Our Little Empire

North Yorkshire in February

2010-02-18T05:59:00.000-08:00

Well another trip to one of our favourite places, North Yorkshire. We stayed in Aysgarth again and a wonderful B&B. I received my first digital SLR for Christmas, so some of these pictures are my attempts at new techniques. The first picture is from the bridge at Aysgarth Falls. Simon has shown me how to focus on different areas. Here I am focusing on the empty branches.

One of our favourite techniques is the rushing water. With a compact camera, the water would be bubbly, but with slower shutter speeds, a running, smooth flow of water can be achieved.

I love the shelves of the middle falls at Aysgarth, something we havent really seen as we always go after a big rainfall.

Here again, I was focusing on the branches rather than the water, which is flowing smoothly.

Again, these lower falls are usually flooded, good to see them more calm.

The road from Hawes just before the buttertubs, looking west. From the B&B I could snow on the hilltops, so we had to head up high!! Its was noticeably a lot colder!

West Burton Falls or Cauldron Falls. Love the sun and the sunbubble.

Again, the lovely soft flowing water. Love the camera!

On the way to the falls, I stumbled across a log, blackened with bright green moss. The log was covered in holes and it fascinated me. I couldnt quite get the colours right, so this is the raw photo, no tweaking, which I will inevitably do later!

Second day on a lovely scenic route home. Little Fell maybe?

Travelling the road from Hawes to Nateby I suddenly said 'Stop!!!!' to Simon as we passed this icy waterfall. Took some getting to, the ground was absolutely sodden.

Top of the waterfall, slow shutter speed for the flowing water.

Think this is Fair Hill. Quite a few parked cars and walkers.

Some doggy paws from the walkers and cars parked beneath Fair Hill.

Xmas Post 2009!

2010-01-03T11:38:00.000-08:00

Well Im sure we will come back this coming year with more posts than in the last few months!! It's been a difficult time, but now Hannah has a new Digital SLR (thanks Si!) and Simon is still developing his well honed skills, we should have lots of new photos. Below are Hannahs first photo efforts with the new camera (lets hope we dont drop this one between us!!)

We have had more snow than I can ever remember this christmas in the UK - usually we have a day in February, but we have had snow on and off for a few weeks now - I love it! So when the snow was on the ground over christmas, we headed off to the peak district with our cameras. The first few pictures were pointing south towards Chapel-en-le-Frith. The sky was a little more pink at the side of the road. Have to work on that.

We headed to the road that runs beside Mam Tor and towards one of the caverns that you can visit and go underground, although this is closed at christmas. I spied two blackbirds and attempted to get some pics!

This is the view west from Mam Tor - it is possible to follow the path to the left of where Im standing and walk roughly where the dark line of trees are in the picture, but the path was a little slippy - I did see one person making this walk though.

This is Mam Tor - it is possible to walk up to the top fairly easy but it was far to cold!!!

Plus the sky was starting to go dark with snowy clouds, so we decided to start the drive home.

Beamish and some early festive fun!

2009-11-29T07:51:00.000-08:00

The village school in the collery village.
A festive treat if ever there was one!

aMost of us take for granted being able to get Figs and oranges all year round, but back in 1913 they were a christmas treat.
Window display from the Co op.
Nice and simple outside decorations.
Anyone for some soap?
I wonder who this may be?

Ah you cant o wrong with an old fashioned pub!

Beamish is a great living museum in the north east of England between Newcastle and Durham, A lot of it is built from reclaimed houses, banks and Masonic halls all from the surrounding areas, that have been moved from there original places and rebuilt brick by brick.
This year we were esp lucky as the christmas season there has started for a full month instead of the weekends only its been in previous years, that used to sell out well in advance.

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

2009-11-27T12:08:00.000-08:00

A Supermarine SPitfire as Flown in the Battle of Britain.
A spitfire under restoration, hopefully to be ready for the 2011 season.
The Avro Lancaster.
The rear gunners torret, the most vunerable part of the aircraft.

Some Daffy Duck nose art.

Ive spent many a happy day at airshows when I was growing up, and one of the highlights for me was the BBMF flying overhead in of of only 2 flying Lancaster's in the world, as well and being accompanied by a spitfire and Hurricane.
Thew flight exists to remind everyone of the sacrifices made in WW" made by so many people to ensure we have the rights to live our lives as we see fit today.
On the day we Visited the planes were all being worked on as it is the off season and the planes all get a through servicing over the winter months to ensure there in tip to;p condition for the demanding season ahead.

RIP Dad

2009-11-20T16:45:00.000-08:00

Well as many as you that follow us on a regular basis will have noticed, weve been very quiet for a few weeks now. The reason for this was my dad was sick with terminal lung cancer and ive been spending time at home with him and mum, while weve still had some time to share together.
I cant even begin to explain how tough the past 6 months have been on my family, or how I feel right now, part of me glad that theres no more pain, part of me so angry that we wont get to do so much together now. All I can say is I miss you and i hope whereever you are your ok :)

I love you dad

Simon xx

Some of Simons LIncoln Pics...

2009-10-02T15:34:00.000-07:00

Even Henry the Viii popped back from the dead for a royal walkabout!

Look yp to the roof in the main part.
Lincoln has some stunning stained glass.
I took this shot by laying flat on my back to get the angle, not easy on a bust sat afternoon!

