PODcast

What’s The Story? | 17th March 2014

Hello everyone, welcome to What’s The Story? for w/c 17th March.

Thank you for joining in last week, so many sunny posts! Faves included Linford Bottom, British Sports, The Perfect Sunday, Chasing Squirrels, Arthur and the mural, Staying at John’s, Blue in the face and the Shetland adventure.

If you’re new here, What’s The Story? is a photography based Linky which enables you to share the stories behind your photographs. It’s open from 6.30am every Monday through to Sunday.

To join in all you have to do is share a photograph and the story behind it. You can write as little or much as you like and your photo/s can be from any time – old or new. You can link up a old post too if it’s relevant.

Feel free to use the What’s The Story? badge or link back here – I’m happy to share your post in return. Please do take the time to comment on some of your fellow bloggers posts when you can. It’s always worthwhile checking back after Monday too.

Have a great week #whatsthestory

Silent Sunday

Project 365: Week #11

A wonderful Spring day meant we got to spend hours in the garden last weekend. A few more cobwebs were blown away when the car returned bringing with it a sense of escapism. The walk to nursery has continued though – we get to have a natter and you never know what you’ll see.

Welcome to Project 365: Week #11.

Day 68

Sunday was glorious, so much so the Dove clan were in Summer clothes! POD’s swing got it’s first airing in a while – you’ll see one happy three year old in this post. There were ladybirds and butterflies everywhere too – it was almost as if they’d been told it’s time now, go for it!

Choosing one photograph for day 68 was tough as I captured this ladybird in the grass,

a butterfly sunning itself on Daddy’s shed. Not to mention loads of POD!

Day 69

It wasn’t as warm today but POD wanted to be outdoors. Play consisted of transferring water from one watering can to another and then to a bucket. She took a dislike to my only daffodil as she pulled its head off shortly after I took this photograph!

Day 70

In a corner of the green we share with the residents in our road is a circle of daffodils framed with crocuses. These bulbs were planted in memory of our neighbour’s wife who died last year – it’s wonderful to see them bloom for the first time.

Day 71

With the car back, Wednesday saw me pay RHS Wisley’s Alpine Houses and Centenary Crevice Garden a fleeting visit. It was awesome – there’s a post with my favourite photographs here.

Day 72

It was a foggy (or froggy as POD calls it) walk to nursery today. But amazing because there were dewy webs everywhere.

Day 73

This was a speedy capture on the way back from nursery. The inside of this flower almost looks like a miniature pipecleaner that’s been twirled round a pen.

Day 74

We had dinner with friends in nearby Hampshire on Friday evening and stayed overnight. This stream, currently lined with daffodils, is visible from their bathroom window. There’s a beautiful mossy wooden bench just to the right too.

Discovering the Alpines at Wisley

Every now and again it’s nice to escape with nothing but your camera. We’re lucky RHS Wisley is so close, its a beautiful place for a walk whatever the time of year.

This photograph was taken looking back at the house, to the left is the canal and loggia and to the right the grassy slopes were littered with daffodils and crocuses. In a couple of months the bridge you see before you will be covered in Wisteria. The Spring smells are already divine.

The Rock Garden offers a wide range of plants from around the World and waterfalls a plenty. Today provided the opportunity to explore the rocky steps and discover new things although the area is buggy accessible in parts.

At one point I found some steps leading upwards, I followed them and it led up to a meadow bursting with daffodils on the cusp of blooming. What a sight that will be!

Above the Rock Garden are the Alpine Houses and the Centenary Crevice Garden. Having not investigated this area before, it was like discovering a secret garden. Hundreds of plants grew in nooks and crannies.

From fuzzy flowers

and spiky succulents

to colourful mixes set in slate and stone.

The display houses showcase an array of alpine gems

including a stunning collection of colourful flowers.

Even one of our fuzzy friends made an appearance – the first of the year!

Outside there were more delights to be found

and a very different view of the Glasshouse – it really is immense. The butterflies in the Glasshouse event was held in the tropical zone there.

PODcast IMG_0317

Having made the most of the Alpine Garden and the Rock Garden, there was time for an amble round The Wild Garden.

I was so quiet taking this photograph as there was a couple feeding a Robin behind me.

Then boom! Nothing shouts sunshine and happiness more than daffodils – these ones almost took your breath away.

Linking up with Mammasaurus for #HDYGG.

Winter #OneWeek

This Winter will be remembered for the storms. We count ourselves very lucky that our damage has been minor compared to many. We just lost a fence. This is POD peering through it the week before it came down.

POD would have loved to play in the snow and build a snowman but we’ve not seen a flake! We’ve barely had any frost either – weirdly I captured this mossy clump and a ladybird in the same week!

This Winter has very much been about dodging the rain clouds in the quest for country air. I’ve loved photographing rain drops though it must be said!

