMEJ56vJVYeEVGICju7QboFbvECMOuKhl5LA7ZM7wRx4uLUzq/s2006/NVR_0349%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlxeoW_-36ikxaOl1BIep01ZN8IOUoKs0DU9-eWDubImoozh_b5stgJaW4TumL8QSPwpNyaD05dxaJnOYXCF9k5TksnvEZiVWr1Rd7yylUwT4fYf7dYAmZ5JekaAg6vxLUkEBn7rj0UxIMEJ56vJVYeEVGICju7QboFbvECMOuKhl5LA7ZM7wRx4uLUzq/w640-h480/NVR_0349%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We didn't quite follow our intended route, but drifted on to a parallel track we which brought us out of the wood within a few yards of where we wanted to be.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73a4Gh12WhL_zsk2Fa818ksLdkEHKH-BccmCqKSCuvBYYjrSKyduQT6H5Xf6qgr21NedcgMSSzz3j3Cjc8lVDoIqUvspB2LQJ7yZJZ86QyPAqxfsaRXvcrfAVq0iWzM3e2_3byHo_I8ar08-fY5HLR69Hc5qlAuU0k2sjOmNaBdMes2U-GrPiP4SahYkG/s2006/NVR_0357%20-2b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73a4Gh12WhL_zsk2Fa818ksLdkEHKH-BccmCqKSCuvBYYjrSKyduQT6H5Xf6qgr21NedcgMSSzz3j3Cjc8lVDoIqUvspB2LQJ7yZJZ86QyPAqxfsaRXvcrfAVq0iWzM3e2_3byHo_I8ar08-fY5HLR69Hc5qlAuU0k2sjOmNaBdMes2U-GrPiP4SahYkG/w640-h480/NVR_0357%20-2b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">A very English landscape unfolded before us, probably because this land is used for shooting pheasants which need the cover of hedgerows and scattered woods. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnMT5AvC48pJs7toe3ZOHfNNHy5hRe-avqvtUlq0QLMMZm9wj2-KX1ixa30eXyFQWDQaFbQ-GgOtGk-c6FJKwK37IQfhaPOfW8kxcePNQSfEuf4bsFiJUgp3DxkvYLfM_ovTNBef87gwsp-kryru29XI4rLcHhZGRmgkmD734KjAra4Sb-VMa34f0NeoG/s2006/NVR_0359%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnMT5AvC48pJs7toe3ZOHfNNHy5hRe-avqvtUlq0QLMMZm9wj2-KX1ixa30eXyFQWDQaFbQ-GgOtGk-c6FJKwK37IQfhaPOfW8kxcePNQSfEuf4bsFiJUgp3DxkvYLfM_ovTNBef87gwsp-kryru29XI4rLcHhZGRmgkmD734KjAra4Sb-VMa34f0NeoG/w640-h480/NVR_0359%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Soon we were on a muddy path through Chalkley's Wood.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCr_LPvDmjnLV0rxF0uEFRx5CFSRJE_2a_tuCaErmHDm5pChZEGzOGXRg1yohLw3rTkuKTBYpK5TFfeILNHV_IGYVlok_O-bKfXva4dNodDWl89_4r1qtNkWKMhC1b4E6JEAqfdVnLLfxgHQqRwLsHoxerxON6MRvigYEmYlZ4BYOqzsdaDDugwOMgWcV_/s2006/NVR_0364%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCr_LPvDmjnLV0rxF0uEFRx5CFSRJE_2a_tuCaErmHDm5pChZEGzOGXRg1yohLw3rTkuKTBYpK5TFfeILNHV_IGYVlok_O-bKfXva4dNodDWl89_4r1qtNkWKMhC1b4E6JEAqfdVnLLfxgHQqRwLsHoxerxON6MRvigYEmYlZ4BYOqzsdaDDugwOMgWcV_/w640-h480/NVR_0364%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">There were lots of small fungi in the wood - and then there was a line of these impressive forms. I think they might be what are called Trooping Funnels; they grow in straight lines and have this general appearance. But then again I'm no expert.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoQXXMVINMNSX533BW_wvg46hNrFRQVk004FrQAJbx0rFUtfrCOJuLHLKq9-dZ-7WwyO9melfBivyVf-4ETjaLJcsaC8rQGtfd2CvzTUaxc_H6sFzNhaGYnR9j-_SF0YU-a7LAefWBUUAx-pN30Zvse7xdyRoEvuKyfo_3ScHq2swx81lpxWPDgdQKnat/s2006/NVR_0376%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoQXXMVINMNSX533BW_wvg46hNrFRQVk004FrQAJbx0rFUtfrCOJuLHLKq9-dZ-7WwyO9melfBivyVf-4ETjaLJcsaC8rQGtfd2CvzTUaxc_H6sFzNhaGYnR9j-_SF0YU-a7LAefWBUUAx-pN30Zvse7xdyRoEvuKyfo_3ScHq2swx81lpxWPDgdQKnat/w640-h480/NVR_0376%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">A walk beside horse paddocks brought us to a place where we could see over the rooftops of Whitwell in the valley of the River Mimram. Here we turned north towards St Paul's Walden Bury.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiOs5yUsMZAboscuWHXelAQNPK0Kab6_eLkOhY9hbSrq-OeEOKEijtyNyWIWsgC150eMEiXehWOWnm2_yBB2PBIyIwSzS8AlJnAWP2jwLLZB5I1QW3hFUZ3_02L6SBgB4WMk3nbXBHfM96Sasy5X_7Pwu6XNoNf0tZlfTCw1l3yUMirM7Z_vYJknKi0V8/s2006/NVR_0380%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiOs5yUsMZAboscuWHXelAQNPK0Kab6_eLkOhY9hbSrq-OeEOKEijtyNyWIWsgC150eMEiXehWOWnm2_yBB2PBIyIwSzS8AlJnAWP2jwLLZB5I1QW3hFUZ3_02L6SBgB4WMk3nbXBHfM96Sasy5X_7Pwu6XNoNf0tZlfTCw1l3yUMirM7Z_vYJknKi0V8/w640-h480/NVR_0380%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the house where the Queen Mother was born and lived part of her early life. We sat for a while on a tree stump where we were approached by a woman who told us she'd suggested putting a proper bench there, but in the end it was decided to site it elsewhere.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRxEY6JVd9u-TjT-K-AlHUWMdQ7FAIe8CXjpki_mQx1Y5WoBPkMoReh8GWMcRnnSVa4Wvz7gGHmOwuRQGB9Xq5nwlTuwcbJxpUV3-2QW8FywDUW8F1xBsPD41UGUCo_Xh2Xx31K3RE0nOjiuY9NUlfL20Vo0sizrSKoSLajhAlFILnTCQieW8wUGoxj8I/s2006/NVR_0382%20-2d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="2006" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRxEY6JVd9u-TjT-K-AlHUWMdQ7FAIe8CXjpki_mQx1Y5WoBPkMoReh8GWMcRnnSVa4Wvz7gGHmOwuRQGB9Xq5nwlTuwcbJxpUV3-2QW8FywDUW8F1xBsPD41UGUCo_Xh2Xx31K3RE0nOjiuY9NUlfL20Vo0sizrSKoSLajhAlFILnTCQieW8wUGoxj8I/w640-h458/NVR_0382%20-2d.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">We are now on the country lane leading from the big house back towards the church. Big houses are OK, but this is the one that always fascinates me....</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIxMuF1oTiTi3QQY2iao3Lu-29iT2vC2YkMKCO4yT7JFH0DsDgvJf96p6p9JPGvlgGIJ8aXVUE1LUkUogdTQHeWyPhmiuL3CgGdXfmepo2nftXanG4tQNElLigFZzZJzAllhi5wKUnmoaxELmbSLBEi2cdeglRdy0F2ELIGwSMqGWwy75rF_cyTQDhXN2/s2006/NVR_0385%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIxMuF1oTiTi3QQY2iao3Lu-29iT2vC2YkMKCO4yT7JFH0DsDgvJf96p6p9JPGvlgGIJ8aXVUE1LUkUogdTQHeWyPhmiuL3CgGdXfmepo2nftXanG4tQNElLigFZzZJzAllhi5wKUnmoaxELmbSLBEi2cdeglRdy0F2ELIGwSMqGWwy75rF_cyTQDhXN2/w640-h480/NVR_0385%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">It backs on to the walled garden and is said to have been built about 1770 for the head gardener. In style it's a quainter and more restrained version of what is known as Strawberry Hill Gothick.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1I9aLhePTytFIcvdyfzqBJEL7sJGffnTEgFWQaOwZ3ILwG6-O1KR3HFh_hX5bELcNyp9HEQ2aBFDNJftoZxfMPrzfKoDUkp5GjjEd-NvKLD-P5EdKY8H7F8wEpu5FKYoIrgJ3N8mBfyv0n9WwyX06rXlJ6u2NDgP1G8udGtefVElGvJRqnjuntRQBgDO_/s2012/NVR_0386%20-2small.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2012" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1I9aLhePTytFIcvdyfzqBJEL7sJGffnTEgFWQaOwZ3ILwG6-O1KR3HFh_hX5bELcNyp9HEQ2aBFDNJftoZxfMPrzfKoDUkp5GjjEd-NvKLD-P5EdKY8H7F8wEpu5FKYoIrgJ3N8mBfyv0n9WwyX06rXlJ6u2NDgP1G8udGtefVElGvJRqnjuntRQBgDO_/w439-h330/NVR_0386%20-2small.jpg" width="439" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">I particularly like those quatrefoil windows as they catch the autumn colours.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioy25sfcj71LsK8fJbBjG10H16eH1jw50hqew64HDDGF4QDQMWgEMnYplUl9sWwfXIR_RvKBcgNMBTUZdFYEotcm-SEHblz7vxQdQvC_d1CrVU5T5O9Hzu_RCsvX2-GPuJdg_zJ5qp6lH8VjNsSCM81f_3yTQSzJg8CiZ2nkYwbbutAspFCJxWXl9PdFH9/s2006/NVR_0388%20-2k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioy25sfcj71LsK8fJbBjG10H16eH1jw50hqew64HDDGF4QDQMWgEMnYplUl9sWwfXIR_RvKBcgNMBTUZdFYEotcm-SEHblz7vxQdQvC_d1CrVU5T5O9Hzu_RCsvX2-GPuJdg_zJ5qp6lH8VjNsSCM81f_3yTQSzJg8CiZ2nkYwbbutAspFCJxWXl9PdFH9/w640-h480/NVR_0388%20-2k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Then it was just a matter of following the lane back to our starting point.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-47702610572678737702023-11-18T07:31:00.003+00:002023-11-19T10:22:46.565+00:00A Lynford Scrapbook<p><span style="font-family: arial;">It should be easy enough: go out on a sunny day to Lynford Arboretum in Norfolk and photograph the autumn colours.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbV0tum4iimD_JBjX75WF8hOCY1S7TILx70TKEyfhvnOLzZuTwWhAdMrIeO9wkVb7aYzk-7NEmC8__obScOlHAGHw5k4sc3Nn-0mEI_7VhncIjR1IJqejCtXb5rvFxs5MPCd6IpNTX3J2Htxozd-DrwWY_kS25QZGTl8Iikt9IeNTdShJfInadxzc_Zpx/s2006/NVR_0223%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbV0tum4iimD_JBjX75WF8hOCY1S7TILx70TKEyfhvnOLzZuTwWhAdMrIeO9wkVb7aYzk-7NEmC8__obScOlHAGHw5k4sc3Nn-0mEI_7VhncIjR1IJqejCtXb5rvFxs5MPCd6IpNTX3J2Htxozd-DrwWY_kS25QZGTl8Iikt9IeNTdShJfInadxzc_Zpx/w480-h640/NVR_0223%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">But, while glancing through some of the many books and websites that inform this blog, I noticed that the church in the scarcely discernible village of Cranwich looked interesting. We could pop in there on the way.</span><p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9-Q7MgGHYCy90KkPHZjsqqKQV4JqdtAvKqSbGoRjMun1K5f4pfb6yGi2RPWfkBHO1MRXESeUffpfgvtsxPQtjIyQuosQmqRtBA07vlk3DNUs9Y42nycHz54y1sVdUUZKg0OWDiQMqI7vdTvK7MYkVXthY80dgohaLbAFBKhtsK1mvuAq-CvlS2Sz2Qbm/s2006/NVR_0208%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9-Q7MgGHYCy90KkPHZjsqqKQV4JqdtAvKqSbGoRjMun1K5f4pfb6yGi2RPWfkBHO1MRXESeUffpfgvtsxPQtjIyQuosQmqRtBA07vlk3DNUs9Y42nycHz54y1sVdUUZKg0OWDiQMqI7vdTvK7MYkVXthY80dgohaLbAFBKhtsK1mvuAq-CvlS2Sz2Qbm/w640-h480/NVR_0208%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And what a gem it is. A Saxon church with a round tower and a thatched roof set back off the road in an oasis of greenery. It's a church that could easily have fallen into disuse; its small and aging congregation could never have been expected to keep it in good repair. However a grant from the charity English Heritage sparked renewed interest in the building.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08tUMevzXuGdyS5XSYUw5JX9inImFxddMG_YwYHfQ_MTv3f-b33G9pzdEqEFtbJGRDQnSI35OtFHwOJ9iDb1jcXIB-0aWKI-pw8sXKvI2qq8OnB0p9r6W7q4FfgE4X_CkG1_XSNO-gKs0hKr0vyqPbcPOOPtHANtGN9fieJJSKnNtqDywgjPppZSF_ES3/s2006/NVR_0215%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08tUMevzXuGdyS5XSYUw5JX9inImFxddMG_YwYHfQ_MTv3f-b33G9pzdEqEFtbJGRDQnSI35OtFHwOJ9iDb1jcXIB-0aWKI-pw8sXKvI2qq8OnB0p9r6W7q4FfgE4X_CkG1_XSNO-gKs0hKr0vyqPbcPOOPtHANtGN9fieJJSKnNtqDywgjPppZSF_ES3/w480-h640/NVR_0215%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Everything I read online said it was open every day, but when we got to the porch we found the door firmly locked. Perhaps the keyholder was lingering over their bacon and eggs this morning....oh well, off to the arboretum.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWs3k1gfLdabv88MtWDMZ10xGgdx1rOkdpSyh6wsQxlc5MulUTgCGQzjrdwt6EY2cG0FQa5qlS3s5RVFe-npAyvVmJWzMxJ-OqLzgkFaD-ZO7ZINeV6P8Ue2IA3hhUn29UE-FKDw5B2G1teMQtoktx6PM7K-7YAZHu98RDYbLwbGU0w7wsOiEq6N73df6/s2006/NVR_0238%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWs3k1gfLdabv88MtWDMZ10xGgdx1rOkdpSyh6wsQxlc5MulUTgCGQzjrdwt6EY2cG0FQa5qlS3s5RVFe-npAyvVmJWzMxJ-OqLzgkFaD-ZO7ZINeV6P8Ue2IA3hhUn29UE-FKDw5B2G1teMQtoktx6PM7K-7YAZHu98RDYbLwbGU0w7wsOiEq6N73df6/w640-h480/NVR_0238%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Sun was streaming through to illuminate the maple leaves, though photographing the wider scene proved unusually tricky.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PLRIej8cCxEw1G_Y23Dpkr0yr5mdZUkUB9nCte1GzXXKHoDNKFohzK-2Ck03oizPocupAg4ypf4dPojNxJwf-gpmnsI93usvKTLRf3SMG8o1WuNzdyhP29XAlbHm0pAouUJudMxP3CK8e5OE90mq1HMiLAfTMaYVyKhO0l-UyWhCD6YigphwGzF2IosA/s2006/NVR_0227%20-2b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PLRIej8cCxEw1G_Y23Dpkr0yr5mdZUkUB9nCte1GzXXKHoDNKFohzK-2Ck03oizPocupAg4ypf4dPojNxJwf-gpmnsI93usvKTLRf3SMG8o1WuNzdyhP29XAlbHm0pAouUJudMxP3CK8e5OE90mq1HMiLAfTMaYVyKhO0l-UyWhCD6YigphwGzF2IosA/w480-h640/NVR_0227%20-2b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Someone was cutting the grass, making quite a mess and plenty of noise. We sought out the tranquility of the woodland.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJraL6Jhs9wWWEaGlDzuo3r-BVNdz9z905YMLjjYmDd4kceYoVK5a0mGiL6FiU0ES1FD9vlCc20b-U8CpnSDtAzW3r1DtdcIArQLinUHlGCEZudWWSFllkA6JJQSDExPXn9GdcZ4yo7QIhHeTWIWlgNLsBAxiXYrxtFMguiR5Zy5LDliFS4wAthrjjFVf/s2006/NVR_0246%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJraL6Jhs9wWWEaGlDzuo3r-BVNdz9z905YMLjjYmDd4kceYoVK5a0mGiL6FiU0ES1FD9vlCc20b-U8CpnSDtAzW3r1DtdcIArQLinUHlGCEZudWWSFllkA6JJQSDExPXn9GdcZ4yo7QIhHeTWIWlgNLsBAxiXYrxtFMguiR5Zy5LDliFS4wAthrjjFVf/w640-h480/NVR_0246%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The low winter sunshine was raking through the trees and lighting up the bracken which is just beginning to turn golden.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLVcADvGpBecojqKgfQgw8yf0Tknd61kM3R7Efue5C-oRsVlwYZezK0zgVdjiu1AZjbHdGskoIqN_8RyHtT3ZJZ2QzgwkoqJMoVu_UpD75l2o8MwlJ0krTNcYuCRMlPiVVuuGqYQqLdVy-4Ku46DsMe2gsCF0ubbf8qHsr8L5F1M-JBycum7DQ1TBpMRO/s2006/NVR_0249%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLVcADvGpBecojqKgfQgw8yf0Tknd61kM3R7Efue5C-oRsVlwYZezK0zgVdjiu1AZjbHdGskoIqN_8RyHtT3ZJZ2QzgwkoqJMoVu_UpD75l2o8MwlJ0krTNcYuCRMlPiVVuuGqYQqLdVy-4Ku46DsMe2gsCF0ubbf8qHsr8L5F1M-JBycum7DQ1TBpMRO/w640-h480/NVR_0249%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The gnarled oak trees were also backlit by the November sun. We made our way to the old bridge where we met a birdwatcher who told us there was a flock of <a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/crossbill" target="_blank">Crossbills</a>** feeding in the trees at the back of Lynford Hall. We steered our footsteps in that direction but had no luck locating these handsome birds. Our helpful friend must have told everyone he met about the flock, but no one we met had managed to see them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>** the links take you to the RSPB's new improved website that now includes outstanding photographs</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAuDHafchEE1MC8EboxU5b6MIjGBm4p2Ewoch59C0QWTH9K5LylYaiFdWjmhyphenhyphen1Wh5Ue63H_hJ5ElHbRyCl7dXJ-1EcWjtaeofGvbKJLWu_SU4jsCxRx416Ky68UNcljnzU0Qf0P6QihM0prOr0excS1b6y-dwR0UVOtkremoNpNssmCWDDzrOsEeoVKSL/s2006/NVR_0256%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAuDHafchEE1MC8EboxU5b6MIjGBm4p2Ewoch59C0QWTH9K5LylYaiFdWjmhyphenhyphen1Wh5Ue63H_hJ5ElHbRyCl7dXJ-1EcWjtaeofGvbKJLWu_SU4jsCxRx416Ky68UNcljnzU0Qf0P6QihM0prOr0excS1b6y-dwR0UVOtkremoNpNssmCWDDzrOsEeoVKSL/w480-h640/NVR_0256%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Even if the handsome red birds had flown elsewhere, at least this handsome red tree had the decency to stay put and be photographed!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvP3vpkNf_EOTWleRnXxIR-xGRGuVNvjdXMHUrFGbQcELaATY01GA7ierR7Ig042bRUpn6aBjVMf7ZZqlxK48tRxu3ZTYhecpMROcmTYJV6Xp2yjspweVGBOlb_1nAUbb5MM6k7GmX6D1Qgi8ASK8BL8LE9As_umGTd8XG-q2qUjdfIJ7XREogLuXxuLfc/s2006/NVR_0265%20-2j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvP3vpkNf_EOTWleRnXxIR-xGRGuVNvjdXMHUrFGbQcELaATY01GA7ierR7Ig042bRUpn6aBjVMf7ZZqlxK48tRxu3ZTYhecpMROcmTYJV6Xp2yjspweVGBOlb_1nAUbb5MM6k7GmX6D1Qgi8ASK8BL8LE9As_umGTd8XG-q2qUjdfIJ7XREogLuXxuLfc/w640-h480/NVR_0265%20-2j.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The local Mallards were swimming on a shimmering mirror of gold. Another friendly birdwatcher said he'd seen a <a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/kingfisher" target="_blank">Kingfisher</a> and a <a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/grey-wagtail" target="_blank">Grey Wagtail</a> up at the weir, so we dawdled on in that general direction. It was unlikely that the Kingfisher would hang around but Grey Wagtails often linger. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrieUmePRbB7UK3LD3sSdDcVRB1nvFlnVaAqF0l47LbbFdWITh1f1dxOEM4BcBM12ZN_r34Fz9REEH9O52afZil6kf-pEg7ewZEGh8r9hzdNHS4hTo06PEZyasOtEEnKs5rDHqYhcw3fkXvAm53JKjKGmgv8IC-eaL6pDcXLXfRhfUSbSdjU7SqSSxaO4/s2006/NVR_0272%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrieUmePRbB7UK3LD3sSdDcVRB1nvFlnVaAqF0l47LbbFdWITh1f1dxOEM4BcBM12ZN_r34Fz9REEH9O52afZil6kf-pEg7ewZEGh8r9hzdNHS4hTo06PEZyasOtEEnKs5rDHqYhcw3fkXvAm53JKjKGmgv8IC-eaL6pDcXLXfRhfUSbSdjU7SqSSxaO4/w480-h640/NVR_0272%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">What does it matter if you fail to spot the birds (or take your intended photographs) when autumn is putting on such a splendid show anyway? Some of the trees here are species planted in the grand days of the Hall, when its grounds spread far and wide.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnokutBDeX92scNGHKdwJcwdFUJsVdJsxZ-A390KblsxY3Bf1nXOo8RckacjpmrIsYPsSY2U7eeXOAzwgLKpDrb-QxnWpbNw5gWGtZhkwr7jWXfyE888riaA6jGhaF7hDWsvgmZkKXluQcFP3fxDq27JojN0DMzOLxszWHZk5JvHXHVUsAo1Fkkqrlbwd3/s2006/NVR_0283%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnokutBDeX92scNGHKdwJcwdFUJsVdJsxZ-A390KblsxY3Bf1nXOo8RckacjpmrIsYPsSY2U7eeXOAzwgLKpDrb-QxnWpbNw5gWGtZhkwr7jWXfyE888riaA6jGhaF7hDWsvgmZkKXluQcFP3fxDq27JojN0DMzOLxszWHZk5JvHXHVUsAo1Fkkqrlbwd3/w640-h480/NVR_0283%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The same tree hanging upside-down in the waters of the lake - an ornament for the ornamental lake. Of course, the Kingfisher and Wagtail had moved on! Those of you who remember my excursions here in earlier years may recall that this is the place where the <a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/hawfinch" target="_blank">Hawfinches</a> are and we made our way around to the meadow where they are most often seen. Thanks to some help from more birdwatchers we struck lucky and a pair of Hawfinches sat posing for us for several minutes. Too far away for photos, but near enough to see them clearly through the 'scope.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBQw7H1p5sj3-n134lQ2eZ15ScViuwz5JCrPR5kpvlEoZqcyxNTVa4DXVXx_1GUj0M7CHrXqNa66kd1XqVplr6JxKc1NtIlNXzF5E6iZZeNxwjo54Llpxas-xi4ksv30zge_C1c7mnYg4-kzdYua1sfX6TZCjCYGXNW6L6UBm1gXVvG23XPaMedGfHg0P/s2006/NVR_0291%20-2h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBQw7H1p5sj3-n134lQ2eZ15ScViuwz5JCrPR5kpvlEoZqcyxNTVa4DXVXx_1GUj0M7CHrXqNa66kd1XqVplr6JxKc1NtIlNXzF5E6iZZeNxwjo54Llpxas-xi4ksv30zge_C1c7mnYg4-kzdYua1sfX6TZCjCYGXNW6L6UBm1gXVvG23XPaMedGfHg0P/w640-h480/NVR_0291%20-2h.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">It would be good to say that I searched out this perfect trio of Shaggy Inkcaps deep in the woods, but they were actually growing right beside the car park as we made our way back to have our sandwiches!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dVufdmyvBm3tmNLDR0Rd5GDYxsgXo8kMQOyOYL7Ulkt5dCekzeTAZ0QbKwhv0lM1bOhthVi_42TwKwW7KOSC_wsdiYp2oGpJmzYVo-ebMM6XfdtUh_cXuummeCB7VGdJHtDe09vQ4hIirXZ4jotzbgZzQuKDJqxTH1pJ9eDt30P20E4QZC2hkxV0l-ra/s2006/NVR_0299%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dVufdmyvBm3tmNLDR0Rd5GDYxsgXo8kMQOyOYL7Ulkt5dCekzeTAZ0QbKwhv0lM1bOhthVi_42TwKwW7KOSC_wsdiYp2oGpJmzYVo-ebMM6XfdtUh_cXuummeCB7VGdJHtDe09vQ4hIirXZ4jotzbgZzQuKDJqxTH1pJ9eDt30P20E4QZC2hkxV0l-ra/w640-h480/NVR_0299%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In the afternoon the skies clouded over and caused a soft, diffused light to fall over the scene. The colours of the birches in particular sang out beneath the grey skies. The walk here, alongside the flooded sand and gravel pits gets a lot less visitors than the paths near the arboretum, but it is not without its charms.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCheDOVhs6gSKCfs7VkZjleIq3b1fnmo2krNaHkYNpR8i3Qvuw5-PqKi0T4aLByvDDHKk6PVHBMhUDB-RajDsHauoFFhIHBr0C1T6R4awq8GH6lExj71beSRNZU5MDtF4hvdB-RxBQQuGQQIEhGjP-vgRqxEmH7u1HhsajDEHM6BbRIZjacrgtnwFSqPVb/s2006/NVR_0298%20-2i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCheDOVhs6gSKCfs7VkZjleIq3b1fnmo2krNaHkYNpR8i3Qvuw5-PqKi0T4aLByvDDHKk6PVHBMhUDB-RajDsHauoFFhIHBr0C1T6R4awq8GH6lExj71beSRNZU5MDtF4hvdB-RxBQQuGQQIEhGjP-vgRqxEmH7u1HhsajDEHM6BbRIZjacrgtnwFSqPVb/w480-h640/NVR_0298%20-2i.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Silver Birches were among the first trees to colonise the land once the quarrying ceased, though the Forestry Commission are also very active here, as they are in much of the wider area.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSPvCEd7_cNVXbJ0zr4BK4wT-suKLPkDisR3eZQHcZUf3e5en3OYAHeFDviodMw0F5fRume38VzCNjbXcRF7_P2qt4kkwfyowwgCHkBLZVydUc5jikjN5G7eHFn-O8k_Bg5Bp6tYvuifR9Mh4zKeKRlJ7K81l4twjhpdoLnGxtML6xadXuLy-ohQwHY6T/s2006/NVR_0306%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSPvCEd7_cNVXbJ0zr4BK4wT-suKLPkDisR3eZQHcZUf3e5en3OYAHeFDviodMw0F5fRume38VzCNjbXcRF7_P2qt4kkwfyowwgCHkBLZVydUc5jikjN5G7eHFn-O8k_Bg5Bp6tYvuifR9Mh4zKeKRlJ7K81l4twjhpdoLnGxtML6xadXuLy-ohQwHY6T/w640-h480/NVR_0306%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The sandy soils are not much use for agriculture, though free-range pigs do well nearby; the fast-draining sands mean that even pigs can't make it too muddy. The Forestry Commission has its largest lowland forest here and, though it was once uncompromisingly planted with endless conifers, it now contains areas for wildlife and recreation.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFIEaTMRuX92itZnw7xDosDey10KsGm_HPFKiKbuz8VL_oByDnAQclu5gF4pHcG67pYcmh5o5H6SAHAKeFv-l8BGpyBAz1PC_epecoHEo4Cgj7rcCjkM_TJYJdt6slBuwfHsV-oruARy8oTroyCIcCmeuhIkTtly-0KJPGaac63_Ouy96kHKxJekz9uYq/s2006/NVR_0301%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFIEaTMRuX92itZnw7xDosDey10KsGm_HPFKiKbuz8VL_oByDnAQclu5gF4pHcG67pYcmh5o5H6SAHAKeFv-l8BGpyBAz1PC_epecoHEo4Cgj7rcCjkM_TJYJdt6slBuwfHsV-oruARy8oTroyCIcCmeuhIkTtly-0KJPGaac63_Ouy96kHKxJekz9uYq/w640-h480/NVR_0301%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I don't know how much is forestry and how much is nature here, but it's certainly pretty!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGeQgCzx7-QNPnC5ePU99T-AMZsqex48EgvV0Ib419Sw5UqEk60tU3EyUSmq9uJ4t0ZcFq5KpbMfmD1hF4X3ejcuvcslYdWIaC1psaVu_uWcoB0hUiQhu3Bwh8XH_mOK7D9dKFNDv3e_wH9NPgsP71ev_B2lPfNN7PjBNwEMC7rdgIkX71ZwbAfjvKhtD/s2006/NVR_0309%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGeQgCzx7-QNPnC5ePU99T-AMZsqex48EgvV0Ib419Sw5UqEk60tU3EyUSmq9uJ4t0ZcFq5KpbMfmD1hF4X3ejcuvcslYdWIaC1psaVu_uWcoB0hUiQhu3Bwh8XH_mOK7D9dKFNDv3e_wH9NPgsP71ev_B2lPfNN7PjBNwEMC7rdgIkX71ZwbAfjvKhtD/w640-h480/NVR_0309%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I couldn't resist an impressionistic take on the gentle autumn shades beneath the overcast sky.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zRKERk7EFNjRGmSRoj3yhYesQ9Ait_nw_9vmuQii95Nu0a3AwvS-lLTEb2dPWc4niMUoncUVL40WkOPu5u_f_1tNt_LTWt3FK2cGn_g01CikElZxCCTDoJlF_hGWwjOk7NGazJR0ukDWA2BpNqa6WhhwgPmkY1b0GZfvgFpk47SDn10QKJwX9sY39BhX/s2006/NVR_0313%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zRKERk7EFNjRGmSRoj3yhYesQ9Ait_nw_9vmuQii95Nu0a3AwvS-lLTEb2dPWc4niMUoncUVL40WkOPu5u_f_1tNt_LTWt3FK2cGn_g01CikElZxCCTDoJlF_hGWwjOk7NGazJR0ukDWA2BpNqa6WhhwgPmkY1b0GZfvgFpk47SDn10QKJwX9sY39BhX/w640-h480/NVR_0313%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And here's a pretty pastoral scene - but it's actually part of "Stanta" or the Stanford Military Training Area, 30,000 acres (12,140 hectares) that the army took over in 1942. The populations of six villages were evacuated and told they would be able to return after the war, however the army has always found some reason why they needed to hang on to the land. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYNxg_nDZe44nv9u0SjWu88UMLZVZPH-3W37CZ3SHQMKc_gv3XEjnwS-VM8IHfyR6h_3eMJRgSgbUJ0S7FHxnPo0N-DO1gkovrpQEB7Xy4LSUy4rtyh0C88QiPE9ALs2H91Bg5z96qdzwCE_jy2_s1ADkV62xltxmwygYKF5epcXPtE1LZoYEdELX1PLm/s2006/NVR_0319%20-2h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYNxg_nDZe44nv9u0SjWu88UMLZVZPH-3W37CZ3SHQMKc_gv3XEjnwS-VM8IHfyR6h_3eMJRgSgbUJ0S7FHxnPo0N-DO1gkovrpQEB7Xy4LSUy4rtyh0C88QiPE9ALs2H91Bg5z96qdzwCE_jy2_s1ADkV62xltxmwygYKF5epcXPtE1LZoYEdELX1PLm/w640-h480/NVR_0319%20-2h.