Well as Hannah has previously post we've had a few things going off just latley so updating the blog has had to take a bit of a back foot..but well i'll be honest and say i miss adding my pictures here, It seems that whatevers going off in our lives my photography is the one thing thats bound to keep me sane.

Ancestry in England?

2009-09-30T13:03:00.001-07:00

Ok, who's got English ancestry? Do you want to find out more? Well let me know, I need more practice and have signed up for a course to develop my report writing skills. Id really like to look at a new family line and improve my skills :-)

Let me know!!

Lincoln: August 2009

2009-09-22T14:15:00.000-07:00

A beautiful cathedral on a beautiful day out. I can't even fit all of the cathedral into the frame. The flags over the chapel commemorating the Lincolnshire Regiment - my grandads regiment for 16 years.

Some decorative glass in the cloisters.

A fantastic stained glass window. Absolutely huge!!

More stained glass in a chapel.

I wonder if the stained glass window was designed especially for this?!!

The cathedral from the Bishops Palace.

Lyddington Bede House August 2009

2009-09-22T14:13:00.000-07:00

My photos are not really great from this lovely bishops lodgings. So I have included a favourite.

Rushton Triangular Lodge August 2009

2009-09-22T14:04:00.000-07:00

So who knows about the Trinity in the Bible?? I had to refer to the guidebook and Simons knowledge of Catholicism for that one. This house is built on the principles of the Trinity - 3s. A most amazing building.

Some detail of the roof.An overexposed view of the sharp corners of the building!

Front door - Lots of latin and number which translate to religious meanings, sayings etc.

Cruise: Soulac Sur Mer and Brest August 2009

2009-09-22T13:52:00.000-07:00

The town hall in Soulac Sur Mer, a lovely seaside town that has been popular for years in France.
Candles in the Basilica in Soulac.

The beach at Soulac - what a wonderful day for over-exposure!

The back of the ship when we had left Soulac/Le Verdon.
Tour Tanguy in Brest - slightly disappointed with the town, not much to see.

A lovely tree lined walk in Brest.

Cruise Sunsets: Bay of Biscay August 2009

2009-09-22T13:45:00.000-07:00

A beautiful sunset from the ship, setting out from Bilbao towards France.
Simon doing what he loves best...

Cruise - Bilbao August

2009-09-22T13:32:00.001-07:00

(Why do these photos always come out backwards!!)
So the bride and groom are in this photo (couple to the very right of the photo). Casco Viejo is the old town of Bilbao and absolutely amazing. Most of the old town was made up of narrow streets with these tall buildings.
I loved these buildings - they looked like they should be Italy.

I followed my guidebook and found the funicular train up one of Bilbao's large mountains - Monte Artxanda. The views were amazing and I quickly changed my mind about walking back downthe mountain!!

The famous Guggenheim Museum

Cruise - Dublin August

2009-09-22T13:20:00.001-07:00

Just a few pictures of Dublin, firstly we have one of the many doorways of the Guinness buildings. Guinness is almost like a town within the city, in the sense that it takes up so much room: building after building.

The notice to the Kilmainham Gaol, fantastic place. My other photos here did not come out so well! However must be the best museum in Dublin? Maybe?

A moody photo of the customs house on the backs of the River Liffey. We left the cruise ship on the first evening and took some photos, however my battery died about 2 minutes after this was taken!!

We're Back

2009-09-22T13:07:00.000-07:00

Its been awhile!! There are reasons but lets not go there! I thought I would throw some pics on randomly...

A Few Upton House Photos From Hannah

2009-08-14T13:37:00.000-07:00

The road leading to Upton House.

The garden sales area.
Doorway to the House
The House from the back.

Part of the gardens - they were amazing.

The other side of the gardens - Can you see the tour group?!

Simon on the diving board.
The sign on the door to the...

Front of the house - the butler is in the doorway.

Haddon Hall - Hannahs Photos July 2009

2009-08-14T12:38:00.000-07:00

I visited Haddon Hall with a friend while Simon was working one Saturday. I love this place. The car park is across the road, so we had to cross a busy road to get into the park. Once into the park we passed through a gateway and then walk to this bridge for a great view of the castle.
We approached the castle through (another) gatehouse that leads to this courtyard. This is the front entrance to the house.

These steps were in the Chapel, which is opposite and to the side of the front entrance.

A doorway to the side of the front entrance.

We were allowed to take photos in the house, unlike many properties we visit. Here is some graffiti from 1883 - the Hall was left unoccupied for a long time (200 years if my memory serves me right) and many visitors wrote graffiti on the window panes.

A door in the garden - where does it lead?!! I didn't find out.

Flowers, I don't know what sort though!

The Hall from the gardens. The Chapel is to the left of the picture.

A view of a beautiful border - the flowers were lovely - there was so much colour.

A view from the Hall over the river below - I love the bridge.

A view through the front door back into the courtyard. It wasnt actually that dark in there!

Looking up above the front door - lots of stone characters! And a cloudless sky there!

The gatehouse on the way out form the courtyard - a brilliant day with my mate Joan!!

Upton House

2009-08-08T15:11:00.000-07:00

The front entrance.
The diving board at the outdoor( unheated brrr!!) pool.....as usual danger Simon had to stand on the board to get the pic i wanted!

