Blackbird

One of our resident blackbirds was working himself up into a bit of a state this morning, and later I found one of his offspring hidden in the ivy, so I suppose he was putting up the first line of defence. I hadn't realised that they had already produced a brood which must have been during the recent very cold weather.

Just goes to show that Spring did arrive a while ago!

Rather amazingly, the sun did actually shine properly today and a few hardy flowers took the opportunity, whilst braving the still cold wind, to celebrate what they consider to be the start of spring. These crocus (or should it be crocii) had been standing to attention for some days without daring to expose themselves to public gaze, but it has been well worth the wait.


Another indomitable little plant is the viola which has been struggling with the frosts for some weeks now, looking for all the world early in the morning as though they were done for, but a few minutes of sunshine and they hold their heads up high and soak up the warmth.


Maybe, just maybe, Spring really is here; we shall see. I have to say that the birds seem to have got the same message as there is a great deal of activity around the garden. The still low temperature doesn't seem to have dampened their ardour.

Sunshine?

I do believe I saw the sun for a few seconds earlier this morning, but then again I could be mistaken. It has been so miserable here for the last few weeks that I despair of ever getting out with my camera ever again. I am not into suffering for my art, and nor is my wife either. Although she is pretty tolerant of my picture taking activities, she does rather draw the line when the temperatures are sub-zero and the wind is blowing and I start to try to set up a shot that maybe takes a few attempts.

Hence, lately I have been indulging myself with a revisiting of some pre-digital photos of previous Spanish holidays in the sun. I am not actually a lover of high temperatures either, so any such visits are usually restricted to early or late season trips. But, for photographic purposes, I do prefer the sun to be shining as it does give a lift to the colours.

I was tempted the other day to photograph one or two indoor plants as they seem to be the only splashes of colour to be seen. This Kalanchoe is a new addition to the household and seemed to be a worthy subject.




The next picture is of a sedum (I think) with its reflection in a glass table top.

For anyone interested in a bit more sunshine I have now added a few more pictures to the Spanish collection. Meanwhile, I still live in hope of actually being able to get out with the camera again soon. Think perhaps I should read up in the manual on how to use it.

Sparrowhawk

I haven't been using my camera much just lately. Just haven't felt in any way inspired. Late yesterday evening however I spotted a sparrowhawk sitting in a tree in the garden next to an ivy bush which houses quite a sizeable sparrow roost.

The hawk comes from time to time to try its luck, but I think that on this occassion it went hungry. Usually at that time in the evening there is a tremendous racket from the sparrows as they settle down for the night, but yesterday, not a sound. Can't blame them really as the sparrow hawk is a very efficient killer.

I accept that they have to eat, but I would much rather they chose somewhere else to do it.

Ecija

Ecija is situated more or less midway between Cordoba and Seville in southern Spain. It seems to be best known by its title of "frying pan of Spain" as a result of the extremely high summer temperatures. It was over 40C whilst we were there early one June. Another of its titles is "city of sun and towers", referencing the profusion of the latter, there being some eleven towers and fifteen bell towers which make the approaches to the place most impressive. I'm not sure about the city reference as it is certainly not very large.


The interiors of the mainly baroque churches are magnificent, as you might expect, although it might not have been so as many of them were ruined by an earthquake in 1757 but have been since rebuilt at considerable expense. Much of the present day beauty is a result of the many artists and craftsmen who set up here in the 18th century following their rich patrons who had great villas built here.



The profusion of towers has not gone unnoticed by the local stork population who nest precariously on the tops of many of them.


It's a great place to visit, but do avoid the midday sun!

Cordoba

Travelling roughly southwest from Granada takes you through vast olive groves and by many typical Spanish hilltop towns, of which Baena is a fine example. Like many places in this part of Spain, the Moorish architecture has been commandeered and converted to Christian use, as with the minoret which is now a church tower.















The city of Cordoba is mostly modern now, but that is not what everyone travels to it to see. Much of what is now the old quarter was for a long time the Jewish Quarter and consists of many narrow winding streets. In March they hold the Festival of the Patios in which all the courtyards are bedecked with floral displays, vying for the honour of the top prize.





















One of the most famous of the Jewish inhabitants was the philosopher Maimonides who lived here in the 12th C. At the time there were a many faiths all living happily together. Cordoba had been seen as the capital of the Muslim world in Spain until they were finally expelled in 1236. Most of the Jews suffered a similar fate in 1492. So, not much changes, does it?





