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I think I nearly always photograph this isolated house when I pass - there can't be many dwellings with such ornate windows. This was, of course, supposed to have been a simple post about the colours in the arboretum, but we seem to have digressed somewhat!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsof8Wkj-sVEldIMIWbU8qfT_6Y03tmoeTo2LxU-bQfoKztOkXFvakiY39D26rGppMWeaCOXb1dLqyZ13o0_bU-ldeAj-FJiQ3G91DTvMczVIrkTwAfgvZFU8jhAde5vk5G1TBoybGIucS6D9u34S0Jm7ffTg5NeX6UvrDYezYVbC3gtb2uCHJ3liwrzP/s2006/NVR_0325%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsof8Wkj-sVEldIMIWbU8qfT_6Y03tmoeTo2LxU-bQfoKztOkXFvakiY39D26rGppMWeaCOXb1dLqyZ13o0_bU-ldeAj-FJiQ3G91DTvMczVIrkTwAfgvZFU8jhAde5vk5G1TBoybGIucS6D9u34S0Jm7ffTg5NeX6UvrDYezYVbC3gtb2uCHJ3liwrzP/w480-h640/NVR_0325%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">It was still mid-afternoon, but we were already losing the light. Time to pack up and travel homeward. As often happens I didn't quite get the shots I was hoping for but we still had a randomly varied day.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Perversely, once we were on our way home, the sun managed to find a gap in the clouds, just above the horizon, and line itself up with unerring precision to shine straight into our eyes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-6671285048914713152023-11-12T08:52:00.001+00:002023-11-12T08:55:44.833+00:00All We Are Saying......<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Remembrance Sunday 2023</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jTlIs9A4tQj1C5CjP5pksCXgZfbGSUP2bW03sjFNFGCDRswk8Y7AArbzxVxpnC-mQ-pWriYLwculByrEj6OiRlc2ThUEYZds78mOVCGpRiJBOqqXuJWlBLZJltFSWUsCg-bJlC1K_WucWRcekiDV3D2S_8Kb8CxK6kyQcA5GFt-JoPlSH3vd1lGcRJRA/s2058/NVR_0086%20-2bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2058" data-original-width="1557" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jTlIs9A4tQj1C5CjP5pksCXgZfbGSUP2bW03sjFNFGCDRswk8Y7AArbzxVxpnC-mQ-pWriYLwculByrEj6OiRlc2ThUEYZds78mOVCGpRiJBOqqXuJWlBLZJltFSWUsCg-bJlC1K_WucWRcekiDV3D2S_8Kb8CxK6kyQcA5GFt-JoPlSH3vd1lGcRJRA/w484-h640/NVR_0086%20-2bw.jpg" width="484" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>small section of the bench outside our Village Hall</i></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wzHSJSJ_ias" width="320" youtube-src-id="wzHSJSJ_ias"></iframe></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-36590080589213897672023-11-10T08:28:00.000+00:002023-11-10T08:28:58.307+00:00Fair Play<p><span style="font-family: arial;">In September and October, you may remember, we visited a few country fairs of various kinds. Although I try to concentrate on what's going on - or at least the bits that interest me - I also occasionally like to play around with small details of the scene. It might be a fragment of an ornate mechanical organ, a steam engine, a rusty tractor or the fairground rides. Here's a small selection....</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZLliuOTzMwKiTrqCpSUMhZyjAcQ2rxH-mf2JwKUzB4YWLfQaSiu2uY8cxhxC3k4cZ-idn33v0sxLZyibsBa3HTRx1RJnORyaPUAHezHspy6NNHAjzxsCM-Fg_ac_3s6s1dU3mo5koyXjWaf-FqBeS1Cvpsnnmxde3nbPWW1L-pREoeY6fJ9FO6M6eV-U/s2006/SPT_0255%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZLliuOTzMwKiTrqCpSUMhZyjAcQ2rxH-mf2JwKUzB4YWLfQaSiu2uY8cxhxC3k4cZ-idn33v0sxLZyibsBa3HTRx1RJnORyaPUAHezHspy6NNHAjzxsCM-Fg_ac_3s6s1dU3mo5koyXjWaf-FqBeS1Cvpsnnmxde3nbPWW1L-pREoeY6fJ9FO6M6eV-U/w640-h480/SPT_0255%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIMzv_PQ3k-UHd97qqXlxkHR3Pthhe47GjXE0ZuxoxixxOmwJWmIF4ScopGaSjZDqIUSyPdElVraURrP5yAUyX4NHeoBwUKTqYuolypyThIObo2Wx_tcPWh05XzB8si2mJY9LXVtHa2GR8IqzSCwxj7gGojwOMS0EXXoFkWjFN7qKMRol40TLHtcx-1Yv/s2006/OCR_0058%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIMzv_PQ3k-UHd97qqXlxkHR3Pthhe47GjXE0ZuxoxixxOmwJWmIF4ScopGaSjZDqIUSyPdElVraURrP5yAUyX4NHeoBwUKTqYuolypyThIObo2Wx_tcPWh05XzB8si2mJY9LXVtHa2GR8IqzSCwxj7gGojwOMS0EXXoFkWjFN7qKMRol40TLHtcx-1Yv/w480-h640/OCR_0058%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1JBTN-8WnbolRD3BUhyMu9ymOYBMvZtvJMcR3A9Ul_MEufoJ3Ntz9uVwQlEx9af2Zwte7tEEIzrsCTB1S4qlgQ48EYClRmq0vjHyV6xgU6HmWdqrSQLsvgU48DZC8rUhmDt2MTtQsedDJ0mCO1HNVQKsTvirOH80JVPEZ2FPq1-ZDQRtL9yiMjHMkkeS/s2006/SPT_0221%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1JBTN-8WnbolRD3BUhyMu9ymOYBMvZtvJMcR3A9Ul_MEufoJ3Ntz9uVwQlEx9af2Zwte7tEEIzrsCTB1S4qlgQ48EYClRmq0vjHyV6xgU6HmWdqrSQLsvgU48DZC8rUhmDt2MTtQsedDJ0mCO1HNVQKsTvirOH80JVPEZ2FPq1-ZDQRtL9yiMjHMkkeS/w640-h480/SPT_0221%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgziYQxcDGdxDUoasL0MbJsvbdmepfT-fEWTCexdplv42Kpj8_N_AgWgM5owW8Qct6Z2lruYXrL4u1wCGuoAq0af0wXqb4FyMrwua2rXNiMhpboqXLEa74JIdWES-bxXeyHf26CDljOjwTYHRT4pSHYRRL0coIHyIXPnGNbBH4nZuMd5DAlOTrut6xRNRUc/s2006/SPT_0259%20-2n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1577" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgziYQxcDGdxDUoasL0MbJsvbdmepfT-fEWTCexdplv42Kpj8_N_AgWgM5owW8Qct6Z2lruYXrL4u1wCGuoAq0af0wXqb4FyMrwua2rXNiMhpboqXLEa74JIdWES-bxXeyHf26CDljOjwTYHRT4pSHYRRL0coIHyIXPnGNbBH4nZuMd5DAlOTrut6xRNRUc/w504-h640/SPT_0259%20-2n.jpg" width="504" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixM9RW9jJ-yF3DWSJ_WlawFrCF9I9VQmSvU4inbT6gNfeFW8bHHOur4cNR1ebvFLvXLexzWlbcWgeESHZTHw7Tjk0WxyvsIhofP7bO3KOFU02Jw_1cgEyCxtrUFKQSUsnRf3QEqyVUhWLqIDBpaEhJFhmQbgLNURAbjzUlp-a9EnML2PVI2JvsyXOtqtMe/s2006/SPT_0626%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixM9RW9jJ-yF3DWSJ_WlawFrCF9I9VQmSvU4inbT6gNfeFW8bHHOur4cNR1ebvFLvXLexzWlbcWgeESHZTHw7Tjk0WxyvsIhofP7bO3KOFU02Jw_1cgEyCxtrUFKQSUsnRf3QEqyVUhWLqIDBpaEhJFhmQbgLNURAbjzUlp-a9EnML2PVI2JvsyXOtqtMe/w640-h480/SPT_0626%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnMsVUJeZD6NiATXuVE8FCZYnRKfM1YIK-gv3gJ10qfD9974iVshoY_OldYK-tbRmORjHuzpy4vpLYG15ZRIZPlRKWxni_MBMHPMPa4KVjD93R3x-x7wz-Gt7QVL9GGKuZojLBTFGkcpbcQz5OLaDxCKhVFyWsccdZ5MP42-SHYCcZaMFF3iWvDoE8GwC/s2006/SPT_0213%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnMsVUJeZD6NiATXuVE8FCZYnRKfM1YIK-gv3gJ10qfD9974iVshoY_OldYK-tbRmORjHuzpy4vpLYG15ZRIZPlRKWxni_MBMHPMPa4KVjD93R3x-x7wz-Gt7QVL9GGKuZojLBTFGkcpbcQz5OLaDxCKhVFyWsccdZ5MP42-SHYCcZaMFF3iWvDoE8GwC/w640-h480/SPT_0213%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7V9di2TB0shi1AC3zV5dYwBimylfbhu9jYEdQSqv_99uhL7jq8-6sat8ZnTaIha1UA3VvQ_dmKykrK1afDDsmIqzGLc2alnXjX6x2ngm4JXan22tqLuVUlKcHLVk80W7z6BfRDyIyYMZHWU-9EJ6vR9NoOWUQMowBvXS9YShlBkxmjoEYUXzQaW9zxaP/s2006/SPT_0248%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7V9di2TB0shi1AC3zV5dYwBimylfbhu9jYEdQSqv_99uhL7jq8-6sat8ZnTaIha1UA3VvQ_dmKykrK1afDDsmIqzGLc2alnXjX6x2ngm4JXan22tqLuVUlKcHLVk80W7z6BfRDyIyYMZHWU-9EJ6vR9NoOWUQMowBvXS9YShlBkxmjoEYUXzQaW9zxaP/w480-h640/SPT_0248%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdJXvbDD-6Il8nJHIj-i-paybOMshMH4x95BIvj0zaAH2R7ekp-EKgMq6b0OyStq1FkKrm-9p7LOgwvgsodtWCP_P9ZvyZPjgv2Ej9bJkwyd7AL-3vOd1xDG33uEtlFukSObobOR3fxe1yCWwAoDtMFrqFmI0BTcKM2WMzTpNj336FH0kpJqtbpRfeAgu/s2006/OCR_0257%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdJXvbDD-6Il8nJHIj-i-paybOMshMH4x95BIvj0zaAH2R7ekp-EKgMq6b0OyStq1FkKrm-9p7LOgwvgsodtWCP_P9ZvyZPjgv2Ej9bJkwyd7AL-3vOd1xDG33uEtlFukSObobOR3fxe1yCWwAoDtMFrqFmI0BTcKM2WMzTpNj336FH0kpJqtbpRfeAgu/w640-h480/OCR_0257%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70T8JIv9hhCyPcG7metOkipFOVofejBqpyntIG0BuFMvnHYoI3Kj7jMeOv33DQ5fzwN7S2h8l4yjxAJck7K3XLewVWgF7_vbLFMM6nolK5nD3pyTLRrVHFROTlvEmv4ZzMd-43pJiDJ0eDoV8YGpxlhaAviNI2J2TDqevSFk6m4LlOFhQVQyDG9cX1KZw/s2006/SPT_0220%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70T8JIv9hhCyPcG7metOkipFOVofejBqpyntIG0BuFMvnHYoI3Kj7jMeOv33DQ5fzwN7S2h8l4yjxAJck7K3XLewVWgF7_vbLFMM6nolK5nD3pyTLRrVHFROTlvEmv4ZzMd-43pJiDJ0eDoV8YGpxlhaAviNI2J2TDqevSFk6m4LlOFhQVQyDG9cX1KZw/w480-h640/SPT_0220%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVLF5GSqcpjOgyF-vFyS_AmEV6qRGJU9vBCckYEiUg5p87EkdmHOG-uU1PtWfMTs0s-PLSLCpWNiEzyn5F7EBoDx0rrc-RsjDTdXDrOWix_J_LkT00cqYH5ehyphenhyphenHEWrDlP_xE3Ngg3YAHjElDbmX3yTd4m0DwizJMc2tR8KqnO_JK0lRYXGKdkpIDHAJUy/s2006/OCR_0188%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVLF5GSqcpjOgyF-vFyS_AmEV6qRGJU9vBCckYEiUg5p87EkdmHOG-uU1PtWfMTs0s-PLSLCpWNiEzyn5F7EBoDx0rrc-RsjDTdXDrOWix_J_LkT00cqYH5ehyphenhyphenHEWrDlP_xE3Ngg3YAHjElDbmX3yTd4m0DwizJMc2tR8KqnO_JK0lRYXGKdkpIDHAJUy/w640-h480/OCR_0188%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilc4dd1gYzRN1TZ72lIsRuXEx-tBndJazDBc3zDjnxBhGc9NvLNxmGPbR4eXpe_nSfbBCXn4e7oNBcjPoUXFuXc8kQzjqSnrsBttyE3NVfjn04O0n-uZD9jSGd_NQ5p74tv_Zpg_IdDVAF-Dr5mleRBqCs3eVc8Tlacrn3W_g2AOKUpcVr2bSoQmLmEhqm/s2006/SPT_0657%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilc4dd1gYzRN1TZ72lIsRuXEx-tBndJazDBc3zDjnxBhGc9NvLNxmGPbR4eXpe_nSfbBCXn4e7oNBcjPoUXFuXc8kQzjqSnrsBttyE3NVfjn04O0n-uZD9jSGd_NQ5p74tv_Zpg_IdDVAF-Dr5mleRBqCs3eVc8Tlacrn3W_g2AOKUpcVr2bSoQmLmEhqm/w640-h480/SPT_0657%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlkeFJ2p0NDVh5Bya__YYDxDnxb0dHWMe29UJFS8k5WDDd0x5SLDCdFkQ5mWZ0lTJFgY4TPHq_BoeEMNmOfY3ZwRFKlLc8aGF-4el720mlhCSXXFJiS0lkCCAnJLItuCeD3Ny7o_W7jDx2yLs9RNLGXTeGh9MrrbnjWFzdJTq8M6dTSU5s47ReqT032as/s2000/details4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlkeFJ2p0NDVh5Bya__YYDxDnxb0dHWMe29UJFS8k5WDDd0x5SLDCdFkQ5mWZ0lTJFgY4TPHq_BoeEMNmOfY3ZwRFKlLc8aGF-4el720mlhCSXXFJiS0lkCCAnJLItuCeD3Ny7o_W7jDx2yLs9RNLGXTeGh9MrrbnjWFzdJTq8M6dTSU5s47ReqT032as/w556-h556/details4.jpg" width="556" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-81355850115985367012023-11-06T11:19:00.003+00:002023-11-06T16:44:28.357+00:00Loitering Locally<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Yesterday I spent an enjoyable afternoon slopping about up to my calves in water, in the very place where, back in the spring, I'd been lying down photographing cowslips and buttercups. It is a nature reserve, but one that a quick glance would dismiss as just an untidy grassy field. However this little area, between villages, which consists of two boggy meadows, a grassy lane, a muddy footpath and a small field, is one to which I keep returning.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiLFhpLtams1QY_lVocU4qRsv8myovZDyosc7usGKYgooW5V7NhG6iDIRAMrc_Gr2rWxtO6_t4Slpjy-L-j8cHEu9527hbGawsaQCoBYgGxqwEp3t3zwfnf-eXq1Gw8hzbRf9p7LRgyhTh6jGN7NxvLsPzfaYYjwhGYw_tFV5JCO8RNKGB9xg6Htdr-6M/s2006/OCR_0661%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiLFhpLtams1QY_lVocU4qRsv8myovZDyosc7usGKYgooW5V7NhG6iDIRAMrc_Gr2rWxtO6_t4Slpjy-L-j8cHEu9527hbGawsaQCoBYgGxqwEp3t3zwfnf-eXq1Gw8hzbRf9p7LRgyhTh6jGN7NxvLsPzfaYYjwhGYw_tFV5JCO8RNKGB9xg6Htdr-6M/w640-h480/OCR_0661%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I was hardly expecting to see cowslips here in November, but I wasn't expecting to see cows either. There is some dry ground for them, but much of the land is flooded at this time of year. I expect they'll be moved in the next few days.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-d_G2VOvd3YWk7OthEiuFRO7GlTCQ-uZJvPLmoxSSxY71KfSYUWuf2d6-uhcjY58kGQhWc_zB6Yl2ZmIWgL1taoXbAB4UFEy3TqA1lMb0VXEOuUEv7_OSO-QHzy_s2gZCFgfzRHdSd642w9OIwtoHnB-205pUtQupUjwCmktn7rCFvpNWtVDJUzS2-tW/s2006/OCR_0669%20-2m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-d_G2VOvd3YWk7OthEiuFRO7GlTCQ-uZJvPLmoxSSxY71KfSYUWuf2d6-uhcjY58kGQhWc_zB6Yl2ZmIWgL1taoXbAB4UFEy3TqA1lMb0VXEOuUEv7_OSO-QHzy_s2gZCFgfzRHdSd642w9OIwtoHnB-205pUtQupUjwCmktn7rCFvpNWtVDJUzS2-tW/w640-h480/OCR_0669%20-2m.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Perhaps they weren't expecting to see me and they followed me for a while till they lost interest and resumed their grazing.</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLVNDtItoUtv4RErAc_e7s2LR_vTIbYvsSXeZv_tSwk1ybScBnTR_g_XdeMxR5gMXQWl42Xrp72lt7DbukxVD3FVuinL1Sgtd4mTeEksTyWoYokVEa76i25js3oFNKKXCkfywsp7-ZSA7PUFJIsN8q50dzwN4OyYWk3nVgqUcrPn9QZpIEaNQZ_5bv7n-/s2006/OCR_0672%20-2k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLVNDtItoUtv4RErAc_e7s2LR_vTIbYvsSXeZv_tSwk1ybScBnTR_g_XdeMxR5gMXQWl42Xrp72lt7DbukxVD3FVuinL1Sgtd4mTeEksTyWoYokVEa76i25js3oFNKKXCkfywsp7-ZSA7PUFJIsN8q50dzwN4OyYWk3nVgqUcrPn9QZpIEaNQZ_5bv7n-/w640-h480/OCR_0672%20-2k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">This land is the flood plain of Guilden Brook so it's doing exactly what it's supposed to in spells of wet weather. Actually the Brook has been modified and drains what is now agricultural land, so water levels in it fluctuate more than the other little streams in our area, consequently this pocket of rough grazing land gets more than its share of flooding.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RfL1XaZIjwQvaJb1MaWoQRy0DB62bTQWbYoIJSL-bM7D0yhyphenhyphenHF4lI2gsj9k5_4ZoG1VcWRrbfc3EroebeZa0Uz-pDbkmBxgfOHJyTK8soZT3YENroC3NFysnzmLsnCPELOGnzP7kWRRjDOtHExp0SPAlVSROT3hrvWtE12yMwpgnKx65LWT092w9R3qn/s2006/OCR_0686%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RfL1XaZIjwQvaJb1MaWoQRy0DB62bTQWbYoIJSL-bM7D0yhyphenhyphenHF4lI2gsj9k5_4ZoG1VcWRrbfc3EroebeZa0Uz-pDbkmBxgfOHJyTK8soZT3YENroC3NFysnzmLsnCPELOGnzP7kWRRjDOtHExp0SPAlVSROT3hrvWtE12yMwpgnKx65LWT092w9R3qn/w640-h480/OCR_0686%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The little wooden bridge leads out to the field path. It's not quite doing its job anymore and you end up having to step into the water. Not that it matters much; anyone not wearing wellies is unlikely to have got this far!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghb8a59mPPmSsY1x7m9dqadpX9BytNm0IQPXzLyBfjifurbtl21M0bF0BXuhbhgiHsnBOdwN4yDGKgUf-cr9rN2q7IXmfku4ojKZW1b9PIvhsRUs9eeJvPxEtWSMztYFl7ZsyMygCTvfWg9ReZbl57qTURzv_obZM09YiwV8WaKlcUe9i29kUeop2zCrmU/s2006/OCR_0689%20-2jh.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghb8a59mPPmSsY1x7m9dqadpX9BytNm0IQPXzLyBfjifurbtl21M0bF0BXuhbhgiHsnBOdwN4yDGKgUf-cr9rN2q7IXmfku4ojKZW1b9PIvhsRUs9eeJvPxEtWSMztYFl7ZsyMygCTvfWg9ReZbl57qTURzv_obZM09YiwV8WaKlcUe9i29kUeop2zCrmU/w640-h480/OCR_0689%20-2jh.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A few autumn leaves float daintily on the water.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIu5Ev4lwIpWSkWt9S3wkw1QFnY4LdElmmFDnWCFMe1v3kLMpMhbTNR6E8A1q4H8oci54iF-SkD6POc5DFJHr9J7h1rdbwk2iEBx0Fb-qjwwFkgDkXe0KaVdrJDtuKwf14DHZjwPjc49ahD3uUuGbJkn63LFWRPIUju-tw3P3miUuJD6xwKLzKeXS7h8R/s2006/OCR_0706%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIu5Ev4lwIpWSkWt9S3wkw1QFnY4LdElmmFDnWCFMe1v3kLMpMhbTNR6E8A1q4H8oci54iF-SkD6POc5DFJHr9J7h1rdbwk2iEBx0Fb-qjwwFkgDkXe0KaVdrJDtuKwf14DHZjwPjc49ahD3uUuGbJkn63LFWRPIUju-tw3P3miUuJD6xwKLzKeXS7h8R/w480-h640/OCR_0706%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The old lane appears to be paved with gold at this time of year.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhu3PJh_gi_HBVWq1JNjjxg3fSAyPrXguEisxGQmqdRuokGt780tq56Eag7ihu3vg5dsPbgQPrpwOAJJXjhT-0fnm0621TOJkgNyI0HEIOSHr4OrG4q6BswTHkrCePJQzEuyQDNZ3xq6wSakClvt8L01HruHY9wS93PiHmJm6Y-an_hT0FqlKjYSCelhj/s2006/OCR_0712%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhu3PJh_gi_HBVWq1JNjjxg3fSAyPrXguEisxGQmqdRuokGt780tq56Eag7ihu3vg5dsPbgQPrpwOAJJXjhT-0fnm0621TOJkgNyI0HEIOSHr4OrG4q6BswTHkrCePJQzEuyQDNZ3xq6wSakClvt8L01HruHY9wS93PiHmJm6Y-an_hT0FqlKjYSCelhj/w640-h480/OCR_0712%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Back in our watery meadow there's some lush-looking grass which the cattle don't seem to have visited lately. In spring this corner of the field is scented with the heavy perfume of the May blossom.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaIfm4HcgxekzTsnGUrqzwFBGpCzKv4qSc8MCXIxrCxQahksHussWrX3-omxAKvCi_HJ02OhKJGqL9KSnAiu0Ss4ezKoiTkkfyuDXtmNwPTXNxOheOawxH1Ocj7o5bVJTP7ldapCGwGPi4AqhkMTnnTEiOBe06dX_BtuqFWjWfRFHiM9awQtC7LvPrugH/s2006/OCR_0647%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaIfm4HcgxekzTsnGUrqzwFBGpCzKv4qSc8MCXIxrCxQahksHussWrX3-omxAKvCi_HJ02OhKJGqL9KSnAiu0Ss4ezKoiTkkfyuDXtmNwPTXNxOheOawxH1Ocj7o5bVJTP7ldapCGwGPi4AqhkMTnnTEiOBe06dX_BtuqFWjWfRFHiM9awQtC7LvPrugH/w640-h480/OCR_0647%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A few Hawthorn berries have landed on a rampant patch of fungi. If you think I put them there then I'll admit that you're partially right. They were there when I arrived, but in removing some dead grasses which were spoiling my photo, I managed to dislodge the berries and had to replace them where I thought they looked right.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xSlIRzmOVth9oMbPq9vlYMNvFlWTKh2OVtIElwlDOBWPxWumBurXgnSD0ty_mtLQxkqkUqv2c__Spr8kPhD1OAUOW02v13li3anvjuU3KAExrmJzhrTU32fyQjFJ4I92dOFOcxtKE3JuEkVNU9-wXDsJSOZTZ8yNkLR9hf7NmeniXGupHm8DW2oRclQL/s2006/OCR_0639%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xSlIRzmOVth9oMbPq9vlYMNvFlWTKh2OVtIElwlDOBWPxWumBurXgnSD0ty_mtLQxkqkUqv2c__Spr8kPhD1OAUOW02v13li3anvjuU3KAExrmJzhrTU32fyQjFJ4I92dOFOcxtKE3JuEkVNU9-wXDsJSOZTZ8yNkLR9hf7NmeniXGupHm8DW2oRclQL/w640-h480/OCR_0639%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">At other times dead grasses help to make the picture - I certainly wasn't going to try moving that lot!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkvTR4slGyhGhYqBCD1__myxD71khLk6pyNqKnFCsHB8W7To4OzK3qAE-fkRCjDRMgonCXZsyu4OcWhUnpc0HliNuxWePZoPANpWlNuiKqNApd1gDOEpslTkK7SWHf8ClgnysNheotn_o1TWHnVzTDZAV5UgtVt-NkjepEOnK2HwKYmaCe1_qrD4Z0L70/s2006/OCR_0729%20-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkvTR4slGyhGhYqBCD1__myxD71khLk6pyNqKnFCsHB8W7To4OzK3qAE-fkRCjDRMgonCXZsyu4OcWhUnpc0HliNuxWePZoPANpWlNuiKqNApd1gDOEpslTkK7SWHf8ClgnysNheotn_o1TWHnVzTDZAV5UgtVt-NkjepEOnK2HwKYmaCe1_qrD4Z0L70/w640-h480/OCR_0729%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">The afternoon was now fairly advanced and I decided I would loiter a little longer to see if the setting sun would put on a show.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEcqxhSJp7wnlx2OiXrav_YMExj1JIIxfUShXnuBKYYKDiZiMu4guXh4rPzoLZglUWPNVDBosAsApwpX9XliY7D7mKGJBmhGVAEN3Vq8yTO3Db_iutwEpgE7XmvJHxXaWF2tYCNSTg-J1eEPharDEFTNEUERP8bDW2ivydF1mNimulyAIA6w3WkbNRW-O/s2006/OCR_0740%20-2i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEcqxhSJp7wnlx2OiXrav_YMExj1JIIxfUShXnuBKYYKDiZiMu4guXh4rPzoLZglUWPNVDBosAsApwpX9XliY7D7mKGJBmhGVAEN3Vq8yTO3Db_iutwEpgE7XmvJHxXaWF2tYCNSTg-J1eEPharDEFTNEUERP8bDW2ivydF1mNimulyAIA6w3WkbNRW-O/w640-h480/OCR_0740%20-2i.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Stray shafts of sunlight pierced the cloud cover in the west and made me optimistic, though I think I like this late golden light every bit as much as I like a fiery sunset.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewcsV_899Bcj64HGu60qk2wXjeTsw_vNZX6plv2AHlhbjO2irIG7nL8HUHC4LloVRiJcjPtHbP-pkQntNODXGipjCaXJXcVKx8Sct04Td2LxLxMAs0xf3EeQ9AwyklUL0cIFK3df7CotG7hE6bhyJXaFLTMkWFTVvmyr_CoCVbxfgCRAI-U-KWi_xczA2/s2006/OCR_0736%20-2mj.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewcsV_899Bcj64HGu60qk2wXjeTsw_vNZX6plv2AHlhbjO2irIG7nL8HUHC4LloVRiJcjPtHbP-pkQntNODXGipjCaXJXcVKx8Sct04Td2LxLxMAs0xf3EeQ9AwyklUL0cIFK3df7CotG7hE6bhyJXaFLTMkWFTVvmyr_CoCVbxfgCRAI-U-KWi_xczA2/w640-h480/OCR_0736%20-2mj.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">The cows were enjoying a late snack as I feasted on the last vestiges of this glorious light.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgse5gXj7hSA51xv2zJBT7FlHb2HoGtKKD6LnmJ7YxuCrxfZXkbr7o4iuDYfY-0BucgEAOKJHj8Zf8buxCrVvhUTt4_XABquDgo7R5zE6wVCRQwpoj3h4yy_b7eHBY6ilcsIoC_vK1mzHdwti1vV3UKZui-Gq7HhVgfPi2albaB8sik79DIfOR7TtDm97MU/s2006/OCR_0743%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgse5gXj7hSA51xv2zJBT7FlHb2HoGtKKD6LnmJ7YxuCrxfZXkbr7o4iuDYfY-0BucgEAOKJHj8Zf8buxCrVvhUTt4_XABquDgo7R5zE6wVCRQwpoj3h4yy_b7eHBY6ilcsIoC_vK1mzHdwti1vV3UKZui-Gq7HhVgfPi2albaB8sik79DIfOR7TtDm97MU/w480-h640/OCR_0743%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The sunset never really happened, though the skies opposite to the setting sun were briefly illuminated by a pinkish glow. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOpWrx1eq8-mJCWnhY5YpDdNgSpmbeUUnoV-PLuK2Kbu_2ED5gGoz1zlRuTBWeJ1KwERMBuSJDLo3Y5bsePumH1Iny0ALD0w8mJ-NFfN8LbrNKMl5NItncFuXPBedJMleUgrp12elEL2NOAYEdVUA0Qls41__-ZCHnLrVeHXjY-__UGuEmYukuYi-RHGi/s2006/p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOpWrx1eq8-mJCWnhY5YpDdNgSpmbeUUnoV-PLuK2Kbu_2ED5gGoz1zlRuTBWeJ1KwERMBuSJDLo3Y5bsePumH1Iny0ALD0w8mJ-NFfN8LbrNKMl5NItncFuXPBedJMleUgrp12elEL2NOAYEdVUA0Qls41__-ZCHnLrVeHXjY-__UGuEmYukuYi-RHGi/w640-h480/p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">One final shot then I turned to walk the mile and a half back home.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.<br /></span><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-52289706935991854942023-11-03T10:06:00.008+00:002023-11-04T06:00:15.223+00:00Country Pubs<p><span style="font-family: arial;">It's time that we had another collection of pub signs encountered on my rambles. In 1393, during the reign of King Richard II, pubs were first required to hang a sign outside to make them clearly visible. In those days</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> few people were able to read and using a picture was a practical solution - "I'll meet thee for a tankard of mead at the sign of the Red Bull". </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2JJKH1VxPrYfqaZmIhnd3qQ-Av5qEkBAdWE_s_Pthds1i8lDmh9VZExpXTiIrOnJhS7fI11oZA8PPyHH7aX_zdU-aoK0_BFjh58iPD98ZwjgqkXR6rzxzzZqIuIanKQGSHcu2eQdOLOFuq3i-T_VukCXAsgTkjQOZD-jhFwIkcx5WYtcbmLF-t-YfJ0J/s1964/pub6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1964" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2JJKH1VxPrYfqaZmIhnd3qQ-Av5qEkBAdWE_s_Pthds1i8lDmh9VZExpXTiIrOnJhS7fI11oZA8PPyHH7aX_zdU-aoK0_BFjh58iPD98ZwjgqkXR6rzxzzZqIuIanKQGSHcu2eQdOLOFuq3i-T_VukCXAsgTkjQOZD-jhFwIkcx5WYtcbmLF-t-YfJ0J/w640-h280/pub6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm41fvLFTswQxd8FW8immsllz94FAMcScL68UkTnLI1JdmEiPqAC_QFHMvsron5PtzfGzsm01XzGg1pgCu11jyCgcZqc7qvWga6sdEQDK06v17LQ4PWI-NPodiI3HLyxKUITb0Y1o3ABT9sUShMo6v9GaMBYI96aIfPkf2pxmLneux4-T2j0QmW5G3N4VX/s1964/pub2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1964" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm41fvLFTswQxd8FW8immsllz94FAMcScL68UkTnLI1JdmEiPqAC_QFHMvsron5PtzfGzsm01XzGg1pgCu11jyCgcZqc7qvWga6sdEQDK06v17LQ4PWI-NPodiI3HLyxKUITb0Y1o3ABT9sUShMo6v9GaMBYI96aIfPkf2pxmLneux4-T2j0QmW5G3N4VX/w640-h280/pub2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQq3P26cqC24vDXNcITyWxTZ3iKpuXBn0dEZbyJ5inleaaMmi72P6rw9WIhTwvk-F2MLLrMxpzESshIyEqBjOA0Mo2WR1UguphlrmSo24eEcoUVJ4t3-1baiL9wLOkhJHBph9RjSJK6fd-WIPDDEMPBJJUChrEmNWwhDKuqhTNmFz1NGcf-kNW4q3yruwA/s1964/pub3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1964" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQq3P26cqC24vDXNcITyWxTZ3iKpuXBn0dEZbyJ5inleaaMmi72P6rw9WIhTwvk-F2MLLrMxpzESshIyEqBjOA0Mo2WR1UguphlrmSo24eEcoUVJ4t3-1baiL9wLOkhJHBph9RjSJK6fd-WIPDDEMPBJJUChrEmNWwhDKuqhTNmFz1NGcf-kNW4q3yruwA/w640-h280/pub3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUxC45r6uRFxhYOovThMKjRQdkPQ-rnIscrC5PgAvx71BuCq6Tfq6zKhG3tLsEdqK0nInvML1fb0y68b95IBgAVJ6GqHog5D-f3lkQj8ASGTm7ojKGD8vAAP3hyphenhyphen_VoH1phyA2iiwbiQn_S_Izywj770-zj_PUny0hZ1SQAeS_cl5DucVmWYoNc9208Jya/s1964/pub4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1964" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUxC45r6uRFxhYOovThMKjRQdkPQ-rnIscrC5PgAvx71BuCq6Tfq6zKhG3tLsEdqK0nInvML1fb0y68b95IBgAVJ6GqHog5D-f3lkQj8ASGTm7ojKGD8vAAP3hyphenhyphen_VoH1phyA2iiwbiQn_S_Izywj770-zj_PUny0hZ1SQAeS_cl5DucVmWYoNc9208Jya/w640-h280/pub4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpcTGmoXPU37h0Ckn6Tdsf0kO4xNiHgUkcVzF8ZE6Uj_5qC9XPfWMPHDDWw4SevARVBzikcYUR8aRJktIE8x6mpx7eMUhBT9wbmU5o_Bm53pUTmh9LnGIMmAJPrBbLB09XT-MoNtTyRIlhbNV_Ulw1RkvcK062q769PzDYbtnpHUlNMA1ccHG4rhwdReM/s1964/pub5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1964" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpcTGmoXPU37h0Ckn6Tdsf0kO4xNiHgUkcVzF8ZE6Uj_5qC9XPfWMPHDDWw4SevARVBzikcYUR8aRJktIE8x6mpx7eMUhBT9wbmU5o_Bm53pUTmh9LnGIMmAJPrBbLB09XT-MoNtTyRIlhbNV_Ulw1RkvcK062q769PzDYbtnpHUlNMA1ccHG4rhwdReM/w640-h280/pub5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The Red Lion</b> is one of the most common pub names you'll find; it's a symbol much used in heraldry and may derive in some cases from the arms of John of Gaunt. The particular Red Lion sign seen above is outside a pub which the brewery wanted to close down. The villagers did not agree and overcame many legal problems to make it the first community-owned pub in England.