Upton house is a rare thing in National trust properties, in that its based on the 1930s rather than the georgian/victorian era that most of the houses focus on. Our trip here was made even better by the fact this weekend was based around a 1930's millionaires party and there was music, cookery and dancing going off.

More of Simons Ireland pictures....

2009-07-20T11:20:00.000-07:00

The Halfpenny Bridge
Downtown Dublin
In side Trinity College

The Bog Just outside Clara, The bogs around county offally are used to feed the powerstations at Ferbane.
Our ever faithfull Transport! I swear it was clean before we left england though!
A cool water pump painted in the colours of the Irish Tricolour.

Inside Galway Cathedrael

A touristy view of Galway.

The Spanish Arches.

Ive been a little lazy lately , so its High time i added some more of my Ireland pictures...

Some of Hannahs photos from Ireland

2009-07-09T12:45:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of the other places in Ireland.

This is Portumna Castle, part restored after a fire. Its a fantastic building, although the OPW has run out of money to restore the inside.

We drove round Lough Derg after visiting Portumna, but unfortunately there were not many opportunities to see the Lough. We did stop at this car park for the Holy Island. We couldnt travel across but then this 'boat' looked a little precarious!

This is Emo Court. We were lucky to get a personal tour around the lower ground floor as we were early and many people were drifting to the house from the Farmers Market in Emo village. It was a gorgeous house, restored over the last few decades to resemble how it was initially intended to be by the architect - the first time ever.

Charleville Castle, Tullamore. Didnt have enough time to go inside, but we took a couple of pics outside and I took awhile trying to get the Irish flag just right!!

Galway Cathedral was stunning and huge! This is one of the stained glass windows.

This is Dunguaire Castle, just outside Kinvarra and a few miles south of Galway City. We didnt go in the castle, but walked around it and then headed into the town of Kinvarra in Very Hot weather!

This is Kinvarra from Dunguaire Castle. A lovely historical town, but thank goodness for the air conditioned modern Londis!!

A water pump painted in the colours of the Irish flag! Had to stop and take a photo!
We stayed in an area of Ireland well know for its bogs. Here you can see the bog being cut for peat to burn on fires.

Ireland Day 2 Clonmacnoise

2009-06-25T13:59:00.000-07:00

Clonmacnoise is an ancient monastery that was founded back in 597 ad and went into decline around the 13th century, luckily before the reformation of the monasteries in the late 16th century. Its most well know for well preserved 10th century celtic crosses that have been moved inside to a specially built exhibition centre.
Clonmacnoise was also visted by the late Pope John Paul II on his Irish tour in 1979.

Ireland part one.....Clara

2009-06-25T13:47:00.000-07:00

Clara House...also known as the ministers
The Bridge

A view into Clara

Our first part of our trip to Ireland was a walk around my dads home town of Clara co Offaly, Somewhere that really doesnt change each time I visit it. But somewhere ive spent lots of great times when I was younger...I used to spend all Summer holidays in Ireland when i was little and I do like to drone on about how much I enjoyed those days!

Canons Ashby A rather wet day out!

2009-06-08T01:31:00.000-07:00

The entrance for us visitors through that archway - can you see it?!! There was also a swallows nest in there and we watched the birds being fed by mummy - Ill get Simon to appreciate nature yet!! (Hannah)
This is the the side of the House, although the tower in the middle is part of the original priory.
The approach out of the car park to the house, comes out of nowhere!
The Whistling Shepherd Boy

The stunning archway entrance to St Marys, the old priory was on this site.
An unusual church, part of a large priory that was destroyed in the Dissolution.

Above is the tower inside the church, I saw a rope which I imagine was for bellringing.
A coffin
One of the many items in the church in commemoration of the Dryden family, who now own St Marys. Its one of only 4 private parish churches in England.
The curtains were added by a cousin of the family around 1700, I think.

We've been wanting to go here for a good few months now, I'm lucky to work with a few fellow National trust members and were always comparing notes and recommending each other places to go, Canons Ashby was one of those places that kept being mentioned.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-canonsashbyhouse

So even though the weather wasn't great on Saturday, off me and Hannah went to explore this fantastic house and church.

More Kent Pics 2009 by Hannah

2009-05-17T10:21:00.001-07:00

Had to add a few more pics of our lovely weekend away.

First the Battle of Britain Memorial. Just a few miles away from Dover, we took a quick trip to see this brilliant Memorial. This is only s small part. The Memorial site is right on the edge of the cliffs. The site is volunteer manned and they reply on charity donations. As you go in theres a few memorials etc and two planes. Also some information panels and a sculpture of Bob the Squadron Dog. In the back of this picture you can see a long black memorial plaque, which I must say is absolutely stunning in its look - perfectly shiny and black. More to the point, it has the names of approximately 600 names on it of people who died in the Battle of Britain in 1940. What is photographed here is a fighter pilot, looking out to sea contemplating the loss of his fellow pilots and friends. Around the outside are carved the emblems of the Squadrons involved. Just behind the pilot you can a white stripe - there were 3 of these to represent a propeller blade. around the site mounds of earth had been landscaped to be able look onto the memorial. http://www.battleofbritainmemorial.org/

Here are the White Cliffs of Dover - there are plenty of white cliffs, but this is the National Trust car park. The thing is, you walk above the cliffs and can't clearly see them!! If you follow this path you will reach the South Foreland Lighthouse about 2 miles away - it was too late in the day for us to do that. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-thewhitecliffsofdover.htm
On our second day we went to Walmer Castle, which my parents used to visit quite regularly when they lived in this area over 30 years ago. The Duke of Wellington lived here as the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. He is the originator of the Wellington Boot, having a design personally created for him that would give him good coverage with flexibility. Below however is his reading chair - Ive never been convinced that these chairs are comfortable! For those who arent familiar, you would sit facing the back of the chair and rest the book on the panel in front of you. The string is just there to stop people sitting on it. And they probably would.

