Said Alice, at Wisley
The Alice in Wonderland event ends 31st Aug 2015, but in the meantime click on twice to expand, said Alice ~
If you look where Alice looks, then you’ll see what Alice sees. Cats with a cheesy grins, found nesting up in trees.
Said Alice, to a rabbit who was late.
And here’s a snail that’s made of flowers, and a mushroom for my plate,
A pillar with a hookah.
Off with his head
And a Red Queen in a spate,
. . . and his
Then strange tea with the Mad Hatter,
Wouldn’t that be great ?.
Said Alice, who burst into song ~
Wisley Gardens
Wisley Gardens is run by the Royal Horticultural Society and is certainly amongst their best and quite spectacular.
There is a Flower Show from 8th to 13th September 2015 – Website here. Travel here. Flowers here. Wisley Wonderland here, Glass House/Orchids/Pitchers here, Statues here and Fuchsias will be added. Enjoy :-
Flowers at Wisley Gardens
Wisely Gardens is run by the Royal Horticultural Society and I think the best I have seen. Please click here for the Gardens/Glasshouse/Orchids/Bonsai Trees/Statues.
Les Poulet sont Chic at Hatfield House
Click here for the amazing Hatfield House and Elizabeth I.
Are you looking at me Jimmy.
Na mate, I’m looking for Chanticleer.
Call for Chanticleer.
Hey Jock have yous seen Chanticleer.
Gulp, gulp, chew, not I honest, it must have been the fox.
There is a cyber bear for anyone who gets the connection with the Amy involved in large explosion hypothesis.
St Paul’s Cathedral
For more than 1,400 years, a Cathedral dedicated to St Paul has stood at the highest point in the City of London. The present cathedral was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and built during the period 1675 and 1710. More History ⇒.
Photography is not usually allowed except on a few days each year or with a permit. The few visitor date/times/charges for photography without a permit during 2017 are here ⇐. For permits and commercial photography/filming, please see here ⇒ . General Admission and charges are here ⇒.
I caught the last opportunity for 2015 and so, of course, went overboard. To view the astonishing detail of the decor, please click on the image and then again to expand.
The Nave
Beside the Dome and the Dome
The gallery at the first level is known as the Whispering Gallery at 30 meters above the cathedral floor. So called because, when it is quiet, a whisper on one side will travel around the wall and be heard on the other side.
Higher still is the Stone Gallery at 53 meters and the topmost is the Golden Gallery at 85 meters. If you can climb to the top, they give a you a badge. 😛 .
The Ceiling above the Quire
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The High Alter and the Apse
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There are many monuments and dedications at the cathedral. I chose this one because of the workmanship and for being a little known personage. It is of course Carolus Jacobus Blomfield.
Here is the famous exterior of the Dome.
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This is John Wesley, Father of Methodism. Another well made statue.
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The Crypt has many tombs, dedications and a cafe. Perhaps the most famous tomb being that of Viscount Horatio Nelson. These are some of the dedications.
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Lastly, the cathedral does have its contemporary side and has housed an exhibition of work by street artist Inkie. Below is one item retained and presently on view just inside the cathedral entrance.
Linc Fete 2015 Photos and Video
Well it looks safe enough. A few youngsters having a quiet dance.
Also available at UK Online in Poplar. To download pics: Left click on the image to expand then right click and choose “Save Image As” .
And, some local performers.
And, a great smile on great wheels
But, then there are these rascals.
And, this rascal. The youngsters were having a great time pointing and screaming. I think the screaming part was the most fun.
Whasat.
And, Whasat.
Dance was by Embrace Dance, and they did
And, even teach had a go.
He did come down eventually.
These two were part of the The Invincibles.
These are all the Invincibles and they were.
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And, a good time was had by all, but I didn’t predict a riot.
The Secret of Vauxhall Park
Vauxhall Park, in SW London, is a small but pleasant area with a very nice little café and a secret.
On the way, there is a very aromatic field of lavender that hosts a number of visitors (please click here if you can spare a moment to help save the UK bees from insecticides) . The lavender was harvested in the past, distilled into oil and made available for purchase -see the Friends of Vauxhall Park.
And, at the eastern end, adjacent to the children’s play area, the only model village in London. Albeit small, it is quite charming.
Created by Edgar Wilson in 1949, the only other surviving by the same person being in Melbourne Australia. This one was restored in 2001 by local resident Mr Nobby Clerk.
Such places do give rise to imagination (my excuse for what follows).
They’re both called Mini. Would you Adam and Eve it.
Professor Pelican teaches his Ducks to Cluck class, attended by Vera, Chuck and Dave (who knows where they were first mentioned ?).
And, there is also:-
The Elfin Oak, Bekonscot Model Village and Railway (near London), Babbacombe Model Village (Devon) and nearby Kents Caverns, Corfe Castle and more Model Villages. Enjoy and thanks for the visit.
