Opportunist cat decides to settle down on the mats from my wifes car. I guess the black rubber had absorbed some heat from the autumn sunshine that we are experiencing today.
Category: Photo
Bonfire Night
Spent last evening at a firework display held on Stockheath Common, Leigh Park. This is the annual display that is put on by Havant Borough Council. As this was the first time that I had attended this event I really didn’t know what to expect.
Given the weather we have experienced over the last few days we were granted a dry but chilly evening. Temps down as low as 2degC. However the common was very squidgy and with the many hundreds of feet tramping around the fun fair the grassy ground was rapidly transformed in to mud.
However, despite the conditions underfoot the event was well attended and the council provided a good display. The following are a couple of shots, my first attempt at taking pictures of fireworks.
The images are not quite what I was expecting ………
but I am quite pleased with the overall results.
Taken using my Canon PowerShot A570 and all hand-held …. next time I’ll have a read of the manual and a practice before going at it for real.
The Inn On The Beach
Today I had lunch at The Inn On The Beach , Hayling Island.
Along with my wife, grandson and a longtime friend over from Australia we spent an enjoyable few hours reminiscing and catching up.
The “Inn” provides good food in nice surroundings with a beautiful views across the Solent to the Isle Wight and along the coast from Portsmouth to the West to Selsey in the East. This a great venue regardless of the season.
When we arrived the weather was cold and quite breezy. By the time we had finished eating the wind had dropped and the clouds had rolled away. The sun was dropping rapidly and illuminating the shoreline beautifully.
The following view is to the west and in the distance you can see the Portsmouth skyline including the Spinnaker Tower, the floodlights at Fratton Park and it is just possible to make out St Marys church.
This view is to the east and when viewed full size you can just see the Selsey shoreline merging with the horizon.
I believe that, when the conditions are right, the south coast and especially Hayling is as good as any mediterranean location.
Staunton Park
Saturday and we had blue skies and sunshine following several days of mist and murk. We paid the price of course with a chill wind blowing strongly.
I have my grandson over from Australia for a few weeks and he has a new camera to play with for the trip so we took the opportunity to get out and visited Staunton Park situated between Leigh Park and Rowlands Castle, near Havant.
We were hoping that the trees would be showing their autumn colours but we were somewhat disappointed. I think we were too early. However, we did enjoy the walk and took some photo’s.
A selection of snaps follows for your delectation, the first of which is a view over Leigh Lake.
The following photo shows part of the countryside that will over the next few years, planning consents permitting, become a fairly large reservoir
Although Stones house has long since been demolished there are many signs remaining of the old buildings. Not the least of which are the arches below.
Of course the main reason we were there was to partake of the natural beauty. One aspect of the natural world which offers so much variety is that of the fungi.
These cattle make for a quite peaceful scene even though the wind was blowing quite hard.
The following photo is of part of land which will eventually end up under water as part of a proposed new reservoir.
In the woodlands there are a number of items which are I believe intended as both art and education for children. There is no description near this but I believe that it is intended to let children hear magnified sounds of the woodland. It can be rotated through 360 degrees. I, for want of an alternative christened it “The Mukkinese Battle Horn” after the famous short film featuring Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan. Nearby there was another item which is a concave / convex mirror. We had much fun with it which I am sure the children would too.
And to finish our walk, as we returned to the car park, this chap came to see us off. It was a shame that he was disappointed by the fact that we had no food to offer him. This is probably why he didn’t display his tail feathers.
Sunflower
Here we are on the run into autumn and these sunflowers have appeared in a field on top of Portsdown Hill.
View From The Conservatory
I hung this feeder a couple of weeks ago, loaded it up with bird feed. So far they, the birds, have ignored it. I’m guessing that they have plenty of other food sources which is why they haven’t touched this seed. With all the wet weather the seed has sprouted. I thought it would be worth a photo.
View From The Conservatory
I haven’t posted from the conservatory for a while. But here are three items to make up for it.
The first is a shot of a Red Admiral, a typical summer visitor who was making the most of our Buddleia or Butterfly Bush. At least in this case it was living up to its name. Most years we have hundreds of flowers but the butterflies don’t come until the flowers have turned brown.
The next is of a Green Woodpecker. Not such a regular visitor to our garden but a welcome one all the same. We do see them in the area and this is the second time in recent months. This was taken through the double glazing so I consider this a lucky shot considering that I had the 300mm lens on as well which makes it a bit more difficult to keep the camera stable.
And finally a bit of humour. I was just mowing the lawn and popped indoors for a cuppa tea. When I cam back out my mower had all but disappeared. I blame it on this mixed up summer weather that we have had this year.
Ducks
I’ve been messing with some old photo’s. Just experimenting with the digital tools on my puter. I quite like the effects so I thought I would share.
I believe these two pretty birds posed for me at the WWT Arundel Wetland Centre back in 2009.