After capturing what was a wonderful Autumn, the early part of the Winter saw us take a short trip to Bruges. We traveled on Eurotunnel so we could drive from Calais. Bruges is a beautiful city full of medieval buildings and cobbled streets with Christmas markets offering the likes of Bratwurst and of course Glühwein.

We also got to see the Snow and Ice sculpture festival based on Disney’s film Frozen while we were there. Amazing but very cold at -6 degrees!

Back in the UK there were interesting festive displays

and lots of outdoor fun to be had. POD loved mucking around on this visit to Wisley!

At Claremont, there were many giggles in the aptly named ‘Ha-ha’ when we embarked on the Twelve days of Christmas trail!

Having previously discovered the follies of Painshill Park, we were back to see Father Christmas in the crystal grotto. POD had not seen the big man before so it was a great introduction.

POD has loved all the muddy puddles this Winter. The photograph below was taken at Alice Holt, a local forest where the sun made an appearance shortly after we arrived.

We’ve explored varied landscapes too, like the Majestic Commons which had some of the oldest trees I’ve ever seen. We had to make a run for it when the heavens opened!

We’ve seen trees down too which is sad to see. The bollards in the background of this photograph from our visit to Bookham Commons a stark reminder.

When time was short, we’ve been lucky there is so much nearby – like Clandon Park. This is POD relaxing having completed the Wildlife Fact Finding Trail there.

Events such as the Butterflies in The Glasshouse at Wisley made you forget it was Winter with its tropical temperatures.

But the rain was never far away! You’d never know from this photograph how much rain we saw on our visit to Bocketts Farm although we were safely inside stroking animals then!

When the sun has appeared, we’ve darted out of the house at great speed to make the most of it. Abinger Roughs was a great walk with POD enjoying many a puddle – another time we reached the car just in time!

On occasions Winter has been like Spring. This photograph of the boathouse at Winkworth Arboretum was taken last month. It was glorious – we even saw snowdrops and daffodils!

So Winter for us has been about making the most of the outdoors in an attempt to blow away those cobwebs. Although there were weekends when it was impossible to do anything, we’ve managed to make the most of it.

We’re linking this Winter post up with Older Mum for seasonal linky #OneWeek and #PoCoLo at Verily Victoria Vocalises.

The Swing

The skies were blue, there was barely a cloud in the sky and the birds chirped loudly in the trees. The warm sun meant flesh was on show for the first time in a while.

In the garden POD was up and down the slide over and over giggling as she flew off the end of it. Then she was in her playhouse offering interesting meal combinations – the favourite being asparagus and egg with cake!

The swing was put away when the storms began so it’s the one part of her activity set that’s been missing. It got its first airing on Sunday and was greeted with much enthusiasm. That is one happy face!

POD loved going back and forth on the swing with the breeze in her hair. Once it slowed down, she’d watch Daddy tidy the shed staying in the same position.

Now and again she’d take a break to examine ladybirds, watch butterflies or run around the garden

but it wasn’t long before she was back on the swing! Mummy never pushes as high as Daddy so it came as a surprise to POD when a degree of height was achieved – encouraged by shouts of “push higher Mummy”.

A raucous giggle was followed by an infectious belly laugh – it really is the best sound ever. If only it were possible to capture that moment of utter joy, just wonderful.

POD loved being in the garden sunshine. She was tired and dirty but she’d definitely missed that swing of hers!

What’s The Story? | 10th March 2014

Hello everyone, welcome to What’s The Story? for w/c 10th March.

Thank you for joining in last week, so many fabulous posts. Faves included Shoreditch Stroll, Life Before T, A trip home, An inspiring woman, Tavira Tower, Cold, When Madonna meets Slash, My Angel has lost her Halo, Football boots and Shots anyone?

If you’re new here, What’s The Story? is a photography based Linky which enables you to share the stories behind your photographs. It’s open from 6.30am every Monday through to Sunday.

Have a great week #whatsthestory

Silent Sunday

The Devil’s Punch Bowl & beyond

Hindhead Commons and The Devil’s Punch Bowl is designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty. You barely need to leave the car park to appreciate the impressive views across The Bowl.

POD and I explored The Devil’s Punch Bowl for the first time just last month but we were back so Daddy could discover it too. It was a windy day but we were lucky the rain stopped just as we arrived.

We decided to take the historic Sailor’s Stroll as it’s an easy walk and we had POD’s bedroom to decorate once we were home!

The Bowl is a natural amphitheatre and a breathtaking one at that. The slopes are covered with heath, small streams and woodland. Even on a grey day the panoramic views extend for miles. The smell of the woodland is divine.

The Sailor’s Stone marks the spot where an unknown sailor met his death. He was murdered by three men he had befriended in a local pub in Thursley whilst walking from London to Portsmouth.