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The Queen's Head</b> in Newton, Cambridgeshire, did close and stood empty for some years before the arrival of the Short family in 1962 - they still run the pub today. It's one of "The Famous Five" pubs which have been included in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide for the whole fifty years of its publication. Inside it's not much changed since I used to make my way there for a pint of Adnams and a game of darts in the early 1970s.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The Plough, Shepreth</b> is another community pub, just down the road from me and a music venue as well as serving meals and good beer. They've also got a cracking good sign in my opinion.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The John Bunyan</b> gets its name from the Puritan preacher who was associated with the ruined cottage which lies just across the road. There are many pubs which have changed their names to reflect local history. It's unlikely that Bunyan ever popped in for a pint - or that the poet Rupert Brooke ever drank in the pub that bears his name - or that the Hermit Of Redcoats ever stopped being a hermit and joined the merry throng in the pub just a short distance from the house where he famously holed up for twenty-five years without washing or venturing outside.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The Woodman</b> is one of many pubs which takes its name from the occupation of its onetime customers. Not that there are that there are many woods around Chapmore End in Hertfordshire. Presumably the woodmen cut them down before retiring for a well earned pint.<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I feel I can't leave you without mentioning The Queen's Head Soup of the Day, part of a limited but hearty menu on offer in that famed and quirky establishment:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6Qknrjx_rxhoqoiuY7m-Z_pbeL9yibyC7ys-5aqJkSdFKSfTxgZtOWSMVo4fmxQkQ28SSk23K-ACYGW1Abh5WCtc0xUUNUxRNjw38rQN5Ein7YhJ_P-5kvHkLE_jzySbUpvD114AOemyypPkNdYkOaT95k1IYzKtXfAey6Rz-ccRso3-8BfbXXk4lH66/s2006/Screenshot%20(8).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1428" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6Qknrjx_rxhoqoiuY7m-Z_pbeL9yibyC7ys-5aqJkSdFKSfTxgZtOWSMVo4fmxQkQ28SSk23K-ACYGW1Abh5WCtc0xUUNUxRNjw38rQN5Ein7YhJ_P-5kvHkLE_jzySbUpvD114AOemyypPkNdYkOaT95k1IYzKtXfAey6Rz-ccRso3-8BfbXXk4lH66/w456-h640/Screenshot%20(8).png" width="456" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="text-align: right;">(from </span><a href="https://www.queensheadnewton.co.uk/" style="text-align: right;" target="_blank">The Queen's Head website</a><span style="text-align: right;">)</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: right;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: right;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">That should baffle TripAdvisor!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-72984762289024898742023-10-31T08:11:00.001+00:002023-10-31T17:10:45.139+00:00The Outs And Ins Of Early Autumn<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I always get rather impatient at this time of year, waiting for the full blaze of autumn glory to show up. On our little island, warmed by the influence of ocean currents and westerly winds bringing drizzly rain, autumn takes a long time to arrive. But that doesn't stop me from going outside to look....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHOWFPXVb9MFcL1XPvTYQjvMw1QoE5qIyMOT9Z4KKxi45IvLuUrJUTcnxoD3P4MW-SOKn5nmpetJWs3zOkaT0f1LzniC3vwne0hUBYdcul6jjfU7tJOYPEulMbYYtjwgJE1UlgvgclEAP2QX3q_PkwxqDWJUz_Ci2URjkMj17xOv5Ua_98Q3SW5TG4ZLr/s2006/OCR_0379%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHOWFPXVb9MFcL1XPvTYQjvMw1QoE5qIyMOT9Z4KKxi45IvLuUrJUTcnxoD3P4MW-SOKn5nmpetJWs3zOkaT0f1LzniC3vwne0hUBYdcul6jjfU7tJOYPEulMbYYtjwgJE1UlgvgclEAP2QX3q_PkwxqDWJUz_Ci2URjkMj17xOv5Ua_98Q3SW5TG4ZLr/w640-h480/OCR_0379%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And all I find is confusion!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxbpecrORany5V1ULZdijZIP6c1Rj55DP28M2GQSK9UJns4XjAR8QkSNnUXwuPMd5P2itIPSh4ErssXfSsA-fTx9XbQZMv9DHgKolWCqnP0QAr88TRKhP9EjOpxSpZ3JFZnQnkeu3TeSblvYOg7hN_iEqj2TTrcL3k651xME8LQi_ENOartfbyTQV10q5/s2006/OCR_0401%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxbpecrORany5V1ULZdijZIP6c1Rj55DP28M2GQSK9UJns4XjAR8QkSNnUXwuPMd5P2itIPSh4ErssXfSsA-fTx9XbQZMv9DHgKolWCqnP0QAr88TRKhP9EjOpxSpZ3JFZnQnkeu3TeSblvYOg7hN_iEqj2TTrcL3k651xME8LQi_ENOartfbyTQV10q5/w640-h480/OCR_0401%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A few oak leaves are playing the game; though most of the tree will resolutely hang on to her green gown for a few more weeks.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_xdnKTUXP11OrlXRXcHAm3a8OLvlGZ7fmIDPnEMlVL6mcfjlRVMZT4UtFX0DfMyqe6Pl9Ud7-8EQ_fwXsLeQi5BxAWhclNkuCcgqUQmiqI0fWZAcB-QupatU2L49zrB22yCg78aVo0GUCh9rV8bIORK9592Dx5jHPC4GmStP7zEJSsyBzKiLCZkxfAZg/s2006/OCR_0546%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_xdnKTUXP11OrlXRXcHAm3a8OLvlGZ7fmIDPnEMlVL6mcfjlRVMZT4UtFX0DfMyqe6Pl9Ud7-8EQ_fwXsLeQi5BxAWhclNkuCcgqUQmiqI0fWZAcB-QupatU2L49zrB22yCg78aVo0GUCh9rV8bIORK9592Dx5jHPC4GmStP7zEJSsyBzKiLCZkxfAZg/w640-h480/OCR_0546%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In the churchyard the little recently-planted maple glows like the embers of an October bonfire while its neighbours still think it's summer.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5B3qD9FzHyn0JYhOvLhchwPtQyZ7LpaBNL0-ILvfEqtDCcjZ7_fFoEKRk4gT2q9cP_wlLbYMmSppg7AZNIla1oi9VgwWuLa9kGY_rEd_L1-PGTLg3vlHTzDNUDl89fWEbQ7AhUhTLujkcIYC6YljcE6czhlBf0vXJK6seffABGOfr382I9_T5LdYR_hqO/s2006/OCR_0547%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="2006" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5B3qD9FzHyn0JYhOvLhchwPtQyZ7LpaBNL0-ILvfEqtDCcjZ7_fFoEKRk4gT2q9cP_wlLbYMmSppg7AZNIla1oi9VgwWuLa9kGY_rEd_L1-PGTLg3vlHTzDNUDl89fWEbQ7AhUhTLujkcIYC6YljcE6czhlBf0vXJK6seffABGOfr382I9_T5LdYR_hqO/w640-h490/OCR_0547%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">But I'm trying to focus on autumn today - or am I?.....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5di7eAiHlPLO2v8ZspR1qmYYP_DCwjERkhBQ5_rF9iaYuCMVdLBK5uSa4sQfY6d0nYxO7TwwtIvb0_ixvvHd_idMUNSQIRjSEyGSky1Ujlrv5N6xaALQ8_ZUdW_EsghAlhcEJqsdUJlnJW6Dwp2rE32uk_uDTu5N7X3TwQ7T43amjkCJ8KWceN9tfLXGO/s2006/OCR_0526%20-2n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5di7eAiHlPLO2v8ZspR1qmYYP_DCwjERkhBQ5_rF9iaYuCMVdLBK5uSa4sQfY6d0nYxO7TwwtIvb0_ixvvHd_idMUNSQIRjSEyGSky1Ujlrv5N6xaALQ8_ZUdW_EsghAlhcEJqsdUJlnJW6Dwp2rE32uk_uDTu5N7X3TwQ7T43amjkCJ8KWceN9tfLXGO/w640-h480/OCR_0526%20-2n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">These back-lit, unfocussed leaves somehow remind me of modern stained glass.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrddiETwhESewhZx4UWLBI7_Zzc6MNP1lylxxW-xRgVPaO4BnStjRVtDdOqYbpBBEDwpNb2vyqXK9pUGQdb2fVVC7-vzS0Khz8swO0wZ_nOUYzP1tXtClQtW6wcNm4yOIeYBENUWp_dldCjqJeO4_fLrBqD9GEksS9yG5e5Ks2ZYbQPhFADtZzOCGQXhBf/s2006/OCR_0543.2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrddiETwhESewhZx4UWLBI7_Zzc6MNP1lylxxW-xRgVPaO4BnStjRVtDdOqYbpBBEDwpNb2vyqXK9pUGQdb2fVVC7-vzS0Khz8swO0wZ_nOUYzP1tXtClQtW6wcNm4yOIeYBENUWp_dldCjqJeO4_fLrBqD9GEksS9yG5e5Ks2ZYbQPhFADtZzOCGQXhBf/w640-h480/OCR_0543.2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And the same autumn colours are nicely reflected in the waters of the little River Mel.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Those half-dozen photos are all I came home with from my walk, though on the way back through the village street I frequently stopped and pocketed any fallen leaf that caught my eye. After a cup of tea I BluTac'ed the leaves to an upstairs window and got out my macro lens and small tripod. This is what I came up with from my indoor experiment...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8VOZRHH30EkeHGkqz8oUnx1VFu6_RahQtPzdNTKPDY809CGpKh_S4HcDe7DE6wcegDzJT6HXr_Fn7BJYtxYDw8pAhyphenhyphenGBay8KykOT9lhyphenhyphentx8lnnhWbhkja9TV7whIQ6rHWv8V_zLX4QiJ9v-lOy2PfkLA78vAHsl_YsOOuYxXcc5G5g-IxlpvtLSx67XH/s2006/OCR_0580%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8VOZRHH30EkeHGkqz8oUnx1VFu6_RahQtPzdNTKPDY809CGpKh_S4HcDe7DE6wcegDzJT6HXr_Fn7BJYtxYDw8pAhyphenhyphenGBay8KykOT9lhyphenhyphentx8lnnhWbhkja9TV7whIQ6rHWv8V_zLX4QiJ9v-lOy2PfkLA78vAHsl_YsOOuYxXcc5G5g-IxlpvtLSx67XH/w640-h480/OCR_0580%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiOWrfXXlZUBAyo0L653VidHlwab8Neb84jGjoMpkz6B8pxkbMq3VFIvwDNjIh1M5RkdhWV5NWjmg8wewJeEfyM7be9JN6R268wxnOUlsmMEu71Em37EQyaimDtmTbUYq83BnCtpP44uv-HofBo3FMTl4NGR1K2LdZlVLPwixJ-_umIwAr6Jk3e9pbt74/s2006/OCR_0571%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiOWrfXXlZUBAyo0L653VidHlwab8Neb84jGjoMpkz6B8pxkbMq3VFIvwDNjIh1M5RkdhWV5NWjmg8wewJeEfyM7be9JN6R268wxnOUlsmMEu71Em37EQyaimDtmTbUYq83BnCtpP44uv-HofBo3FMTl4NGR1K2LdZlVLPwixJ-_umIwAr6Jk3e9pbt74/w640-h480/OCR_0571%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdKIUst6_9LKtatQUAsX1IlwdDbrYZiPG0cc5skh-ofZFVSMh5XDZAVoytbuBzWqTcvjxvgii68A7-b1fBeW244gUtoe-e4FRk5ZIy4ZN1HhBEaASDJVC_KU7IdVDHnvi5wB9rqfL4wyrUdWG1zZKxexEolYiL-360z_E3wFAQXIKQdSauY2Ga2Hk5Ayx/s2006/OCR_0565%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdKIUst6_9LKtatQUAsX1IlwdDbrYZiPG0cc5skh-ofZFVSMh5XDZAVoytbuBzWqTcvjxvgii68A7-b1fBeW244gUtoe-e4FRk5ZIy4ZN1HhBEaASDJVC_KU7IdVDHnvi5wB9rqfL4wyrUdWG1zZKxexEolYiL-360z_E3wFAQXIKQdSauY2Ga2Hk5Ayx/w640-h480/OCR_0565%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtRKIpY2PADaJKXzAbUHcXxq7w6eHDXHbTk3us3QCxI0vf5auIijL1X3WwzW4BQJWuz6ngfcRQ3k1RMglmmdvhkK7XFnOLjAjaevyUomslh2nMp_idDOTGRKaBuTXnNlq8IIQTZCJMGUFYZTSu-VTasn7gSnO7JkozHi0lJwscsU7fDuGWOaD-ywMVmzU/s2006/OCR_0582%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtRKIpY2PADaJKXzAbUHcXxq7w6eHDXHbTk3us3QCxI0vf5auIijL1X3WwzW4BQJWuz6ngfcRQ3k1RMglmmdvhkK7XFnOLjAjaevyUomslh2nMp_idDOTGRKaBuTXnNlq8IIQTZCJMGUFYZTSu-VTasn7gSnO7JkozHi0lJwscsU7fDuGWOaD-ywMVmzU/w640-h480/OCR_0582%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjSI19xW9OXwnBKPaR4WK1m2Cc0AkiRtJmHjaLEaI_X0GDDf0o92w7bqVt4MfuLS_INL3iXa2cdviZY4gZ6_GpUKt5eXM8sayqvlrMpHThtY2r3N4PI40CYdwyFoTuhrst13p4CD6j2Ujw0wdew6wBLA4tGz7oWJZF8KTZAFz96182q7-dUKlYNjdS8i9/s2006/OCR_0588%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjSI19xW9OXwnBKPaR4WK1m2Cc0AkiRtJmHjaLEaI_X0GDDf0o92w7bqVt4MfuLS_INL3iXa2cdviZY4gZ6_GpUKt5eXM8sayqvlrMpHThtY2r3N4PI40CYdwyFoTuhrst13p4CD6j2Ujw0wdew6wBLA4tGz7oWJZF8KTZAFz96182q7-dUKlYNjdS8i9/w640-h480/OCR_0588%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcY-qC_Z0ZyAOx_FYL6NlpXdxzs2T1Qy1-UqQJahS7ULq9e28um85QbZ-zh7E8h96IZfdTygggH8Gc2PvLHa1t11LA2Zn0vU8srHfBeXgjskXqYsM4VHJgTD0GT2bPu7UTRMuguPTXxC5syzj3XjPNZSp10kI10q7_ti8m-LruvZ1b1Ti2XtifnyjSYBrt/s2006/OCR_0578%20-2n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcY-qC_Z0ZyAOx_FYL6NlpXdxzs2T1Qy1-UqQJahS7ULq9e28um85QbZ-zh7E8h96IZfdTygggH8Gc2PvLHa1t11LA2Zn0vU8srHfBeXgjskXqYsM4VHJgTD0GT2bPu7UTRMuguPTXxC5syzj3XjPNZSp10kI10q7_ti8m-LruvZ1b1Ti2XtifnyjSYBrt/w640-h480/OCR_0578%20-2n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And that's all I have to say about our autumn so far.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-73537684862941082222023-10-25T09:32:00.001+01:002023-10-25T09:34:14.618+01:00The Way Through The Woods<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Rainy old England. Even down here in the south of the country, which largely escaped the attentions of storm Babet, there seems to have been rain or showers every day for the past couple of weeks. But it's getting to the time of year when the first signs of autumnal colour should start to shine forth. Time to head for the woods.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4zvdtwl9BCb_pQqdAlhb-HaWdv8QwWX9zrkdWHrOVamfDMQvfNoTyyTFKWkRGe7xx5ojrPEf_WAndL_PVZ_PQoBCWhegUqRpJRGJGDsqQymN1-wpJNrTuxYS04D6hbGGa81hRARL0Lq05JHhEPaXjpCeLN8TONj5GPyQJLh14vLWbt2MjXM865z5YvlL/s2006/OCR_0489%20-2m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4zvdtwl9BCb_pQqdAlhb-HaWdv8QwWX9zrkdWHrOVamfDMQvfNoTyyTFKWkRGe7xx5ojrPEf_WAndL_PVZ_PQoBCWhegUqRpJRGJGDsqQymN1-wpJNrTuxYS04D6hbGGa81hRARL0Lq05JHhEPaXjpCeLN8TONj5GPyQJLh14vLWbt2MjXM865z5YvlL/w640-h480/OCR_0489%20-2m.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Counter-intuitively, perhaps, we head down the A10 road towards London, turning off down a rabbit warren of minor roads till we reach White Stubbs Lane and attempt to find one of the two small car parks that give access to Bencroft Wood, Nut Wood and Westfield Grove. </span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRjUReYY2RN5qs4qx6KOcH1ricyl6aQH38KeEy4TsqDNI01epQIuQfNnr9CHjtUZNiRqrrEVfjDOcancZdLtmRcbnm_m3rWs3mK5oNhx9p2v6PZ0ecWd6IGwjY5RmGC0Qw-5N94LpdkhE6J5emT7QaafGMAoD5f0b1M80T0nc3ykPZE4CnnY31jHErWOn/s2006/OCR_0416%20-2n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRjUReYY2RN5qs4qx6KOcH1ricyl6aQH38KeEy4TsqDNI01epQIuQfNnr9CHjtUZNiRqrrEVfjDOcancZdLtmRcbnm_m3rWs3mK5oNhx9p2v6PZ0ecWd6IGwjY5RmGC0Qw-5N94LpdkhE6J5emT7QaafGMAoD5f0b1M80T0nc3ykPZE4CnnY31jHErWOn/w640-h480/OCR_0416%20-2n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All these variously named patches of woodland join up and form the Broxbourne Woods National Nature Reserve.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfCzkMQbUj0Y35s2VLXputAJJq8TgLO8WxzwBtYJ3TFybvFHHPRmcd3Z8Ov6ORIXtDosS6zsfFN-zGbwTdZnnfBOGOEjwbac3x8IcAgjAy7Rz7RrJ_zvNuWzc2vGtj_IqEI6rXfrBcl5geZI9ZY0Pusex9JvZl9RkAoJQtU9IGVFZp4q6V0SE6rV8lCON/s2006/OCR_0417%20-2nn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfCzkMQbUj0Y35s2VLXputAJJq8TgLO8WxzwBtYJ3TFybvFHHPRmcd3Z8Ov6ORIXtDosS6zsfFN-zGbwTdZnnfBOGOEjwbac3x8IcAgjAy7Rz7RrJ_zvNuWzc2vGtj_IqEI6rXfrBcl5geZI9ZY0Pusex9JvZl9RkAoJQtU9IGVFZp4q6V0SE6rV8lCON/w640-h480/OCR_0417%20-2nn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In the vicinity of the road and the car parks, there's well surfaced and heavily signposted network of paths. We always visit during weekdays but I imagine that it must get busy here on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJC7lBK1Lh-hfjCZO88i0QZtQFqGavCBmZ6dh9I6vllUvNdLj9gX-iZ69C9ZYnoQcfzwESvBS760Zpv2LrJnyuM-84jl8Jfq8VD61unbQNnU5YNoCjM0xhVMgnpOJV2vKTf_rDxOdv8b-dk4N2j01kIEVf-E2T9ThR1FJK7sEgrqUonFEudc4jk3b4zNto/s2006/OCR_0419%20-2n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJC7lBK1Lh-hfjCZO88i0QZtQFqGavCBmZ6dh9I6vllUvNdLj9gX-iZ69C9ZYnoQcfzwESvBS760Zpv2LrJnyuM-84jl8Jfq8VD61unbQNnU5YNoCjM0xhVMgnpOJV2vKTf_rDxOdv8b-dk4N2j01kIEVf-E2T9ThR1FJK7sEgrqUonFEudc4jk3b4zNto/w480-h640/OCR_0419%20-2n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">But we'll leave behind these well worn routes and turn off along narrower, muddier paths that lead into the heart of the woodland - not that it's really remote and you'll still run into the occasional dog-walker or horse-rider, even during the week.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wZlIN__lGoqQP06N3TvEQ6xBQF3YzoXcHvdURCpahOLb95ozUDGKKrPgGYUfDlGHVZS4wnmidBjRNmbv4LI2mFR6z0WNST8MmB4OahgNjoWVp-Pj7V-cN2VGv9xIogz0-BuNVccorHEwocPSgY3NzTRnAiKsb-WRjC9GiN-AAmIHBPkFwsL0EGEoWymy/s2006/OCR_0422%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wZlIN__lGoqQP06N3TvEQ6xBQF3YzoXcHvdURCpahOLb95ozUDGKKrPgGYUfDlGHVZS4wnmidBjRNmbv4LI2mFR6z0WNST8MmB4OahgNjoWVp-Pj7V-cN2VGv9xIogz0-BuNVccorHEwocPSgY3NzTRnAiKsb-WRjC9GiN-AAmIHBPkFwsL0EGEoWymy/w640-h480/OCR_0422%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This is what we'd hoped to see - plenty of fungi. During a wet, soggy autumn they pop up everywhere, especially in woods, forests and plantations. I'm not going to try to identify them all as it's easy to make mistakes and I always forget them all by the next autumn anyway!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrj-bH99vlM_jBWURzEMsxdbk5hsV7MXj0yuSu682ybJfv5SMyAF3oaKwginhjVAM83ctpyvm_H2f2XuYOpv5MjbTqZdQXlFJ_h_TDPO5TTsny1MNhx5dNabeNIEZP9CfGrCWgsY2IVCZXo4xGy4scdSRplNezoQVpALHMHWYgviuuuCmlFjrjditURTR/s2006/OCR_0428%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrj-bH99vlM_jBWURzEMsxdbk5hsV7MXj0yuSu682ybJfv5SMyAF3oaKwginhjVAM83ctpyvm_H2f2XuYOpv5MjbTqZdQXlFJ_h_TDPO5TTsny1MNhx5dNabeNIEZP9CfGrCWgsY2IVCZXo4xGy4scdSRplNezoQVpALHMHWYgviuuuCmlFjrjditURTR/w640-h480/OCR_0428%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The only problem with photographing them - apart from the increasing difficulties of bending down and getting back up again - is that once you get your eye in you see them everywhere and it's easy to forget to photograph anything else.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg_IyzbM89jlcbtT11Ak3TfZY3qzNXGcidZnkHVCmrAcrfi31PKYPznDBPgvf8XkxyFlBcTGxgb7-QHMIkxVHc1liA5mn3XfQ1FHE8zjkAeoY7kCxM6qdLohnjJ6pJkXLjW3mcWAimEUH2XuTnEcN9cfIsvOOUyuVD57EsDei76idngFwf8ulDuMRJiH4/s2006/OCR_0439%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg_IyzbM89jlcbtT11Ak3TfZY3qzNXGcidZnkHVCmrAcrfi31PKYPznDBPgvf8XkxyFlBcTGxgb7-QHMIkxVHc1liA5mn3XfQ1FHE8zjkAeoY7kCxM6qdLohnjJ6pJkXLjW3mcWAimEUH2XuTnEcN9cfIsvOOUyuVD57EsDei76idngFwf8ulDuMRJiH4/w640-h480/OCR_0439%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I've recently been reading a book about fungi by the prodigiously knowledgeable and wildly eccentric Merlin Sheldrake which has further impressed upon me just how vital it is to have a thriving population of fungi in woodland areas. It looks as though these woods are doing OK, at least for the time being.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8NeIU08-XZdE4EX0W5r_9kaNaWcYvtW-JV_acUW63C9VHNx_ozmlhT_Y-ytBy1zYnhktCvmQQohRPFOgTiQzWs6lIchPMd0u6WPie3Gc4Wrv_GJ9wLQUqk6SRq4GVv_7pNV9cN2jebj6jrtSaoyLC1J2WSExrqvhUWvKxhnZFslDsM7JXg4iWppgXHfM/s2006/OCR_0444%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8NeIU08-XZdE4EX0W5r_9kaNaWcYvtW-JV_acUW63C9VHNx_ozmlhT_Y-ytBy1zYnhktCvmQQohRPFOgTiQzWs6lIchPMd0u6WPie3Gc4Wrv_GJ9wLQUqk6SRq4GVv_7pNV9cN2jebj6jrtSaoyLC1J2WSExrqvhUWvKxhnZFslDsM7JXg4iWppgXHfM/w640-h480/OCR_0444%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Our path has led us to the edge of the trees where t</span><span style="font-family: arial;">he shafts of sunlight make me raise my head for a few moments. T</span><span style="font-family: arial;">here are many meadows breaking up the tree cover and giving variety to the landscape.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsULlWhmLBF3jP2EyaEx-kl6EfCePHJQzvLzf_OhfCpP4Gq17-U1FO19eK2O3H4gStMDfJ9ZWqjNDzDqXxyy_UpgllKB3eoU8qaIm3qUYG4XYMn42v4YQOBd5NzIJJFr_FCPycyN-GoCsxUOcWWiZmYIGzbePb2DbBtqgo1Sof6VuKykVhieKunzTNgR8/s2006/OCR_0446%20-2n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1435" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsULlWhmLBF3jP2EyaEx-kl6EfCePHJQzvLzf_OhfCpP4Gq17-U1FO19eK2O3H4gStMDfJ9ZWqjNDzDqXxyy_UpgllKB3eoU8qaIm3qUYG4XYMn42v4YQOBd5NzIJJFr_FCPycyN-GoCsxUOcWWiZmYIGzbePb2DbBtqgo1Sof6VuKykVhieKunzTNgR8/w458-h640/OCR_0446%20-2n.jpg" width="458" /></a></div><br />But how did this pattern of land use come about, so close to London? Before the days of easy and efficient transport it was vital that the growing city had a nearby supply of timber (for house-building, ship-building, furniture-making and fuel) and of fresh milk. This part of Hertfordshire, with its heavy soils which could not easily be drained and ploughed, fitted the bill perfectly. And now, of course, it's part of the Metropolitan Green Belt and protected from large-scale development.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOYEt0vE3kZdSG40oB8i0584qk4XegWoBIvv0l4qfng1vv3AzPAvgBjiEm7y64kyrNfc8oJtlZwzpeHqlrtxovtdqhOMIovJ-nTpUlKvvwU5YbqVf0f3RYbXoSvotRApwNbdYe-2SJJFC4dd41eecRwMMfpzqqwJVK56kvnGayeGTaNujIJD2ptGfKL1O/s2006/OCR_0450%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOYEt0vE3kZdSG40oB8i0584qk4XegWoBIvv0l4qfng1vv3AzPAvgBjiEm7y64kyrNfc8oJtlZwzpeHqlrtxovtdqhOMIovJ-nTpUlKvvwU5YbqVf0f3RYbXoSvotRApwNbdYe-2SJJFC4dd41eecRwMMfpzqqwJVK56kvnGayeGTaNujIJD2ptGfKL1O/w640-h480/OCR_0450%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Heads down for more dainty mushrooms!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghH2dS_XjAP2LvHMhX7VWDadsyoxFSSSrg8USK89DqlHE-v1IH_zopU5Wk3KNrfy9FlCgmhNITBtXjqKVqaZ5kC6L_SEcnCVhQpUtVcpADHxxeIqTDRd_FUy4N9CC6k-7b7Khz-k78w05MooyW6afzcM8Rmg5i3rY8aJ8kI4W44CZkXaWu3Cz4bHt9lBM/s2006/OCR_0454%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghH2dS_XjAP2LvHMhX7VWDadsyoxFSSSrg8USK89DqlHE-v1IH_zopU5Wk3KNrfy9FlCgmhNITBtXjqKVqaZ5kC6L_SEcnCVhQpUtVcpADHxxeIqTDRd_FUy4N9CC6k-7b7Khz-k78w05MooyW6afzcM8Rmg5i3rY8aJ8kI4W44CZkXaWu3Cz4bHt9lBM/w640-h480/OCR_0454%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We met a woman who told us that there were "proper fairy-tale mushrooms, you know, the red ones with white spots" in a certain part of the wood - "in the place where I walk my dog". Hmmm....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9rkQ5ZII6smYSyjocxs_adRrMi2XOTACjU0iN6U42h2pDUrGIFzVW6zup2KmfGbNlHLq52YP03v8DS8poC_-tPic9WIOQQOB85IgRKuG1AQ94PZKS9CZj8RCWtNtX8s5wa3ZxK-gsOBZfNJYOt8H15XX-_fPtwZI0TJxXFEXBimeUVG_NV7rG9oHOBsR/s2006/OCR_0462%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9rkQ5ZII6smYSyjocxs_adRrMi2XOTACjU0iN6U42h2pDUrGIFzVW6zup2KmfGbNlHLq52YP03v8DS8poC_-tPic9WIOQQOB85IgRKuG1AQ94PZKS9CZj8RCWtNtX8s5wa3ZxK-gsOBZfNJYOt8H15XX-_fPtwZI0TJxXFEXBimeUVG_NV7rG9oHOBsR/w480-h640/OCR_0462%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Another person we met explained how, despite appearances, the reserve is under pressure in these modern times. The population around here has grown, is more mobile and now information is shared so easily by social media. Whereas there were once just a few local people picking mushrooms, there are now large numbers descending on the area. There is a theoretical limit imposed on how many 'shrooms you can take, but it's not enforced.