This is the Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mothers garden, which I don't think existed in my parents day! It was nice and tranquil which had seats all around for visitors to sit and relax. I thought that the Castle attracted local families to visit for the day, have a picnic and enough space for the children to play.
Finally this view is a picture my mum wanted me to take - a herbaceous border that mum remembered from all those years ago. She has film taken at the castle in 1970s. At the end of the path, called The Broad Walk, is a wall and seat and that was how i knew this was the right place! The flowers were not out in bloom yet. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server.php?show=nav.14948

Hugin Viking ship- Pugin Bay Kent

2009-05-14T04:53:00.000-07:00

On my school trip to Dover, we stopped off at the hugin Viking ship, it used to sit in front of the original hovercraft terminal which has since been demolished. I couldn't remember where it was exactly so i was pleased when we drove past it to say the least!
It was rowed over from Denmark in 1949 and has since been restored at a cost of £250,000! ( quite how you get to that figure is beyond me at times!!)

Deal Castle...

2009-05-14T04:07:00.000-07:00

The cannonball heater, used for warming up cannonballs before they were fired at ememey ships, this would cause damage and also as the ships were made of wood, set them on fire too.
Some gunpower barrels circa 18th century.
The main entrance into the castle.

Day 2 of our weekend away lead us to Deal castle, one of Henry viii coastal forts around the south east coast built to ward off the threat of a catholic invasion after the reformation and disillusion of the monasteries.
Although no longer in use as a military barracks the signs of over 400 years of use are every where, although much of the castles outer appearance is as it was when first built, mainly due to part of the castle having a bomb dropped on it in ww2- Ironic really as the castle itself never actually fired a shot in anger for its original purpose!

Dover Castle Our Anniversary weekend away

2009-05-11T03:43:00.000-07:00

The Pharos, the bottom 4 parts were used as a roman lighthouse, but the top part was used as a bell tower for the adjioning saxon church

The Keep

The gatehouse approaching the keep, offset so as to help to defend any attack.

A view over towards the port.

I love how they used a simple windscreen wiper to be able to see in bad wether, this building was used as lookout post for enemy planes and ships during the first and second world wars.

So off to Dover we went on Fri afternoon, a long a tiring drive through through rush hour traffic left me and Hannah glad wed booked for 2 nights instead of one, and we had a nice early night ready for a busy day on Saturday.
Id already been to Dover castle many years ago with school when I was 11.....so nearly 20 years ago, and had always wanted to go back, and for Hannah too there was a reason to go there as here Grandad had been based there when he served in the army.
So up we got nice and early on the Saturday morning and made our way over to Dover castle, sadly the Keep was being refitted but theres so much to see there we really didn't notice, as we spent a good 4 hours walking around the outside.
as ever with my posts here's a link to the English heritage website with a link to Dover castles page.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.14571

What a year its been!

2009-05-08T05:42:00.000-07:00

Monday will be a year to the day since myself and Hannah first went out on one of our adventures together.....little did i know from 2 friends hanging out together, would I be lucky enough to meet the person I want to spend the rest of my life with..

Happy 1st anniversary baby :)

All my love

Simon
xx

Posts in wrong order!!

2009-05-03T13:11:00.001-07:00

I forgot the posts were posted in date order! Sooooooooo for my latest post, look below Si's Dunstanburgh pics....

Si's Dunstanbrugh Castle pics

2009-04-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

well early one friday morning me and Hannah went on a drive just a little past newcastle to dunstanburgh castle. Dunstanburgh is located on a cliff 2 miles from the nearest car park, so a nice little walk is needed to get there, which came as a welcome relif after a 3 hour drive there.

Heres a link to the National trust website with a bit more information about the site.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-dunstanburghcastle/

A fun weekend!

2009-04-27T09:16:00.000-07:00

Just a few pictures from my last day of this (holiday) year. Myself and Simon went to 3 houses and estates on Friday and Saturday and had a great time! The weather was cloudy with a few sunny intervals, and the sky does look fab in some of these pics!

Coughton Court

A fab place to spend a Friday off work!! We got here much later in the day as we usually would as we went via Timbuktu to get Simon his Irish Tea (and Club Rock Shandy, marshmallows and Chef sauce!). Its known more for flowers and planting than anything, and although I appreciate beautiful flowers, I am not exactly into gardening etc. Below is the house from the back - it is still lived in by one member of the family - in the wing to the right here, which we had no access to.

This is the house from the front

At the back of the property, about 10 minutes walk away, there was a bluebell woods. These are protected areas of woodland, apart from being stunningly beautiful, they also indicate ancient woodland, as a bed of bluebells this extensive takes many hundreds of years to grow and settle.

