Water Tower #2

Water Tower - Second View

The last image that I posted on this blog was probably the accepted standard angle of view of the Water Tower in the Bournemouth Gardens.... 
However, I have always enjoyed taking images from slightly more unusual angles of view.... After taking the earlier more normal image I then took this shot from a different angle...
By concentrating on the upper section of the tower and including the overhanging trees it has produced what is for me a more interesting photo of the tower...

Water Tower....

The Water Tower

This water tower is situated in the upper section of Bournemouth Gardens....The tower was built sometime between 1883 and 1903 in order to supply water for a fountain.
The gardens start near the pier approach with the Lower Gardens and as you walk in a north westerly direction you make your way through the Central and then the Upper Gardens where you will find this water tower....


*NB: Sorry that I have neglected this blog over the past eight weeks but I have been working on a couple of projects over at my purpletraveller blog....
One of these was to complete my cycling mileage of 10,000 for the year and now that I have achieved that I should have more time to take pictures and post them here.

Pathway to Heaven...

Pathway to Heaven

Is this a pathway to heaven..? Well the path will get you as far as the church door, the rest is up to you I feel. 
Mind you when it's raining, the path being made up of thousands of small shiny pebbles becomes so slippery, that if you are not careful it would be very easy to slip over and get part way to heaven....well as far as the hospital at least....
These type of church paths seem very popular in North Devon where this image was taken, so if you are visiting the area in the rain...... just take care!

Spying on You....

Spying On You......

I saw this outbuilding on a large country estate in the county of Devon ... It kind of gives you the feeling that it is spying on you.

DESTINATIONS.....

Meeth Halt Station

This is the disused Meeth Halt Station in the county of Devon. All the rail track has been ripped up and the old track bed now forms part of the Tarka Trail long distance footpath and cycle trail....
The small sign on the side of the station building lists the destinations as Torington 11, Bideford 16 and Barnstaple 24. 
Those distances are miles and not kilometres of course this being the UK.

SCOTLAND.......

TEASEL taken in Scotland

This image encapsulates for me all the walking, backpacking and cycling trips that I have had in Scotland over the years.........
Whenever I look at this image I don't just see a prickly plant....I see a replay in my mind of all those wonderful trips and the various memories just come back to me......

LOOKING AT YOU...

STONE HEAD....

I was standing in a churchyard looking for photo subjects when I had the feeling that someone was watching me....... I turned around and high up on the wall of the church was this grotesque staring down at me...

THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE...

THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE-Infra red image

The third and final in this short series of infrared images......
This is a bridge with mystery surrounding it and that is why I chose to shoot in infrared. 
Why would anyone build a bridge across a small stream that doesn't really go anywhere? 
If you cross the bridge you would come right up against a mass of hedge and bushes. I looked very closely but there were no signs that there had ever been a footpath or indeed a gap in the hedge to pass through.....

GRAVES....

GRAVES - Infra red image

The second in my short series of infra red images is one that is well suited to the technique... These graves were seen in a corner of a country churchyard and just spoke infra red to me...

THE BENCH

THE BENCH - Infra red  image

The first in a short series of Infra Red images is this bench captured in a very overgrown garden.......
Infra red is one of my favourite methods of creating images of a world of mystery....ideal for haunted houses.....standing stones.....or graveyards....

ROOTS.......

THE NEW FOREST - ROOTS

WINDSWEPT......

WINDSWEPT ON DARTMOOR

You can always tell from which direction the prevailing wind comes from when walking on Dartmoor.....just take a look at the few trees and bushes that can be seen on the open moor......

THE FOREST FLOOR...

LIKE A CARPET - THE FOREST FLOOR

Deep in the interior of the New Forest the forest floor remains like a carpet all year round....leaves upon leaves provide a home for a whole myriad of small creatures. 

The varied textures and tones make an interesting subject for any passing photographer......

MORE STONES

MORE STONES...DARTMOOR

Yes...it's more standing stones on Dartmoor...
Here we have a closer image of one of the larger stones of the Ringastan with a few of it's smaller neighbours  in the background. The sense of history surrounding standing stones like these is almost palpable......

ANOTHER TOR.....ANOTHER SHAPE.....

ANOTHER TOR.....ANOTHER SHAPE....