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDL_WdkutYWJaYchIdRNZMsBR0W8OH3a0s3mxMQ3zvP_Sf6SFa7AjkfSfwDX0naeWg3aOsVK9Loh9K6AuGVuyjpUSSLEOxxvze3aXn9rAC1KTUMpbKHGg_7hU4O_6BlingAJfJWEby7Lji1x0DSmojQRewh_YbzN_WaJPY8_F9sQEmynqfi88B8GxYFX6t/s2006/OCR_0475%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDL_WdkutYWJaYchIdRNZMsBR0W8OH3a0s3mxMQ3zvP_Sf6SFa7AjkfSfwDX0naeWg3aOsVK9Loh9K6AuGVuyjpUSSLEOxxvze3aXn9rAC1KTUMpbKHGg_7hU4O_6BlingAJfJWEby7Lji1x0DSmojQRewh_YbzN_WaJPY8_F9sQEmynqfi88B8GxYFX6t/w640-h480/OCR_0475%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In spring there was a "secret" bluebell meadow, known only to a few. Then someone thought it was a good idea to mention it on national television, and irresponsible visitors trampled the area to get their "selfies".</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDPLE35ThfaMZE4db556b5MJyuCnug-dpOomVjnG1eWyezdOABgIB2zKUzoRL8w3CeuI0MCUIZg11KoJsJZDhFUngV1jZBPxOFhO09JTVdDo4JcXIeeLmRoio8pgezZ2xhMPMRKh08gA-iGdOaISH1lhDkdHKpTvBswawTNJnH79zgprtngGkTdkkgVJX/s2006/OCR_0447%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1339" data-original-width="2006" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDPLE35ThfaMZE4db556b5MJyuCnug-dpOomVjnG1eWyezdOABgIB2zKUzoRL8w3CeuI0MCUIZg11KoJsJZDhFUngV1jZBPxOFhO09JTVdDo4JcXIeeLmRoio8pgezZ2xhMPMRKh08gA-iGdOaISH1lhDkdHKpTvBswawTNJnH79zgprtngGkTdkkgVJX/w640-h428/OCR_0447%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Across the centre of the wood there's a wide, rough road that follows a dead straight line, crossing a couple of small streams. Absolutely ideal to ride motorbikes up and down! They'd been there at the weekend and churned up the path so much that we abandoned our plan to follow it, after I'd made a closer-than-intended inspection of Hertfordshire's heavy, ill-drained soils.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_6_6revAi7u6Qz9E-LPYbuU_BlMXm9xIq7ziNzufOni5Jv-pSsMkz_B_bawiXAqEI7KwCEFjSWgR34o27NlvSZXGazOGWTRuY3nQo83CtPtb5JSMvFrtR3XZ62_9E8IoVeJ6qXHDtolRZIMF0c8A2A2YwJZX6GB9At8WhErIa904YYesa12gCeS90-RN/s2006/OCR_0464%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_6_6revAi7u6Qz9E-LPYbuU_BlMXm9xIq7ziNzufOni5Jv-pSsMkz_B_bawiXAqEI7KwCEFjSWgR34o27NlvSZXGazOGWTRuY3nQo83CtPtb5JSMvFrtR3XZ62_9E8IoVeJ6qXHDtolRZIMF0c8A2A2YwJZX6GB9At8WhErIa904YYesa12gCeS90-RN/w640-h480/OCR_0464%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This old tractor has been here for many years. I photographed it some ten years ago, when there was slightly more of it than there is now.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vcfA29ykT7P9vZj6AlxOU8eXRd5sUCEg9GQnwUAYx7MYjA6S_bMCAnXGXD2UMZxB-_0Rjy40fZQaVnt_XsyuWG79-h7Wj0LRxTpX4Ye_R_gLME2CjOj7jxmVNGfC0iVwGfqRdBM8gB8SMzAShc6En-tDcGV5s65dXHR5QlJhkUuMwFyR7yIZvGsTlTNx/s2006/OCR_0480%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vcfA29ykT7P9vZj6AlxOU8eXRd5sUCEg9GQnwUAYx7MYjA6S_bMCAnXGXD2UMZxB-_0Rjy40fZQaVnt_XsyuWG79-h7Wj0LRxTpX4Ye_R_gLME2CjOj7jxmVNGfC0iVwGfqRdBM8gB8SMzAShc6En-tDcGV5s65dXHR5QlJhkUuMwFyR7yIZvGsTlTNx/w640-h480/OCR_0480%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Back to the fungi. I noticed that there were fewer of them as we got nearer to the road - was that the result of foraging or maybe just that the road follows drier ground which is less suited to the growth of fungi. Oh, but how did I forget this one...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpm7MdUlNIjtYBHCtLvLCuSoq2bEPwRz3oNsneuzrRv37c25Uo78qFDgo6uVXXLRY_GXp6c3BMgkcWmGSc-Zbbx0d2J5iUS84lTApe1Zva-asHF_WjlFME_1pgTfE3ufg51ar8XDI2JrtIuPno4hdlSTJFqxlkqGgfez3y12uv5PWGzYScswYPj2AkHGt7/s2006/OCR_0469%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpm7MdUlNIjtYBHCtLvLCuSoq2bEPwRz3oNsneuzrRv37c25Uo78qFDgo6uVXXLRY_GXp6c3BMgkcWmGSc-Zbbx0d2J5iUS84lTApe1Zva-asHF_WjlFME_1pgTfE3ufg51ar8XDI2JrtIuPno4hdlSTJFqxlkqGgfez3y12uv5PWGzYScswYPj2AkHGt7/w640-h480/OCR_0469%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The star of the show, the unmistakable Fly Agaric or <i>amanita muscaria</i>. It is poisonous and contains psychoactive substances. I always wondered if its association with elves and fairies is due to people eating it and hallucinating.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYPXQ2p_KtKtZRaXuKufhamVCCjKH75frAlD-rfD327tCT24aa5UpaxyFf82OL5Dgdo6BAQPGIpRj57X9xWZj_b7EGSACJodoJopyZZiPNQ_L2AmYfY6GB5kUGVZZbB_rrjpI1m5vAj7L4FTmxuEHS9IN65WJzuaJ5awyVC_HfnO7DWXJj3B_n5RkeXim/s2006/OCR_0494%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYPXQ2p_KtKtZRaXuKufhamVCCjKH75frAlD-rfD327tCT24aa5UpaxyFf82OL5Dgdo6BAQPGIpRj57X9xWZj_b7EGSACJodoJopyZZiPNQ_L2AmYfY6GB5kUGVZZbB_rrjpI1m5vAj7L4FTmxuEHS9IN65WJzuaJ5awyVC_HfnO7DWXJj3B_n5RkeXim/w640-h480/OCR_0494%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">As usual the bracken beneath the trees is changing colour before the leaves. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmfCOsKfRYu9gHUVisHD7iwv8pgMR1vpfuh8z8rqE7_2KWo-NEYNX5eSyQq29Pd90MFfVELK7gjIPsZhVQlNh3niuOVe6vnxG6v7mgZA_6au9iVxa0K-6NPz4ZFyErkFLNj_CHd7x1JeaVsFEkH8KIMPblQkNI6JLJvc3eE5CUzO1GcGUmX8WtCtGygtG/s2006/OCR_0496%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmfCOsKfRYu9gHUVisHD7iwv8pgMR1vpfuh8z8rqE7_2KWo-NEYNX5eSyQq29Pd90MFfVELK7gjIPsZhVQlNh3niuOVe6vnxG6v7mgZA_6au9iVxa0K-6NPz4ZFyErkFLNj_CHd7x1JeaVsFEkH8KIMPblQkNI6JLJvc3eE5CUzO1GcGUmX8WtCtGygtG/w640-h480/OCR_0496%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Despite its occasional problems it remains a wonderful place to wander and observe the changing seasons. With any luck we're on the path which will lead us back to the car.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqB9CQvEYUSmeihRcX2UeXrFrZv59aBrT9pU5HTSPsWm3l_DEtk_V1OJ4kQYZuMp0cfrXhwTKqSOPSUd0fK2tswotqnnkrDwmsdIIXI9hVDI7VbSrCJ2cjDNerIdI8a29t-rQzhie64LHfpyXdXP3JV4Q5MBopZsPBPCp9QtjvXT90mWPnzExLndPV0nSk/s2006/OCR_0500%20-2n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqB9CQvEYUSmeihRcX2UeXrFrZv59aBrT9pU5HTSPsWm3l_DEtk_V1OJ4kQYZuMp0cfrXhwTKqSOPSUd0fK2tswotqnnkrDwmsdIIXI9hVDI7VbSrCJ2cjDNerIdI8a29t-rQzhie64LHfpyXdXP3JV4Q5MBopZsPBPCp9QtjvXT90mWPnzExLndPV0nSk/w640-h480/OCR_0500%20-2n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">*******</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On the way home we passed this remarkable structure....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdtvGL3RHWKv5C1BwDjPfTKJ_gb6Kk0BubKvR9Sx_fPI0db2vNeXyUAxOWNgmCuUee9uTJw1fV7-NaKWax5fcFJWLKI-y_MaOYxb9djgLOzKwib36SRhRcBp4tG9vUPP34lNtfWd1l3Upxd0LkNP4CpMhopztnpBdB2YLfrp52SdnuU_Q4UQwzw7XlVuS/s2006/OCR_0507%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdtvGL3RHWKv5C1BwDjPfTKJ_gb6Kk0BubKvR9Sx_fPI0db2vNeXyUAxOWNgmCuUee9uTJw1fV7-NaKWax5fcFJWLKI-y_MaOYxb9djgLOzKwib36SRhRcBp4tG9vUPP34lNtfWd1l3Upxd0LkNP4CpMhopztnpBdB2YLfrp52SdnuU_Q4UQwzw7XlVuS/w480-h640/OCR_0507%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">It stands in the village of Little Berkhamsted and is called Stratton's Tower. Admiral John Stratton had it built in 1789, allegedly so that he could see the ships on the Thames. It's made of old hand-made bricks which had been salvaged from a large house nearby. They are at least 250 years older than the tower itself. The idea that you might see ships from here is usually rubbished by all modern writers. But it is only 17 miles away as the crow flies, and you can easily see the towers of Canary Wharf from ground level a few miles north of here. So, with the height of his tower and a good telescope might Admiral Stratton have been able to at least see the masts of ships navigating the Thames?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-19904913885001121182023-10-19T09:37:00.003+01:002023-10-20T06:28:44.763+01:00Farming For Nature<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Autumn 1958: I'm with my mother and "Auntie" Dora, we're blackberrying in the fields of Two Pots Farm. The hedges are thick with berries and are so neglected and outgrown that there are "tunnels" inside the hawthorn bushes where a small boy might find pheasants, rabbits, or, on one memorable occasion, a cow!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqV0Wpglz8k0V3mQCgOV6EvNav7vQpTWKI0FO2Ih4tO6rL1gDt6VDZCHDj63yZPwt-UXzyp6flzO1IcLqu5fYxIbg9sKXd5DtcPnMG3CYJNdHRkJtZ9ua5zVQnWYaZgLQrOFrFASm0DrZFWXZ6pOFtjCBgLLX0FfksyW5v7GOzgadZ3jr6hutVEzGbGGw/s2006/OCR_0361%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1507" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqV0Wpglz8k0V3mQCgOV6EvNav7vQpTWKI0FO2Ih4tO6rL1gDt6VDZCHDj63yZPwt-UXzyp6flzO1IcLqu5fYxIbg9sKXd5DtcPnMG3CYJNdHRkJtZ9ua5zVQnWYaZgLQrOFrFASm0DrZFWXZ6pOFtjCBgLLX0FfksyW5v7GOzgadZ3jr6hutVEzGbGGw/w480-h640/OCR_0361%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Autumn 1968: I'm walking with my father beside a freshly ploughed field not far from home. Dad bent down and picked up a clod of earth that resembled some badly mixed concrete. "They can't carry on farming like this, just putting more and more chemicals on the land every year", he sighed.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mmVUKt-Hg31rKOASLB72J_nYiVrzGF7qv0zQPgESevmXtYbc3yEFDsv-sT6a8pKni0_LbNrjtd7g7P5VjuQacm7E5IxFRel9ZBfCXWgArnnJ-TiFtXO_2oUUvGQnf9PxeVwtDBWNiq3um2UO3HhrSWgPWwmAGM3lHpEDfwl5eb8vg_Od9n6KUOnBy7n0/s2006/OCR_0360%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mmVUKt-Hg31rKOASLB72J_nYiVrzGF7qv0zQPgESevmXtYbc3yEFDsv-sT6a8pKni0_LbNrjtd7g7P5VjuQacm7E5IxFRel9ZBfCXWgArnnJ-TiFtXO_2oUUvGQnf9PxeVwtDBWNiq3um2UO3HhrSWgPWwmAGM3lHpEDfwl5eb8vg_Od9n6KUOnBy7n0/w640-h480/OCR_0360%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I've always thought that somewhere between these two extremes there must be a way that agriculture can move forward, working with nature rather than relentlessly destroying everything that is seen to reduce short-term profits.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCtZh-igPmc0D6uEhkidQ4HOBBGNa0bxJ8dNJcnKTTcHWnvk1Kz0Oik0AT_3FcBBYH25b1UoXUolKsiHVslt7UKENsOZ8J0YXsvM-NViFA3CNgTlMDeetKEmVL3Y0cVEsPsDkV5Gd9-BkHFCXNlFovIMkbkt9TQeggPqGJnDLIeDNzhXeLzOUYwQfsKAi/s2006/OCR_0345%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1505" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCtZh-igPmc0D6uEhkidQ4HOBBGNa0bxJ8dNJcnKTTcHWnvk1Kz0Oik0AT_3FcBBYH25b1UoXUolKsiHVslt7UKENsOZ8J0YXsvM-NViFA3CNgTlMDeetKEmVL3Y0cVEsPsDkV5Gd9-BkHFCXNlFovIMkbkt9TQeggPqGJnDLIeDNzhXeLzOUYwQfsKAi/w480-h640/OCR_0345%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Luckily there are other people with similar ideas and, unlike me, they are doing something about it. So, Autumn 2023 and my brother and I are on the Coton Countryside Reserve, just a mile or two outside of Cambridge. This compact area of farmland is in the care of the charity <a href="https://www.cambridgeppf.org/" target="_blank">Cambridge: Past, Present And Future</a>, who are putting some of this thinking into action.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0O938Qn2Wmk852osIZlEYJxqCeMVGhffdTPcsObZd739L_IFcYjRVBdta6kpceYp2ViY2t5gveM5NH-zWuFU4tzVL_lMuJG8cl1cfdJdHpr_PAkMfWN7GCnnCBieIA-vjRY-DLgh_wMChcQZhQB7RZjtMODm_lHmIlMXTLnWk1TheD1vWILFvXyGZ_m5i/s2006/OCR_0355%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0O938Qn2Wmk852osIZlEYJxqCeMVGhffdTPcsObZd739L_IFcYjRVBdta6kpceYp2ViY2t5gveM5NH-zWuFU4tzVL_lMuJG8cl1cfdJdHpr_PAkMfWN7GCnnCBieIA-vjRY-DLgh_wMChcQZhQB7RZjtMODm_lHmIlMXTLnWk1TheD1vWILFvXyGZ_m5i/w480-h640/OCR_0355%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Other schemes in the area include the <a href="https://www.thecrt.co.uk/lark-rise" target="_blank">Countryside Regeneration Trust's Lark Rise Farm</a> and the <a href="https://www.wcl.org.uk/docs/Hope%20Farm.pdf" target="_blank">RSPB's Hope Farm</a>. But there's also a network of farmers who are farming along similar lines and I've also noticed many large farms are experimenting with different methods on small parcels of their land.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmOid2EmTTlA65UUWp9wz9GqrmzchXt2PVdCrmSUTlcyuepBsr11bMp0CgXJ5TUVruOAHFFkhYUa3kQ39OlXFTxIl4u5EvmVT9pyuFYfGonlIO9BYQdvKmGcFqyBQbTx7Yif6i4Bw1nK9Hw99B9PZYB5m9homb8H84eGecfrHTdK02IdTy7xMkBbCUn0K/s2006/OCR_0352%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmOid2EmTTlA65UUWp9wz9GqrmzchXt2PVdCrmSUTlcyuepBsr11bMp0CgXJ5TUVruOAHFFkhYUa3kQ39OlXFTxIl4u5EvmVT9pyuFYfGonlIO9BYQdvKmGcFqyBQbTx7Yif6i4Bw1nK9Hw99B9PZYB5m9homb8H84eGecfrHTdK02IdTy7xMkBbCUn0K/w640-h480/OCR_0352%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">That rough-looking strip of land in the middle of the field has been left to encourage insects which are essential to pollinate the crops. They are usually known as beetle-banks, but they also attract large numbers of butterflies and bees. In the foreground is a wildlife-margin which has the same purpose and also provide food for seed-eating and insect-eating birds.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zVv8wZfq_zGmPT1BlXmLQRRJgudPaTR4EQ048Fd3WhS5tRn2eGLKPGlkfW6Wbp69H6LMGl09UtpSRaU2fJr8t7kiweoBfFMOa7DaESd-loSlIKb_jiL69kCTY5c44hSgp9BA50CAU2y7wO1cZ3QE60bPWfC5ejOoSbhlpiZdaQhB97XPUmOSeHKRfy1j/s2006/OCR_0354%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zVv8wZfq_zGmPT1BlXmLQRRJgudPaTR4EQ048Fd3WhS5tRn2eGLKPGlkfW6Wbp69H6LMGl09UtpSRaU2fJr8t7kiweoBfFMOa7DaESd-loSlIKb_jiL69kCTY5c44hSgp9BA50CAU2y7wO1cZ3QE60bPWfC5ejOoSbhlpiZdaQhB97XPUmOSeHKRfy1j/w640-h480/OCR_0354%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Flocks of Goldfinches were busy feeding on the seeds as we walked around the wide, grassy paths. Another thing you might notice in the fields these days are "cover-crops", like the sunflowers we saw earlier in the year. The long roots of sunflowers go down into the soil, breaking up the ground to a deeper level than ploughing, the seeds provide food for birds and then, when ploughed in, the dead stalks and leaves add humous to the soil. There's also a lot of interest in ways of growing crops without ploughing at all.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkvbCngLn8JxDlLflAp8fFJ0nIL1iF-NsmKGJO8RIYidB_Mejg739Mk_R8S3n1anSKotHTWImJ-_VT76F4cyUQnja9t38NQQPQm10UVgBdIs8EQz1KtR_hVgP-1VNPXJJ1ILpv7E-FPUNZrBJ7lLxvuDm8nZNH9OIc-5zsDAn5kdqXJFzVGzVNE_hrFBR/s2006/OCR_0347%20-2a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkvbCngLn8JxDlLflAp8fFJ0nIL1iF-NsmKGJO8RIYidB_Mejg739Mk_R8S3n1anSKotHTWImJ-_VT76F4cyUQnja9t38NQQPQm10UVgBdIs8EQz1KtR_hVgP-1VNPXJJ1ILpv7E-FPUNZrBJ7lLxvuDm8nZNH9OIc-5zsDAn5kdqXJFzVGzVNE_hrFBR/w480-h640/OCR_0347%20-2a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The path takes us up to Red Hill, a mighty summit with a viewpoint all of 45 meters (148 feet) above sea level!</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgv6T6tv43daRqQL4ZvevHhtrVNPWO7c3Bzf_oue30X-DCNY0-0KJ-reN-bzP7Ci7lexdzuz0bUQ_qzb4irHE4BTGomu_bv1vGCeRI0XlrXE7dtczp07vijb2C22TsFDNcaMHdPne5-RevA-0E8IpAk2yGfq1ULDWhxEWSBYd3U7J2-7ixRE_DJvE2ybB/s2006/OCR_0351%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="2006" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgv6T6tv43daRqQL4ZvevHhtrVNPWO7c3Bzf_oue30X-DCNY0-0KJ-reN-bzP7Ci7lexdzuz0bUQ_qzb4irHE4BTGomu_bv1vGCeRI0XlrXE7dtczp07vijb2C22TsFDNcaMHdPne5-RevA-0E8IpAk2yGfq1ULDWhxEWSBYd3U7J2-7ixRE_DJvE2ybB/w640-h360/OCR_0351%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">It's enough to give a view across the flat lands of Cambridgeshire and the paddocks of the local riding school (which, incidentally, goes by the wonderful name of Haggis Farm - and Dumpling Farm is just down the road, honest).</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJx8BBpB9WpZ54J8UM8Kg6eMiPJzi3CjurFaJLw8zofzG568FsTFs2LpAn9QeiLbLiZZIs35t2Gc_z1j5Xgx1cwA7PSCOu4yJwqTfvV2DcYuYJvhyG98K52V72TUIOX3js09u42w4BDJ8PMIulniqlOf96VcW6wBjUYwFgAbz6q0C9HS3LtUFMfH2t6_G/s2006/OCR_0368%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJx8BBpB9WpZ54J8UM8Kg6eMiPJzi3CjurFaJLw8zofzG568FsTFs2LpAn9QeiLbLiZZIs35t2Gc_z1j5Xgx1cwA7PSCOu4yJwqTfvV2DcYuYJvhyG98K52V72TUIOX3js09u42w4BDJ8PMIulniqlOf96VcW6wBjUYwFgAbz6q0C9HS3LtUFMfH2t6_G/w640-h480/OCR_0368%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">There's a magnificent banquet laid out for the winter thrushes (Fieldfares and Redwings) when they return to these shores - any day now.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYpLoGCs62AgXgHZ-vSNALC7IxKhybKnPX-HTra84HWpmtcZwPuYe2jeYNNZvZYhE5GdNyHiHovaIPHXWqPzPaSQ1be-IR3jpQTNiJpJk8ZDtIOQbFFKvZHUKv1QDXlK-WnDbp03nUOriDQOseFXQyMd4nevlUzycbn821ynPLovjWh9QQkkI2hGEp2-l/s2006/OCR_0370%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYpLoGCs62AgXgHZ-vSNALC7IxKhybKnPX-HTra84HWpmtcZwPuYe2jeYNNZvZYhE5GdNyHiHovaIPHXWqPzPaSQ1be-IR3jpQTNiJpJk8ZDtIOQbFFKvZHUKv1QDXlK-WnDbp03nUOriDQOseFXQyMd4nevlUzycbn821ynPLovjWh9QQkkI2hGEp2-l/w640-h480/OCR_0370%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I'd hoped to find more fungi after the recent rains but, apart from this giant specimen, I didn't notice any.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETsA2KILp68Jf9wwhIgE9bZ9M0zwJX7iT0oE0edAlb_A8O14IrFYZTcRcdjQ1WQp8k0wp0onoiy1A8QjYJexo1QNlBvQqzRkDvj4luY0cQHLgn5WusbuWUzQUHJKek6o_1HWS5xBjjcAAlprt-xkdyhj1VRbSrCIkKsisHR9VvPsC16ygwgNjg2c8QxJm/s2006/OCR_0373%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETsA2KILp68Jf9wwhIgE9bZ9M0zwJX7iT0oE0edAlb_A8O14IrFYZTcRcdjQ1WQp8k0wp0onoiy1A8QjYJexo1QNlBvQqzRkDvj4luY0cQHLgn5WusbuWUzQUHJKek6o_1HWS5xBjjcAAlprt-xkdyhj1VRbSrCIkKsisHR9VvPsC16ygwgNjg2c8QxJm/w640-h480/OCR_0373%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">They've also planted some local varieties of apples and plums to provide food for wildlife, though I'm sure some will be devoured by human visitors.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQhKdI1iY7_4oDcx64FMGdxyOZqFmkoOZRyssL8E_kr1zymLZSaXzRXeYY9iP5muV6emHuXQjb7xNGNshLwBVwYaL7OWYh8uNXsN4H6koukF4Rb7goobx99D1oTa65VxDixwB_4O6MxuJDhhBskm1OPWdcH4x4NqpR2kT1P5w0mtGWnngU8EdJkFjI7Fq/s2006/OCR_0372%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQhKdI1iY7_4oDcx64FMGdxyOZqFmkoOZRyssL8E_kr1zymLZSaXzRXeYY9iP5muV6emHuXQjb7xNGNshLwBVwYaL7OWYh8uNXsN4H6koukF4Rb7goobx99D1oTa65VxDixwB_4O6MxuJDhhBskm1OPWdcH4x4NqpR2kT1P5w0mtGWnngU8EdJkFjI7Fq/w640-h480/OCR_0372%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These human visitors, having walked most of the available paths, made their way to a pub for slightly less healthy sustenance.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">*******</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">While we were at the Working Steam Weekend at Stotfold, Les took a couple of short videos which you might like to see:</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dnztpgv1tJQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="dnztpgv1tJQ"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FjuwDua3pkQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="FjuwDua3pkQ"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(The whistles you can hear on the second video come from the steam engines that were ploughing on an adjacent field).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p></p>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-16829988215115539982023-10-14T07:03:00.001+01:002023-10-14T07:03:00.140+01:00Clapper Snapper<p><span style="font-family: arial;">A small collection of scenes on a walk along the edge of the Chiltern Hills, around Sharpenhoe Clappers.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipj-vT_5BmDU1zA85qFf0KOvnxWeVIexVVUBNdW5Hxu4WIT4-1POsdi9C3Vdm4umK00rnCreEpp__c5z2hzdjzIWdbrQ6oM3VHX0kdMDSsIurN90c2YvxkbGXhVkqN2nwbe19VTM6JHK0fozN5Ob3FkGYiukCD-0ABhFAd_pP215HKaCHwCEyA72TFqyuj/s2006/aOCR_0294%20-2m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipj-vT_5BmDU1zA85qFf0KOvnxWeVIexVVUBNdW5Hxu4WIT4-1POsdi9C3Vdm4umK00rnCreEpp__c5z2hzdjzIWdbrQ6oM3VHX0kdMDSsIurN90c2YvxkbGXhVkqN2nwbe19VTM6JHK0fozN5Ob3FkGYiukCD-0ABhFAd_pP215HKaCHwCEyA72TFqyuj/w640-h480/aOCR_0294%20-2m.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGK9HPUd9az_4QinWPTTB38Q6LVFFenMCY5BeefP0Kzn5MxmAPEZmQJk6xJDM5roe6Qu9LD0ftPsQXQcMu6H9xUQzvj0hMKRjXZCWCDMoZeKUmeFkNre9wMoh9jlK3uXW67PJhTndqjTT1qZ14Z46jlGNEBl4fwosmf3TkMc2IgL4Xnii8VxWaPyQe-A5Q/s2006/bOCR_0279%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGK9HPUd9az_4QinWPTTB38Q6LVFFenMCY5BeefP0Kzn5MxmAPEZmQJk6xJDM5roe6Qu9LD0ftPsQXQcMu6H9xUQzvj0hMKRjXZCWCDMoZeKUmeFkNre9wMoh9jlK3uXW67PJhTndqjTT1qZ14Z46jlGNEBl4fwosmf3TkMc2IgL4Xnii8VxWaPyQe-A5Q/w640-h480/bOCR_0279%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNDnPyxU7baGFyUn3bzgmheu0C8Kix9nfUk4aGqfrSWX39gRqZbXthXbPWHx0xkEhswE1gflJ5CYRyIlVjYVAdWxozuPp7QXDnqMBYdK5HPfImRZi-OVXuxLmU2P8fAYayQWiAfW-1-Ppp6hoaSAq4rP7pl8kHAVAL6X5S3gXwUDo4Xl-5QSauYJCRwj1/s2006/cOCR_0334%20-2n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNDnPyxU7baGFyUn3bzgmheu0C8Kix9nfUk4aGqfrSWX39gRqZbXthXbPWHx0xkEhswE1gflJ5CYRyIlVjYVAdWxozuPp7QXDnqMBYdK5HPfImRZi-OVXuxLmU2P8fAYayQWiAfW-1-Ppp6hoaSAq4rP7pl8kHAVAL6X5S3gXwUDo4Xl-5QSauYJCRwj1/w640-h480/cOCR_0334%20-2n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1iJ4yqaSIKKM7sINf0ldb4blSN9kGePTOdcd6bCz4N6FH-x_8rdsGRbSDqMpmwi88YTE1vcPDrMxb9yDmKyVnVBEyXL1bt-E0O75YdwN3Gtpptt7gikajuYz2cBSzeWv_57RMUOC5ttmyaPEfI1BoqGdsTmW6yZsUL4FeeaWv-g2NVS8IV_zwpBjMTj5/s2006/dOCR_0285%20-2s.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1507" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1iJ4yqaSIKKM7sINf0ldb4blSN9kGePTOdcd6bCz4N6FH-x_8rdsGRbSDqMpmwi88YTE1vcPDrMxb9yDmKyVnVBEyXL1bt-E0O75YdwN3Gtpptt7gikajuYz2cBSzeWv_57RMUOC5ttmyaPEfI1BoqGdsTmW6yZsUL4FeeaWv-g2NVS8IV_zwpBjMTj5/w480-h640/dOCR_0285%20-2s.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92DbkKJat-nM0e18iximukbilEt6wCNOexWaK6urOrcDi0oqaBMT2dFCbwvIjWSBiaHzFedzM_CrVA9Wd-WqMjo8_-f4NFzqTUMBINHF9Umu-edYwdmu6SSHDdefdUYZ06RZ1MlXsQJbrYEh4_YT-hXAk3ze_HATnOBvVB_im8e2wL3db0HgwfrQL1b6h/s2006/eOCR_0296%20-2m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92DbkKJat-nM0e18iximukbilEt6wCNOexWaK6urOrcDi0oqaBMT2dFCbwvIjWSBiaHzFedzM_CrVA9Wd-WqMjo8_-f4NFzqTUMBINHF9Umu-edYwdmu6SSHDdefdUYZ06RZ1MlXsQJbrYEh4_YT-hXAk3ze_HATnOBvVB_im8e2wL3db0HgwfrQL1b6h/w640-h480/eOCR_0296%20-2m.