Baddesley Clinton

On saturday we went to Baddesley Clinton. The picture below is pretty much what is in the handbook and although clearly an old house and worth a visit, it didnt really strike us too much.

However as we walked round the side of the house next to the moat we saw that through that archway was a courtyard with some tudor buildings.

This was the view once we got through the archway. It was home, most notably, to The Quartet, two couples who lived here while writing and painting. What a life! The house, like many National Trust properties we've been to, helped hide Catholic priests in Priests holes and the Jesuits particularly hid here - tiny spaces hidden in wall spaces or carved our of stone.

In the gardens were a few fishpools - dug in 1400s so they could be stocked with fish for the cook. Below however is a ditch believed to be an early moat.
Packwood House

Our final house of the weekend. This was only about 3 miles away from Baddesley Clinton. This side of the house was a bit gloomy, but on looking back at the photos it seemed like there were 5 front entrances to the house! We didnt get as much information as usual on this house. It was bought in 1924 by a 16 year old with his inheritence (!) and he set about changing and enlarging the interior. He also bought a lot of the furniture and art from other houses that at this time were being demolished.
This was the original entrance to the house, and I must say it looks much better from this angle! Actually looks like a house. The buildings to the left were added by the new owner, adding a corridor to link an old barn which became the new great hall.

And this picture is my favourite (its my screensaver at the moment!). Great picture, the day certainly didnt seem that sunny! Down the middle are flowers and plants in blues, to the right a line of yello. Behind me was a first of different size and shape topiary bushes, which a spiral at the top and an umbralla of a tree in the middle.
This was my view to my right after taking the last picture - lovely colours leading to one of the 4 towers in each corner of the garden.
The Plunge pool! Built in 1640 - I may have studied all sorts of historical periods, but even I was amazed by the date this was built!
So that was our weekend! Simon likes to add links to the properties so:

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-coughtoncourt.htm

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-baddesleyclinton

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-packwoodhouse

And Jessica, if you do make it over on the next 13 odd years, Im sure myself and Simon can show you around!! :-)

Quarry Bank Mill

2009-04-16T04:16:00.001-07:00

A view inside the main waterwheel
Some of the weaving looms inside the mill, im hoping to arrange a private trip later in the year so i can take some better shots of the machinery as your not really supposed to take photographs inside.
A very scary looking 1920's dentists chair.....i hate the dentist now, god knows what i would have been like back then!

So on good Friday Myself and Hannah had a rare Friday off together and decide to make the most of it visiting a place weve been talking about going to for a little while, Quarry Bank Mill in cheshire.

As ever with my posts nowadays heres a link to the national trust website for a bit more information about it :)

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-quarrybankmillandstyalestate

Dunstanburgh Castle April 2009

2009-04-12T09:23:00.000-07:00

Well we decided to go far north to Dunstanburgh Castle, knowing we would have to walk 1.5 miles to the castle. This was fine, but it was a lot harder than we anticipated! We finally managed to park, after a long drive and a serious lack of signs! We also couldnt see the castle but we parked up and started walking. Through the sand dunes, we found the castle and it looked miles away! We walked along the beach, which was very windy, up and along a rocky path and finally got to the castle.

Plenty of sea birds around the seaweed! The beach was absolutely covered in these stones, we had to clamber over them to reach the path to the castle!

Not our first view of the castle, it was even further away at the start.

From the castle we had this great view of the water outlet, possibly from the moat (I cant remember) and the bird noise was very loud when we were taking the pictures!

This is actually the front of the castle - pics slightly out of order!

The castle from the other side - the gatehouse.
Looking towards the beach from where we had walked from - the mist was setting in, although we were up high, it was definitely getting more misty.

We were preparing to leave when we realised we hadnt taken photos from the gatehouse, I reliased we could walk inside and after some investigation found the steps that led up to the top of the gatehouse! What a view, even though the property was being prepared to close, and we had to rush a bit, we took a few photos!

On the rocky path back to the car, we looked back and saw how the castle was disappearing into the mist. Brilliant if long day!

Old Molesley Hall and The Rock Houses April 2009

2009-04-12T08:37:00.000-07:00

Me and Simon had a busy day in Shropshire, firstly visiting Old Molesey Hall. It was another rainy April day, which slightly ruined the visit at first - the gardens are very nice, but we dashed by, avoiding the rain! Saying that I love the rain, and hiding in a little shed at the bottom of the garden while the worst of the rain passed by was lovely! (see below)
When the rain had stopped we bumped into a male and female peacock at the side of the house, preening themselves. Quite a few people stopped and the male peacock moved closer to the female to protect her.

This was taken from the shed at the bottom of the garden where we sheltered from the rain.

A water pump at the back of the Hall.

The Rock Houses at Kinver

These houses were carved out of the Rock at Kinver and were lived in for over 100 years, until the 1960s. They are cool in the summer and warm in the winter and changes to the houses were easy - chip away at the sandstone walls!

A fireplace within one of the houses
A mangel in the house
Above the white rock houses were more houses, on the left brick built houses and on the right you can just see the front of a cave home.

