Oxleas Wood, Shooters Hill, South London

As I was south of the Thames, I decided to spend a day visiting some of my childhood haunts, starting with Shooters Hill. Oxleas Wood is one of the few remaining areas of ancient deciduous forest in southeast London. Some parts date back over 8,000 years to the end of the last Ice Age.  It is also home to Severndroog Castle, a folly built to commemorate Commodore Sir William James who, in April 1755, attacked and destroyed the island fortress of Suvarnadurg  on the western coast of India. James died in 1783 and the castle was built as a memorial to him by his widow, Lady James of Eltham. From its elevated position, it offers views across London, with features in seven different counties visible on a clear day.

There were lots of Green Parakeets in the woods.

Guernsey - Castle Cornet

On Thursday afternoon, we had a very interesting tour from Steve around Castle Cornet, which has a 800-year history, culminating in the building of a Cold War retreat in the centre of the Citadel.  We also spent a bit of time on the beach under the causeway and I was delighted to find Anemonia viridis, Snakelocks Anemone, with their fluorescent green tentacles tipped with purple sting cells. All but first two taken with the Sony rx100 IR camera either converted to b/w or left with in colour.

 

Stokesay and Powis Castles and Signs of Spring

Saturday started cold and foggy for a visit to Stokesay Castle, which was constructed at the end of the 13th century by Laurence of Ludlow, who at the time was one of the richest men in England. It is one of the finest and best-preserved fortified medieval manor house in England with the Great Hall, unchanged for over 700 years and the yellow 17th-century gatehouse - with no uprights vertical!!.

By the afternoon spent at Powis Castle, it was sunny and truly spring-like with bees and flies visiting the spring flowers (first Eristalis pertinax hoverfly of the year). The gardens are the finest example of a terraced Baroque design with lead statues and orangery. The Castle was originally built around 1200 but has been embellished over 400 years and now also houses a Museum of Clive of India artifacts.

 

Guildford Castle, University of Surrey and City

Guildford has one of the best preserved Norman Keeps thought to be built around 1066. There is also an impressive Victorian Bandstand, an immaculate bowling green, War Memorial Arch and a Blue Cow. The University of Surrey was given University status in 1966, previously Battersea Polytechnic. It nestles on the side of Stag's hill below the Cathedral and echoes the warm tones of the brickwork. I also explored the old regions of the City with its cobbled pavements, old Guildhall and The Hospital of the Holy Trinity which still serves as an Alms House.

 

Powis Castle, Wales

This is the penultimate property on our tour of National Trust estates in Shropshire and adjoining Welsh counties and certainly the most impressive outside with imposing building and wonderful tiered gardens.  Powis Castle has been the subject of more than 400 years of modification and re-development by the Herbert family, who still own a private apartment on the second floor. I found the inside a bit dark and claustrophobic but certainly plenty to see.