Washington Old Hall, National Trust

The Washington Old Hall building dates from the 17th Century though there had been a stone hall there in1183 and owned  by William de Wessynton, later changed to Washington. It was George Washington's grandfather who emigrated from here to America.

In the latter part of the 18th Century, the five-bedroom building became a tenement house for as many as 35 people at one time (last two images). The working class tenants were often living in tiny, cramped rooms, in the poorest of conditions. In 1932 it was declared unfit for human habitation. In 1955, it was restored, funded by donations from American benefactors, and then given to the National Trust.

First Evening in Northumberland

We are spending a week in Seahouses, Northumberland and this was the sunset yesterday evening.

 

 

Life Amongst the Orchids

The Pyramidal and Common Spotted Orchids have bloomed very abundantly in the fields around Toft this year. I spent an hour or so observing which insects visited the orchids and which ones picked up the pollinia (pollen sacs) to carry to the next bloom. Only Bees and Butterflies appeared to engage with the pollinia and carry them off on their mouthparts. 

Brick Lane Miscellany

Part of our London walk route yesterday went along Brick Lane - very crowded and noisy with the Sunday Market in full swing, though I managed to find some people and pigeon enjoying quieter places. 

 

 

Trip to London: Regent's Canal and Limehouse Basin

Yesterday we took the coach from Cambridge to Mile End (an impressive service taking just over the hour) and explored various areas. Regent’s Canal was named after the Prince Regent, later to be King George IV, and first opened in 1820. We walked part of the Canal down to Limehouse Basin in cool showery conditions. There are some surprisingly wild areas with abundant bird life.

Limehouse Basin links Regent's Canal to the Thames and was, at one point, the principal entrance from the Thames to the entire national canal network. The redevelopment of the Basin started in 1983. The Docklands Light Railway is carried on a viaduct originally built for the London and Blackwall Railway above the original wharves along the north side of the basin.