Lyme Park March 2009

2009-04-12T08:16:00.000-07:00

Just a couple of Pics from our day out to Lyme Park in Cheshire, Im Simon will add his as they are better. It was incredibly busy, and we didnt set out til later in the day, so we didnt get time to walk to the banqueting house, which was up a hill overlooking the house and estate (I saw it again on Friday and wished I could go back again soon!). The layout of the estate was a little different to what I was expecting and it was less dramatic than other houses we had been to like Kedleston Hall. It was nice all the same and we picked up a National Trust Cottages brochure to plan a weekend away at some point.

My Chloe...

2009-03-27T09:14:00.001-07:00

Well I just can't believe it, so sudden. You were stripey and had a little evil face at times! You commanded the fire and your bed and no-one dared go near them. You would only eat food with crunchies and challenged people to rub your tummy, when you would then proceed to attack them. You loved your Dad so much, no matter how much he teased you.

Now youre with Charlie and Aimee and, like them, I will miss you so so much. I love you all, take care.

Love
Hannah
xx

Fountains Abbey March 09

2009-03-27T04:53:00.001-07:00

Last july myself and Hannah went to Fountains Abbey in yorkshire, sadly that trip was cut short thanks to me being really ill that day, but we've both wanted to go back since then..and with the end of our holiday year looming at work, we took the chance to take a spare day off and go back.

A saturday drive to wales..

2009-03-27T04:48:00.001-07:00

A part of the country ive never really been too, except in the middle of the night when I was working! So it nice to finally get to see a bit of south wales in the daylight, and hopefully will be returning for a bit longer in the near future.

Lyme Park- Stockport

2009-03-23T06:04:00.000-07:00

Finally its the time of year where all the National Trust properties have started to open there doors again! Thank goodness! Weve already done 3 since the beginning of March, and im already excited about another years worth of exploring and photo chances to be had.
This weekend we went up to stockport to a place called Lyme Park, which was originally a tudor building thats been transformed over the years to an Italianate palace in the 18th century.

Heres a link to the national trust website with more information about the property

http://http//www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-lymepark/

Sadly the photos arent my best.....when myself and Hannah left home it was a lovely sunny spring morning, but the nearer we got to Lyme park the gloomier the weather became...typical really!!

Oh, I forgot!

2009-03-07T06:16:00.001-08:00

Oh... and Me and Simon got engaged when we were away :-)

H's Krakow photos

2009-03-06T13:09:00.000-08:00

OK, so as the post below, myself and Simon went to Krakow in Poland for my 30th birthday in February. We had a great time, and definitely plan to go back. We dont have the snow that Poland get and with my new snowboots, handwarmers and thermal leggings I was all set, and it was good fun, but we do plan to go when its a bit warmer! The first photo shows Krakow from the Cathedral. The city is fairly intact with many churches and original buildings.

This is the cathedral from the courtyard next to the castle - wonderfully eclectic.

This is the castle. Not a traditional castle, but fantastic all the same. Sadly many of the exhibitions were closed, so another good reason to go back!

The Slowacki theatre - Simon has got some clearer photos. Beautiful and dramatic building - fitting for its purpose maybe?

This is the top of Szeroka, a street in Kazimierz, the Jewish Quarter and the street is featured heavily in the ghetto scenes of Schindlers List. The rock in the middle of the photo is a memorium to the Jewish people from Krakow and its environs who died in WW2.

The Jewish Quarter does not only have Synangogues - I think there were a good 3 Christian churches there. This is one of them, Corpus Christi. This cross is typical of the larger churches I gather.

Street leading to one of the other Christian churches - its amazing how you can get used to the snow, guessing where the kerbs are etc.

The church we were heading for - beautiful, peaceful. Until the English school group came by!! However listening to the guide, he said that Krakow is constantly building new churches.

The Mariecki Church. Stunning colours inside - only Simon had the photo licence however for that.

The town hall tower - sadly could not get to the top for one of the reported best views of Krakow as it was out of season.

My tip? Go to Krakow. Fantastic city, lots to see, a walking city.

To my Charlie...

2009-02-21T09:32:00.000-08:00

Today we lost you and Im so sad. I cannot believe you have gone, I still expect to see you, somewhere in the house. You loved the sun, you loved Tuna more, you were silent most of the time, but I love you so much and I miss our bearhugs we used to have in the morning. I don't think you loved them so much.

Now you're with our lovely Aimee, who I still think I see from time to time. Be safe together, remember I love you both and miss you so so much.

Love Hannah xxxxx

Auschwitz - Our Polish trip....

2009-02-20T03:02:00.000-08:00

The outside of crematoria 1
The door that leads inside.........out of respect for the dead you cant take any pictures inside this terrible building, but the atmosphere inside is one of the strangest ive ever felt, and as you look through and see the 2 ovens in the next room leaves an unimaginble impression on you.
An ss watchtower

The barbedwire fencing prisoners used to have to walk between on their way to work or the gas chambers..

Me and Hannah have talked about going to poland ever since we first met....mainly to go and visit Auschwitz, but also to go and have a look around Krakow as well.
Like so many Ive read an awful lot on the subject before I went there, But even with the masses of crowds that are attracted to this terrible place, nothing can quite prepere you for the sight of mountains of hair, glasses, shoes and false limbs piled up behind glass cabinets.
We went on a snowy febuary sunday, possibly one of the worst days to go weather wise, but a perfect chance to experience what a hell it must have been to have been impriosoned there in the depths of winter.