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixV4ugfWbXb8m0yA2bhsXUfHZeYKrAXKsp_osQjkOBr95t55GTTaT5xkN3Ex3w3Wy7qcnAGLu-YjU8AC_B9u-lULI2kGTLwQRqU89Vi4MQTw4iGAy_NGuFOrhWV1Oas3hFzYk9iDDZM4nLvlKLoJTa4_eUMyIO_ElOhsad99zFBK8FYjEbAzkXlhTyHvgy/s2006/fOCR_0282%20-2b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixV4ugfWbXb8m0yA2bhsXUfHZeYKrAXKsp_osQjkOBr95t55GTTaT5xkN3Ex3w3Wy7qcnAGLu-YjU8AC_B9u-lULI2kGTLwQRqU89Vi4MQTw4iGAy_NGuFOrhWV1Oas3hFzYk9iDDZM4nLvlKLoJTa4_eUMyIO_ElOhsad99zFBK8FYjEbAzkXlhTyHvgy/w640-h480/fOCR_0282%20-2b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbg-ubFff97lXhiIowOv25K5MT2UcKmk2STe2XYrJSUvKNZv9_a403sqkwj7dL6-GasCY5y1FuuawaiVQ6HLkiLnSRrUvzxdnQ7616tqS1GhAlVrolONPhrhVI0nbJ6fqnBFEq6aXEz8cQOmimg2jLA-PSWo-vUiMU-ylCV_53Pc0oNySQTBRD_2UEhOu/s2006/gOCR_0308%20-2b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1507" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbg-ubFff97lXhiIowOv25K5MT2UcKmk2STe2XYrJSUvKNZv9_a403sqkwj7dL6-GasCY5y1FuuawaiVQ6HLkiLnSRrUvzxdnQ7616tqS1GhAlVrolONPhrhVI0nbJ6fqnBFEq6aXEz8cQOmimg2jLA-PSWo-vUiMU-ylCV_53Pc0oNySQTBRD_2UEhOu/w480-h640/gOCR_0308%20-2b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8gejrbaljNwu3OjlDvneMWeLoOvN9mSItKNpfVEqwr01PrM9vBfg_SRpJ9ns8qIB2qiBkXTkHXyF2QRm3CyF4UO9ma8G6ka4mF5SUOiY-bUDLrD6pcDkLrf4FQ9ZWME5nx0ZekUMAl3A6BZOIJ_suPDBlOJsLRz5j0GI6c94ywTAuHCf1wrw8alUdQ_p/s2006/hOCR_0320%20-2n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8gejrbaljNwu3OjlDvneMWeLoOvN9mSItKNpfVEqwr01PrM9vBfg_SRpJ9ns8qIB2qiBkXTkHXyF2QRm3CyF4UO9ma8G6ka4mF5SUOiY-bUDLrD6pcDkLrf4FQ9ZWME5nx0ZekUMAl3A6BZOIJ_suPDBlOJsLRz5j0GI6c94ywTAuHCf1wrw8alUdQ_p/w640-h480/hOCR_0320%20-2n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1r7TeqaN32_TCQQmHTDOX7LXdvVZQAH5LuRrSgtWgfz-BtZDrsAVCtOGDZhzN4JDrfVfgET9iju4RtSghZOgUJs9jFCiALwfRcYIq5wjaeYuBozzTHxUdRySZit5LLlbLqCimkXW00g1pyDApGGudW5IYnoUb1KthEk7AS0QWZATn-iQCTVO5IFTPmIkw/s2006/jOCR_0310%20-2%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1r7TeqaN32_TCQQmHTDOX7LXdvVZQAH5LuRrSgtWgfz-BtZDrsAVCtOGDZhzN4JDrfVfgET9iju4RtSghZOgUJs9jFCiALwfRcYIq5wjaeYuBozzTHxUdRySZit5LLlbLqCimkXW00g1pyDApGGudW5IYnoUb1KthEk7AS0QWZATn-iQCTVO5IFTPmIkw/w640-h480/jOCR_0310%20-2%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEl3llFgdcsTxfuT9fl1DdXoTCmpVCTLekG8kdkltyawCTA7EglNHbbCfXTDTOKA_yF8N6MlL9wZNlci2U0GHghANugwHgOe6aqLvaQvtE49y5PPRRT4MxFEW6Mlhmvbkph50mPGS2S0Bj4MVtC3Et-nvbhPp0LKB5syIQ6zxKPbGK3pFJxOKui2cDmUM/s2006/kOCR_0310%20-2%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEl3llFgdcsTxfuT9fl1DdXoTCmpVCTLekG8kdkltyawCTA7EglNHbbCfXTDTOKA_yF8N6MlL9wZNlci2U0GHghANugwHgOe6aqLvaQvtE49y5PPRRT4MxFEW6Mlhmvbkph50mPGS2S0Bj4MVtC3Et-nvbhPp0LKB5syIQ6zxKPbGK3pFJxOKui2cDmUM/w640-h480/kOCR_0310%20-2%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKFLWjYj7PQ2l5XS_l_jPAvypjdI-ERvH1niIq7kP67s89VqwHJG9bPRLDD3sr-g1jWD6pY1F46CEvv0rEH53e10kTXfc7qWSHi4uqStvmsIBjUwHwTy9ZDvRbzVMwgPcWbcG7Yb7sO7FHd_BFJZugQ5Kt0zag9KR4XrFfbmc9htg9wifASkqDO-zm7N1/s2006/mOCR_0323%20-2c%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKFLWjYj7PQ2l5XS_l_jPAvypjdI-ERvH1niIq7kP67s89VqwHJG9bPRLDD3sr-g1jWD6pY1F46CEvv0rEH53e10kTXfc7qWSHi4uqStvmsIBjUwHwTy9ZDvRbzVMwgPcWbcG7Yb7sO7FHd_BFJZugQ5Kt0zag9KR4XrFfbmc9htg9wifASkqDO-zm7N1/w480-h640/mOCR_0323%20-2c%20(2).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXYBUJ9zAvdG-CTEyur53dhJWHDsXYkFHGICDSY0kXZH_5zw9xhboHhivz-08LJVDTmgxamKeOVNlpRIA0qYQH96q8Wx6CStk2mNbU5lppOFl4miBXOfnHhAi_DaYPvJKiirl1cBs-TB3hT05DqoxxsC89mM5WQxctQivEmqo1vUWEOHG5Bbe9Juv-AqH/s2006/lOCR_0323%20-2c%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="2006" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXYBUJ9zAvdG-CTEyur53dhJWHDsXYkFHGICDSY0kXZH_5zw9xhboHhivz-08LJVDTmgxamKeOVNlpRIA0qYQH96q8Wx6CStk2mNbU5lppOFl4miBXOfnHhAi_DaYPvJKiirl1cBs-TB3hT05DqoxxsC89mM5WQxctQivEmqo1vUWEOHG5Bbe9Juv-AqH/w640-h458/lOCR_0323%20-2c%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">We've been there a couple of times before:</span><div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://bystargooseandhanglands.blogspot.com/2020/06/a-visit-to-clappers.html"><i>"By Stargoose And Hanglands": A Visit To The Clappers</i></a></span><p></p><div><a href="https://bystargooseandhanglands.blogspot.com/2020/10/back-to-clappers.html"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>"By Stargoose And Hanglands": Back To The Clappers</i></span></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-64688125675129088512023-10-12T07:11:00.003+01:002023-10-12T13:22:15.037+01:00Full Steam Ahead<div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: arial;">Further explorations at Stotfold Working Steam Weekend:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Sawing By Steam</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9B0ldVmQq79vkcTxeFumP_sxWGTAPt-tEGt8_WWYn3OGBSyIixnQppG0zgIaFnA99RrCFGgGk1beT1NpmpAtfpJ4lv825xECQ8-QwtjVx05x1BgImnlvrh4hg5TgN92bnUxctOXoXEPXdyHZoX_ZPZ1tSe_uAFdCPmNXNOSxUz_onP69EJC75Ra5ZFc3v/s2006/OCR_0144%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9B0ldVmQq79vkcTxeFumP_sxWGTAPt-tEGt8_WWYn3OGBSyIixnQppG0zgIaFnA99RrCFGgGk1beT1NpmpAtfpJ4lv825xECQ8-QwtjVx05x1BgImnlvrh4hg5TgN92bnUxctOXoXEPXdyHZoX_ZPZ1tSe_uAFdCPmNXNOSxUz_onP69EJC75Ra5ZFc3v/w640-h480/OCR_0144%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />There were a couple of different set-ups for sawing huge logs, powered by steam engines. A large part of the art seemed to be in lining everything up satisfactorily. Once this was done the saw cut through the largest timber with ease.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeWIG6uuqmD_9D1SK-ujql97nOFZwz0pFBSV1gOHNLvWHLmVoei2n3oNPo45ouACXamFUKiLW9tZ11fj5mRwred-idqMuCdGh0Uhx4bxh3Z7vTR7sMOdtz6DxiG45FSOVWRnd4plE1oMC9wbaEU0xjhxaxxREVsi1MIeFPS_U0LJDN1QzmQ6WQPXad8VH/s2006/OCR_0266%20-2b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeWIG6uuqmD_9D1SK-ujql97nOFZwz0pFBSV1gOHNLvWHLmVoei2n3oNPo45ouACXamFUKiLW9tZ11fj5mRwred-idqMuCdGh0Uhx4bxh3Z7vTR7sMOdtz6DxiG45FSOVWRnd4plE1oMC9wbaEU0xjhxaxxREVsi1MIeFPS_U0LJDN1QzmQ6WQPXad8VH/w640-h480/OCR_0266%20-2b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Tractor Ploughing</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCh7xGWfAcybZW9n6lCNwU05Cw9ZZRfISMh-_roMno7LG_3ZFY4ZIKVfoQvZKri7J9YPhD9u3INgs4dVEJ3NuDWvjkyGNzJOrGSGJ6peofUJfAG0ilAdSDtk5JRsAi5JXwSj9Cln6RhMnU4ecz0hgwdxc3xeUC5cBkm5PL8Q1SiItae0h7L8kgBaUdqbRe/s2006/OCR_0160%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="2006" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCh7xGWfAcybZW9n6lCNwU05Cw9ZZRfISMh-_roMno7LG_3ZFY4ZIKVfoQvZKri7J9YPhD9u3INgs4dVEJ3NuDWvjkyGNzJOrGSGJ6peofUJfAG0ilAdSDtk5JRsAi5JXwSj9Cln6RhMnU4ecz0hgwdxc3xeUC5cBkm5PL8Q1SiItae0h7L8kgBaUdqbRe/w640-h458/OCR_0160%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The field at the end of the showground gets ploughed by any number of different tractors over the course of the weekend. It has to proceed at a leisurely pace to ensure the job's not finished too quickly! You never know what kind of machines you'll see in operation.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2HJ7X-AHR2z5lEBKKlWx-IC9wXkZYPKG7jLc8dS7HjqFtYmHU_7Leuz2UuLNussW8kn9OJAFxW-x8suWgH3nwJ7-awx7cTa8MOe0u1e95VSdhvdtdsEMcuBfVKEPrTyX9vuy0MVsoobwPqwtgiXnyt_Wmg6c-tvSdZBmv6lyQl-03JvmYZENM-XnWQMb/s2006/OCR_0166%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1509" data-original-width="2006" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2HJ7X-AHR2z5lEBKKlWx-IC9wXkZYPKG7jLc8dS7HjqFtYmHU_7Leuz2UuLNussW8kn9OJAFxW-x8suWgH3nwJ7-awx7cTa8MOe0u1e95VSdhvdtdsEMcuBfVKEPrTyX9vuy0MVsoobwPqwtgiXnyt_Wmg6c-tvSdZBmv6lyQl-03JvmYZENM-XnWQMb/w640-h482/OCR_0166%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A little red Fergie just like the one we used as a general purpose runabout when I worked on a farm. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj654SkU7V31tz07EP_WBWJuqv1psdlLWW6gFCeOVxIxdVf-hbdcKpLxpmJtfioYYFwMz2wydcpHKmepwVK5PWXgzYbLT2ejY7Aka8p97jnnq_ah6-CJs8i23UuC39wGkJDywyhjcjJ4DA5DKFfG3CwiFyq3vfBTcn0yVVgCYQUiyqi3LxJxa2d8EgibnQk/s2006/OCR_0240%20-2h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj654SkU7V31tz07EP_WBWJuqv1psdlLWW6gFCeOVxIxdVf-hbdcKpLxpmJtfioYYFwMz2wydcpHKmepwVK5PWXgzYbLT2ejY7Aka8p97jnnq_ah6-CJs8i23UuC39wGkJDywyhjcjJ4DA5DKFfG3CwiFyq3vfBTcn0yVVgCYQUiyqi3LxJxa2d8EgibnQk/w640-h480/OCR_0240%20-2h.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">But this was definitely a bit before my time! This is an International Harvester 8-16 tractor from just after the First World War - so over 100 years old and still going strong. Many of these old tractors are better preserved than their drivers.....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PBmsCQASRhD-h2rSP5Bp7pS_ALoe0hEUlhdjN37H_Fm6lT8raOn_HunkiZb9Mi54WqFHxmIFKkgffLA91BlseXbkNZdG3HAzc2acyORygbnjHaXTK6PJsXgL6EfC8DUxS0jHMZ_VhcXTbfkT9hTwWA5S4wfOI-8rHrvREIXG1TM-70G9PoojKYD-2fgb/s2006/OCR_0151%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PBmsCQASRhD-h2rSP5Bp7pS_ALoe0hEUlhdjN37H_Fm6lT8raOn_HunkiZb9Mi54WqFHxmIFKkgffLA91BlseXbkNZdG3HAzc2acyORygbnjHaXTK6PJsXgL6EfC8DUxS0jHMZ_VhcXTbfkT9hTwWA5S4wfOI-8rHrvREIXG1TM-70G9PoojKYD-2fgb/w640-h480/OCR_0151%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>A Few Portraits</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These shows attract some real characters.....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86GhKOxcQsLq3P29BtzpCWF0LySdhoT3omM4NUW8gCPgZH6SqmHQ5mgNYx3gLRlVlKQKh-Kjna_7pmoQyvkVezjFnCT4aoEmzXoA5YGDcNhqkbLuVsmpRtu2exTttyWVWXKgsXTThCiB1_OtwE66Hsvc41sIvio1LiaFgr7Gj_yKUF10RgSiZACAciFT0/s2006/OCR_0141%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86GhKOxcQsLq3P29BtzpCWF0LySdhoT3omM4NUW8gCPgZH6SqmHQ5mgNYx3gLRlVlKQKh-Kjna_7pmoQyvkVezjFnCT4aoEmzXoA5YGDcNhqkbLuVsmpRtu2exTttyWVWXKgsXTThCiB1_OtwE66Hsvc41sIvio1LiaFgr7Gj_yKUF10RgSiZACAciFT0/w640-h480/OCR_0141%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNRL9c3VVKxYN5JOdP-KNphyphenhyphen5WZlmfHPThZR2gPFcOQtvDEt2EFZktHxA0mX7s4rBlA17fvEvarVYcKhJ_cIP5BblbLK7ilnoCQVPspSgrnREQBt3Dncdt3FAk2q6WFa0h9xQYH59QQrtXqf_mG4jVnehY4Z-SHWCn6pyBlTq-vUSEmq6uZUxbmSC6dmp/s2006/OCR_0183%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNRL9c3VVKxYN5JOdP-KNphyphenhyphen5WZlmfHPThZR2gPFcOQtvDEt2EFZktHxA0mX7s4rBlA17fvEvarVYcKhJ_cIP5BblbLK7ilnoCQVPspSgrnREQBt3Dncdt3FAk2q6WFa0h9xQYH59QQrtXqf_mG4jVnehY4Z-SHWCn6pyBlTq-vUSEmq6uZUxbmSC6dmp/w640-h480/OCR_0183%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHgvXKR-O9wgKVzeHxMfj2muPFs5ohvE2BPnZSrB0rF5Z1Mw0pN8fTfoGyc_G078-Cj2oF7cx-zscU49Q9_kC2gSdAEmDlzstZ-ooK4A2LzdUJc9kIDYWHndlVLR4tGt0B-hZ9OPnhHZBpeMgiGcyEkXMIcMfp6aryqjSUgNBmTUcrIbp0XCaiyJtf-fz/s2006/OCR_0201%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHgvXKR-O9wgKVzeHxMfj2muPFs5ohvE2BPnZSrB0rF5Z1Mw0pN8fTfoGyc_G078-Cj2oF7cx-zscU49Q9_kC2gSdAEmDlzstZ-ooK4A2LzdUJc9kIDYWHndlVLR4tGt0B-hZ9OPnhHZBpeMgiGcyEkXMIcMfp6aryqjSUgNBmTUcrIbp0XCaiyJtf-fz/w640-h480/OCR_0201%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Steam Thrashing</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8h0uvZuORt_kBM-WZHz3tYBOxRIiHpIXlAXrL1nlyP1yvSKnPRioFFhgfVPYDCBgakzPNY1MipAoUdkPROI7oXnr8RZzsVxu8rxgEaAjaWZx1EOX4ET3zaxm-vpsycmK8RNmRNmcHv0NZbPdVZJpEDB5TzDIF2gUN7qXj3zrctOA2RO-L2X-MA9RKS0d/s2006/OCR_0078%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8h0uvZuORt_kBM-WZHz3tYBOxRIiHpIXlAXrL1nlyP1yvSKnPRioFFhgfVPYDCBgakzPNY1MipAoUdkPROI7oXnr8RZzsVxu8rxgEaAjaWZx1EOX4ET3zaxm-vpsycmK8RNmRNmcHv0NZbPdVZJpEDB5TzDIF2gUN7qXj3zrctOA2RO-L2X-MA9RKS0d/w640-h480/OCR_0078%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Thrashing (or threshing) machines were introduced into this area in the early years of the nineteenth century and caused the normally peaceful agricultural labourers to riot and smash up the machines which they feared would steal their jobs.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOVvVRGaDXgViobuP0k_Hj7grhzztJ-yeeOa3ueHgUZJjR3Ir5iA99WlKUoZz0cwZiSywMhMt_9CRZQa8D6vWoLdV7stOlKhYUd5y9bvMiUIbCiT68cFZwEP_Hi_6qdyLFDRxOrmMUvylXTZ5J1cTkKpKvOLbf9nI9NHlL3wAEwdfci996cGg58XEX86F/s2006/OCR_0115%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1504" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOVvVRGaDXgViobuP0k_Hj7grhzztJ-yeeOa3ueHgUZJjR3Ir5iA99WlKUoZz0cwZiSywMhMt_9CRZQa8D6vWoLdV7stOlKhYUd5y9bvMiUIbCiT68cFZwEP_Hi_6qdyLFDRxOrmMUvylXTZ5J1cTkKpKvOLbf9nI9NHlL3wAEwdfci996cGg58XEX86F/w480-h640/OCR_0115%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Many were harshly sentenced for their protest, though several men were later pardoned - probably because their labour was still needed on the land. In time a large proportion of the agricultural labour force moved away and found work in the cities and it's also been argued that increasing mechanisation led to cheaper food for the working classes. I've also heard it suggested that the First World War could never have been fought if such a large part of the workforce was still needed to gather in the harvest.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjalUgs5fiEPpNwbOVzaDeuXDm9a6W7IIqT-5q2h8nPl5q8c3yDhFCf9zFH5AvG01NSuDq2Vbgw4xSrTpodF3xGwYSoomWupbPcZ0wNvUiGC0GFNV7rVHXhudS8JoIYNUWXyi3d7h-T6YHl3DsQutMDJuKwVJ3SkaQikG5VHfzoAQddL6LSgJTsYvEiQT/s2006/OCR_0210%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1509" data-original-width="2006" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjalUgs5fiEPpNwbOVzaDeuXDm9a6W7IIqT-5q2h8nPl5q8c3yDhFCf9zFH5AvG01NSuDq2Vbgw4xSrTpodF3xGwYSoomWupbPcZ0wNvUiGC0GFNV7rVHXhudS8JoIYNUWXyi3d7h-T6YHl3DsQutMDJuKwVJ3SkaQikG5VHfzoAQddL6LSgJTsYvEiQT/w640-h482/OCR_0210%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">There was no shortage of labour on the thrashing machine today!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSGXx0IrYT-X9huuwdPQJHlkjsKHXhk8RHmjXxK4y6dP0PTmXNyX7z2PdpwrqXzZGUMMWh3xYaZ5m8KgyUSYLBnArdDIdxUjX0hkgPESaFxKZT9zML42-6VHLc0YdjfSKT56f_L4YK4XiaieXlp8AOOTBIaYoQcyDe7gC27pp4CGFQX3tIehSiXT-cNi1/s2006/OCR_0214%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSGXx0IrYT-X9huuwdPQJHlkjsKHXhk8RHmjXxK4y6dP0PTmXNyX7z2PdpwrqXzZGUMMWh3xYaZ5m8KgyUSYLBnArdDIdxUjX0hkgPESaFxKZT9zML42-6VHLc0YdjfSKT56f_L4YK4XiaieXlp8AOOTBIaYoQcyDe7gC27pp4CGFQX3tIehSiXT-cNi1/w640-h480/OCR_0214%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">More Steam</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquHUq7GgvE-ef6q1dcGJrN6GPsYg5dPo_O9MgeKEz2vVA0h2LqAPBVJk6R37AK8o0xg-BKqhhf6piqSAKtG3pTUiYnTxVanSD_qRNAGDHIQ45M3g46IkSzpnJA8Adv3B4G_6Wu9oFndx44GodQ7tSNeLLF-LgvsDPxc26rS31b5R-0vxY9kySLRId0oTF/s2006/OCR_0080%20-2m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquHUq7GgvE-ef6q1dcGJrN6GPsYg5dPo_O9MgeKEz2vVA0h2LqAPBVJk6R37AK8o0xg-BKqhhf6piqSAKtG3pTUiYnTxVanSD_qRNAGDHIQ45M3g46IkSzpnJA8Adv3B4G_6Wu9oFndx44GodQ7tSNeLLF-LgvsDPxc26rS31b5R-0vxY9kySLRId0oTF/w640-h480/OCR_0080%20-2m.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />With a steam engine you can't just jump on and turn the key. The furnace has to heat up and the boiler build up a head of steam before you're going anywhere. An excellent time then for junior enthusiasts to climb aboard and play at engine drivers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWczKHP5JrDRB5H1_ok8_wSUNCglemphpPCv9Xt5bolhSgvZ6yR8rE6-kaeO7ICtFPDO6CSrKYucs4ZeV7hm_lBJdIZXYgmz3CLJvqd7eixxn3w4Xjf0e5Kf2HYM3dImOxgUimbdw79wpIbEo7LNmhZ-og2Z_ZwH4_QZrmoBhdL0Bim6RdFmOjYUxI8ui/s2006/OCR_0064%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWczKHP5JrDRB5H1_ok8_wSUNCglemphpPCv9Xt5bolhSgvZ6yR8rE6-kaeO7ICtFPDO6CSrKYucs4ZeV7hm_lBJdIZXYgmz3CLJvqd7eixxn3w4Xjf0e5Kf2HYM3dImOxgUimbdw79wpIbEo7LNmhZ-og2Z_ZwH4_QZrmoBhdL0Bim6RdFmOjYUxI8ui/w640-h480/OCR_0064%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">But don't wander too far away or you might get more steam than you need!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioge2Mo-2LFdpdKtQJfdguFStRoDN-vQr1tEso9HsBiJpow3vDDoBxwoMyVgcI5kaU_Xv3xrXC7MDPb4c1qsi4pidEG-AtTPs1j0viiLABBmWqCTwnSF-pRON21O4sbPfLNprbu4iuPxHg7czCsf8zpcDQ73yBVSwVuKFf4uE-DKHiB4049qSDwa6AxPmn/s2006/OCR_0069%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioge2Mo-2LFdpdKtQJfdguFStRoDN-vQr1tEso9HsBiJpow3vDDoBxwoMyVgcI5kaU_Xv3xrXC7MDPb4c1qsi4pidEG-AtTPs1j0viiLABBmWqCTwnSF-pRON21O4sbPfLNprbu4iuPxHg7czCsf8zpcDQ73yBVSwVuKFf4uE-DKHiB4049qSDwa6AxPmn/w640-h480/OCR_0069%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A great opportunity for the passing photographer!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHrUBZ-sGBP7PZcGALQPtQBtYmAo2xgG-puJT48iQf_6bvKY3ZFTcemm28vSfyLzuWE_id1Lo8YfdCPXK7TukBK0z19S0_jarvjBZ6eEpVxGfIPxS3RWA_ilBrINqGVlvZRSv5gudyLeHsITzF73Cg_Gor0V0Dq76wbpyWEgaLSxizIB5BZowKP8TMl9W/s2006/OCR_0189%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHrUBZ-sGBP7PZcGALQPtQBtYmAo2xgG-puJT48iQf_6bvKY3ZFTcemm28vSfyLzuWE_id1Lo8YfdCPXK7TukBK0z19S0_jarvjBZ6eEpVxGfIPxS3RWA_ilBrINqGVlvZRSv5gudyLeHsITzF73Cg_Gor0V0Dq76wbpyWEgaLSxizIB5BZowKP8TMl9W/w640-h480/OCR_0189%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In the afternoon I spotted this machine returning to the show towing a tanker of water to keep the thirsty engines running.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYHjtafiSqy2qUntMiDWUwPPq6B_YIAXP0x_2pItauNPyCfud7kUsnbGCWcMDAmikAa3DBEuby7TMMBVcLtQzBxwCucmxc7sNpB-vMewU_8XyMcGJ570SZ4bJQDE_NSyRBkyyF4BXbbYz6hb-Fh0TUKMCyiRhX8-TqzvXzyIxndq7Kd3wr1DIN668AI5j/s2006/OCR_0112%20-2h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYHjtafiSqy2qUntMiDWUwPPq6B_YIAXP0x_2pItauNPyCfud7kUsnbGCWcMDAmikAa3DBEuby7TMMBVcLtQzBxwCucmxc7sNpB-vMewU_8XyMcGJ570SZ4bJQDE_NSyRBkyyF4BXbbYz6hb-Fh0TUKMCyiRhX8-TqzvXzyIxndq7Kd3wr1DIN668AI5j/w640-h480/OCR_0112%20-2h.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This man is stoking the firebox to keep a steam pump running. But this is not just any old pump; it's a horse-drawn steam-powered fire engine. If you had a house fire in Newbury you'd be glad to see it arriving on the scene. A case of fighting fire with fire!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Last But Not Least</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHS6IDBBp16xCrlZ5u2ukqNEDa5pedkcBLPvYIH2ptICA_qzzBWDfSldGKf8r0V_NGzI9so33tLkvg5igmarzFhhQ3qOy9SWDU_kuV5SGWe2I5Atehgh2RXwyJcs5m_ZzdfS3Gzam-QntgN4gx8nfRxHfP1pGZEoyEq_gepey1LquRmxD7jmEao9IO9aI/s2006/OCR_0231%20-2i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1509" data-original-width="2006" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHS6IDBBp16xCrlZ5u2ukqNEDa5pedkcBLPvYIH2ptICA_qzzBWDfSldGKf8r0V_NGzI9so33tLkvg5igmarzFhhQ3qOy9SWDU_kuV5SGWe2I5Atehgh2RXwyJcs5m_ZzdfS3Gzam-QntgN4gx8nfRxHfP1pGZEoyEq_gepey1LquRmxD7jmEao9IO9aI/w640-h482/OCR_0231%20-2i.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />So many people seemed to miss Monty and Logie ploughing their lonely furrow in the far corner of the showground.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_SDuqiyp1mpFvZxOtIs3gFyfcX18fA2IsAIeTucPpW5k1NuI3HDJL-FhcWCYVp30ohJOWhQqxoeOqI22zHlxhEs-uCy8iePdwFQx6wCwKkkZYxbGyjfgsfdj6mf8qkn7SaUgoo9-UKI-7sFwsusK78P3dBnJEyhfX3dTBF1CS7Ayi1rXStFfbhiyNGKa/s2006/OCR_0089%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1509" data-original-width="2006" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_SDuqiyp1mpFvZxOtIs3gFyfcX18fA2IsAIeTucPpW5k1NuI3HDJL-FhcWCYVp30ohJOWhQqxoeOqI22zHlxhEs-uCy8iePdwFQx6wCwKkkZYxbGyjfgsfdj6mf8qkn7SaUgoo9-UKI-7sFwsusK78P3dBnJEyhfX3dTBF1CS7Ayi1rXStFfbhiyNGKa/w640-h482/OCR_0089%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Apparently the darker horse is a Shire while his companion is a Clydesdale</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpho3qp_W3qsdXkYquUyFOarH918Sf8euxgzedt_rvqy-LWOpwbTVIG6fgzFSRsCyibhFlln47pk8_oGd5gapYrdeCvInXJaVNWL-HsdpFD-uBcOh1x2kzYDdArSpMnoX3lDyPEYB-3F2aiIO2TyyvJWzYBwMwWgTJNRfB9rX8ixnkQfBOs38jN2BNPDmz/s2006/OCR_0109%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpho3qp_W3qsdXkYquUyFOarH918Sf8euxgzedt_rvqy-LWOpwbTVIG6fgzFSRsCyibhFlln47pk8_oGd5gapYrdeCvInXJaVNWL-HsdpFD-uBcOh1x2kzYDdArSpMnoX3lDyPEYB-3F2aiIO2TyyvJWzYBwMwWgTJNRfB9rX8ixnkQfBOs38jN2BNPDmz/w640-h480/OCR_0109%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">There's a whole lot more that I haven't shown you: a large marquee selling all kinds of craft items; a fairground with a helter-skelter and roundabouts; a bar; several food vendors; a chance to be photographed holding an owl; a fairground organ belting out cheery tunes; a rock-crushing machine that we never did manage to see working; stalls devoted to selling tools, potted plants and all kinds of junk; various charities and environmental groups: the man selling straw hats......</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzV46aJgltraEdrzE0gsiNBkCJ-1lh4I-6nehJJso9Db6eiTifEO8zsGr864hsxNNvqQg6N6CO3dHku31OyGsuX0oNI_wAhzgdjYB5qChmBhqrPVznC-VHEPCcWy70_dQZfHgehZDDxNmXJDzyAgKAL74Du8_GykKCAG3rkLf5PETx8SEb98xy_QpylXB/s2006/OCR_0119%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzV46aJgltraEdrzE0gsiNBkCJ-1lh4I-6nehJJso9Db6eiTifEO8zsGr864hsxNNvqQg6N6CO3dHku31OyGsuX0oNI_wAhzgdjYB5qChmBhqrPVznC-VHEPCcWy70_dQZfHgehZDDxNmXJDzyAgKAL74Du8_GykKCAG3rkLf5PETx8SEb98xy_QpylXB/w640-h480/OCR_0119%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">After all that you might fancy a cup of tea.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-87758839476897034032023-10-09T11:21:00.003+01:002023-10-09T11:28:00.755+01:00Steam-Driven Things<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Today we are going where the past meets the present, where hard old-fashioned graft rubs shoulders with recreation and leisure, where the laughter of children overlays the roars of huge machines, and where the tang of coal smoke mingles with the aroma of beer and fish and chips. We're off to Stotfold Mill Working Steam Weekend.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6JzGH8NLNEpmb9XAGylCu-ifekgxK9zncXwFou0viTPTgWYGcABjCY9HRp6nLBaO-uCo3BeS_pJEkTVqEFx7zmVgL6bhT3tPLIzQfyIRCDc19Gh_dqAKw7ZUBm5SOEmxQoRJWit_o2Q7tRmomzAUkG5qd77Qy_AabJ4EAUtR4JYYdilCMQFaVzmOvL-Q/s2006/OCR_0253%20-2g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="2006" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6JzGH8NLNEpmb9XAGylCu-ifekgxK9zncXwFou0viTPTgWYGcABjCY9HRp6nLBaO-uCo3BeS_pJEkTVqEFx7zmVgL6bhT3tPLIzQfyIRCDc19Gh_dqAKw7ZUBm5SOEmxQoRJWit_o2Q7tRmomzAUkG5qd77Qy_AabJ4EAUtR4JYYdilCMQFaVzmOvL-Q/w640-h458/OCR_0253%20-2g.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's a fairly small show and you could get around the whole site in an hour or two, but others linger for the whole day and still don't see everything. Unlike other shows there's no central ring where all the action takes place and if there is a programme then I didn't see one. You wander around aimlessly and there's always something happening in several places. It's probably the last show of the year for many enthusiasts and there's a laid-back, end-of-term feel to everything.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The Watermill</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrOK1agn2MZP52UXj8JvhfXnGUP9jEeHK9Zyh5TtDiB-ylTq9E0Rmv44MrxmEbPqpM8H_FDqLbk6DJnfKMaDcjSPFnj_TL7yACtEvoLWc1MQeWfFE2QBWObr3VGSb-DCZm4YlbC_1zYO3lXrt3YZB8B7WWB8uuYNKjNi-MMI4CCRSpMm7lOG-aD30W3_r/s2006/OCR_0051%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrOK1agn2MZP52UXj8JvhfXnGUP9jEeHK9Zyh5TtDiB-ylTq9E0Rmv44MrxmEbPqpM8H_FDqLbk6DJnfKMaDcjSPFnj_TL7yACtEvoLWc1MQeWfFE2QBWObr3VGSb-DCZm4YlbC_1zYO3lXrt3YZB8B7WWB8uuYNKjNi-MMI4CCRSpMm7lOG-aD30W3_r/w640-h480/OCR_0051%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We arrived soon after the show started, at the civilised time of 10:30. There were not too many people about, so it was an ideal time to visit Stotfold Mill itself.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_nwMTnwwkBdfLDy656CCEmBHnA3v65F6UYFsGA52gO8JxUjsmMyvQMF5KZ9JC-kpeNc8nF-5tYYPsYStQNclL8j68ahjZm0HmXyQaPHCFN-SAcDxRjpGUuaQ0LP3CTDWlQeMZYGM73J6bCBrUpW4cqjNi8SoeJBVg4vEBDLxNjDYOMObXpKr3U5kgmsO/s2006/OCR_0043%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_nwMTnwwkBdfLDy656CCEmBHnA3v65F6UYFsGA52gO8JxUjsmMyvQMF5KZ9JC-kpeNc8nF-5tYYPsYStQNclL8j68ahjZm0HmXyQaPHCFN-SAcDxRjpGUuaQ0LP3CTDWlQeMZYGM73J6bCBrUpW4cqjNi8SoeJBVg4vEBDLxNjDYOMObXpKr3U5kgmsO/w640-h480/OCR_0043%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1992 there was a disastrous fire which destroyed most of the historic building; all that remained were some brick foundations and metal parts including the overshot waterwheel. A group of local volunteers got together and made the courageous decision that the mill must be completely rebuilt. This involved their travelling all over the country, looking at similar mills to see exactly how they were constructed.