View From The Conservatory
Today I ventured out into the garden. Thought it was probably safe since the rain and the winds had subsided. The sky is still very grey but all the plants are looking very lush. So here is a sampling from the Wrantz Estate.
The first offering is one of the thousands of Aquilegia that grow in our garden. As soon as they go to seed I shake the pods all around so they pop up in the most surprising places.
The next is just a little humour. This game of chequers has been on the go for several years or perhaps they are just trying to out stare each other.
Gardens are for fun. I’m certain these two are enjoying themselves.
And last of all, for the moment, is this plant which grows in my neighbour’s garden but shares the colours, shapes and style with us by hanging over the fence. Delightful. Just one problem, I don’t know what it is. It does look a bit like Holly though.
Anyone out there know what it is ?
You can just see the leaf shape which is very much like a Holly Leaf. Answers on a post card……
Hastings / Bodiam
Saturday Afternoon
A weekend in Hastings to celebrate my sister’s birthday was never going to be quiet but we had a cracking time.
Saturday was not very nice weather wise, grey and cool. It didn’t matter much since we spent some time wandering down George Street browsing the shop windows until we met up with my sisters friends. Then we whiled away some time loafing in Ye Olde Pump House, a pub which looks much older than it really is. 
That’s if the old gent who harangued us outside can be believed. Anyway, it’s old enough and was very popular even when I used to visit back in the late 60’s. Had a couple of pints of Early Bird, a really tasty brew from Shepherd Neame.
A pale golden beer, with floral aroma, Early Bird is full-bodied and takes its name from the Early Bird variety of East Kent Goldings hops, grown in hop gardens near the brewery.
It gets my vote and certainly seemed to live up to the brewers description which I have quoted above.
Due to much gassing with my sisters friends, time passed rapidly by and we ended up spending more time in the pub than we had intended. This is what happens when you are having a good time. We were supposed to be having a meal before going on to a show. In the end we had to by-pass the meal and sprint to make the show.
We were going to see Chas Hodges, you can read my post on that HERE
Sunday – Wow ! What a day out !!!
For Sunday we had chosen to get together with my other sister and had arranged to meet up at Bodiam Castle. The weather was fabulous, blue cloud free skies and beautiful spring sunshine.
Bodiam Castle is in a wonderful setting, sat as it is on an island reached only by the bridge across the moat.
We meandered around the perimeter of the moat enjoying the warmth of the sun and the attentions of the many ducks. Sis decided that she would become the Birdwoman of Bodiam and broke out the butties. She was immediately surrounded.
Once they knew that she was a buttie free zone they abandoned her. Cupboard love I believe it is called.
We continued to tour the castle surrounds before heading inside. Here are a few facts that I have dredged up. Bodiam is a 14th Century construction. It was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge who apparently was one of Edward IIIs knights. It was intended to defend the area against those nefarious French during the Hundred Years War.
Those pesky ducks get every where, especially when they think there is food to be had. You only have to dangle your arm over the bridge railing and a collective shout of “incoming” goes up.
Of course, what goes up must eventually come down…..
Once we were across the bridge we were met by a most unusual couple. We were accused of using the devils machinery and of stealing their spirits but they were quite friendly really and welcomed us into the castle courtyard
While we were there the locals were telling of the castles history hence the unusual attire. This fellow was the main orator.
Bodiam is a “pretty” castle now and it doesn’t take much imagination to see what it would have been like when it was first built.
It is possible to get many different perspectives of the castle.
After much strolling and climbing we found ourselves to be a bit peckish. So we took ourselves across the road to the nearby pub. Strangely enough it is called the Castle Inn
We were surprised to find that there were outside tables available and sat ourselves down for a spot of lunch. Considering this was 1st April, to be sitting outside to eat was a rare treat. The food was good and we didn’t have to wait too long and it was hot when it arrived. By a happy coincidence this pub was also serving Early Bird which was a suitable lubricant for the meal.
While we were having lunch we were treated to the spectacle of a helicopter coming into land on the pub lawns.
After lunch we walked up to the railway station. All day we had been seeing the smoke and hearing the whistles of the steam trains.
When we arrived at the station we determined that the next train would be arriving within a few minutes and duly positioned ourselves across the road and the level crossing ready for the steamer we knew was coming. Imagine the big disappointment when we were presented with this…..
Yup. A diesel loco. OK it is a piece of vintage rolling stock but it wasn’t what we wanted. Never mind, as they say, there is always next time. After taking a look at some of the old goods wagons at the station we headed back to our cars.
Drove back to my sister’s house for a cup of tea and some superb lemon drizzle cake. All taken while sitting outside in the sunshine. I still have to remind myself that this was the first day of April.
A fitting close to a fantastic day. All that was left was for us to drive the 90 or so miles home. I didn’t need any rocking when I hit my pit.
WrAnTz 