A snowy Newark.......

2009-02-05T04:15:00.000-08:00

A view of the castle from the river trent
Looking out over the old cattle market site from the castle
A side view of the castle......remember how it looked in my earlier photos?
A snowy Newark Market Place
The town hall and market place.

Woke up this morning to find another snowy day and as im not at work till later I thought id grab my camera and go take some quick pics....sadly a few of them have water marks on my lens from snow melting there.....but heres a few i took anyway..:)

Snow In Nottingham - By Hannah!

2009-02-05T02:44:00.000-08:00

Poor Simon is in work today but I was lucky enough to RECEIVE a call from my manager to say Don't Bother Coming In...Er....OK!!!!! I had already driven half a mile in 20 minutes thinking If I Get To X Road and It's Snowy, Im Turning Back!! So after clearing the snow for 40 minutes to get the car BACK on the drive, I got my camera and off I went!!

A walk around Clumber Park...

2009-02-03T04:24:00.000-08:00

A nice little sunset wish id taken my tripod with me though!
Id love to be able to get inside this church but its almost never open to the public.

Its the time of year when theres very few NT places open, so we were at a loose end when we thought we have a quick walk around clumber park on a cold Jan afternoon..No great photos this time but heres a few of the good shots i managed to get.

Further National Trust photos

2009-01-22T11:06:00.001-08:00

Nostell Priory

We were lucky to get these pictures. About 20 minutes before this the fire alarm went off in the house, just as we were getting to the end of the tour. We all had to go outside, but the rain was absolutely throwing down, a real downpour. So everyone got completely soaked. However the rain stopped and the sun came out within 15 minutes, it was like a different day!

Calke Abbey

Just the one photo unfortunately - when you go into the house you end up going through a tunnel that was a beer cellar and led to a brewery and this is far from the house! On the way out in the car we managed to get this photo!

Lyveden New Beild

This was actually the first National Trust property we visited with our membership. There was a brass band concert on and it wasn't so easy to get good photos as the band had parked their cars round the building!!

Little Moreton Hall

A fantastic tudor building in Cheshire. This was amazing and I could have put so many pictures on the blog!!

I loved the inner courtyard, below, the building went three quarters of the way round the courtyard and the building is just amazing.

A view up at the first floor.

The hall from the front. See how the floors have bowed - inside you could see how the floors dipped. To enter the courtyard was over a moat via a bridge and under the archway.

Kedleston Hall

A very dark day, but Kedleston Hall is fantastic whatever. It was used in Pride and Prejudice i believe. It's a good example of an 18th century house - when originally built it would have been a square building. With the fashions of the 18th century, the wings either side were built with interconnecting corridors. This was mainly for entertaining, the dining party could move along the corridors during the evening.

A close up of the portico and the corridor.

Hardwick Hall

The new hall from the old hall. The new hall is quite medieval and has not been modernised the way other National Trust properties have.

The new hall from the side

The new hall from the front

Hannahs random National Trust properties

2009-01-21T13:01:00.000-08:00

Heres a few photos from the National Trust.

Gawthorpe Hall

I love this place, so easy on the eye, one simple photo does the trick.

Fountains Abbey

Just 2 pictures from the Abbey, the below being the vaulted ceiling within the Abbey. The Abbey grounds are extensive, but as poor Simon as very poorly (I didnt realise how bad) we didnt make the most of the day.This is the house within the grounds, with a great photo exhibition inside!!

Cragside

This is 2 of a really bad set of photos - mostly the dark weather and my little camera just couldnt cope with it, which is a shame. Cragside is an amazing place though and we definitely will go back when its reopened and the weather is a little better!

The above is the gateway from the courtyard, below is the front door.

Belton House

Gorgeous Country house featured in Pride and Prejudice. Its just outside of Grantham in Lincolnshire. Its the ancestral home fo the Brownlow family, who also had a home in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, where I coincidentally the week before!

The greyhounds are conencted to the Brownlow family, as they owned a very famous and successful Greyhound, Master McGrath. I have visited his memorial in Lurgan and also got to see the Hare heads that he 'caught' in his races.
View of Belton House from the rear.

York January 2009 - Hannahs Photos

2009-01-20T02:16:00.000-08:00

Our trip to York earlier this week. Weather was fairly kind to us, sunny but cold and a bit windy. Heres the Castle Museum with a certain someone in shot! York is full of fantastic buildings and this one houses just one part of the Museum. The Museum is fantastic too, 2nd time we've been in 8 months!

Inside the Museum is Kirkgate, a street that could have been in York. They have put in place a Fire Station, toy shop, Chemists, bank, grocery shop etc. What i love about it is, as this picture shows, the street goes dark once very 20 minutes or so. Then there is a lightening storm and the street is dark for 5 minutes. Its great and really atmospheric. This is a GPO cart that only showed as this when I took a picture with my flash, I couldnt see the writing before this.

A great vintage Victorian Bike - the Museum was started by John Lamplugh Kirk, who had gathered many items together to display, showing English culture and customs.

Horse Nails in the Museum - the Museum also spreads into the old Jail and the cells are used to display tools of many trades - blacksmiths here.