Flowers at Westminster
Photography is not allowed inside Westminster Abbey (although some have sneaked out here), so I pinched a few flower images from outside. The camera sees a lot more than the eye and it is always a surprising delight. 🙂
Osterley Park House
Osterley Park House was entirely redesigned by architect Robert Adam over a period of twenty years beginning in 1761 on behalf of the Childs family. Although the the house is not entirely full of artifacts, it is one of the most sumptuous that I have visited. The gardens can be found here and the flowers here. Admission times, prices and further information can be found here.
Unfortunately the upstairs rooms were closed during my visit, but here are the downstairs rooms. The lighting was little dull in places, so it has been raised a little.
Osterley Park Gardens
Ossterley Park Gardens are to the rear of the house and adjacent to two pleasant lakes with some wildfowl. Entry to the gardens is by ticket only. A post of the flora is here and the the sumptuous house interiors/sdmission/onfo here : -)
Osterley Park Flora
The gardens at Osterley Park House have a rich variety of blooms and the admission/info/house and gardens are available to view and photograph. The house can be found on Google and the nearest underground rail station is Osterley on the Piccadilly line. Enjoy ~
Geffrye Museum – Interiors
The Geoffrye Museum is very close to Hoxton station on the London Overground Line. There is a front and back garden area, which is worth seeing, and entrance to the museum is free. The interior has a long row of rooms which depict interior decor and furniture throughout the ages. There is also an exhibition area in the basement and one may join a tour of a small Alms House exhibit.
Here is a taste of the museum.
#SaveFoP: Save Our Freedom of Panorama
The issue is now resolved. The petition was successful and Freedom of Panorama was saved. With thanks to all who participated.
– With links to the petition, UK MEP’s email addresses and tweeting tags. Please pass it around. :-).
Originally posted on phnat.org (Photographer Not A Terrorist). With thanks to Nico Trinkhaus who created the petition and Rabirius (Rabirius.me) who promoted a chain reaction.
Image © Grant Smith
On 9 July 2015 the European Parliament will vote on the “Freedom of Panorama” legislation, a law that if passed will restrict your right to take photographs from a public place of buildings and even views that have been copyrighted. Read more here.
In the the days leading up to the vote photographers rights campaign group I’m a Photographer Not a Terrorist (PHNAT) calls on all photographers, professional and amateur, to go out and photograph your local landscapes and views, then tweet your photos to the European Parliament.
View original post 75 more words
No Freedom Of Panorama
The issue is now resolved. The petition was successful and Freedom of Panorama was saved. With thanks to all who participated.
A very important issue with a link to a vital petition, for residents and visitors who wish to photograph in Europe. It is not well known that the right to photograph in Europe could soon be severely restricted. The petition already has more than 150,000 supporters (on 1 July 2015) but needs more. Your help will make a difference. A link to the petition is below.
The European Parliament might destroy photography as we know it by taking away the Freedom of Panorama. That means public buildings and other works of art in public spaces will have a copyright and you need to ask permission to publish photos taken in European cities.
To demonstrate what it might look like, I prepared a photo of Berlin, where I removed the Reichstagsgebäude.
Here is a link to a petition where you will also find more information.
Geffrye Museum Gardens and Flowers
The Geffrye Museum Font Garden
15 pics. One can have a pleasant picnic in the front garden, stroll through the rose and herb garden to the rear and then return to the front and enter the museum free. The museum interiors are series of rooms depicting the changes of decor and furnishing over time .
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The Rear Herb and Rose Gardens
Together with many other colourful blooms.
Sutton House
Lenenfold Parlour
So called because of its rare linenfold design wood paneling.
19 pics. Sutton House is not very big but it is a real gem and is well worth a visit. It was built-in 1535 by Sir Ralph Sadleir (Principal Secretary of State to Henry VIII) and has a long history of occupation including merchants, sea captains, Huguenot silk-weavers, Victorian schoolmistresses and Edwardian clergy. In later years it was used by WWII Fire Wardens, the ASTMS Union and then a squat/music venue/community center known as the Blue Room. The staff are friendly and helpful and it is well managed which results in a sense of preserved rather than restored.
More history here ⇒, website (opening times/small entry fee) here ⇒ and essential travel guide here ⇐. Note: sometimes the website (2019) is misleading about opening times and how to book a visit, you can contact here ».
There is also a Georgian Parlour, tea room, small cafe. outdoor seating areas, used book shop, cellar and chapel (little bare though), small garden/play area and community room. The site hosts a number of events and family themed days (check the website above).
Do use the paper guide provided on entry, otherwise it is very easy to miss a room or one of the treasure chests.
Art Gallery
If you click on twice to expand, then you will see the names of the young artists. The room also has an audio-visual guide.
Little Chamber
Great Chamber
Sir Ralph Sadleir MP
Lady Sadleir and Sir Edwin Sadleir both by Mary Beale
Victorian Room
Tudor Kitchen
That’s my selfie.
Top Floor
This is what remains of the the Blue Room squat, which has it’s own history.
Courtyard Seating
Breakers Yard Garden and Sand Pit
Shop
I do love a duck.