The height of the Islamic influence saw the construction of what was to be the largest mosque in the world. The Mesquita is an absolute must for today's visitors, although it is now the site of the Christian cathedral. The architecture and decoration quite blow the mind away and really have to be seen to be fully appreciated.

















Before the invasion by Islam, the Romans had also been occupiers. There is still plenty of Roman influence to be seen, non more impressive than the bridge which is still in use today.

The Alhambra, Granada

I have at last been able to get back to scanning in a few more Spanish photographs, some of which are shown here. More are in my gallery at Smugmug and I will be adding more over the next few weeks.




















Perhaps the best known place to visit in Granada is the Alhambra Palace. It is certainly impressive and spectacular, but it comes at a price in terms of having to share the experience with many other tourists, so much so that on occasion it is very difficult to appreciate the beauty of the place. It also makes taking photographs less than easy as there is almost invariably a body in the way.




















Built inside the Palace is the Palace of King Carlos V who, it seems, had tired of the Moorish architecture and styled his pad on the Italian Renaissance period and used an architect who had trained under Michelangelo.














This view from the Alhambra looks across the gypsy quarter of the Albaicin which is situated below the Palace and above Granada. You can walk up to the Alhambra through this district, although you might want to save your energies for the considerable trek through the Palace.




When Mohammed V succeeded his father Yusuf I, he did more than just finishing the alterations that his father had started. He actually started building what would become his great work of art, the marvelous legacy he left us in the Alhambra: the Palace of the Lions (Palacio de los Leones).

Plantasia

We recently took advantage of somewhat better weather, which although cold and dry, was bright and sunny, and got out into the countryside. Well, it was sort of countryside, but attached to one of our local garden centres as some 30 acres of natural parkland. Dobbies have done a pretty good job of establishing the park, which contains trees, lakes and some wildlife. I'm not sure what it will be like in the summer if it becomes too popular, but as a winter retreat (especially at the lower winter price rates) it was a very enjoyable couple of hours.















The lakes had a thin layer of ice which gave perfect conditions for capturing the reflections.

There was a little bit of the theme park feeling which I am sure that the children will enjoy, with features such as the Treetop Trail which enables you to get up close and personal with the vegetation.















The view whilst the trees had no leaves was excellent. No doubt when they are fully clothed with foliage they will have a different appeal.















There are several types of deer to be seen, which obliged by coming to the nearside of their enclosure.




















Part of the park is given over to mazes which I am sure will become a great attraction when fully developed. This was from part of the Japanese Trellis Maze, but there are also Canadian, Australian, African, Antarctic and English Mazes for you to lose yourself and your children in. By the time we got to this area we were suffering from exposure and so opted out of most of it to take refuge in the interactive exhibition area. Again, really aimed at kids, but we felt that we could find something of interest in here as well.

All in all a good outing. There are more pictures to be found on my Smugmug Galleries.

Information about the park can be seen at Plantasia

Granada

The road to Granada takes you through some spectacular scenery and by some interesting towns and villages. Here we have a view across Loja.















Apart from the Alhambra, there are many sights to see in this most Moorish of Spanish cities, and this is the Cathedral.


























A walk around the town rewards you with some unusual scenes.

Malaga

A great many unkind things have been spoken about Malaga in Spain, many of them true, but mostly because of the airport which has to deal with vast numbers of tourists whose prime concern is to get the hell out of the place.

I have started to take a look through some of my many boxes of photo prints with the view to transferring them to my computer and among the first subjects to be scanned are some taken in Spain in the early summer of 1998.

Malaga tends not to be visited other than a fleeting look through the coach window to and from the airport. It really deserves rather more as there are many things of interest for anyone wanting a bit more than the beach. We only managed a few hours there, but would have liked longer.

Malaga's 16th-century cathedral is situated at the centre of the old town on the site of the former main Mosque. This is a practice which occurred many times in Andalusia as the influence of the Moors was overcome. Construction of the cathedral began in 1528 and continued for several centuries. During the mid 18th century funds for building the second tower ran out and the project was never completed, giving the cathedral the nickname of 'La Manquita' ('the one-armed one').





The cathedral has been declared a national monument and includes striking features such as the richly ornamented choir stalls by Ortiz, Mena, and Michael. Indeed, the whole of the interior is most beautiful and lavishly decorated through out.



There is a very fine Cathedral Museum, located in the old chapter house which was built in the 18th century and now houses an important collection of religious paintings and sculptures, such as La Piedad by the famous Spanish painter Luis Morales, known as El Divino or The Divine, and a portrait of Saint Paul the hermit by Jose de Ribera, who emulated Caravaggio's chiaroscuro style. Other highlights of the collection include a rich display of religious ornaments made of ivory, gold and silver.