The Shambles - very famous and because of that very busy and touristy. For me, just look at the Tudor overhangs - maybe 3-4 feet apart. Overhangs were used to give more space to the buildings without taking up more space on the paths below.

York Minster - so big I just couldnt fit all of the front in one photo!! Heres the front door!

Looking up at the front of the Minster, a fantastic building both inside and out. Time was getting on so we didnt go in this time.

A Brilliant Day!!

Scotland 2008- part 2

2009-01-16T04:17:00.000-08:00

The incredibly wet memorial to the Royal Marine Commandos that perished during WW2

Scotland summer 2008- Fort George

2009-01-16T04:08:00.001-08:00

Gunpower storage at Fort George

The Main entrance to Fort George

Simons Skipton castle pics.

2009-01-13T12:59:00.001-08:00

Some 17 th century plumbing

A view of the elizabethian inner buildings

The chapel dating from the 12 th century with a fantastic period font that I forgot to take a photo of!

A great way to spend my birthday looking around one of the finest preserved castles in England.

Skipton Castle for Simons birthday

2009-01-12T11:48:00.000-08:00

The gate to the church in Skipton

Doors from Ladys Annes entrance towards the gatehouse

The courtyard tree

The internal courtyard

Arch in the Chapel

'Henceforth'

A lovely day in Skipton for Simons birthday, first we visited the Castle and then took a walk round Skipton, which was a nice town. I think he had a good day!

Castleton Dec 2008

2009-01-12T11:40:00.000-08:00

A lovely if misty trip up to Castleton in Derbyshire. These are the best of an iffy set of photos.

Edinburgh A quick walk around the castle and Royal Mile on new years eye.

2009-01-02T10:36:00.001-08:00

Scotland--Stirling Castle

2009-01-02T10:25:00.001-08:00

Early morning by the river trent..

2008-12-22T03:27:00.001-08:00

Looking south down the river trent

Towards Newark

Dark and Moody photo...

The Sugar factory at Newark

On my way back from Hannahs this morning, I stopped by the River Trent at Staythorpe and took some pictures just as the sun was coming up. Sadly I didnt get to stay for the full sunrise but heres a few shots of what I was able to take.

Newark...

2008-12-19T03:54:00.000-08:00

St Marys
Church

Newark Castle from the river

The Castle

The Castle from the bridge side

Its funny how you never seem to take any pics of where you live. You get used to seeing things like the local castle or Parish Church so often you never think about taking some pictures. Lucky I had my camera with me then when I took a walk uptown yesterday afternoon!

Some photos Simon Shot in North Yorkshire- Aug 2008

2008-12-16T12:55:00.000-08:00

Pickering castle

Rievaulx Terrace - Temple
Rievaulx Abbey
Saltburn
Transporter Bridge, Middlesborough

Saltburn at night

Mount Grace Priory

Stables at Ormesby Hall, Middlesborough

York - May 2008

2008-12-16T12:47:00.000-08:00

The Shambles - great street but very touristy!

In York Minster
The Minster

Outside the Castle Museum, York

Inside the Castle Museum, York

Canterbury- Or as i like to call it, our first adventure together!

2008-12-10T15:46:00.000-08:00

Way back in May, I took Hannah on a Sunday drive, originally to Bluewater but somehow we ended up in Canterbury, not that I minded. Canterbury has been one of my favourite places to visit since I went there with school at age 11. To say it was a great day would be an understatement, even though we got there fairly late in the day and as a result missed the cathedral being open, we were able to have a nice walk around without too many crowds.

Lincoln Christmas Market

2008-12-10T15:40:00.000-08:00

My first trip to lincolns christmas market...sadly only got 3 pics dues to the rain, but ill def be going back next year to get some better pics.

North Yorkshire Weekend

2008-12-10T03:08:00.000-08:00

A great weekend.....plenty of fantastic photos taken, we stayed in one of nicest B and Bs we could have found (well hannah found it to be fair) and will definately be going back up soon to explore more.

More Windermere shots

2008-12-10T03:03:00.001-08:00

Finally for today, Derbyshire in November

2008-12-09T11:04:00.000-08:00

Just a couple of my favourite pictures from a recent walk in Millers Dale.

Stowe - odd weekend, but great photos

2008-12-09T10:31:00.001-08:00

Our trip to Stowe Landscape Gardens gave us many opportunities for great photos. Autumns a great time to go but it was difficult to get great photos as the light was so bad.

Water flowing from the upper lake to the lower lake.

A view of the lower lake

A lovely etching on a window in the parish church that is within the grounds.

The Temple of British Worthies

Great Colours

Malham Cove in September

2008-12-09T10:06:00.000-08:00

Sadly these are two of the better photos, so many of them were absolute rubbish because of the disappearing light! I will go back and take some better photos!!

Hannah's Windermere photos

2008-12-09T09:33:00.000-08:00

Bit delayed as these were taken at the beginning of November but they came out pretty well. We went to the Lake and then moved along the edge to another car park as the sun was setting and got some great views!

The First Blog...

2008-12-09T09:10:00.000-08:00

Hello!!

I thought it would be a good idea to start a photo blog for me and Simon so that we can share photos with each other and other people somewhere different to Facebook!! So I hope we'll add new photos regularly of our many travels - we have some great holidays and trips away already planned for the next year!

Hope you'll enjoy this as much as we will :-)

Hannah and Simon