Flowers at Kenwood Park
10 pics. Kenwood Gardens can be found here and Kenwood House interiors (with information and travel) here.
Flowers at Kenwood Gardens
Mostly Rhododendron in a great variety of colours and roses near the cafe
Kenwood is a very welcoming place and this flower even has dance steps for the bees :-).
Flowers at the Cafe Seating Area and Shop Wall
Kenwood House Gardens
This is the front of Kenwood House with entrance to the rear, gardens to the left and cafe/shop to the right. The interiors are here and flowers are here. Entrance is free to both house and gardens and non-commercial photographers are welcome inside.
The nearest underground rail station is Archway and the 210 bus can be taken from stand E to the next stop E (near Compton Ave) and then a short walk to Kenwood House.
This is one of the most pleasant and peaceful gardens and park-lands that I have visited. Most of the flowers are Rhododendron in a great variety of colours. There will be close ups in the next post.
Kenwood House Gardens
Just to the left of the Dairy (small white building) in the distance just beyond the gardens, is a statue by Henry Moore.
Henry Moore – Two Piece Reclining Figure No 5 . Myself, I might have called it “Dreams of a Jive Bunny”. 🙂
Back to the gardens.
Spot the Gorilla
This is a view to the south of Kenwood Park and beyond is Hampstead Heath. If you look closely, just to the right of center, one might see a huge green shaggy gorilla with three fingers in the water. 🙂 And, who’s he talking to ? 🙂
The cafe has a very pleasant seating area amongst an array of flowers, with more seating from where this photograph is taken, and a shop to the right. The staff are friendly and, although quite busy, a very calm and enjoyable atmosphere.
Here is the boss (of all he surveys). 🙂
Kenwood House – Interiors
Kenwood House is free to enter and photography is allowed. It houses a massive art collection bequeathed by Lord Iveagh (Vermeer, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Reynolds, Larkin and Boucher) and sits amongst an ornamental garden with parklands and is adjacent to Hampstead Heath. There is also a shop and the cafe, Gardens ( here ) and Flowers ( here ) are a delight .
It does get quite busy with tours and school trips. Nevertheless it has a calm ambiance with friendly staff and an occasional school party sitting on the floor quietly mesmerized by a story teller. You might wish to click on The Website.
The easiest route is to Archway underground station and then the 210 bus from stand E to the next stand E by Compton Rd.
The Rooms
The Ceilings
Foyer
Library
The Paintings
Rembrandt – self portrait with two circles
It seems that selfies are nothing new to the world.
Man Offering Grapes to a Girl – Francois Boucher
Lady Isabella Rich – Attr William Larkin
Diana Cecil – Countess of Oxford – attr William Larkin
The Cherry Gatherers – Francois Boucher
Dido Elizabeth Belle and Lady Elizabeth Murray by Johann Zoffany
Some Trinkets
Floral Fusion 2
3 pics.
A little something to brighten the day (click on a picture for full screen and again to magnify).
A little more colour ↓.
A little less flowers ↓.
No flowers were harmed whilst making this display but several brain cells went walkabouts. 😀
When I’m 64
A little whimsy to brighten the day.
Vera, Chuck and Dave.
When I get older losing my hair, many years from now
Will you still be sending me a valentine
Birthday greetings, bottle of wine?
If I’d been out till quarter to three, would you lock the door?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I’m sixty-four? .
Strawberry Hill House – Interiors
The interiors of Strawberry Hill House are so well refurbished, that it seems waiting for its first occupants. Whilst the house has few artifacts at present, the trust is raising funds to restore at least some of Horace Walpole’s massive collection. For pictures of the castle-like exterior, history and essential information for visitors please click here.
These pictures are not necessarily in the order they were taken, do not include all the rooms and it is essential to use the guide-book to ensure seeing everything.
It is worth magnifying some of these pictures, especially the stained glass. To do so please click on a picture and then again to magnify and then use your browser’s “back” key to return here.. Enjoy 🙂 .
Strawberry Hill House
Exteriors
10 pics – The house was created by Horace Walpole who was the youngest son of Robert Walpole (Britain’s first Prime Minister). Work began in 1749 and continued in stages over the following 27 years. It was recently discovered that the original colouring was white and would have looked quite remarkable in its day, as it does now. The house is in a Gothic style of the fairy-tale variety and has extraordinary interiors here.
The interiors have been restored to an original state which gives a quite surreal appearance, as if it is still waiting for its first occupant. It’s surreal, but very peaceful character, is aided by some recent artwork.
The house once contained a massive collection of artworks, which were unfortunately sold by a later owner. The collection was so vast that the sale lasted for 30 days. The trust is gradually acquiring more items for the interior but the restored decor, picture glass and paintings are still worth seeing.
The website is here and the Wikipedia history here. Do check the website for opening times and to book a ticket for the house (before 10:30 on the day of your visit). Tickets are half price on Mondays and Tuesdays. A guide-book is provided and essential if one is not to miss some of the rooms and the Chapel. I missed the Chapel but Google images are available here (there are many pics of the house mixed in),
Freed From Time 