Touching history...

The very impressive Salmesbury Hall lies 6 miles east of Preston. It was built in 1325 by Gilbert de Southworth and was the home of the Southworth family until the early 17th Century

The beautiful wattle and daub building is Grade 1 listed and still exudes all the atmosphere of a medieval family home.

The black and white exterior is stunning as is the hammer beam ceiling in the Great Hall

The impressive Elizabethan fireplace was built in 1545

Salmesbury Hall was the home of Saint John Southworth, one of the English Catholic Martyrs, who was executed in 1654.

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Brockholes Nature Reserve...

A visit to the Lancashire nature reserve at Brockholes this week

showed a wealth of colour and new growth for Spring.

The Bluebells were especially wonderful in Boilton Wood.

Brockholes  - April 2017

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Snowdrops...

This cold, but bright, February morning was just right for walk around 

Gorse Hill Nature Reserve

Aughton

Lancashire 

Gorse Hill is an 85 acre site nestled on the northern and western slopes of Gaw Hill, a sandstone ridge with views across the Lancashire plain.

The snowdrops are just starting to peep through, and even though they need just a little more sunshine, they still look magical.

Galanthus (snowdrop; Greek gála "milk", ánthos "flower")

" Beneath these ice-pure sepals lay

A triplet of green-pencilled snow,

Which in the chill-aired gloom of day

Stirred softly to and fro"

The Snowdrop by Walter de la Mare

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Standing Stones..

Those who know me know of my fascination for Standing Stones


I was fascinated to see a group of stones at Brockholes Nature Reserve

Stone Circle

 These have been deliberately placed to add interest to the nature reserve but are still very atmospheric.

In the Distance

A Collage of Stones

"...Stone circles appear all over Britain and Europe- some in slightly better repair than others

some differing slightly in orientation or form, all of purpose and origin unknown..."

Diana Gabaldon : Outlander

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Autumn Walking...

Today was beautiful crisp day so I headed for Brockholes Nature Reserve for some late Autumn colour

I found the golden glow of Beech and Birch and the bright red promise of Holly Berries

Autumn Colour

And along the path I met  Mole, Toad and Ratty

Mole, Toad and Ratty

I also saw 

Buzzards

Heron

Robins

Chaffinches

Coal Tits

Blue Tits

Magpies

 I was't fast enough to capture them but I did get a view of  a couple of swans hiding in the reeds

Through the Reeds

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In the shot...

I rather like seeing the shapes that trees make when they fall over !

Here the bluebells and wild garlic creep around and make the shapes their own place..

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An Enchanted Place....

A recent visit to Fairy Glen was an explosion of the senses

 Spring is the best time to visit this enchanted place

Ancient Woodland

Trailing Ivy

At the top of the Fence

Bluebell Wood

Follow the path

Wherever you look in Fairy Glen there's a picture waiting to be taken.

This is just a selection of photographs which I hope capture a moment in time.

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Cockles and Clams.....

It's fascinating to watch the cockles and clams shimmer and dance 

in their pools of crystal clear water

She sees seashells on the seashore !!

The beach structures of ...New Brighton

New Brighton is a seaside resort located at the northeastern tip of  

the Wirral Peninsular in Merseyside.

The Sea Wall looking towards Liverpool

Groynes

Peeping ...

A way through...

A perfect day for looking at Beach Structures....

There's a famous seaside place called ...Blackpool

"There’s a famous seaside place called Blackpool,

That’s noted for fresh air and fun...."

Marriot Edgar

The Beautiful Blues in Blackpool

On a recent day visit to Blackpool there were lots of interesting things to photograph and this amazing blue sky made everything look quite special.

Putting them all together....

 A nice way of keeping the pictures together is to make a collage 

Snow in the park..

We have had rather thick snowfall over night so it gave the opportunity of a snowy walk in Mesnes Park this morning.

Just in the right place at the right time to see this small gaggle of geese fly over the fountain.

Through the trees to the Pavilion

Rather chilly for sitting today

January brings the snow

makes our feet and fingers glow....

The Cat of Glory...

And there shall come amongst

them a CAT of such GREAT

GLORY that all who see it will

be SORE AMAZED  and

MARVEL at its SPLENDOUR

....Edward Monkton....

Playing around with a new photo editing programme 

shows The Orange One in all his glory

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Looking out....

Another Place has been in place since 1997

and Antony Gormley's figures tell their own story as they look out to sea

On the Seashore....

Sometimes you have to look to see what's happening down below

Santa Baby....

Sometimes Santa pops up in the most unexpected places 

Here he is on Crosby Beach - relaxing after a busy Christmas

well ......even Santa needs a holiday ...

A Place of Ancient worship....

 This small medieval Chapel is the most beautiful 

and perhaps the most atmospheric room in Conwy castle

Three lancet windows look East

The chapel remained in use until 1533

Seats for the clergy

"...At the altar they heard estuary birds

cry over the kiss of salt and river water..."

Damian Walford Davies