Also in the old quarter of the town is a building which was described to us as being the Town Hall. I rather suspect that it actually used have such a function, until a new and much larger building was built



One of the places that has opened since our last visit is The Picasso Museum of which I have heard much, but sadly not yet seen.

Time must be that a new visit to Spain is called for.

Westonbirt Arboretum

A while ago we visited Westonbirt Arboretum near Tetbury in Gloucestershire and were rewarded with some magnificent walks around the 600 acres that form the site. There are said to be some 17 miles of pathways, although I have to confess that we didn't cover more than perhaps 3 or 4.


The weather during the visit was not particularly inspiring so that I limited my photography to recording some of the modern garden art displays. Some was impressive, whilst some I have to confess, left me cold. I am certainly not entirely sure that I would want include most of them in my garden. It was something to occupy us for a while to break the journey to the south.



Hopefully I shall make a return visit on a more cheerful day and be able to record some of the wonderful trees and shrubs.

There are a few more photographs at Smugmug - Westonbirt Arboretum

New Background

You may have noticed a bit of experimentation going on here just lately, resulting in the new background display for this blog.

I have to thank Ed at Sailing Down the Stream consciousness for his assistance in this matter.

I would be interested in any reaction to the new display.

Another World

I am sorry if I seem to be getting a bit obsessed with shapes, but it really is too cold to venture outside just yet.

Hidcote Manor Gardens

Looking through my files I notice that I have not given any space here to Hidcote Manor Gardens which is something of an omission as they are some of the best gardens in the country. We last visited there in Autumn 2003, and these pictures date from then so that things may well have changed since that time.

The house was bought in 1907 by Mrs Gertrude Winthrop, mother of Major Lawrence Johnston who set about developing the surrounding estate into the gardens we see today. Gertrude Jekyll and the local "Arts and Crafts" movement had a considerable influence upon the way that the project developed. Johnston had been born in Paris, but came to England to study at Cambridge University, after which he took English nationality and joined the British army and served in the Boer War, hence his title of major. The house itself is a typical Cotswold manor house, but is not itself open to the pubic. It does however give a great backdrop to the surrounding gardens.

Most of the development of the gardens took place between 1910 and 1930 by which time there were 12 full time gardeners employed there. A huge range of plants was established there with the gardens being divided up into quite distinct rooms. Each room has a style of its own and often is restricted to a quite narrow colour range and even single plant types. The effect can be most dramatic. This room has a white predominately white theme.


There are too many individual plants of beauty to record them all, and this is but one of them.


Long borders give spectacular views, always co-ordinated and always begging closer inspection.


For more photos goto Smugmug - Hidcote Manor

and for more information National Trust - Hidcote Manor

The combination of the cold weather and my somewhat less hardy atitude these days has kept my camera firmly in its case. I have spent a little time practising with my photo editor and have "created" these offerings.








Both of these are from separate photographs of a paperweight and a piece of rose quartz.


Coming more down to earth are these from travels to the East Coast.


Blakeney Harbour



Wells Next the Sea

Canons Ashby

There are a great many interesting houses in the Midlands, many of which are owned by the National Trust whose work we should all be thankful for. We have been fortunate enough to have visited a good many of them and hope to be able continue our ramblings when the season restarts next spring.

The end of this season saw us at Canons Ashby in Northamptonshire, a romantic,16th century Elizabethan manor house, which has survived unaltered since 1710. It was the home of the Dryden family since it was first built and sits amongst beautiful gardens. Although John Dryden, the poet, is associated with the house, it is not thought that he would have spent a great deal of time here as it was his uncle who was resident at the time. There is a good Wikipedia article about his life




The West Court containing eight topiary yews was once the main entrance to the house but its sweep of lawn, espaliered walls and charming statue of a shepherd boy demonstrate the elegance of an early 18th century garden. An interesting fact totally unrelated to this photo is that John Dryden of Canons Ashby is the 13th great grandfather, through his daughter Bridget Dryden, of President George W. Bush. Perhaps I should revise my views of the President, perhaps it could be that he is more cultured than you might think. But then, perhaps not!



This unexpectedly grand church is all that is left of the Augustinian priory which gave Canons Ashby its name. The priory once dominated a flourishing medieval village but all that can be seen today are furrows and bumps in the grass. The church has been reduced to a quarter of its original size but it is still impressive with a pinnacled tower that can be seen for miles around.



