Sunrise at Brightlingsea Essex

This was my fourth attempt at a good-weather trip on a Thames Barge and the forecast looked as the other three trips - wet and windy but we were in luck yesterday as it was a beautiful dawn and the rain stayed away most of the day. Here are some images from sunrise at Brightlingsea as we boarded as vessel (the Hydrogen, Topsail charters).  I have rarely seen a better surise with interest all over the sky including a part of a rainbow to the west where the clouds were gathering.

Hobbies, Dragonflies and Wasp spider at RSPB Rainham Marshes

On way back from lecuring at Invicta club in Kent, called at one of favourite reserves, rainham Marshes. Rewarded with views of Hobbies, Migrant hawkers and the elusive Wasp Spider at last, one with an egg case.

Meet Bubbles the New Family Member

Bubbles has come to live with our family and has settled in well. Meredith spends much of her time playing with him - he was used to a 2-year old so a 4-year old does not phase him . Not the sharpest images but gives an idea of his interesting grey/brown fur and yellow eyes. 

September Dragonflies in Cambridgeshire

A visit to Paxton Pits and Barton Dragonfly Pits yielded a large number of Common Darters, Migrant Hawker, Common Blue Damselflies and Brown Hawker. Also very smart Comma Butterfly.

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.

 

Erddig House, Well Worth Saving after Subsidence

This palatial 1720s house near Wrexham has magnificent state rooms, comprehensive servants quarters, Chinese wallpapers, and exquisite furnishings.  The house was passed down through the Yorke family until March 1973, when it was given to the National Trust. This followed the collapse several years earlier of a shaft from the nearby coal mine (Bersham colliery) under the house, causing subsidence of 1.5 m, which seriously affected the structural security of the house to the extent that, without suitable underpinning, it would have become a ruin. It was strengthened using compensation of £120,000  from the National Coal Board. The restoration was completed on 27 June 1977. Outside there are stables, coach-house, smithy and joiners' shop illustrating estate life. The 18th century gardens are set around a canal, and there is a parterre and a yew walk. The grounds include woodlands and a cylindrical waterfall.
First six images infared; rest Lightroom monochrome conversions