Still making our way across the Dartmoor landscape.....here is another Tor and yet another shape. In the background can be seen it's Sister Tor sat on the skyline.....When the weather is bad, these natural structures can offer a very useful  protection from the harsh elements for both sheep and any passing walker.........

THE RINGASTAN

THE RINGASTAN - DARTMOOR

Looking like a fairy ring this small stone circle is known as The Ringastan (meaning ring of stones). It is also known as The Runnage Circle as well as the Soussons Common Cairn Circle.... 
This stone circle is situated just twenty metres from a small road and it dates from the Bronze Age. The circle consists of 22 visible stones with a diameter of 8.6 metres. 
There has been talk of recent witchcraft activities taking place at this site, but whether or not that is true, it is a truly magical site to visit.....

HUNTINGDON WARREN CLAPPER BRIDGE

CLAPPER BRIDGE AT HUNTINGDON WARREN

As well as the Standing stones.... Stone circles and Tors, Dartmoor is also famous for its many Clapper bridges. 
According to the Dartmoor National Park Authority the word 'clapper' derives from an Anglo-Saxon word  (cleaca) meaning 'bridging the stepping stones'.
The definition of a clapper bridge is flat stones held in place only by their own weight. Some of them have only one slab but they can have up to nine. 
Some of the bridges have pillars consisting of stones, some are just laid directly onto the banks.
The one shown in the above photograph crosses the Western Wella Brook and is often used by walkers making their way along the 'Two Moors Way' National trail.

DARK WOODS........

DARK WOODS.....

Dartmoor is not all open moorland and tors, there are a number of wooded areas. This image is of a small woodland area that I walked through on a recent backpacking trip. 
Most of the Dartmoor woodland areas tend to be a mix of overgrown trees and moss covered rocks............almost Tolkein-esque in their appearance....... dark gloomy and eerily quiet.

LONGSTONE...

THE SHOVEL DOWN LONGSTONE

On Shovel Down near Chagford Common on Dartmoor can be found the Longstone. 
This standing stone is about three metres in height and it is thought to be over 3,500 years old. 
In the year 1240 it was recorded as a boundary stone mentioned in the Perambulation of the Forest Bounds. 
Shovel Down is a good place to visit for those who are interested in these structures....As well as the Longstone, a Stone Circle, Bronze age Stone Rows and a Cairn can all be found here as well.

WHITE MOOR DOWN

WHITE MOOR DOWN STONE CIRCLE

This is an image of White Moor Down stone circle on Dartmoor. The circle which is a bronze age structure is also known as Whit Moot stone circle. There is an aura of mystery and almost a dark foreboding surrounding standing stones whether they are in a line, a circle or just standing on their own.......plenty of history and plenty of past shadows here.....

DOOR TO THE GARDEN..

DOOR TO THE GARDEN...TITCHFIELD

Another image from Titchfield Abbey.......this time a view of the garden area through one of the outer wall door frames. 
Back in the day when the Abbey was in use, this garden area would  have been built on, indeed it still has foundations still visible near the tree.

OPEN WINDOWS.....

OPEN WINDOWS

Inside the central section of the medieval Tichfield Abbey near Farnham in Hampshire. No glass in these windows and no roof on the building either......

BALISTRARIA......

BALISTRARIA

Balistraria or Arrow slits are commonly seen on medieval castle walls and turrets. They are also known as Arrow hoops or Loop holes......There is plenty of room here for the Archer to move around whilst he launches his arrows on any enemies who dared to attack and storm the castle......

ABOVE HEW DOWN - DARTMOOR

TOR ABOVE HEW DOWN - DARTMOOR

This Tor can be found above Hew Down in the northern part of Dartmoor. 
The various Tors can almost be described as nature's sculptures - a sculpturesque shape in a wild landscape. 
Each one is unique in both it's shape and size.....this one gives the appearance that it is about to topple over, although in reality it will probably be standing for many years to come.

TITCHFIELD ABBEY

A VIEW OF TITCHFIELD ABBEY

Titchfield abbey is a medieval abbey located in the village of Titchfield near Fareham in Hampshire, England. 
Titchfield Abbey was closed in 1537 by Henry V111 of England during the dissolution of the monasteries. 
With stone hard to come by in Hampshire, the Abbey was built using stone brought in from Dorset, the Isle of Wight and even Caen in France. It was built for Premonstratensian Canons an austere order of priests.