There are some 70 acres of grounds, some of which are given over to formal gardens. Formal gardens undoubtedly surrounded the sixteenth century house as that was the current style but all traces of them disappeared long ago. The current garden plan is largely the work of Edward Dryden who laid down the paths, walls and terraces between 1708 and 1718 in the style of royal gardeners such as George London and Henry Wise. The gate piers were decorated in an antiquarian fashion including the globe and lion crest of the Drydens.

By 1904 the garden was to have a major influence on the Arts and Crafts style of people such as Sir Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll. Although the garden was looked after during the 1920's and 30's it began to become overgrown later, especially during the war years.

Many of the large trees were attacked by gales or dutch elm disease in the middle of the twentieth century and when the National Trust took over in 1981 they faced a huge task of pruning and restoring the garden to the earlier plan. At the beginning of the twenty first century all that glory is revealed once more.


More pictures can be found at Smugmug - Canons Ashby and the National Trust gives some useful information for intending visitors.

Waddesdon Manor

For a variety of reasons I have not been very active with my camera for some while now so I am taking this opportunity to recall a visit a couple of years ago to Waddesdon Manor, another National Trust property, this time in Buckinghamshire , close to Aylesbury.

The magnificent exterior provides the perfect setting for one of the best collections of French 18th century decorative arts in the world, paintings, furniture, carpets and curiosities, lovingly assembled over 35 years by Ferdinand to please his weekend guests.

The grounds are extensive and were largely the creation of the Rothschild family who still have an active interest in the property. There are seasonal changes made to the displays, some of which are a bit reminiscent of British public parks planting, but non the less impressive for that.





One of the most unusual features of the garden is the Aviary. Completed in 1889 by an unknown architect, it was built for Baron Ferdinand as a reminder of one he had grown up with in his childhood home, the Villa Grüneburg outside Frankfurt. It is made of cast-iron in the style of a rococo trelliswork pavilion, such as those erected at Versailles and Chantilly in the early eighteenth-century.


Beyond the parterre garden to the south of the house is an ornamental pond which is very reminiscent, I thought, to Versailles in France.

All in all, a good day out, with a chance at the end to stock up on some of the famous (but pricey) Rothschild wines.


Take a look also at National Trust | Waddesdon Manor for further information.

I have more pictures at Smugmug : Waddesdon Manor

London

I have just added a new Smugmug Gallery at Smugmug - London

Burghley House

Probably one of our last visits to a stately home for this year took us to Burghley House near Stamford in Lincolnshire. It is one of the largest and grandest houses of the first Elizabethan Age. Built and mostly designed by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, between 1555 and 1587, the main part of the House has 35 major rooms on the ground and first floors. Whilst we were there they were setting up to film scenes for the new film of the Da Vinci Code, so I shall be interested to see if I can recognise any of the locations when the film arrives. Some of the gothic interiors would lend themselves to the atmosphere and the "Heaven" and "Hell" rooms would seem particularly suited.

Burghley is a wonderful place to visit, with most of its treasures being gathered by two avid Earls. In the late 17th century John, the 5th Earl and his Countess, Anne transformed and embellished Burghley beyond recognition with many of the pieces being gathered on the Grand Tours of Europe that they undertook. His wife was very wealthy, being the daughter of the 3rd Earl of Devonshire (from Chatsworth, another house worth a visit), and no doubt her fortune helped in the acquisition of the art works.

Apart from the house there is a most impressive Sculpture Garden which is open all the year round. This was first created in 1994 by clearing the lost lower garden by Capability Brown and so giving a wonderful backdrop to the exhibits. There are a range of styles from traditional to contemporary and whilst not all were to my taste it was, nevertheless, a very enjoyable hour or two that we spent wandering around.







I am not sure who this is by, but it does go to show what eating too many Big Macs can do to you!















Set into the lake is a piece called "5 Carved Oak Trunks" by Giles Kent.

















Rick Kirby has a couple of exhibits, both of faces with this one set back into a high hedge giving it a most impressive location. I have since discovered that this artist was also responsible for another work that I saw in London and which I have shown in a previous blog, but I think is worth another airing.







This is outside St Thomas's Hospital and was a millennium project which was unveiled by the late Princess Margaret in 2000.





Another delightful piece is shown below, but again unfortunately I don't have the details to give credit to the artist



This is certainly one house I can thoroughly recommend and I expect to revisit some time next year. Also worthy of mention is the restaurant which served us with a very enjoyable meal at a reasonable price.

More information is at Burghley House and I have many more photos, mostly of the sculptures at Smugmug - Burghley House.