On the stone is carved: Erected in detestation of a barbarous murder committed here on an unknown sailor on Sept 24th 1786 by Edward Lonegon, Michael Casey and James Marshall who were all taken on the same day and hung in chains near this place. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood by man shall his blood be shed (Gen chap 9, v6).

Just up from the Sailor’s Stone is Gibbet Hill which lies above the Devil’s Punch Bowl. It’s the second highest point in Surrey – on a clear day you can see London and other Surrey Hills such as Leith Hill and Box Hill.

The nearby Celtic Cross, listed by the English Heritage as a Grade II listed monument, marks the spot where the three villains were tried and hung as a warning to other criminals. Their bodies remained there for three years until they were blown down in a storm. The Celtic Cross was erected to help dispel local fears that the hill was haunted by ghosts of the highwaymen.

The intention after that was to head back to the car which completed the Sailor’s Stroll. Daddy didn’t want to walk back on himself though and was convinced if we carried on walking we’d end up back where we started.

POD was tired so having had a little wander, returned to her buggy where she promptly fell asleep. We took in the wonderful scenery, including fabulous ancient trees, and headed downwards into The Bowl.

We thought we were lost but when we came across Gnome Cottage we found ourselves on the map again. Just up from there we saw the most fabulous wild horses. Several checked us out as we passed but they kept a safe distance. POD was delighted to see them having woken from her slumber a few minutes earlier.

The scenery was beautifully lush in this lower part of the Devil’s Punch Bowl with colourful heather and yellow gorse strewn across the landscape.

Heading upwards, the sight behind us just highlighted how fabulous this area really is.

We then headed down wide bridal paths lined with striking trees including one that looked like it had a rabbit in it. A stark reminder of the recent storms was this huge tree that had uprooted and fallen in our path.

We realised we might be lost when we crossed a stream and ended up in a residential area albeit a very nice one!

We then took a bridal path that almost disappeared – we came from the other side of this gate below. We kept going even though the last part meant carrying the buggy and POD independently.

We’d clearly walked off the National Trust map, and without one of our own, we were delighted when we saw people again. And one of those National Trust signs!

After walking some more, and attempting to make sense of Google Maps, we came across familiar landscape. We realised at that point we were heading back towards the Devil’s Punch Bowl even if we’d picked up the more demanding Highcombe Hike trail.

When we reached The Robertson Memorial we knew we were on the right track. William Alexander Robertson was the eldest of four children. His two younger brothers died during the First World War and he left a bequest with the National Trust in memory of them. His elder brother and parents were remembered in bequests elsewhere.

It took three hours to arrive back where we started – we rewarded ourselves with a well earned slice of cake. We didn’t get much decorating done but at least we can say we explored the Devil’s Punch Bowl and beyond!

Linking up with Country Kids at Coombe Mill and What’s The Story? here on PODcast.

Project 365: Week #10

This week didn’t start well but thankfully improved after the major car fail! Walking to nursery has had its perks in that there have been some wonderful things to photograph, POD’s enjoyed it too. Welcome to Project 365: Week #10.

Day 61

I was en route to the Photography Show for a portfolio review when the car lost its power. This view of the M40 was taken from the passenger side while I was waiting for the AA. They towed me off the hard shoulder and after a mechanic had taken a look at the car, I was towed home. It was a sad day but I did cheer myself up with chocolate and wine later.

Day 62

No car meant no gymnastics so we painted instead. Hand painting is obligatory!

Day 63

We traveled to and from nursery by foot today. It’s uphill there and next to a busy road but you’d be surprised by what you can find. This twisty leaf, moss on a letterbox and what looked like a sprout featured in frosty mornings – a photography post about the journey. I love this photograph for it’s simplicity although it does look like it’s floating!

Day 64

This is part of Dapdune Wharf on the River Wey which burst its banks in the recent storms. The towpath is visible again now but it was blocked by a fallen tree.

Day 65

We took a different route to nursery today and saw this. A cluster of crab-like bouquets!

Day 66

This is POD looking after Mummy’s sunglasses on the way to nursery – a glimpse into the future perhaps! The car was finally looked at today and the turbo has gone *takes out second mortgage*

Day 67

A gorgeous day today – POD and I had our first ice-cream of the year while Daddy was in Homebase. Once home we found this little fellow on the steps of POD’s playhouse!

Older Posts

Newer Posts

Visiting Mayfield Lavender Field, Banstead

A wander at Frensham Little Pond, Surrey

Summer activities at Barracudas

What’s The Story? | 17th March 2014

Silent Sunday

Project 365: Week #11

Discovering the Alpines at Wisley

Winter #OneWeek

The Swing

What’s The Story? | 10th March 2014

Silent Sunday

The Devil’s Punch Bowl & beyond

Project 365: Week #10

Adventures

Visiting Mayfield Lavender Field, Banstead

A wander at Frensham Little Pond, Surrey

7 reasons to love Barracudas camps