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zlAHmm4yoM3UPN1otIjyRA1HZVQh9GsBj_Yi0HYWYcSifVFrkb3IocBMdWPWJYgHvfHc2KfjzZXpRJXPrsHV2s3sdIiaib7qRDKsY4OqDIR4Bd157V2Dhf6hNFt-cz7gdpxF5fXqZ7vAc43n8stiLy2fH01viMhX5i5HFJi-Ot5kL-n1Kgw236XJ3zMi/s2006/OCR_0046%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zlAHmm4yoM3UPN1otIjyRA1HZVQh9GsBj_Yi0HYWYcSifVFrkb3IocBMdWPWJYgHvfHc2KfjzZXpRJXPrsHV2s3sdIiaib7qRDKsY4OqDIR4Bd157V2Dhf6hNFt-cz7gdpxF5fXqZ7vAc43n8stiLy2fH01viMhX5i5HFJi-Ot5kL-n1Kgw236XJ3zMi/w640-h480/OCR_0046%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Although it's something of a showpiece, with explanatory notices and collections of historic items that have only tenuous connections to milling, it has a quality which older mills lack. You see, watermills and windmills didn't just shut down while they were in full productive mode; they limped along for decades, being used occasionally when other more modern facilities were busy or a local farmer had some animal feed to be ground. During this time the fabric of the mills deteriorated until one day they were completely abandoned. The crisp, new woodwork we see at Stotfold is much closer to how these mills must have looked in their heyday than other more antiquated mills.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_WWoBPVj0VKH7ZZDRLaRxFkDQQXYXdF5kFNzID8RDfekhNYc1Qt__S_o9d-Md-Sqxuei3PlsoQhUFZrOdWNVH2BcJAABxG3Y-rsm-BjkdppNGVlzd0NWfxdD7Vck6CwozfM7tW_HMm_-Vt30Vju-G5gDmqgH9pW2wgmKNxabgezRU9OL_xX0KtIuTd_Y/s2006/OCR_0050%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1505" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_WWoBPVj0VKH7ZZDRLaRxFkDQQXYXdF5kFNzID8RDfekhNYc1Qt__S_o9d-Md-Sqxuei3PlsoQhUFZrOdWNVH2BcJAABxG3Y-rsm-BjkdppNGVlzd0NWfxdD7Vck6CwozfM7tW_HMm_-Vt30Vju-G5gDmqgH9pW2wgmKNxabgezRU9OL_xX0KtIuTd_Y/w480-h640/OCR_0050%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The machinery extends over three floors of the building and everything you see is powered by the waterwheel.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30Ges6171-KwkSqsWBAUjHzGAlhB7EhrQ2Tb9i40gAEuERB7XmFjlA9MblDzrEpWhIheHvsGKZPf70XKYTWul4RN0qHmyEIqhJpFxZpJyV8IXAxBW1Ez1mmXBG8PGVyyg5N4HqAf__9JReCCqcrLQJ9ERSR4597q6oB-LChN51yf6UzwouLJD3knCLfck/s2006/OCR_0044%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30Ges6171-KwkSqsWBAUjHzGAlhB7EhrQ2Tb9i40gAEuERB7XmFjlA9MblDzrEpWhIheHvsGKZPf70XKYTWul4RN0qHmyEIqhJpFxZpJyV8IXAxBW1Ez1mmXBG8PGVyyg5N4HqAf__9JReCCqcrLQJ9ERSR4597q6oB-LChN51yf6UzwouLJD3knCLfck/w480-h640/OCR_0044%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">There's a remarkably life-like model of the miller totting up his profits. We also made use of the small tea-room which is nowadays attached to the mill. We're off to get a nice pot of tea and some hot, buttered teacakes. After that we'll explore the show.....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Stationary Exhibits</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">While they are preparing the working machines we'll have a look at some of the stationary items on display.....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoolnFamTUOvLz1c8VWfWwJzTI8j0APoPpV0Z_ZKwdvBcNfxDABgTJbxEOXj_bJeSYldBT1mIDwvwv34T0UPdQlvibrU2G8QzW6__UmL4E6akMBZbAlkMSuItQlGuxACkbRy7u2xzb6vhSRR_5JE_zwy7ct7wM_CatkVpWIVQSg9Ex1P0j5cxEiROBNUeA/s2006/OCR_0056%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoolnFamTUOvLz1c8VWfWwJzTI8j0APoPpV0Z_ZKwdvBcNfxDABgTJbxEOXj_bJeSYldBT1mIDwvwv34T0UPdQlvibrU2G8QzW6__UmL4E6akMBZbAlkMSuItQlGuxACkbRy7u2xzb6vhSRR_5JE_zwy7ct7wM_CatkVpWIVQSg9Ex1P0j5cxEiROBNUeA/w640-h480/OCR_0056%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">To one side of the showground there are some stately old motorcars.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlfzLegSHe_KE1HHIs-EZXAWEcJajXw_qOlgYYxNqJiq_ee7lq93_trpHZbVAyOmqLsOHn1ZWc1fVqcZwJHtCi9MuKWPon04gR1dj3ELCSqbdLq1oZIsuIeS7I7kEZqrzutNMyE-TbDOnRd6Mrc4LbvYjKTgIVk3BTINCaZWkyxEuLPyVS6OYd_cld58G/s2006/OCR_0174%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlfzLegSHe_KE1HHIs-EZXAWEcJajXw_qOlgYYxNqJiq_ee7lq93_trpHZbVAyOmqLsOHn1ZWc1fVqcZwJHtCi9MuKWPon04gR1dj3ELCSqbdLq1oZIsuIeS7I7kEZqrzutNMyE-TbDOnRd6Mrc4LbvYjKTgIVk3BTINCaZWkyxEuLPyVS6OYd_cld58G/w640-h480/OCR_0174%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Many knowledgeable authorities were to be found drooling over this ancient steam-powered Foden lorry. They told us that this is a rare visitor to shows in this area and one they hadn't seen before. It's also remarkable in that all its paintwork is original.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66oEh7EX4hPxK1B13lS0V16hF-yBIyTpI3AXdapoQVKs-uX1p0Tb-ZMOC20GpeLwauHMKCkSs8PueM7p-igfqjYRB7RH9gj0suGA7f1OuKTMg33eEEgQ1Bcuy2f1Gv7ZyE0rx9tZhfDMaJd80_O_61aLB8jt9s2ChpROmcl15rPl2skN318wUpTMOiZKQ/s2006/OCR_0154%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="2006" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66oEh7EX4hPxK1B13lS0V16hF-yBIyTpI3AXdapoQVKs-uX1p0Tb-ZMOC20GpeLwauHMKCkSs8PueM7p-igfqjYRB7RH9gj0suGA7f1OuKTMg33eEEgQ1Bcuy2f1Gv7ZyE0rx9tZhfDMaJd80_O_61aLB8jt9s2ChpROmcl15rPl2skN318wUpTMOiZKQ/w640-h458/OCR_0154%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">There was an impressive line-up of elderly tractors to be admired, though some of these would disappear from time to time to demonstrate a little ploughing, or else to tow other machines that had broken down.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcm-ny8_WRBJdICqF7AEQvRXS9TlHGG2AjuYXmcAVZckc7LvKjhYoJ9gDDaoJBKcLwzwrNZfD1hr50knAmUoM9URmSHasoOqvpL7eRN9aLhP04ozrfC_ZC1VPdg9W4VbMvXV8ymGmuk_xYyVL2KzskMSt31GNV6ItMxjlTKpUFI8vCjkLjgzBJGJ2hmdoY/s2006/OCR_0180%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="2006" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcm-ny8_WRBJdICqF7AEQvRXS9TlHGG2AjuYXmcAVZckc7LvKjhYoJ9gDDaoJBKcLwzwrNZfD1hr50knAmUoM9URmSHasoOqvpL7eRN9aLhP04ozrfC_ZC1VPdg9W4VbMvXV8ymGmuk_xYyVL2KzskMSt31GNV6ItMxjlTKpUFI8vCjkLjgzBJGJ2hmdoY/w640-h458/OCR_0180%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This unusual design is "not that old", by which I mean of course that they were used during my lifetime. Every now and then some heartless person reminds me that that could still mean "ancient" to younger eyes. Anyway, this is a David Brown 2D Row-Crop Tractor that was launched to much fanfare in the late 1950s. It was revolutionary in that it was rear-engined and had a range of cultivating tools which could be mounted just in front of the driver, exactly where he could see what was going on. Despite their optimism, production ceased in 1961.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87tt2Ngr1LMIlH6tHl-MN04bxOebiDaCkr0gnBMAijCN5S3wcvnpoORFw1M3j7jKVLkGq5t0ySYDsurl0l5ZC0hEtKAy2z4-RvSDLfGcIZkwdQ1AF6UCTSOOhsmOzxKOzv_61RFnvbtrmWoCIVzscgPhNhHqTqhyRCvodI07NTp8Q3_fOqiBeZEl4GT4g/s2006/OCR_0227%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87tt2Ngr1LMIlH6tHl-MN04bxOebiDaCkr0gnBMAijCN5S3wcvnpoORFw1M3j7jKVLkGq5t0ySYDsurl0l5ZC0hEtKAy2z4-RvSDLfGcIZkwdQ1AF6UCTSOOhsmOzxKOzv_61RFnvbtrmWoCIVzscgPhNhHqTqhyRCvodI07NTp8Q3_fOqiBeZEl4GT4g/w640-h480/OCR_0227%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's an altogether more ancient beast. This is a Renault PE tractor that was first manufactured in 1926. We can take a little circular historical journey here:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <i>At 4 am, one morning in May 1896, the inventor Dan Albone jumped out of bed, much to the annoyance of his wife, with a new idea buzzing in his head. He had just conceived the modern lightweight tractor.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> By 1902 the new tractor was undergoing its first trial.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> In 1903 Dan realised that, with a covering of thick, bullet-proof metal, his new vehicle might be used by the army.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> During the 1914-18 war the new "tanks" were used for the first time. Renault in France began making similar machines.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> After the war Renault reversed the process and made agricultural tractors, based on their tanks.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> In 1926 they made the PE, their first proper agricultural tractor.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> And now here it is back in Bedfordshire, just five miles from where Mrs Albone was rudely awakened 127 years ago!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Ploughing By Steam</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Periodically the relative peace was interrupted by loud blasts from a neighbouring field. If we go through a hole in the hedge we can see what's going on.....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50k0caTQFxUyvLghvCSqIae5qk0M56uIe1VwNxGtIhB3J4Baj_VyZrartiZMyaE3lXwElPDOL3O5MNHD8BSWCzkHVMsZhp61yO1S8TEpANNt1A4YcpLW8lsDKQ7z9wKhVxfocvCRakS-yjmrrsO1bvjJfOigHWFT67pVaJayDdihrhqf6RkRrZifJWE7d/s2006/OCR_0071%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1339" data-original-width="2006" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50k0caTQFxUyvLghvCSqIae5qk0M56uIe1VwNxGtIhB3J4Baj_VyZrartiZMyaE3lXwElPDOL3O5MNHD8BSWCzkHVMsZhp61yO1S8TEpANNt1A4YcpLW8lsDKQ7z9wKhVxfocvCRakS-yjmrrsO1bvjJfOigHWFT67pVaJayDdihrhqf6RkRrZifJWE7d/w640-h428/OCR_0071%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Amid a certain amount of head-scratching they are about to begin ploughing another strip of land. The reversible plough on the right of the picture needs to be tipped down and will then be pulled up the field by another steam engine at the far end....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIN_2GB1rQQVEsVCQocplo_kxdbO5xn4zWjmBlCX0iLUsNZJSGa_qK7_gieITxzJjRKD8VEk_gxtfLCDilUxwQmUonRNiIeOwxAQ0Itv8WPhIUmkj8n2Sl5uWagTJgaJ7BOZAtnU2Wk97JNOmGkMM54rdLJ6bWZkh2JhB1Q4DVnmEjGBzKxjYvjvinYgvR/s2006/OCR_0129%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIN_2GB1rQQVEsVCQocplo_kxdbO5xn4zWjmBlCX0iLUsNZJSGa_qK7_gieITxzJjRKD8VEk_gxtfLCDilUxwQmUonRNiIeOwxAQ0Itv8WPhIUmkj8n2Sl5uWagTJgaJ7BOZAtnU2Wk97JNOmGkMM54rdLJ6bWZkh2JhB1Q4DVnmEjGBzKxjYvjvinYgvR/w640-h480/OCR_0129%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Like this! Once at the top of the hill, the plough will need to be tipped up again and man-handled into position to begin the next furrow. Then the whole apparatus will then be pulled back by.... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzyLVE8tYWlR-oRxUP9-CIRovDk3tMnmd5q-TZbtG9QhYvcEAvkRMwNvZts4zTQaYhStRddA3OA2EnPGQj2Edc77ukbGTGZC0WivGWGA0bcPB18MaHNoj9vZgOdQk9cSucSP3T4uvKB21WWZ1fHfBcEU82gIgnDmjF41EPs-KxbREqR6NgUmdsV7xNf_z/s2006/OCR_0074%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzyLVE8tYWlR-oRxUP9-CIRovDk3tMnmd5q-TZbtG9QhYvcEAvkRMwNvZts4zTQaYhStRddA3OA2EnPGQj2Edc77ukbGTGZC0WivGWGA0bcPB18MaHNoj9vZgOdQk9cSucSP3T4uvKB21WWZ1fHfBcEU82gIgnDmjF41EPs-KxbREqR6NgUmdsV7xNf_z/w640-h480/OCR_0074%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">...."Princess Caroline", patiently awaiting her turn. You can see the great drum beneath the machine which will winch in the steel cable to pull the plough. When everything's ready to go the drivers of the vehicles signal to one another with ear-splitting blasts, like this....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEXYrne1H1yIB4V8invQFOVF1X76JRbEt4Tj5mSTnoyFCpDJKqhtYKItb7Gm5HlYdHZwx9wF-IFRqDkx2v2imuglbjG82PaKf9dA74qxMzF5b9f0KZAweNQ4sVzJ-IQFTuBUFMqXmPi8PhOggUBnlDNLIU9KkrD56NSbl51R_OcsbacaSCjNQ4rxUUsSD/s2006/OCR_0126%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEXYrne1H1yIB4V8invQFOVF1X76JRbEt4Tj5mSTnoyFCpDJKqhtYKItb7Gm5HlYdHZwx9wF-IFRqDkx2v2imuglbjG82PaKf9dA74qxMzF5b9f0KZAweNQ4sVzJ-IQFTuBUFMqXmPi8PhOggUBnlDNLIU9KkrD56NSbl51R_OcsbacaSCjNQ4rxUUsSD/w640-h480/OCR_0126%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This is how ploughing was carried out in this area before Dan Albone's new tractors took over. If you hadn't guessed we were among the visitors who spent the whole day there. I'll be back in a day or two with more from the Working Steam Weekend.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-72993037129772929062023-10-06T07:52:00.001+01:002023-10-06T08:16:53.912+01:00October Song<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Just eight pictures today from a recent visit to Fen Drayton Lakes nature reserve, alongside the River Great Ouse, just ten miles from Cambridge. It's one of those sites that has been reclaimed after exploitation of the river gravels to use in building. Nature had already done much to soften the scars of quarrying before the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) stepped in.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmSBQI9Q0mKdSRSyBxJ5u65TSdkjMT-RvjDFZQaY21RG4T4sILrdP11goEtOFKZPvsOVLX6zy90KDckH3oa0R7Eug6SbkwOzbpZD3s9grQ-Xsg6_F7C5-7tEtEwSS2mzABUR0T9EDzMGPrJ-WAj-M-8z0-_iNG8XAlpR-iOB3iBsBiZlmFIi05jYIacb9/s2006/OCR_0006%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmSBQI9Q0mKdSRSyBxJ5u65TSdkjMT-RvjDFZQaY21RG4T4sILrdP11goEtOFKZPvsOVLX6zy90KDckH3oa0R7Eug6SbkwOzbpZD3s9grQ-Xsg6_F7C5-7tEtEwSS2mzABUR0T9EDzMGPrJ-WAj-M-8z0-_iNG8XAlpR-iOB3iBsBiZlmFIi05jYIacb9/w640-h480/OCR_0006%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSecLL2y4HalSwLiSyM4kPCBlukqkIfGpggku-o_oUE8vtp2n1J1PSzQkgLG8FGM4jYL5ctbslJ8-fJycjWAG_87R4y0rHI7FrzrBpDBGXcgmGPBWo_ZMcfKbmcKnbNDZJJjleuWTcGNHtcXkfwVzXWlNrNJ-hIdfUmaH8iGIlHhcYcU6j26C7cl7ltjK8/s2006/OCR_0031%20-2b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSecLL2y4HalSwLiSyM4kPCBlukqkIfGpggku-o_oUE8vtp2n1J1PSzQkgLG8FGM4jYL5ctbslJ8-fJycjWAG_87R4y0rHI7FrzrBpDBGXcgmGPBWo_ZMcfKbmcKnbNDZJJjleuWTcGNHtcXkfwVzXWlNrNJ-hIdfUmaH8iGIlHhcYcU6j26C7cl7ltjK8/w640-h480/OCR_0031%20-2b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjuCxdCnXQqCbXzuAEy9aQ1_GAuMnsqKW0WbvB6J4RUM_KSwJjhN5oMjFpm9wryOk1ccPLV2fe7PNGyOmlVRSfjnikRUgZmp85sW9npO0b9GWlikdl65SMjAAQoEconOCWslufCtwtmhxaIt_wHg85umr3hjdVi0c6ZmlO0hXB4tCrUVCFfMk2ByTraVU/s2006/OCR_0008%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjuCxdCnXQqCbXzuAEy9aQ1_GAuMnsqKW0WbvB6J4RUM_KSwJjhN5oMjFpm9wryOk1ccPLV2fe7PNGyOmlVRSfjnikRUgZmp85sW9npO0b9GWlikdl65SMjAAQoEconOCWslufCtwtmhxaIt_wHg85umr3hjdVi0c6ZmlO0hXB4tCrUVCFfMk2ByTraVU/w640-h480/OCR_0008%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHt_uQBDLIpcZZCgIkcrHvNDQUMXKZEYGKGjS0t20qSt4xLvYPzp1luh8Mr5C2_X2aIjyG0TD8hkOh3idZUJfj-lzp-PHX2kHmFFC9GiX2K2W2NuhdWuRyfoZqTbnzSyLFNWxwbNsZzajRRfSkDiKrsMJjo73uSwOAtuFcE5aKQ_9g4XjwackNw5MYHgbY/s2006/OCR_0024%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHt_uQBDLIpcZZCgIkcrHvNDQUMXKZEYGKGjS0t20qSt4xLvYPzp1luh8Mr5C2_X2aIjyG0TD8hkOh3idZUJfj-lzp-PHX2kHmFFC9GiX2K2W2NuhdWuRyfoZqTbnzSyLFNWxwbNsZzajRRfSkDiKrsMJjo73uSwOAtuFcE5aKQ_9g4XjwackNw5MYHgbY/w640-h480/OCR_0024%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lFhMXiNr1LXUKsH4KTS5mqFkMEuNS8wM9e1oclmj4s-ZxHp4lvKZPZpZs5vkQTFDJ7lx8oxWLuYlpQbDgMQRCLyG-GQ2t_9HILu1yo3PP9o5CVHV1iz18Y9vuNbPDrNHtMKcO9qNf8_qwvDJR4I3GFAae9hwg4SIX08FSRAXmc1dMwISNeU9hhsZXSii/s2006/OCR_0019%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lFhMXiNr1LXUKsH4KTS5mqFkMEuNS8wM9e1oclmj4s-ZxHp4lvKZPZpZs5vkQTFDJ7lx8oxWLuYlpQbDgMQRCLyG-GQ2t_9HILu1yo3PP9o5CVHV1iz18Y9vuNbPDrNHtMKcO9qNf8_qwvDJR4I3GFAae9hwg4SIX08FSRAXmc1dMwISNeU9hhsZXSii/w640-h480/OCR_0019%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfgB9DBZnIAiSI76qBpTw5ItCb5cdTyXlaoV0gjInROJ45TwK_DyCRfzgQKU7cetYbjaI6d3m2HROQCAmGR__OzrnFU4LkqqegSBXgt6nXPOuY6o0hl307Rc0nnQ62_yza2arHuoYD-mIEuyB_vXYyQzkEIsyJ_ZE267MC5U_6oKhO_zXfEJFtJARjPoL/s2006/OCR_0010%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfgB9DBZnIAiSI76qBpTw5ItCb5cdTyXlaoV0gjInROJ45TwK_DyCRfzgQKU7cetYbjaI6d3m2HROQCAmGR__OzrnFU4LkqqegSBXgt6nXPOuY6o0hl307Rc0nnQ62_yza2arHuoYD-mIEuyB_vXYyQzkEIsyJ_ZE267MC5U_6oKhO_zXfEJFtJARjPoL/w640-h480/OCR_0010%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXgnEMTSxjyKmJARqYFuyIqmQbmlhBW3t0JXPZqmDm9cRh9LFrni8xQDbyfGU2aEn8hm_gyl6MYBEuCp0XN8K_2sDIn4qvplTOppPIfNkBU6xNkSqFA6v6cHYjLq63kZs7_Ibr4WQX5qjML2l4tmVgBgLk90tq1aZcRjJKyC91uhPVQMriV4f_CLy9Jz8/s2006/OCR_0029%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXgnEMTSxjyKmJARqYFuyIqmQbmlhBW3t0JXPZqmDm9cRh9LFrni8xQDbyfGU2aEn8hm_gyl6MYBEuCp0XN8K_2sDIn4qvplTOppPIfNkBU6xNkSqFA6v6cHYjLq63kZs7_Ibr4WQX5qjML2l4tmVgBgLk90tq1aZcRjJKyC91uhPVQMriV4f_CLy9Jz8/w640-h480/OCR_0029%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEME5wnrQEawiQfkXb3pO45zVrj2-GsyH4SPPoiuZUZ6_VDOJr_x5D5iNPylP-XGrsZNFyjxZBWiYT5gGbLZ1rC98FfIcKr4BSFv9K7uFXtuLqmMJs7ECa0_rk63WSwAnPi19RXRmwcBsbmvXS5BgcWgd0R51LtPsFawGyVTIrLFlE9P-S5vSXLCwRQugA/s2006/OCR_0033%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEME5wnrQEawiQfkXb3pO45zVrj2-GsyH4SPPoiuZUZ6_VDOJr_x5D5iNPylP-XGrsZNFyjxZBWiYT5gGbLZ1rC98FfIcKr4BSFv9K7uFXtuLqmMJs7ECa0_rk63WSwAnPi19RXRmwcBsbmvXS5BgcWgd0R51LtPsFawGyVTIrLFlE9P-S5vSXLCwRQugA/w640-h480/OCR_0033%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A little music for Friday:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">At about this time of year I find myself singing a song that I first heard when I was 15 or 16. It's sung here by two sisters that I've enjoyed seeing a couple of times in the last few years. But fifty years before that a teenage version of me was in the Regal in Cambridge listening to the man who wrote it - Robin Williamson of the Incredible String Band.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VomBZdeDkXw" width="320" youtube-src-id="VomBZdeDkXw"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I met a man whose name was Time</i></div></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>And he said, "I must be going"</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>But just how long ago that was</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>I have no way of knowing</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-15003549951111298702023-10-04T07:14:00.004+01:002023-10-04T07:14:00.161+01:00Homefare And Produce<p><span style="font-family: arial;">In the corner of the Gransden Showground stands the Homefare And Produce Marquee. It's how the show involves the whole community with such diverse categories as Best Jar of Marmalade, Sample of Soft Handicraft, Vase Of Mixed Garden Flowers, Heaviest Vegetable Marrow and even Four Cheese Straws made by competitor aged 6 and under. When we arrived the judging had just finished and everyone was cramming in to see who'd won.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihu4GUcWlVmtOdAyBsw53j8_uorZTMe-1K_OvIiVfCnXSYvcZ8jTYbAUZ-46INUa5UCxj_YjjzANvVg3Fpkn5GhVKkJX-_5BWjHeGTC1-WbL5xf5InqSoBRRiNvq6WoL4srZLCYi6KmNVyhqT9BYzk9prNz3P57idWxRAHuT9Qci26rmQPHQwCJfgph-Dy/s2006/SPT_0714%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1925" data-original-width="2006" height="511" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihu4GUcWlVmtOdAyBsw53j8_uorZTMe-1K_OvIiVfCnXSYvcZ8jTYbAUZ-46INUa5UCxj_YjjzANvVg3Fpkn5GhVKkJX-_5BWjHeGTC1-WbL5xf5InqSoBRRiNvq6WoL4srZLCYi6KmNVyhqT9BYzk9prNz3P57idWxRAHuT9Qci26rmQPHQwCJfgph-Dy/w532-h511/SPT_0714%20-2.jpg" width="532" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1937" height="571" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWF_IJXrIYVBPfHFc014hyphenhyphenrK4z4OEdvtr9D3hW4bmLqENfqUrQqAvSjfOFp7nezEoZzRDMDlCtwu-EbO2Vw37prkvG6AqB9U_QG3zXbHGVmNPswrV9_qhjeSdCtN0X0-ZsJgpOuIzAuRV8QMjCJV3nhc1imlu8BFoXcTAR45MWkfvaKEthgtycShY0KCnI/w552-h571/SPT_0716%20-2.jpg" width="552" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sTAQpGX6bZRCpoz8FMLwog6JDAad_KyghRMpNp6iaQbANy6ACxFh6modZH_wbk2rNwqkgIFqwDRI5qMbNbbVf_dDJEGfui7a0E04GIbAVz_Ii7K14V836WpIyGxUrYwAe4vMH99bjDV9nB4qlFJ2M94RWbe8L2D0iE0lnjYWReR9lbFP79W1AFPoY3H_/s2006/SPT_0713%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1507" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sTAQpGX6bZRCpoz8FMLwog6JDAad_KyghRMpNp6iaQbANy6ACxFh6modZH_wbk2rNwqkgIFqwDRI5qMbNbbVf_dDJEGfui7a0E04GIbAVz_Ii7K14V836WpIyGxUrYwAe4vMH99bjDV9nB4qlFJ2M94RWbe8L2D0iE0lnjYWReR9lbFP79W1AFPoY3H_/w480-h640/SPT_0713%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaz1pro2pSWnGqxH5Aj0IPaRoNvvf1-A5WVAFmE0HbJrMG5xDcXswqM2FMs9I_2Dt2QhzeHdrTC36fqMylpblgoeBLqd5BkQVEuqVkjVLYbou8Oxs-KPtPTSlVzewWupR6MvuRxuKBIkvmwjSuRAfUZUsOaru1Dp22RLDzLaNZZ63U6oIEMIozu9MEykL/w640-h480/SPT_0719%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUx4s304OSKykm6fNfJ6d3hea3g_rExZqXZ7IlvzpM3chui_n_zC2twlqMw0vV_TCA1bPoJwd5jgOwLOmJJgmSx0d9a0llx6KgFZMH1ctE9h2mIocUmSstSXJueCQwTzgnFS8tQ594EHkpz-4VxYA3M8FHknW-zjT3gwbhHN9WJbJJP_VjgVydqsVOcq5/s2006/SPT_0718%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUx4s304OSKykm6fNfJ6d3hea3g_rExZqXZ7IlvzpM3chui_n_zC2twlqMw0vV_TCA1bPoJwd5jgOwLOmJJgmSx0d9a0llx6KgFZMH1ctE9h2mIocUmSstSXJueCQwTzgnFS8tQ594EHkpz-4VxYA3M8FHknW-zjT3gwbhHN9WJbJJP_VjgVydqsVOcq5/w640-h480/SPT_0718%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Apart from deciding which was the heaviest marrow (summer squash, zucchini, call it what you will), which anyone can see by glancing at my 11th photo, the judges must have had a difficult task to choose the winners from the 80 or so categories.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-63724964251856490552023-10-02T07:38:00.010+01:002023-10-02T13:06:49.584+01:00A Jolly Good Show<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Gransden Show was established in 1891 and this year celebrates its 120th show; only world wars and world pandemics have prevented it being staged. It was begun by the farmers of Gransden and the surrounding villages, both as a friendly competition and also a means to improve agricultural standards. Unlike many other shows in this predominantly arable area, it still has plenty of livestock to be seen and it's this aspect that I'd like to concentrate on.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBTQQzpO9nyis2XDpfvigPSRfW2p6bO7A6MFciZK_TyNcBpUfYyo6qU8nldTuH4AmUfqbUi7WvKrU55nq1D_qQ19cduQNMSn2cBptPwaVcB9k4zJXiH7IaWBiZl2A_RuIsusQ_-n891o2OA_RxJsIlJs1u5TbTKvvcYCtcYOq9KAKLCJHZnce9uKmFRQv/s2006/SPT_0566%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBTQQzpO9nyis2XDpfvigPSRfW2p6bO7A6MFciZK_TyNcBpUfYyo6qU8nldTuH4AmUfqbUi7WvKrU55nq1D_qQ19cduQNMSn2cBptPwaVcB9k4zJXiH7IaWBiZl2A_RuIsusQ_-n891o2OA_RxJsIlJs1u5TbTKvvcYCtcYOq9KAKLCJHZnce9uKmFRQv/w640-h480/SPT_0566%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lining up for the judges</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7W_Nu-t2SAfa2zk5Fttt4A-_GGQsMRDEEIlmioUrR8qGMb-M2GGgIDWuOW1dW2Y9m5wTR1nxk_pxwiteICEJxPJ7qtWhOyYuVHxczRscqhAry8RKqH2XE7Lqc7o3ulz5Ln5hqSGUqoSVosB6gOuKqtA2EuTrUJLs_oJTo5Ip_ZXr_evwnubl8yktGNBLa/s2006/SPT_0688%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7W_Nu-t2SAfa2zk5Fttt4A-_GGQsMRDEEIlmioUrR8qGMb-M2GGgIDWuOW1dW2Y9m5wTR1nxk_pxwiteICEJxPJ7qtWhOyYuVHxczRscqhAry8RKqH2XE7Lqc7o3ulz5Ln5hqSGUqoSVosB6gOuKqtA2EuTrUJLs_oJTo5Ip_ZXr_evwnubl8yktGNBLa/w480-h640/SPT_0688%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Awaiting their turn.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These Texel sheep have their wool dyed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">specially for the show.