Hidcote

By shendyNo Comments
The last trip of the week off was to Hidcote in Gloucestershire. SWMBO had never been been, while I last went over 10 years ago - having been a few times as a child. The lily pond is part of a family legend - from the time that The Brother managed to fall into it... The "bathing pool" had great photographic potential, if I'd had a step-ladder. The water was gently rotating, and a long exposure of the whole pool would have worked wonderfully with the circular blur....
Read More

Bristol University Botanic Garden

By shendyNo Comments
Having a few days off, we decided to visit some local bits and pieces that we've not managed to get to in the 17 years I've been in Bristol. First up was the Bristol University Botanic Garden in Stoke Bishop. The gardens are well worth a visit, especially at only £3 a head, as there is a lot to see, including some tropical hothouses. I actually had a bit of success taking photos of some dragonflies - not quite as horribly blurred as some previous attempts - and also my best effort at a flying bee. I also dug out the panoramic pinhole camera, with some success. It's worth mentioning that I got the film processed at Asda - £2 processing only and he did the job in the 25 minutes it took us to do some shopping....
Read More

Devon

By shendyNo Comments
After wading my way through a bit of a backlog, I can finally get round to posting some photos from a trip to Devon in June. We spent a few days staying in the luxurious glory that is the M5 Travelodge in Exeter, and got around a bit. The photos are of: A La Ronde in Exmouth - a rather odd 16-sided house Dawlish Warren, some long exposures Some bits from around Exmouth, including a rather nice tea room/cafe, Bumble and Bee The last bits aren't Devon, but are Montacute House in Somerset. ...
Read More

South Lodge Garden

By shendyNo Comments
On Sunday we visited South Lodge Garden in Clearwell, Gloucestershire - they are part of the National Gardens Scheme but opened specially for a clothes-optional visit organised by a local naturist group. And what a lovely garden it was, helped of course by it being a warm sunny day. Keep an eye out for their open days - well worth a visit, clothed or not....
Read More