Historical
Calke Abbey
03/06/23 17:06
On a quick trip to Calke Abbey, a couple of days ago I saw this little fellow in the stables.
Calke Abbey is full of random items.
…and a lovely herd of deer.
There was a lovely display of wild(ish) flowers including these allium, poppies and cornflowers.
Calke Abbey is full of random items.
…and a lovely herd of deer.
There was a lovely display of wild(ish) flowers including these allium, poppies and cornflowers.
Dalí's House
18/05/23 12:23
On a recent trip to France and Spain I visited the area near Roses in Catalonia.
Salvador Dalí Museum
Having enjoyed the Salvador Dalí museum in Figueres I was keen to go to Cadaqués and visit Dalí’s house at Portlligat.
Cadqués
We drove to Cadaqués and walked across the headland to Portlligat.
The clarity of the light (and the water) here is amazing!
Personally, I found Dalí’s house at Porlligat more interesting the the museum at Figueres. I feel that the museum represents Dalí the showman and the way he presents himself to the world, whilst the house is much more intimate and personal.
Dalí’s House
Salvador Dalí Museum
Having enjoyed the Salvador Dalí museum in Figueres I was keen to go to Cadaqués and visit Dalí’s house at Portlligat.
Cadqués
We drove to Cadaqués and walked across the headland to Portlligat.
The clarity of the light (and the water) here is amazing!
Personally, I found Dalí’s house at Porlligat more interesting the the museum at Figueres. I feel that the museum represents Dalí the showman and the way he presents himself to the world, whilst the house is much more intimate and personal.
Dalí’s House
Steam Fair
26/07/22 15:36
On a recent visit to my brother at his home in Lichfield we walked in his local park, Beacon Park. This was an opportunity to see Carter’s, a visiting steam fair.
The Octopus
Carter’s Steam Fair is a traditional English travelling funfair with rides dating from the 1890’s to the 1960’s. The rides and vehicles are all beautifully restored.
The Excelsior Steam Yachts
This impressive set of 1920s steam-driven yachts is one of only two or three surviving examples of a very popular ride in Britain at the turn of the 20th century. Two ‘yachts’ swing under steam power to an almost vertical angle which, although appearing sedate from the ground, gives it a kick which makes it one of our most popular rides with thrill-seekers.
The Paramount Chair-o-Plane
Dating from the 1920s, this is a rare example of working vintage chair-o-planes.
The Lightning Skid
Noisy and fast, and beautifully and intensely decorated, the Skid is a very popular ride dating from the 1960s.
The Jubilee Steam Gallopers
The oldest ride that the Carters own, the Gallopers was built in about 1895 by Robert Tidman & Sons in Norwich; when it was new, this would be the fastest most people had ever travelled.
The Octopus
Carter’s Steam Fair is a traditional English travelling funfair with rides dating from the 1890’s to the 1960’s. The rides and vehicles are all beautifully restored.
The Excelsior Steam Yachts
This impressive set of 1920s steam-driven yachts is one of only two or three surviving examples of a very popular ride in Britain at the turn of the 20th century. Two ‘yachts’ swing under steam power to an almost vertical angle which, although appearing sedate from the ground, gives it a kick which makes it one of our most popular rides with thrill-seekers.
The Paramount Chair-o-Plane
Dating from the 1920s, this is a rare example of working vintage chair-o-planes.
The Lightning Skid
Noisy and fast, and beautifully and intensely decorated, the Skid is a very popular ride dating from the 1960s.
The Jubilee Steam Gallopers
The oldest ride that the Carters own, the Gallopers was built in about 1895 by Robert Tidman & Sons in Norwich; when it was new, this would be the fastest most people had ever travelled.
A Cotswold Walk
02/05/22 12:10
Seven miles west of Bourton-on-the-Water lies the village of Salperton. These pictures are from a couple of walks that Mary and I enjoyed in the area.
Now wild, these trees had been previously cultivated for pollarding.
Hares sighted near an abandoned railway cutting.
Rolling Cotswold hills.
The ancient village of Salperton.
Lone horse on the skyline.
Bucolic pastures.
Another hare.
Now wild, these trees had been previously cultivated for pollarding.
Hares sighted near an abandoned railway cutting.
Rolling Cotswold hills.
The ancient village of Salperton.
Lone horse on the skyline.
Bucolic pastures.
Another hare.
Kinver Edge
12/10/21 09:54
Eleven miles south west of Dudley in the West Midlands is the pretty village of Kinver. Kinver Edge is a National Trust property that lies just outside the village. The property consists of extensive parkland and woods, and includes an iron age hill fort and the Rock Houses.
Having explored the rock houses, Mary and I enjoyed an excellent cream tea with hot scones.
Fortified, we went to explore the woods.
Some of the paths are very steep but the woods are well worth a walk. It was early October and the trees were just beginning to change colour. There were still some wild flowers to see.
One of the features of Kinver Edge is “Nanny’s Cave” reputed to have once been the home of a hermit.
It’s a bit of a climb to get into but is full of interesting shapes.
…and grafitti!
Having explored the rock houses, Mary and I enjoyed an excellent cream tea with hot scones. Fortified, we went to explore the woods.
Some of the paths are very steep but the woods are well worth a walk. It was early October and the trees were just beginning to change colour. There were still some wild flowers to see.
One of the features of Kinver Edge is “Nanny’s Cave” reputed to have once been the home of a hermit.
It’s a bit of a climb to get into but is full of interesting shapes.
…and grafitti!