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTdaOz7VOha8KzxLzJGC-xPQleu6wAc1WW7IfFIqjnkTir_sHSFWe56KOcpw4mEf_VqmpcOR6dkhuNH1mIvv1kLTdbdKr-A8EspXFKDFVMeM_BUwPjR7JNHjjOFkJHiW4ddzyuvmxP5k3Kd3dooDUWC1TkvG-AO8mAxxsu_JkLsPbSBxyolCGOi-Asm1E/s2006/SPT_0568%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTdaOz7VOha8KzxLzJGC-xPQleu6wAc1WW7IfFIqjnkTir_sHSFWe56KOcpw4mEf_VqmpcOR6dkhuNH1mIvv1kLTdbdKr-A8EspXFKDFVMeM_BUwPjR7JNHjjOFkJHiW4ddzyuvmxP5k3Kd3dooDUWC1TkvG-AO8mAxxsu_JkLsPbSBxyolCGOi-Asm1E/w640-h480/SPT_0568%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">A Lincolnshire Longwool meets a Kerry Hill sheep</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>"I like your eye make-up"</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>"I simply adore your curls"</i><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVX2VEtVuiZ-72Y_fnixZmCNwWGqacxlU9acwEanptwODFmXForHpZ7oee2tuTOPrF53M6_wKQoDdNlsTgywmO8ncjLNFcLfHuSi_ykbWw1NVs5IvUMjDhvx0rjlRiOctSnpQEQqWP-0zcpF-u7ugnyYpPFWP-c-U-UB8hJxDdZx5oW3FozG5NUFjtsTs/s2006/SPT_0582%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVX2VEtVuiZ-72Y_fnixZmCNwWGqacxlU9acwEanptwODFmXForHpZ7oee2tuTOPrF53M6_wKQoDdNlsTgywmO8ncjLNFcLfHuSi_ykbWw1NVs5IvUMjDhvx0rjlRiOctSnpQEQqWP-0zcpF-u7ugnyYpPFWP-c-U-UB8hJxDdZx5oW3FozG5NUFjtsTs/w640-h480/SPT_0582%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">I've shown you Manx Loghtan sheep before,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">but this is a ram of the breed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Impressive, but described by his handler as</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"a grumpy old man"</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLT409vdjTvKXbIy9H3VU3AcdqEHLMZmCIeV0xuMuDLdx9q7_MN-cwgW9x77T7VWBBumsLr0lZMjPj9djS7U6Cipx3_stOZ3Vw-FNPPBuz4SPwUMfCDcNUBdBbe14liT_ysw_T29_VXnpOXUUMYn9RBAWhwx5qYrtEvKMj1n-63ucrotWLq9sh5vWOUzQM/s2006/SPT_0735%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1508" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLT409vdjTvKXbIy9H3VU3AcdqEHLMZmCIeV0xuMuDLdx9q7_MN-cwgW9x77T7VWBBumsLr0lZMjPj9djS7U6Cipx3_stOZ3Vw-FNPPBuz4SPwUMfCDcNUBdBbe14liT_ysw_T29_VXnpOXUUMYn9RBAWhwx5qYrtEvKMj1n-63ucrotWLq9sh5vWOUzQM/w482-h640/SPT_0735%20-2.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">These Border Leicester rams are also keen to look their best.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1tK3F15-2ehZW7bkao-P63mu1hqtW9M0KRqRpTS7JMmurW9dxPHKjgwL6uzf3dcMr6wqm2wHCtzPVnEoEVS7NLTyDm8Tuqz5HgbJUuMFHcmcnRX1L-pQsmsAcDrXaowWIKItUoGmHiZMcbWUbX0vaUnbuga18IqJLWbUXaoVxEWA7OGDa6v9ZMXT9h4Q/s2006/SPT_0596%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1tK3F15-2ehZW7bkao-P63mu1hqtW9M0KRqRpTS7JMmurW9dxPHKjgwL6uzf3dcMr6wqm2wHCtzPVnEoEVS7NLTyDm8Tuqz5HgbJUuMFHcmcnRX1L-pQsmsAcDrXaowWIKItUoGmHiZMcbWUbX0vaUnbuga18IqJLWbUXaoVxEWA7OGDa6v9ZMXT9h4Q/w640-h480/SPT_0596%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I didn't see many pigs this year.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm pretty sure this is a Welsh,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">once very popular but now a rare breed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPltpQ_GO4DOJwoI869BVXrvLwoYQ6A4XMCXMVtXGfd_xwdSG2FFtFtbJVHzxj5Gd9o_pmwtkAc84vC0HP4lwJVC1iM6MUpwaG1z4Dy-aTJtAIHzl_jM-th5nrmk7zVwxnpEmU6h8cHyLF4vCaP_UfD6Xzyv-A7dTtkvbWdddupu6Lq-D-MAmBeTZrUO1/s2006/SPT_0605%20-2a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPltpQ_GO4DOJwoI869BVXrvLwoYQ6A4XMCXMVtXGfd_xwdSG2FFtFtbJVHzxj5Gd9o_pmwtkAc84vC0HP4lwJVC1iM6MUpwaG1z4Dy-aTJtAIHzl_jM-th5nrmk7zVwxnpEmU6h8cHyLF4vCaP_UfD6Xzyv-A7dTtkvbWdddupu6Lq-D-MAmBeTZrUO1/w640-h480/SPT_0605%20-2a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And here's a Berkshire returning from the show ring.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmnvYdtKo9d9Xls5IIi9hBxXmKIr1IDlIzpFkdW4FIclU9qGHOT3Y_4tPw8DBHsctK8Iz4NlDq7AF_4YLimIFNrZHCktKnjenQjS1gNyhxz1dMJo2Sp3d4seo6AQXew1grW-vH8ngzNk5DQ8t8ZL8-VDY-ONUMdnwWAQach0zWV97q01LuGdhI61E_ljK/s2006/SPT_0612%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmnvYdtKo9d9Xls5IIi9hBxXmKIr1IDlIzpFkdW4FIclU9qGHOT3Y_4tPw8DBHsctK8Iz4NlDq7AF_4YLimIFNrZHCktKnjenQjS1gNyhxz1dMJo2Sp3d4seo6AQXew1grW-vH8ngzNk5DQ8t8ZL8-VDY-ONUMdnwWAQach0zWV97q01LuGdhI61E_ljK/w640-h480/SPT_0612%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Not the best photo I've ever taken, but a very rare sight indeed:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">a Gloucester Old Spot at full gallop!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They're such a placid breed that it's unusual to see them so animated.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FiBKTew73SMGzLdk1HlcjkDsMt70GmPxnPy_m-gvKqT9TWMRk8DYVASW249NCqeNOTRanyr9Hls8URW3zNJwz-XnUqYVCLfeguSavwh-ZUsDzNnxT0C3rrxIoXW4bh2OTYoIFvPDiOp_hB0K3sYczTzyv2Lgrccq0YKmhWLIoX6K0zakiVydKiY2m5Rq/s2006/SPT_0620%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FiBKTew73SMGzLdk1HlcjkDsMt70GmPxnPy_m-gvKqT9TWMRk8DYVASW249NCqeNOTRanyr9Hls8URW3zNJwz-XnUqYVCLfeguSavwh-ZUsDzNnxT0C3rrxIoXW4bh2OTYoIFvPDiOp_hB0K3sYczTzyv2Lgrccq0YKmhWLIoX6K0zakiVydKiY2m5Rq/w640-h480/SPT_0620%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">What a pretty little goat!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGC6gCfD4IjOxqJYklfRXuyBVCi57-xsWyR24ojg9VT5tvM1RpOWzxcNtd2_i0_avk-g8XHyrYZMv-LudvTeWr6iHrvL2fUADDcYJIZQV1-Vd4ww2TJDMUC6fvG87biAwhlrw2R_n6fhN2FVwQAsmal17wfZIBZG6QA4ntwdnEhRkW9j_zSwJr-oj_gyk/s2006/SPT_0616%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGC6gCfD4IjOxqJYklfRXuyBVCi57-xsWyR24ojg9VT5tvM1RpOWzxcNtd2_i0_avk-g8XHyrYZMv-LudvTeWr6iHrvL2fUADDcYJIZQV1-Vd4ww2TJDMUC6fvG87biAwhlrw2R_n6fhN2FVwQAsmal17wfZIBZG6QA4ntwdnEhRkW9j_zSwJr-oj_gyk/w640-h480/SPT_0616%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">There were some handsome cattle</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">like this Lincoln Red...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9iHYWKEUMY92r7LeWJ6MVq5WV7rUPIthaOYAo_yuIGbWn_Udmd212SPV60OVtSSd5tlk5RocSS0imc2j2ZMvoTAjU9vUYiWJKWdNiOlHnXBNzUwnDOkYOsoe5h-S8tfErsEv9ec8wIK4i5PEqM6v94S1drbZoTqQCFGGPUH-gV7iov97j4ne5geKOALz/s2006/SPT_0608%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9iHYWKEUMY92r7LeWJ6MVq5WV7rUPIthaOYAo_yuIGbWn_Udmd212SPV60OVtSSd5tlk5RocSS0imc2j2ZMvoTAjU9vUYiWJKWdNiOlHnXBNzUwnDOkYOsoe5h-S8tfErsEv9ec8wIK4i5PEqM6v94S1drbZoTqQCFGGPUH-gV7iov97j4ne5geKOALz/w640-h480/SPT_0608%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">....and a good-looking Hereford.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABsAr9EY-AY34mdfvoKFAQMCl8UcE7F9ojP4XTLm-DRxjCK-ee1MCKSlcP_ycrL_Hq5HKckorsGuGhKdnbGsph5VfXz48K4pvxycIat04HKHtdQ7efxDioR78LRk-0mSqVouu9gzgDMqvmqmlysxWncbzVkr5OAjcTFocaMuT0G8eEyOV2eD3fyDh4bs8/s2006/SPT_0692%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABsAr9EY-AY34mdfvoKFAQMCl8UcE7F9ojP4XTLm-DRxjCK-ee1MCKSlcP_ycrL_Hq5HKckorsGuGhKdnbGsph5VfXz48K4pvxycIat04HKHtdQ7efxDioR78LRk-0mSqVouu9gzgDMqvmqmlysxWncbzVkr5OAjcTFocaMuT0G8eEyOV2eD3fyDh4bs8/w640-h480/SPT_0692%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A couple of donkeys.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One looking sweet but sleepy...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_26Pstdkx7uYQRShf89pg9NjExs8mBqEUW3zJLkWmdHACA37OKAKdIhNjeXglZRPUQ93nibVz56h_JfOk8Cqe5kcjLEHW9NvftDNzdryGknnwXq38HubkI61shS2v0RGAvwZ249H4G4ZnD-R6moLEX6UNulNWmnRMtPxhmO8yl1TSEeXAxUbNEEuGeu0/s2006/SPT_0694%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="2006" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_26Pstdkx7uYQRShf89pg9NjExs8mBqEUW3zJLkWmdHACA37OKAKdIhNjeXglZRPUQ93nibVz56h_JfOk8Cqe5kcjLEHW9NvftDNzdryGknnwXq38HubkI61shS2v0RGAvwZ249H4G4ZnD-R6moLEX6UNulNWmnRMtPxhmO8yl1TSEeXAxUbNEEuGeu0/w522-h522/SPT_0694%20-2.jpg" width="522" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">....the other wide awake.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcv4gKhkZEad7dxNf1jPVECdXIes8dxcTDX82dUBZazTSmsoKC5XM04HASYk7njlkWMrq6tQKw_2nAu0PPFZoJCd9zrssGa9FGpRB9dRg_3OEFLfFfBeplCuGdIGhgu8rzz_Kswh0Ptvvt9GToBJtfwtWYD45ztlGsaBW7C6-bV3yDk50iBOyoR7Xomttb/s2006/SPT_0668%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcv4gKhkZEad7dxNf1jPVECdXIes8dxcTDX82dUBZazTSmsoKC5XM04HASYk7njlkWMrq6tQKw_2nAu0PPFZoJCd9zrssGa9FGpRB9dRg_3OEFLfFfBeplCuGdIGhgu8rzz_Kswh0Ptvvt9GToBJtfwtWYD45ztlGsaBW7C6-bV3yDk50iBOyoR7Xomttb/w640-h480/SPT_0668%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">I only paid a brief visit to the horse show this time.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I didn't even realise that anyone rode side-saddle any more.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcN6dNp6fCoKEhUKGdfyBazYX_8H-JqCBlrO6mLJc9rhVEF0qMnuFbKNQW7VBTXhiOUW0MsHRw0ZIV6McksrcO4HvMVCb5WJP_wok_-h0IYc0lsWqmtEiKbBWcyp9fD_b8NE_GgaGTOh52Wk2or8MoBmnbPl68ozBa0zQWyYH_2gHPoN4lX9-m2CNsxcSr/s2006/SPT_0687%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcN6dNp6fCoKEhUKGdfyBazYX_8H-JqCBlrO6mLJc9rhVEF0qMnuFbKNQW7VBTXhiOUW0MsHRw0ZIV6McksrcO4HvMVCb5WJP_wok_-h0IYc0lsWqmtEiKbBWcyp9fD_b8NE_GgaGTOh52Wk2or8MoBmnbPl68ozBa0zQWyYH_2gHPoN4lX9-m2CNsxcSr/w480-h640/SPT_0687%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">What a beauty!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgodAgQ_hQMWWUO9U6NME1mqe7TOThovd5o9H_AxN6ipQmJ4UTM4yK5BmBsTJimrZJqUsIhHK_cowTN2autbHQuHZrIAjxm2qPuA-tJGIf2z0aSejRJj0KP-zAGC8_UvHhTYrGRNWcbSW5CjI8H5Lq5SykUnoyQM10e-UflBe3Qkj8o0bspuUIwaHD4zu/s2006/SPT_0682%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgodAgQ_hQMWWUO9U6NME1mqe7TOThovd5o9H_AxN6ipQmJ4UTM4yK5BmBsTJimrZJqUsIhHK_cowTN2autbHQuHZrIAjxm2qPuA-tJGIf2z0aSejRJj0KP-zAGC8_UvHhTYrGRNWcbSW5CjI8H5Lq5SykUnoyQM10e-UflBe3Qkj8o0bspuUIwaHD4zu/w640-h480/SPT_0682%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Horses of other colours are also available!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Taking pictures of animals is never easy -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">they rarely pose how you'd like them to, but once in a while it all comes together.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here are three "double portraits" that just happened...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tSLPSw4QwJuk7qvrt2VbWpeIt6XDeXI3Rw8MXV0XjSKW3LaGOjwDqWb948hbG1F3QxLQuVu-db_TFE2UQnMY6bH0kzXtz8URmwaedQlYaYfsziCaQ1Ol1X0yQoJ5HmKprqN9ii_pWTWpL2hqELAtgjkdntemm08adrABYFPFKUjivqGvysjsfgNKpZ13/s2006/SPT_0591%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tSLPSw4QwJuk7qvrt2VbWpeIt6XDeXI3Rw8MXV0XjSKW3LaGOjwDqWb948hbG1F3QxLQuVu-db_TFE2UQnMY6bH0kzXtz8URmwaedQlYaYfsziCaQ1Ol1X0yQoJ5HmKprqN9ii_pWTWpL2hqELAtgjkdntemm08adrABYFPFKUjivqGvysjsfgNKpZ13/w640-h480/SPT_0591%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKyQRRh3dZUmBTECEIdcwofVrpXG8IDz6U7dLNu7RtL7T8uq1EQWsj7SMHGorzsFyeshwIWIsLx3QGUYOsltVvh87dthrzMxSdxQfdigFHjGlxs2JRmFKVN3uXOeKOz4l37PVjx9iOMk9hKqF0bKdfYxam4jD39-OAw6z38FwE8NvhUz0kqTTHxARmqgF/s2006/SPT_0567%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="523" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKyQRRh3dZUmBTECEIdcwofVrpXG8IDz6U7dLNu7RtL7T8uq1EQWsj7SMHGorzsFyeshwIWIsLx3QGUYOsltVvh87dthrzMxSdxQfdigFHjGlxs2JRmFKVN3uXOeKOz4l37PVjx9iOMk9hKqF0bKdfYxam4jD39-OAw6z38FwE8NvhUz0kqTTHxARmqgF/w392-h523/SPT_0567%20-2.jpg" width="392" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizamK0_QgrJddQn7qkkR2vHlQqGBghHK9yeQTKRKEXgtvNek9zFy3sz2ADpg1BJEU_0tckJmKiRRdpZPhqK5z8GSTByIIblqujXAOjppGO3QuXPvofU_VHDo0lY0Pz_UuqYH1gzFnJSWe16jAeKe78UKfrusvi8VTiM0OorpHjBDGh_mCPV9W_p-2_j9WA/s2006/SPT_0592%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizamK0_QgrJddQn7qkkR2vHlQqGBghHK9yeQTKRKEXgtvNek9zFy3sz2ADpg1BJEU_0tckJmKiRRdpZPhqK5z8GSTByIIblqujXAOjppGO3QuXPvofU_VHDo0lY0Pz_UuqYH1gzFnJSWe16jAeKe78UKfrusvi8VTiM0OorpHjBDGh_mCPV9W_p-2_j9WA/w640-h480/SPT_0592%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And that's all I've got to show you</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">till Gransden Show pulls me back once more...</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFuq284UowEM3C0wegTnx_Thv25uEds_YJ7W8Y1Y3uzicV-XDSLOr7QM-SV2lYBQm3O4XqFYr10cC-pj6IUVi2UtCnRKxk98gx-YfYofA12QCnnCqnLa5uMyKvO_iFsGn9T_uM07fPxT9gVHble3V-hGTw57Edmfp917ncZysTu6Dx7MkHtE6yferBZZD/s2006/SPT_0733%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFuq284UowEM3C0wegTnx_Thv25uEds_YJ7W8Y1Y3uzicV-XDSLOr7QM-SV2lYBQm3O4XqFYr10cC-pj6IUVi2UtCnRKxk98gx-YfYofA12QCnnCqnLa5uMyKvO_iFsGn9T_uM07fPxT9gVHble3V-hGTw57Edmfp917ncZysTu6Dx7MkHtE6yferBZZD/w533-h400/SPT_0733%20-2.jpg" width="533" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-83027884905136016192023-09-29T07:14:00.085+01:002023-10-04T11:05:09.712+01:00"Sniplets"<p><span style="font-family: arial;">It was only a matter of time till I felt compelled to investigate.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Travelling along a busy road amongst the delivery vans and commuters I kept noticing the same road sign. It pointed off down a lane of medieval narrowness, between earthen banks overhung with branches. It soon disappeared out of sight around a bend. What drew my attention was the strange and singular name on the sign; it didn't fit this area, or even this country, at all. In the evening I opened up the lap-top. Despite all their talk of AI and algorithms, sometimes using Google is like being led through a vast museum by an enthusiastic five-year-old. This time we ended up at an oral history site where an elderly Mrs Cissie Pratt claimed that during her childhood they simply called it "Sniplets".</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-HQkMDmss3FiqHRVSqFAOO3WwlLSXTpy0EXfK33czAkqimHLnc309aeX8cbvT7uZi33L7kb1M_g9oK5yZCr_zFJQhgpy2prXQi9-Ej58alvQKvyCrNyEg1C158yibSbfbZBQ_NE0iotN5t5MgQQsN-d2aUQRtengiZKHoQBHK2yHZjEQ6a3ppsIgNAmd/s2006/SPT_0563%20-2a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-HQkMDmss3FiqHRVSqFAOO3WwlLSXTpy0EXfK33czAkqimHLnc309aeX8cbvT7uZi33L7kb1M_g9oK5yZCr_zFJQhgpy2prXQi9-Ej58alvQKvyCrNyEg1C158yibSbfbZBQ_NE0iotN5t5MgQQsN-d2aUQRtengiZKHoQBHK2yHZjEQ6a3ppsIgNAmd/w640-h480/SPT_0563%20-2a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">The village of St Ippolyts takes its name from the church which is dedicated to St Hippolytus, a rather shadowy figure, or possibly three separate saints. He is usually associated with horses, though probably just because of his name; <i>hippo</i> being the Greek for horse. There's a story that he was martyred by being torn apart by horses and some have him as the patron saint of horses. The village sign portrays the happier of the two scenarios:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmZChfW6XuV8MnDk4T_g8OfxaQpcsj724krkf9-hYK38O8AYBr5ODUrSyD64Uq3jC8N80txlWb-lXY_b1a5IF6NOxna4C3VmMaUhpKXPiGUfGHX_C9hWzuW33wxaQ3ECjpIO-Iw4o8BFqaIy2V18fG4DCU4yuy3ZLxl6Bq1f4-HXP5_GksBzsD1SG2KUo/s2006/SPT_0554%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="519" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmZChfW6XuV8MnDk4T_g8OfxaQpcsj724krkf9-hYK38O8AYBr5ODUrSyD64Uq3jC8N80txlWb-lXY_b1a5IF6NOxna4C3VmMaUhpKXPiGUfGHX_C9hWzuW33wxaQ3ECjpIO-Iw4o8BFqaIy2V18fG4DCU4yuy3ZLxl6Bq1f4-HXP5_GksBzsD1SG2KUo/w389-h519/SPT_0554%20-2.jpg" width="389" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The other side of the sign depicts other aspects of village life, but you'll have to wait to see that, till I've collected some more and can make a collection. Since there were some questions about the signs in a recent post I can tell you that this sign was cast at the foundry of Henry Isaac, now a seller of fireplaces, but whose website still proudly proclaims that they started out at St Ippolyts as agricultural engineers and iron founders. It was designed by a local man, Peter French.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOruVUG2rU9AvRB21xTYeTXRiIluJ3_RlFImt29duN1u9U27HH0NOgiuNmjEu5KfY8osfaZv-tjRKFtwU3QoYbhOEVe8Gsk6Eg58gcytdzwgdeInEa3gHsdR0_f9NL2jV8jj8rJ2CE6E3dHxHwMtPnJgBIgaEE73fhfrz9E2U3Fe3CUqhBZCusxk5rSEEu/s2006/SPT_0557%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOruVUG2rU9AvRB21xTYeTXRiIluJ3_RlFImt29duN1u9U27HH0NOgiuNmjEu5KfY8osfaZv-tjRKFtwU3QoYbhOEVe8Gsk6Eg58gcytdzwgdeInEa3gHsdR0_f9NL2jV8jj8rJ2CE6E3dHxHwMtPnJgBIgaEE73fhfrz9E2U3Fe3CUqhBZCusxk5rSEEu/w640-h480/SPT_0557%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Not far from the church I noticed this striking sixteenth-century building. Up until 1971 it was a pub called <i>The Olive Branch</i>.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZ-E_c84XadgYVLfRYSckOiQT53OodeR5dTB_rjGqiR8VZZJVeDmgRvoa2ltvDAxyFepNntliA3q2maT33LhovL9cmPLaa02Aw-FRRuGGKPXj4QN28aBUw-KPmHl7odm5n_3kfG1twFDgmXeDIQ22GecLhHRFpC807Ialz7CWMwCIFF6UxaP4VHCAg10y/s2006/SPT_0561%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1505" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZ-E_c84XadgYVLfRYSckOiQT53OodeR5dTB_rjGqiR8VZZJVeDmgRvoa2ltvDAxyFepNntliA3q2maT33LhovL9cmPLaa02Aw-FRRuGGKPXj4QN28aBUw-KPmHl7odm5n_3kfG1twFDgmXeDIQ22GecLhHRFpC807Ialz7CWMwCIFF6UxaP4VHCAg10y/w480-h640/SPT_0561%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">There are more attractive houses a little further down the lane.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNXM3laYeqMKM0smkUIpFuKFd0xuqETQXNCY2U6TwqFXcFh9iZ-MYbTUHU6kXKs-F3Kt17bxJKcQa8KDDVzRDeEemmzG729jXqRODgU-_mDW-4-D6DeBgWoBkR-OXKYAhzXPaUgSjgwoBK8z6nGDYB-F6-XtJlBn8RNHB-oWHuo1arlwSZ4bz4q2-sEx6/s2006/SPT_0552%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNXM3laYeqMKM0smkUIpFuKFd0xuqETQXNCY2U6TwqFXcFh9iZ-MYbTUHU6kXKs-F3Kt17bxJKcQa8KDDVzRDeEemmzG729jXqRODgU-_mDW-4-D6DeBgWoBkR-OXKYAhzXPaUgSjgwoBK8z6nGDYB-F6-XtJlBn8RNHB-oWHuo1arlwSZ4bz4q2-sEx6/w640-h480/SPT_0552%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And if you venture down this little footpath, near the end of the churchyard, you'll soon be rewarded.....</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CoeuRbOji4Im4G4QeYqZPpWGUrtcorz7yl6ekGESPUHCoefpeV86IF1uIbU9l60XS8EUDhnz_8mkxATlvydcbAzooVvPodIdYcT-xt1-hOqizZyb8CpVyqO4OcyWImmLtrDz8eNIT8NT9BTuLKWkLKdgtw30SVwOs3_qiqedPej2jM05VuHq4xE4ICen/s2006/SPT_0551%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CoeuRbOji4Im4G4QeYqZPpWGUrtcorz7yl6ekGESPUHCoefpeV86IF1uIbU9l60XS8EUDhnz_8mkxATlvydcbAzooVvPodIdYcT-xt1-hOqizZyb8CpVyqO4OcyWImmLtrDz8eNIT8NT9BTuLKWkLKdgtw30SVwOs3_qiqedPej2jM05VuHq4xE4ICen/w640-h480/SPT_0551%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">....with views out over the surrounding countryside. Les speculated that this path would once have been taken by people from the big house as they made their way to church, and I can now confirm that he's right.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVF5aap9FLz08aYUB1yX6kuaFLubLnGBpNpzfF-kE4q__LgQxBc1G4Yg3vsAJ0j_Qz0FQj4SHlm4EvFPoyBuu37PUTXYaYSHzi24H16Sak007glC4g4j_ZDn467l13BEYJvkgb8j97wtoXzHIx-Jg0-K8fEmpd65YMd3b6NuhE6wolnQ4vHJYECAyklzd/s2006/SPT_0549%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVF5aap9FLz08aYUB1yX6kuaFLubLnGBpNpzfF-kE4q__LgQxBc1G4Yg3vsAJ0j_Qz0FQj4SHlm4EvFPoyBuu37PUTXYaYSHzi24H16Sak007glC4g4j_ZDn467l13BEYJvkgb8j97wtoXzHIx-Jg0-K8fEmpd65YMd3b6NuhE6wolnQ4vHJYECAyklzd/w640-h480/SPT_0549%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />If scenery is not your thing then you can glance to your left to enjoy the contented munching of a herd of cows.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTTaG69vIkmVLW-WHOszxSBn1jH0uSkSqGF-P781cnhyphenhyphenbh3iOsWnb1k7wX5dXUI3smfQXVQfI9ax7HlrzGkGf9JYw4L3vfRTJ2gxFgydIUi-L5w3qi-WMKTf5VDkP_K61mtenzv7CZ1MFrTsvmWA3Viao9EUSlstodeFw2mT8SUrEw-DSx3e70TttLbfN/s2006/SPT_0547%20-2a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTTaG69vIkmVLW-WHOszxSBn1jH0uSkSqGF-P781cnhyphenhyphenbh3iOsWnb1k7wX5dXUI3smfQXVQfI9ax7HlrzGkGf9JYw4L3vfRTJ2gxFgydIUi-L5w3qi-WMKTf5VDkP_K61mtenzv7CZ1MFrTsvmWA3Viao9EUSlstodeFw2mT8SUrEw-DSx3e70TttLbfN/w640-h480/SPT_0547%20-2a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">A few more steps will lead you to the pretty St Ibbs Bridge. I've just looked it up on the Listed Buildings Register and have found that it was built for the splendidly named Reverend Lax in 1801 so that he could make his way more easily from his house to the church. And speaking of splendid names: if we'd followed this track a little further we would have found ourselves in Half-Handkerchief Lane - now how did that name come about?</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kCFi7cXUrIWgB1_GAv-qLxBYdVat8LcrMY-_5T2ndpjN1_8iE9OGSD6iJORP-QvYyDbrUgO8IhmeMxe_x-DwAiBwGCWPtXutcXp5sGpXm6l9SzTZmPdAV4gtW97Qx_3Mz1he20bQqtIEEpz0Vcc0q0aAOxQtdOObBox7plgtjPJ5wKcASwfEMnLQoLU1/s2006/SPT_0513%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kCFi7cXUrIWgB1_GAv-qLxBYdVat8LcrMY-_5T2ndpjN1_8iE9OGSD6iJORP-QvYyDbrUgO8IhmeMxe_x-DwAiBwGCWPtXutcXp5sGpXm6l9SzTZmPdAV4gtW97Qx_3Mz1he20bQqtIEEpz0Vcc0q0aAOxQtdOObBox7plgtjPJ5wKcASwfEMnLQoLU1/w640-h480/SPT_0513%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">But you knew I'd have to poke my nose into the church eventually. There's been a church here since 1087, funded by one Judith, the niece of William The Conqueror. However it was much altered over the centuries, especially in the nineteenth.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8GOfYgKRd0TC3TTG-tiOI_Ynb50IuUoaCP4D7ritT-WXzLgEyQEofVP93v2U6n6n5M5sGNh78bCUWH-T-B5G0WVmMt2lO4_-dwwLlRBUorSQ0gPAgLw3VKUgsvvQQVeaEPBHIDUAT5LIyY9mHC_ICfoEm9aIa49Ed9AggjJQjCl8Tr8g8RZTAXgGNiP-/s2006/SPT_0515%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8GOfYgKRd0TC3TTG-tiOI_Ynb50IuUoaCP4D7ritT-WXzLgEyQEofVP93v2U6n6n5M5sGNh78bCUWH-T-B5G0WVmMt2lO4_-dwwLlRBUorSQ0gPAgLw3VKUgsvvQQVeaEPBHIDUAT5LIyY9mHC_ICfoEm9aIa49Ed9AggjJQjCl8Tr8g8RZTAXgGNiP-/w480-h640/SPT_0515%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">It's a rather cosy and colourful church which I couldn't help but like immediately. Much of the colour comes from the east window....</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK012FaJ23AQUQed078jvEHwWsPZiH-EommJ5FvW8RsQu4Ep_ckm_xUM-yfNHFZhGsQgLgelSjlv9GrXCyvCt_d8C6Wqo9lPYKj-pnILZFn7XGAj4b04spet_nEUppaIVYpDQZQ3Rkhma5zScnsGXiN9XmicfYb2E9qa1tMwpXFAJ9C5F_Y8KJS7TJ-r0B/s2006/SPT_0520%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1785" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK012FaJ23AQUQed078jvEHwWsPZiH-EommJ5FvW8RsQu4Ep_ckm_xUM-yfNHFZhGsQgLgelSjlv9GrXCyvCt_d8C6Wqo9lPYKj-pnILZFn7XGAj4b04spet_nEUppaIVYpDQZQ3Rkhma5zScnsGXiN9XmicfYb2E9qa1tMwpXFAJ9C5F_Y8KJS7TJ-r0B/w570-h640/SPT_0520%20-2.jpg" width="570" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">It shows the twelve-year-old Jesus (centre) disputing with the learned Doctors (left) while Mary and Joseph (right) look on with some astonishment.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQSv-fveB4JHZ3ACqAJMbpLejf5rKY7fqu-vjTWuQAutyr5XS3s7G76ucHPZWCDK2xPI56vECgYZJQlGMYO5IhBIlqon6487HF85sPiI6KqhS1z1ao9115_c_Wyq7e041z5L7PHmMZpZyQigEgkhODfz3LvAfd0_hycWAHv83BgMKuC-QMH0RUuGMwhCx/s2006/SPT_0516%20-2a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQSv-fveB4JHZ3ACqAJMbpLejf5rKY7fqu-vjTWuQAutyr5XS3s7G76ucHPZWCDK2xPI56vECgYZJQlGMYO5IhBIlqon6487HF85sPiI6KqhS1z1ao9115_c_Wyq7e041z5L7PHmMZpZyQigEgkhODfz3LvAfd0_hycWAHv83BgMKuC-QMH0RUuGMwhCx/w640-h480/SPT_0516%20-2a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Then there's a rather battered tomb of a priest.