CHRISTCHURCH CASTLE RUINS

CHRISTCHURCH CASTLE

Christchurch Castle was built in the late 11th century to protect the town and river access to the interior of Wessex. It was built inside the Saxon fort whose walls were probably used to build the castle mound or motte. 

The luxurious Constable's hall was built around 1150. 

The stone keep ~ slighted after 1650 ~ replaced a wooden structure in about 1300. The castle saw action in the Anarchy around 1147 and also in the Civil War in 1645. 

All that's left today are these ruins standing on the mound...

THE PASSING OF TIME.....

THE PASSING OF TIME...

The passing of time can create various kinds of beauty and interest. 
I am always fascinated by doors, gates and windows that haven't been opened for some considerable time. 
Here is an image of a gate in a kitchen garden wall that has obviously been kept closed for a number of years. 
This is a recurring subject for me and over the years I have built up quite a large collection of this type of image.......

GREAT MIS TOR

GREAT MIS TOR - DARTMOOR

This is a view of part of Great Mis Tor which can be found a couple of miles from Princetown on Dartmoor. 
Each of the Tor's on Dartmoor is unique...the size and shape and texture of the stone is infinitely variable and there seems to be a sense of mystery that lingers over each one.
Endless photographic opportunities abound for those prepared to make the effort on foot to enjoy their remote beauty...........

HUNTINGDON CROSS - DARTMOOR

HUNTINGDON CROSS- DARTMOOR

As well as all the Tors that can be seen on Dartmoor, there are numerous crosses and standing stones that seem to add to the mystery and atmosphere of the area. 


This stone is known as Huntingdon Cross and can be found at Lower Huntingdon corner, on the bank of the River Avon at it's confluence with the Western Wellabrook. 


It would appear as though this cross was originally erected as a waymarker for the Abbot's Way. However, in the mid 16th century it was utilised by Sir William Petre, as one of four crosses used to mark the boundary of his manor, Brent, with the parishes of Dean Prior, Harford and Princetown.

ANOTHER DARTMOOR TOR

A VIEW OF THE TORS AT WATERN TOR ABOVE HEW DOWN ON DARTMOOR

I have always enjoyed walking on Dartmoor and I love the shapes and textures of the various Tors to be found across the national park. I have posted images of these wonderful natural structures before......this one is to be found above Hew Down in the northern part of the moor.

A HORROR OF BEING BURIED ALIVE.......

A STRUCTURE IN THE GROUNDS NEAR CHRISTCHURCH PRIORY

 The structure in the above photograph can be found in the grounds close to Christchurch priory in Dorset. The history regarding this building can be found in the image of the information plaque shown below.......

A FOLLY....?

A FOLLY - ALUM CHINE

I pass this gate often as it is situated in Alum Chine and is only a few minutes walk from where I live.  I always think of it as a bit of a 'Folly'. The gate leads to some steps which ascend to the back of a property at the top of the Chine. 
Interestingly there is no need to go through the arch and gate to reach the steps.....just walking around the side of the stone archway is just as easy, which makes the gate and archway seem like overkill, hence me comparing it to the follies that you might find on a large country estate....decorative but not serving any real purpose.

A POPULAR SUBJECT.....

A TIMELESS SUBJECT

Images of doors and gates are very popular particularly with photographers who like to work in monochrome. This is another image from my own collection of this subject.....I always think that a photograph of a door or gate is improved by including some foliage within the shot......

A DARTMOOR TOR...

A DARTMOOR TOR

There are lots of Tor's to be seen on Dartmoor in the south west of England. They are a characteristic feature of the moor. They are more numerous on the northern part of the moor and they come in various shapes and sizes...although nearly all of them consist of striated granite. Most of the Tor's have been given names although a few do remain still un-named.

MORE....MOORE.

HENRY MOORE SCULPTURE AT KEW GARDENS

In 2007 there was an Exhibition of Henry Moore's work at Kew Gardens. 
I have posted an image from that show on this blog once before and I thought that I would cover some more of these images starting with another of his famous reclining figures. 


Moore has said that he always prefers his work to be displayed in a natural environment and with this in mind I tried to include part of the setting in each photograph.




NOTE:
Sorry for the delay in starting to make posts again on this blog following the Christmas and New Year break. - The truth is I am working on a number of various projects at the moment and I never seem to have enough time to keep everything moving forward. 
Forgive me if there are the occasional delays between posts....at least now you know the reason.