Three in One

Although I've lived in (and appreciated) Australia for the majority of my life, there remains in my heart a strong yearning for the country of my birth - the United Kingdom.

I've been greatly blessed to have enjoyed several trips back there in my adult life (including 2 years living in Oxford), so today's post revisits a minute snippet of those experiences (and cheekily  contributes to three separate themed blogsites - hence the title).

 

 

Clouds over Lake Windemere (for Skywatch Friday)

A swan battling the winds at the foot of Windemere  (for Weekend Reflection)

 

. . . and the interior of a chapel in Cornwall (for Shadow Shot Sunday 2)

 

Wishing you all a wonderful and safe weekend, while also thanking the hosts of the themed blogs whose commitment enables us to share.

Sweet Robin

This sweet Robin seemed unfazed as my hosts and I strolled around the delightful Victorian gardens of Biddulph Grange, a National Trust property near Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, England.

 

Joining up with Stewart's Wild Bird Wednesday

High St Oxford

High Street, Oxford (England)

 

Joining in the pictorial fun at James' Weekend Reflection

Sweet surprise

While being shown around Biddulph Grange gardens by my house exchange hosts last year, I was delighted to not only see this charming little Robin on a nearby branch, but to capture it with my lens too!

(Am not sure whether I've posted this shot previously. If so, perhaps I can be forgiven as "he" really is such a sweetie!)

 

Just "chilling out" with friends

This mixed group of cattle breeds were just lazing around on a property near Congleton in Cheshire, UK during my visit there this time last year. (I couldn't help but smile at the "bad hair day" look of the highland cattle - or at least I think that's what breed they are!)

 

Joining in the fun at Camera Critters

Stonewall Fences

 

Some stonewall fences near Ayeside just south of Windemere in England's Lake District

 

. . . and this swan was showing off it's beautiful plumage as the keen breeze ruffled it's feathers

 

 

Joining in the fun at Wild Bird Wednesday - thank you Stewart for hosting

Sweet beginnings

This sweet duckling was one of several under the watchful eye of Mother, spotted in the waters surrounding Whittington Castle in northern Shropshire, England earlier this year. (It's apparently the only castle in England to be owned and managed by a community)

 

 

Wishing you all a wonderful week in the lead-up to Christmas, and now (thanks to the respective dedicated hosts),

joining in the fun with links to

Camera Critters

and

Monday Mellow Yellows

Biddulph Grange

 

Following are some images I captured during a visit to the National Trust property Biddulph Grange in Staffordshire, England earlier this year.

 

The splendid grounds reveal an amazing collection of plants from around the world, showcased as "pockets" of other nations' gardens and was created by James Bateman in the 1800s.

 

 

I liked the angular design of this section, and ....

 

... my over-active imagination saw this resembling a face depicting shock and horror!

 

I almost missed this little sweetie hiding amongst the foliage.

 

Joining in James' Weekend Reflection

 

 

Shades of Oxford UK

Some 40+ years ago I lived in Oxford, England, for 2 years. 

During my trip to the UK & Europe earlier this year, a re-visit here was an essential component of my itinerary.  Once again I marvelled at the glorious architecture and sense of history (even though the bold commercialism of today was this time much more evident).

Going clock-wise (from the left) around the collage below, these colourful boats were adjacent to Magdalen Bridge awaiting eager and energetic customers;  a very weathered doorway giving access to one of the college grounds; part of Magdalen College; Oxford's "Bridge of Sighs" linking two parts of Hertford College; the beautiful tower of Merton College, and finally the outside edge of the original City wall, abutting Christchurch Meadow.

To see other regions of the world, visit Our World Tuesday

Canal travel

During my stay in Cheshire earlier this year, I came across this group of narrow-boat travellers negotiating the lock gates.  

the boat looked very elegant

... and here the different water levels can clearly be seen

Surprisingly, this particular gate was only constructed in 1994

Safely through that lock, the youngsters in the group had raced ahead ready to operate the next one!

It does appear to be a lovely way to see the countryside, but am told you need to be fit to operate the gates (perhaps why this chap chose to bring the youngsters along?!)

(With much sadness I dedicate this post to Lady Fi's beautiful dog Oscar and trust that she may be comforted in the knowledge that her many posts which included his delightful face and activities, brought great joy to the family of photo bloggers and he will not be forgotten)

Linking up with Our World Tuesday

Welcoming B&B

While exploring the countryside around Congleton in Cheshire, England during my holiday house exchange in April this year, I came across this welcoming Bed'n'Breakfast property - Yew Tree Farm.

Although I was not in need of accommodation, its setting was charmingly attractive so I took a few shots and am happy to give them a free "plug" in the process!

Linking up with Our World Tuesday

and thanking the team who maintain that blog so we may enjoy the captures others have taken around the world

England's Lake District

Back in early May, I spent a couple of days (way too short a time!) in the Lake District of England, based in a charming 17th Century BnB at Ayside where I was warmly greeted by the "locals", this was just a 10 minute drive from the southern edge of Lake Windemere.

This gorgeous mother and daughter team of Highland Laboradors were a delight with their enthusiastic welcomes

I so admire the patience and skill of those who built these iconic stone and slate boundaries centuries ago.

This brilliant blossom provided a blaze of colour as I made my way down to the ferry landing at Fell Foot

where I spotted this Black Headed Gull (their masking is actually chocolate brown in Summer - as was the case here)

 

and this was some of the surrounding scenery viewed from the ferry 

(I took a 3/4 hr round trip on Windemere)

Linking up with Outdoor Wednesday (and thank you Susan for hosting)

Green & Gold

This fish was happily swimming in the waters adjacent to Old Moreton Hall in Cheshire, UK

Do visit James' Weekend Reflection for more reflection images

(Thanks for the time and effort you put into hosting that site James)

A crazy chick !

 

This crazy chick was spotted on the edge of the lake within Biddulph Grange gardens (posted last month). Not much chance of losing its balance with those HUGE feet! - and no, it hasn't been "photoshopped".  (I wondered whether it might be a swamp hen chick)

 

Not sure that this image truly qualifies as a macro shot, but I'll submit it anyway to

Macro Monday 2 and Camera Critters - with thanks to the hosts of both sites.

Old Moreton Hall

 

Old (or Little) Moreton Hall, is a National Trust property situated in Congleton, Cheshire, UK which was initially constructed around 1504 to 1508 by the Moreton family who were wealthy landowners in the area and the house was a symbol of their prosperity.

A subsequent addition to the building was constructed in 1610.

 

No, the photo hasn't been "artistically adapted", the building really does have that unusual and uneven appearance!

 

This is the interior courtyard

 

and the window of the family chapel (which room appears below)

 

This is a hand-worked kneeling pad for prayers

 

Exterior window from the courtyard

 

 And an explanation of the method of wall construction used !

 

together with a cut-away view of the walls

 

This is the Tudor-style family dining room

 

and here one of the carpenters has left his mark for posterity!

 

This long hall is the top floor, as appears in the first photo (sorry, I didn't note its purpose!)

 

but here you can see the uneven construction

 

and finally some detail in the side leadlight windows.

 

Linking up with Our World Tuesday

(with thanks to our faithful hosts)