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnPMIjBdYSHI1hZOWfqLnyBldPkBYQaRhXhqSwSFZztWDpvwj6Nd3yGy7S0GqBXIGnLYdL6PJiDIp2ee32G2YkCx4fkPDS2gqPwdV90jlV87MNd4xTv_w-meoocAaP2Q3rBXgh1_F2Gddi24MGKTK8nYe-QTj3ZXQ89FgiTcCLK56HdUoUG7CJ7VeTd_y/s2006/SPT_0519%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnPMIjBdYSHI1hZOWfqLnyBldPkBYQaRhXhqSwSFZztWDpvwj6Nd3yGy7S0GqBXIGnLYdL6PJiDIp2ee32G2YkCx4fkPDS2gqPwdV90jlV87MNd4xTv_w-meoocAaP2Q3rBXgh1_F2Gddi24MGKTK8nYe-QTj3ZXQ89FgiTcCLK56HdUoUG7CJ7VeTd_y/w480-h640/SPT_0519%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And here's a more modern lectern with again a horse recalling St Hippolytus. Behind it is one of those mysterious faces that are known architecturally as corbel-heads. It's impossible to ever find out any information about who they depict and it's generally assumed that the stonemasons rather improvised these details, so they may be people to do with the church, the masons' family members or indeed the masons themselves. You can meet them, if you like, and decide for yourselves....</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBVi7Vs8hr9fMc-Q53u-M_vfjPDdgBGCqPG1SVPA5qy01_upCyqIAnltdlO-ZAAylkBpAgLq9LZPoTBOPneCCjamCdJEyS782d_kU_v7vm1Xfbso_NLzPbOO7VzxAN4cOD-VP0AF_Jl_WCkCHBHAhmsXk1iTMntrN1aA5AjxNxYZ11KTQdOcK8lOH-oqh/s1889/Image17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="1889" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBVi7Vs8hr9fMc-Q53u-M_vfjPDdgBGCqPG1SVPA5qy01_upCyqIAnltdlO-ZAAylkBpAgLq9LZPoTBOPneCCjamCdJEyS782d_kU_v7vm1Xfbso_NLzPbOO7VzxAN4cOD-VP0AF_Jl_WCkCHBHAhmsXk1iTMntrN1aA5AjxNxYZ11KTQdOcK8lOH-oqh/w640-h152/Image17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5VVYJSS_e1ESqGsXlFQMeq_-94kN22vRD3Esct01zV_bhh15tRaZPajqK7HnDRLkC-rUxefc5tWabtznNy2nlfGC5Z2dQLWEKw28XfHI35otV4EgkXjOaQ7e32vTivfEPZP3A3exsCrXC5eemkPWNGTxA67gub8tn0JslDZ4bz_gGdJnL36C2B-oqhD6/s1889/Image18.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="1889" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5VVYJSS_e1ESqGsXlFQMeq_-94kN22vRD3Esct01zV_bhh15tRaZPajqK7HnDRLkC-rUxefc5tWabtznNy2nlfGC5Z2dQLWEKw28XfHI35otV4EgkXjOaQ7e32vTivfEPZP3A3exsCrXC5eemkPWNGTxA67gub8tn0JslDZ4bz_gGdJnL36C2B-oqhD6/w640-h152/Image18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_Ma0ZUMnutJI7DrWyWeQda1h0iCuGsNE93h8bFIA-egI5uXP0xZ0AH1N5eGQ-REufmrKHXJTNI1hoopYIOk94tyJs-eIPueTCEVX3vPFKC_AIINT_mpGvt2f6G7J5zd0Pks7fMtouncI0fg0fJ1wrAragHStJ5jdXWrUkkmelBzdRo1jlWqXR5iQY315/s1889/Image20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="1889" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_Ma0ZUMnutJI7DrWyWeQda1h0iCuGsNE93h8bFIA-egI5uXP0xZ0AH1N5eGQ-REufmrKHXJTNI1hoopYIOk94tyJs-eIPueTCEVX3vPFKC_AIINT_mpGvt2f6G7J5zd0Pks7fMtouncI0fg0fJ1wrAragHStJ5jdXWrUkkmelBzdRo1jlWqXR5iQY315/w640-h152/Image20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcw_5Ofg-RQH38BwS2Kxuq4XzsF4l6aJs7ZzDB9VeqoHd3v92xl9b-sRRiSfmPVjOceb31GzgnrpYY8-vI_VHhp57O_et5NAznCvADItEmBlOPHTzKR6IIrRRTkO3o6_Jv6nMahWZz2tdB-0B-vBkCoj0B12K_k9SF8yFcXm0dzatAYO7Ah9H5_NUv5p9/s1889/Image19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="1889" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcw_5Ofg-RQH38BwS2Kxuq4XzsF4l6aJs7ZzDB9VeqoHd3v92xl9b-sRRiSfmPVjOceb31GzgnrpYY8-vI_VHhp57O_et5NAznCvADItEmBlOPHTzKR6IIrRRTkO3o6_Jv6nMahWZz2tdB-0B-vBkCoj0B12K_k9SF8yFcXm0dzatAYO7Ah9H5_NUv5p9/w640-h152/Image19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: arial;">But there we must leave them and go outside once more into the sunshine, start the car, then tiptoe back down the winding lane and chance our luck turning out on to the busy A602.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnE0pPepXQkUVq9HGblrIo-OmReMJu5I3mNxUIGDOfVSj_JS3Bbi8Xk2jlddcbMS3ipo6--LUvaSnS887N8ZpzxD0UpChz6GQMUFwiIBAVJN71Nuh1JLQ_aSnYqP1lM9M_0VVMmAGLRuo3gTB18Qx-LAPsh428_YH56eiAVnJqPmHpG3hyfJAUj3uVwcni/s2006/SPT_0558%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnE0pPepXQkUVq9HGblrIo-OmReMJu5I3mNxUIGDOfVSj_JS3Bbi8Xk2jlddcbMS3ipo6--LUvaSnS887N8ZpzxD0UpChz6GQMUFwiIBAVJN71Nuh1JLQ_aSnYqP1lM9M_0VVMmAGLRuo3gTB18Qx-LAPsh428_YH56eiAVnJqPmHpG3hyfJAUj3uVwcni/w640-h480/SPT_0558%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-22090800219504031072023-09-27T08:31:00.004+01:002023-09-27T16:50:09.088+01:00Country Byways<p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hertfordshire continues to delight. Away from the modern shopping malls and the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">madness of the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">motorway there are areas where places are hardly big enough to count as places and roads barely wide enough to be called roads. Of course, these secluded enclaves are bounded by busy highways and surrounded by bustling towns, but the wandering pedestrian can still escape for an hour or two in landscapes that seem remote in both time and place</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdC6yMiR8T8pW50sCAkhvS4QE98SZEOfh0IlO8wC1wqo4naMB1nEmGlDUTcsSpci-ZVftRNl6rQYt2j4ghIpo7SfxsR87jmFBXqQJci3GzKmfEtdir_hu8H5eheQB168ggZL3xvAOgaIkpORbvrVTtvP7D0I64Qcz92hfS_ViG7qdQVKhDKR55ILBGQWNw/s2006/SPT_0459%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdC6yMiR8T8pW50sCAkhvS4QE98SZEOfh0IlO8wC1wqo4naMB1nEmGlDUTcsSpci-ZVftRNl6rQYt2j4ghIpo7SfxsR87jmFBXqQJci3GzKmfEtdir_hu8H5eheQB168ggZL3xvAOgaIkpORbvrVTtvP7D0I64Qcz92hfS_ViG7qdQVKhDKR55ILBGQWNw/w640-h480/SPT_0459%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We're starting today in the well-heeled village of Preston, though it wasn't always so opulent. It didn't have it's own church till 1900 and the Red Lion is only here because in 1982 the villagers got together to run it as the country's first community pub. But today's Monday so it won't be open at lunchtime.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2V-3NT5VcSJY7vef0R3tGXW6qEucX2PZiTpaQ6bGE_d0N80LZ6EEieEuT-UnGVw_PO_FMpepVs7DEpZr0vqbeUgd3aq1GTOrjIB9I5RNDrfqbB68bqUCPu6ppg9eKYuAfHOmofgaZw59kwydohlj3e6_r_rDStGx40B4BD-_-lui6_ejx396JwvlMjjon/s2006/SPT_0465%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2V-3NT5VcSJY7vef0R3tGXW6qEucX2PZiTpaQ6bGE_d0N80LZ6EEieEuT-UnGVw_PO_FMpepVs7DEpZr0vqbeUgd3aq1GTOrjIB9I5RNDrfqbB68bqUCPu6ppg9eKYuAfHOmofgaZw59kwydohlj3e6_r_rDStGx40B4BD-_-lui6_ejx396JwvlMjjon/w480-h640/SPT_0465%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Soon we're out of the village and strolling down one of the narrow roads where passing places are few and parking spaces non-existent. Luckily traffic is infrequent and we can stand around searching the hedgerows for bird life.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MMXoNj0zOlaikAQAP-JbdLSmsxa3Iiz0ity3je2nnSl-3jmcNv1aOqO_dOL9pRuOWoLPbQ_G-4GT-Bx3Jt6OPdPxDQhRRkHusrkqAbpCjWzIvCszrI2lEvZ-fLt9L4OXQZwAVTfasWUt5RIFOxHcb18fmk1qio9fZLDKBkjiZSQtem7IV9gRKCvzE5O2/s2006/SPT_0463%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1507" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MMXoNj0zOlaikAQAP-JbdLSmsxa3Iiz0ity3je2nnSl-3jmcNv1aOqO_dOL9pRuOWoLPbQ_G-4GT-Bx3Jt6OPdPxDQhRRkHusrkqAbpCjWzIvCszrI2lEvZ-fLt9L4OXQZwAVTfasWUt5RIFOxHcb18fmk1qio9fZLDKBkjiZSQtem7IV9gRKCvzE5O2/w480-h640/SPT_0463%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Autumn berries are thick on the branches this year, which is said to foretell a severe winter, though it's more likely just the result of a warm but showery summer, such as the one just drawing to a close.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMb1XmdcTjVYSulJDemXSOtIvp2mzYgLfRyR4IVT0JHQeTG6DTWaO_wzA3qjYnnKM7jdQ-tieytheoN5s4Q8HsHk9x2OXRIQPyFA77RPuuQ16e1rrpkfkJMgPx2n3pyI8OS1WTRaNpFKvqnG6JSvXDGu0WoJyhPomHVXjN3IQuhMfhR7RLuCSU_WuN-Sl/s2006/SPT_0467%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMb1XmdcTjVYSulJDemXSOtIvp2mzYgLfRyR4IVT0JHQeTG6DTWaO_wzA3qjYnnKM7jdQ-tieytheoN5s4Q8HsHk9x2OXRIQPyFA77RPuuQ16e1rrpkfkJMgPx2n3pyI8OS1WTRaNpFKvqnG6JSvXDGu0WoJyhPomHVXjN3IQuhMfhR7RLuCSU_WuN-Sl/w480-h640/SPT_0467%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">There you are: this bizarre countryside in a single photo. A farm lurks behind luxuriant pathside vegetation while a jet makes its way in to nearby Luton Airport, all watched by an unconcerned Buzzard perched in a tree.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJO5pWYo3K8IgxiEo1e8WGCNrhi5TCsTKO5eWn3K0MnxNSg21Gzkb9Vmwm4PMN8CTZQff0O7fmv8aMiyM1S29VWvyS_VO9M5CJrBKoU-obza3cbmJQRuuLD50gHmiQWjbds5407ALSWIVMLkkeTEnybsyogm2Sf2vDfQUc8yv8UuCZOKFlnZKsxkQ5RWVW/s2006/SPT_0470%20-2a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJO5pWYo3K8IgxiEo1e8WGCNrhi5TCsTKO5eWn3K0MnxNSg21Gzkb9Vmwm4PMN8CTZQff0O7fmv8aMiyM1S29VWvyS_VO9M5CJrBKoU-obza3cbmJQRuuLD50gHmiQWjbds5407ALSWIVMLkkeTEnybsyogm2Sf2vDfQUc8yv8UuCZOKFlnZKsxkQ5RWVW/w640-h480/SPT_0470%20-2a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This is farming country, but with a fair scattering hedges and trees. We were just congratulating ourselves on the wide grassy path when we were suddenly directed across a recently ploughed field with no sign of a track.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLeJULhsYO9YUk8JsAzQZUJMJXoSPdSUBdT0ByoKGgKvKr3QHu6B3GNShyfjpPsdg5DJLZDNrZgsbTFqEIE4gELmKAFCJvRnG2YDYjm87rcE45BEF9ssq47obh9Mq2DSPDSQ5vkOmiGtkRqOuSR4GH6mw_7-kNqWEXRkneRoWr4iOEwuTJGHuqJ6ILB4N/s2006/SPT_0471%20-2aa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLeJULhsYO9YUk8JsAzQZUJMJXoSPdSUBdT0ByoKGgKvKr3QHu6B3GNShyfjpPsdg5DJLZDNrZgsbTFqEIE4gELmKAFCJvRnG2YDYjm87rcE45BEF9ssq47obh9Mq2DSPDSQ5vkOmiGtkRqOuSR4GH6mw_7-kNqWEXRkneRoWr4iOEwuTJGHuqJ6ILB4N/w640-h480/SPT_0471%20-2aa.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">We came out, just as we should have done, near Whitehall Farm. There were some interesting old farm buildings but a man was leaning on the gate, enjoying a cigarette, and I didn't feel I could ask him to move just so I could get a photo.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTCAV5kjlYl9_XC5MqifR-xMqT-aGulDHpb-QZd9NIjhYhtjnVP0qj-JHYt6x_8ekTnm61M7Jpw8HkKXevU5F8LZLLrcbjPf7uhorclIJcE3TQd9NdTf2ZloKa6WjRnlAvTM6Gk02p52NhKnkVt4V3rYXbiflS1W4vB-l8MTcKUsDyKWanRKUW-GsuUK1/s2006/SPT_0474%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTCAV5kjlYl9_XC5MqifR-xMqT-aGulDHpb-QZd9NIjhYhtjnVP0qj-JHYt6x_8ekTnm61M7Jpw8HkKXevU5F8LZLLrcbjPf7uhorclIJcE3TQd9NdTf2ZloKa6WjRnlAvTM6Gk02p52NhKnkVt4V3rYXbiflS1W4vB-l8MTcKUsDyKWanRKUW-GsuUK1/w640-h480/SPT_0474%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We now entered Kingswalden Deer Park, though the hedges no longer look high enough to contain deer. We wandered in a large loop around the parkland and though we didn't see any deer, or even cattle, we saw plenty of ancient oak trees.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfqQVin5601ebzxDndOP8LaSJHgt2LZVvoigALUpkfoW0gQWK5mDy_OilmJUme3AogT0f4pXOZiebkATKN5v0n3w8yOcNMKXuVg0CAn0yx3ZntmFvgWorAKI7GcMcP3-vSBPX5NKfqmHQPwqoesJcwp40MEpPmngCRRllCXIzJBkDJ2ZNhlfuMtDj4s7r/s2006/SPT_0488%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1505" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfqQVin5601ebzxDndOP8LaSJHgt2LZVvoigALUpkfoW0gQWK5mDy_OilmJUme3AogT0f4pXOZiebkATKN5v0n3w8yOcNMKXuVg0CAn0yx3ZntmFvgWorAKI7GcMcP3-vSBPX5NKfqmHQPwqoesJcwp40MEpPmngCRRllCXIzJBkDJ2ZNhlfuMtDj4s7r/w480-h640/SPT_0488%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This cluster of trees are well past their best but still look as though they're prepared to fight off anyone who means them harm!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDinsrlN17rcDjm39gGCbWCce5AdOPVlSJbwrVruKXrS2TWeqOVpsFJrrrKISGNYkNBvSNrEeYm-Wswws5SCj2feVndJNpOUp-_DrGfTQKVKLXsiM7OYRjcBwekGDB_L8tJ0vO5cRQnDXKD2eDHdsDBMrLtrm9o7eZRATkU05DBXV9dpv2OVxiPxpZk-W/s2006/SPT_0478%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDinsrlN17rcDjm39gGCbWCce5AdOPVlSJbwrVruKXrS2TWeqOVpsFJrrrKISGNYkNBvSNrEeYm-Wswws5SCj2feVndJNpOUp-_DrGfTQKVKLXsiM7OYRjcBwekGDB_L8tJ0vO5cRQnDXKD2eDHdsDBMrLtrm9o7eZRATkU05DBXV9dpv2OVxiPxpZk-W/w640-h480/SPT_0478%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">But they can't fight off the natural forces that are slowly breaking them down. One of the chief beauties of this old park is that everything appears to be left to its own devices with only minimal interference from meddlesome mankind. Apart from the occasional walker it seems to be little visited - probably because there's hardly anywhere you can park nearby.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JtNs1_Eo7kp0og0uasuKwHHosjQtyUBTpj3uDgVyJlnBqtH9PAcIUxyoFTHRgo408YNpUD-5yqMiTmm3vFc7hsMdsp-CntFNbjRjJlQRjFaa915Vm6AiTJmR-JYORNORkXpukdUDcgiivq4wypnevpJUyedB6_aZ5O5YeYaQ7KHx7qE7TNe-B8l-ACwy/s2006/SPT_0490%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JtNs1_Eo7kp0og0uasuKwHHosjQtyUBTpj3uDgVyJlnBqtH9PAcIUxyoFTHRgo408YNpUD-5yqMiTmm3vFc7hsMdsp-CntFNbjRjJlQRjFaa915Vm6AiTJmR-JYORNORkXpukdUDcgiivq4wypnevpJUyedB6_aZ5O5YeYaQ7KHx7qE7TNe-B8l-ACwy/w640-h480/SPT_0490%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Old trees often take on this "stag-headed" appearance, but this one is taking the look to extremes. Those wooden posts mark the position of drains; I think this grassy path must once have been the main approach to Kings Walden House, where horse-drawn coaches would have brought visitors and given them an impressive first view of the estate</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhTc6AB1LrzorIjxRcHZ2gFDAeHA2NvhOvbuSL2BXV2PJ8LW-I7mY3zC0B0hpk2tA0AT8XN6spa8OgF9igBX9o9i7F8Quwp7d22HUfp7BJTduyzoqv-qm6NFY6wrP9hIrAbG0Jxdl5Npmuxl22EYUSe-FX4uvw_kOTJyUHgWdBATmL9BYOPJ3ac_WzV1l/s2006/SPT_0480%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhTc6AB1LrzorIjxRcHZ2gFDAeHA2NvhOvbuSL2BXV2PJ8LW-I7mY3zC0B0hpk2tA0AT8XN6spa8OgF9igBX9o9i7F8Quwp7d22HUfp7BJTduyzoqv-qm6NFY6wrP9hIrAbG0Jxdl5Npmuxl22EYUSe-FX4uvw_kOTJyUHgWdBATmL9BYOPJ3ac_WzV1l/w480-h640/SPT_0480%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I loved the way the high cirrus clouds gave this tree a twirly top-knot! We came out in the wonderfully-named Miserable Lane and made a brief stop for a drink of squash and the buttered scones that Les had been carrying for us.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEn6lPKNnRttOhg4R5rdPEm9tZ7_-Puzbz35T5SoN7OQ7o6kZu7i-x1QwxJGxGnLEXuKhvdANyFGYYcykdYX1zbxLBof8SNYRID_suUcfiI68ktnhaXveiq9R42acf9elZ-Ky9oIkbzyOpZMwCBm8Zc9XBTrnl1QXlqBU2gQqE4rtz2ncVAWZnFA6BEIH1/s2006/SPT_0495%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEn6lPKNnRttOhg4R5rdPEm9tZ7_-Puzbz35T5SoN7OQ7o6kZu7i-x1QwxJGxGnLEXuKhvdANyFGYYcykdYX1zbxLBof8SNYRID_suUcfiI68ktnhaXveiq9R42acf9elZ-Ky9oIkbzyOpZMwCBm8Zc9XBTrnl1QXlqBU2gQqE4rtz2ncVAWZnFA6BEIH1/w640-h480/SPT_0495%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I said we were walking in a circle around the park and here we are back at the farm. The smoker has withdrawn and I can get my photo of what I first thought to be a dovecot, but I'm now sure is a traditional granary, raised up off the ground to prevent access to mice and rats.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0jg3ywzhAFIhc6Uu5Uuv-8GqsdelNr26MJei-RrESIf1RjwmsktpjIuiWoHp9NHbw85tATjx5hUG2tYM9wOxAO-EJVTPIex53fi60qRqcuo_VFA-kt7vbU2QzqjkSUzNZXmTMjSXaEDvfd02J1oB6wKaTlqHz2IbocEPacEc6WZ_cu9DLXbELxVFO_0Q/s2006/SPT_0497%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0jg3ywzhAFIhc6Uu5Uuv-8GqsdelNr26MJei-RrESIf1RjwmsktpjIuiWoHp9NHbw85tATjx5hUG2tYM9wOxAO-EJVTPIex53fi60qRqcuo_VFA-kt7vbU2QzqjkSUzNZXmTMjSXaEDvfd02J1oB6wKaTlqHz2IbocEPacEc6WZ_cu9DLXbELxVFO_0Q/w640-h480/SPT_0497%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Then we began to weave our way back through the fields towards Preston.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgCzStCuVBEWcxIkNXfdZ4Se90v81DaRxWZ_Gu69WqFQXYwuB2S18V_eXY94xoeiivBSQsGRUEtQc0euMXeojcaegY3JZCKUobWx4ImHBbnzrFrrzvUhy7ihMjM0sgUipz9yiu2qUaORbL4Qlh1HDZgpKSGia4egTscvoCLUScR47lJWONI7KjzwVU0bN/s2006/SPT_0503%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgCzStCuVBEWcxIkNXfdZ4Se90v81DaRxWZ_Gu69WqFQXYwuB2S18V_eXY94xoeiivBSQsGRUEtQc0euMXeojcaegY3JZCKUobWx4ImHBbnzrFrrzvUhy7ihMjM0sgUipz9yiu2qUaORbL4Qlh1HDZgpKSGia4egTscvoCLUScR47lJWONI7KjzwVU0bN/w640-h480/SPT_0503%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Much of our route was along shady paths that were once minor roads - Whitehall Lane, across Back Lane and finally a section of Deadwoman's Lane. There must be a story to that last name, but I doubt it's a happy one.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzBju1QloXUZYUmAAOiwj7iZcYzBiT98W8a-tK442hARMNvg_wS76zbBVIAJFopvjwhUb8FnwPpKqyEiyFAgjyveOtbsqzirI-Rnq9VFJkam5U3mAwU4xKgCl8y5CMAdmn_438ODCGsEAMyGJS3nphzAgAvfekJBaMpqbmuPh2ap7XUwvO_BZp880SV6r/s2006/SPT_0506%20-2a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzBju1QloXUZYUmAAOiwj7iZcYzBiT98W8a-tK442hARMNvg_wS76zbBVIAJFopvjwhUb8FnwPpKqyEiyFAgjyveOtbsqzirI-Rnq9VFJkam5U3mAwU4xKgCl8y5CMAdmn_438ODCGsEAMyGJS3nphzAgAvfekJBaMpqbmuPh2ap7XUwvO_BZp880SV6r/w640-h480/SPT_0506%20-2a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Then we had just a few meadows to cross to complete the walk.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14cHekYlo59GVQf2G7dSDhLduiyj8_Es5GAM5lIjeCemzcHbxWc48JqCGxk8s0-454AiLNSIWdbeEGyjjKRfP8Z8RUwJch5_dIxW7o7HWJnZwDVD7n88s8Z-bei0eM1pZiKKv8CQ8yiQNcaXpEoRDxVN8rY0bm6xLntKgGSeDzQFEerocDHCHo9cD9fyD/s2006/SPT_0507%20-2a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14cHekYlo59GVQf2G7dSDhLduiyj8_Es5GAM5lIjeCemzcHbxWc48JqCGxk8s0-454AiLNSIWdbeEGyjjKRfP8Z8RUwJch5_dIxW7o7HWJnZwDVD7n88s8Z-bei0eM1pZiKKv8CQ8yiQNcaXpEoRDxVN8rY0bm6xLntKgGSeDzQFEerocDHCHo9cD9fyD/w640-h480/SPT_0507%20-2a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">It was quite a short section but not without its charms and still felt quiet and remote from modern life. We reflected</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> that</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">all morning</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> we'd only seen a couple of dog walkers, a man on a bike and a smoker leaning on a gate. There are another 1.2 million people hiding somewhere in this small county!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRj1SzsFoIO49D8_jZx__IhQT9j7CD_1JGIKu_UHn0NolcihRItg-BQk5v6i4VoYnIt5sMryhYLxKcEutBYqv72e144RACS04i0Q3j6hzHeybItz4ydZPMU3z4zgETRPuE92PnIA9IQ4TuamDUk_Dn72s30dvdJtgta2ot9Vi549_XdG6U9At29XPIWhZ/s2006/SPT_0509%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2006" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRj1SzsFoIO49D8_jZx__IhQT9j7CD_1JGIKu_UHn0NolcihRItg-BQk5v6i4VoYnIt5sMryhYLxKcEutBYqv72e144RACS04i0Q3j6hzHeybItz4ydZPMU3z4zgETRPuE92PnIA9IQ4TuamDUk_Dn72s30dvdJtgta2ot9Vi549_XdG6U9At29XPIWhZ/w640-h480/SPT_0509%20-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Like the whole of today's excursion there was no shortage of photogenic trees and we lingered a while to drink in the last drops of a lovely ramble.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcGjSufBoTDdPo_ncEBIUvuW_FufJvHTuGGy4s_7ibwLU78tGwy9IID_geqDJl3kpC0EtuiJx3GuBc9z6acAQLX0RuFkcJN85n7BSHMjVEdhvvmkartTzIx44e25nOo2uP03OdVC2kShmCH1d-5k_EzOx8yr8LQ8kiuB2SFH5Nbq2eK_U-nb0Iz1OJEjb/s2006/SPT_0460%20-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="1506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcGjSufBoTDdPo_ncEBIUvuW_FufJvHTuGGy4s_7ibwLU78tGwy9IID_geqDJl3kpC0EtuiJx3GuBc9z6acAQLX0RuFkcJN85n7BSHMjVEdhvvmkartTzIx44e25nOo2uP03OdVC2kShmCH1d-5k_EzOx8yr8LQ8kiuB2SFH5Nbq2eK_U-nb0Iz1OJEjb/w480-h640/SPT_0460%20-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As I mentioned at the beginning, the pub is closed today and even the old well is no longer functional. Luckily we know of another pub just 10 minutes' drive down the road.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></p><p><br /></p>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404276749629719070.post-5347913961672947532023-09-22T07:21:00.001+01:002023-09-22T07:21:00.150+01:00Village Identity<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Earlier this month I showed you the village of Mistley and one or two of you commented on its superb sign. Many villages have such signs, usually somewhere near the centre of the settlement. It is however quite a new tradition and I remember seeing some of the first examples. Now they are everywhere. Some are carved and painted wood and others are metal silhouettes. Some show similarities that make me think they are the work of the same person, others are so individual that they must be the work of someone in the village.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCYc8xg95ETokKLQW8X_fIsHm-TF6a3T25Ebi1u_js9RQ8lwgdJKbCibW7QkHHPs8Ve3BKuCHerLvvhx8zmj5ZYGI7R5215IVtyUzkxjRN-zQ8Vu7gdntLbGbQpJ7892ps68oLAaTJx422_pxXFVsix2Hp9t123Vn_DNwnCBDzl6wL7muM7zdaqRHKf2U/s2000/Image1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="2000" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCYc8xg95ETokKLQW8X_fIsHm-TF6a3T25Ebi1u_js9RQ8lwgdJKbCibW7QkHHPs8Ve3BKuCHerLvvhx8zmj5ZYGI7R5215IVtyUzkxjRN-zQ8Vu7gdntLbGbQpJ7892ps68oLAaTJx422_pxXFVsix2Hp9t123Vn_DNwnCBDzl6wL7muM7zdaqRHKf2U/w640-h284/Image1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvQCQampz35M448CN_3ZkDXnVcRcUChGpJr-lW1ndrhu5Ik8VSHDPKbFP8uR4Z6j39VfTDrdu3cTNzCRTrppYQXDLOu5XeJCgt76BNqfoX_Y62cNutYQqQsXR4L97-27Tqk_82iBJ12ZhnWyR8wE219Zjie8NfMPP-OZi1nl2XDKMbIg7KgrXf_89pwcd/s2000/Image4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="2000" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvQCQampz35M448CN_3ZkDXnVcRcUChGpJr-lW1ndrhu5Ik8VSHDPKbFP8uR4Z6j39VfTDrdu3cTNzCRTrppYQXDLOu5XeJCgt76BNqfoX_Y62cNutYQqQsXR4L97-27Tqk_82iBJ12ZhnWyR8wE219Zjie8NfMPP-OZi1nl2XDKMbIg7KgrXf_89pwcd/w640-h284/Image4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KUEdGPBMra9wpg5JVIu2tcyOkPUZ5J2PeZNL9pX33RYzJmM7lMpbIN0MA-EcqkP2RXvql7pM7OXGB7w-NhL-1s50Pxj1vaFDO7GZ1NSB38RE9TGNHGjaWnx5KC4Mn_U5xNC7gNmbInnG0H0ajgIvTYkYY5fP7NxACAjhaVKbRfTprtJV5orxO_yGuTDY/s2000/Image3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="2000" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KUEdGPBMra9wpg5JVIu2tcyOkPUZ5J2PeZNL9pX33RYzJmM7lMpbIN0MA-EcqkP2RXvql7pM7OXGB7w-NhL-1s50Pxj1vaFDO7GZ1NSB38RE9TGNHGjaWnx5KC4Mn_U5xNC7gNmbInnG0H0ajgIvTYkYY5fP7NxACAjhaVKbRfTprtJV5orxO_yGuTDY/w640-h284/Image3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqciZA7WBCgfw9D6S6l3BZZYazXipLVr67phenrUU8dSIDGB1A3-8fYo65UQwN2OofgIwwribxixIoKEgWfeNMn-mDXHvv61d1oPWQlb31rhrPbj2_ugBMtshFg1aE_s-VEY9D-z9oxKgDfna031ut2cfqc44VLqEPhm1hiDU_8T1hr-JiC4LN2S2yYIJf/s2000/Image2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="2000" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqciZA7WBCgfw9D6S6l3BZZYazXipLVr67phenrUU8dSIDGB1A3-8fYo65UQwN2OofgIwwribxixIoKEgWfeNMn-mDXHvv61d1oPWQlb31rhrPbj2_ugBMtshFg1aE_s-VEY9D-z9oxKgDfna031ut2cfqc44VLqEPhm1hiDU_8T1hr-JiC4LN2S2yYIJf/w640-h284/Image2.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4TmhjRlFOsCYQdkr-THeGms6KRmDubbKbKc0VrTz-4dRJz207IBZ8PfsCMCLYc2SatqbbzBA2xuiLYt2RJHdV4tdLBqtvVLcDk47mEIr45jujJI5v5Kho8cZQ1qcj3b4Ar2WvGaT05ugiGjfXj3q_oFRaTs211gf9Mqlew3AFbilxfFj6ko7MIUbIAqg/s2000/Imagep.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="2000" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4TmhjRlFOsCYQdkr-THeGms6KRmDubbKbKc0VrTz-4dRJz207IBZ8PfsCMCLYc2SatqbbzBA2xuiLYt2RJHdV4tdLBqtvVLcDk47mEIr45jujJI5v5Kho8cZQ1qcj3b4Ar2WvGaT05ugiGjfXj3q_oFRaTs211gf9Mqlew3AFbilxfFj6ko7MIUbIAqg/w640-h284/Imagep.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">Did you spot the other side of the Mistley sign? Now I shall have to begin on the next collection!</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Take care.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"http://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.com27