Photo Curios

The Meridian Laser

2012-01-15T12:04:00.001+13:00

The Meridian Laser is a line beamed into the night sky from the Royal Observatory at Greenwich. The line sits on the Prime Meridian and is visible up to 60 miles away. The picture below also shows Jupiter just above the observatory roof. :-)

Chasing Shadows

2011-11-22T00:51:00.001+13:00

In the garden a couple of days ago I discovered a cat trying to catch his own shadow. He has an unusual feature, one eye green, the other blue.

London by Night

2011-11-15T07:24:00.001+13:00

The London Eye offers an amazing view of London by night. We visited London a few days ago and the ride on the Eye was the highlight of the trip :-)

There's a spectacular view looking down to the Houses of Parliament in one direction and along the river to Saint Paul's in the other.

London Eye by Night

2011-11-13T13:42:00.001+13:00

The London Eye is a giant ferris wheel on the bank of the River Thames and looks quite spectacular by night :-)

Mystery Macro 4 (Artichoke)

2011-11-01T03:12:00.003+13:00

Last week I asked if anyone can identify a macro picture taken recently. :-) Correct guesses were kept in the moderation queue to allow everyone chance to guess.

Congratulations to Sandee and Retrophile who guessed the stamen of a flower. The flower is on an artichoke in the gardens of Chatsworth House :-)

Notice

2011-09-28T09:09:00.001+13:00

“Notice: By vic.cap.20.s.75. any person not fastening this gate after having passed through is liable to a penalty of forty shillings.”

I spotted this old sign in Buckinghamshire. The shilling was a unit of pre-decimal currency discontinued in 1971.

Hardwick Hall

2011-09-26T12:32:00.000+13:00

Hardwick Hall is an Elizabethan Derbyshire house built for Bess of Hardwick, Countess of Shrewsbury. Bess's initials “ES” are displayed prominently on the rooftop pavilions.

It's easy to see the inspiration for the rhyme “Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall”. The huge windows were intended as a statement of wealth at a time when glass was a luxury.

Mystery Macro 3 (EPROM)

2011-09-10T00:01:00.000+12:00

A while ago I asked if you could identify the macro shots I'd just taken. I kept the guesses in the moderation queue to give everyone a fair chance.

It's a 27C4001 EPROM. Congratulations to Dave, Funky Town and RyHeAnNe who all mentioned computer chips. However Mike went one better by suggesting it might be an EPROM :-)

Mystery Macro 2 (Glitter)

2011-09-09T05:50:00.001+12:00

Last week I asked if you can you figure out what I've taken a picture of. To give everyone a fair chance I kept the guesses in the moderation queue. Congratulations to Gale, Dave and Mike who all correctly identified the glitter :-)

Mystery Macro 1 (Salt Crystals)

2011-09-08T23:46:00.000+12:00

A few days ago I asked you to identify the photo above. I kept the guesses in the moderation queue to give everyone a fair chance. Congratulations to Sheila who recognised the salt crystals :-)

Please Do Not Throw Stones...

2011-09-02T11:02:00.000+12:00

“Please do not throw stones at the hens!”

I'm not sure why someone felt the need to create this sign. There are plenty of stones nearby, but no sign of the hens :-(

Gaping Gill

2011-08-22T09:42:00.004+12:00

This weekend we visited the Gaping Gill winch meet organised by the Craven Pothole Club. Gaping Gill is a pothole descending 104m from the slopes of Ingleborough and entering Britain's largest underground chamber, 140m long and 27m wide.

The first descent was made by Édouard Martel in 1895 by knotted rope and rope ladder. Édouard spent over an hour exploring the Main Chamber before finally returning to the surface. Our descent was made by bosun's chair winched down on a steel cable.

Although a few temporary floodlights are placed in the main chamber it's only just possible to see from the eastern slope to the far west side. After informing the organisers of our whereabouts we went off to climb the east slope and explore the Old East Passage...

Whitton's Wrapped Bread

2011-08-12T08:23:00.000+12:00

“We Sell Whitton's Wrapped Bread”

A ghost sign on Lincoln High Street is a reminder of a shop long since gone...

The River Ribble

2011-08-03T21:44:00.000+12:00

I spent last weekend camping near Settle where the River Ribble flows on it's way to meet the Irish Sea at Lytham. :-)

Roman Vindolanda

2011-07-19T01:17:00.000+12:00

The extensive ruins of Vindolanda Roman Fort stand close to the northern frontier of the Roman Empire, just south of Hadrian's Wall. The fort is the site of a number of important finds, including the Vindolanda tablets dating from the 1st century. The tablets are the earliest handwritten documents discovered in Britain.

The View From Lindisfarne Castle

2011-07-12T20:53:00.000+12:00

The roof of Lindisfarne Castle offers a fantastic view across the harbour to the ruins of the priory :-)

Warkworth Castle

2011-07-05T04:02:00.002+12:00

Warkworth Castle is a 12th century Northumberland ruin situated on a mound in the small village of Warkworth. The castle walls enclose an area roughly 60m × 80m with the 14th century keep standing to the north.

Looking towards the keep from the gatehouse. Lion Tower stands to the left. Grey Mare's Tail Tower is to the right.

Looking south from the keep. The remain of a church stand in the foreground. The dark holes lead to the church vaults. The Little Stair Tower is to the right.

Lindisfarne Priory

2011-06-29T07:14:00.004+12:00

The priory on Lindisfarne was founded in the 11th century by the monks of Durham on the site of an earlier 7th century monastery. The rainbow arch is all that remains of the crossing tower while the maze is a much later addition :-)

Egg Throwing Championships

2011-06-27T10:56:00.003+12:00

The small Lincolnshire village of Swaton hosted this year's World Egg Throwing Championships at yesterday's Swaton Vintage Day. At one point eggs were flying off in all directions, hitting spectators and splattering innocent bystanders :-)

The two man egg throw involved throwing an egg to a partner who had to catch it unbroken. The Guinness World Record of 98.51m was set by Johnny Dell Foley and Keith Thomas in November 1978 and remains unbroken.

Russian egg roulette presented the contestants with half-a-dozen eggs, 5 hard-boiled, 1 raw. The players took turns to select an egg and smash it over their head with inevitably messy results.

The most fascinating event used a variety of counterweight trebuchet. The weapons at today's show were build specifically to throw an egg from the sling. The accuracy needed a little work though - several eggs flew backwards into the crowd and the craft marquee! :-)

Altogether, we had a fantastic day and will definitely be back next year.

Lindisfarne Castle

2011-06-20T00:40:00.001+12:00

Lindisfarne Castle stands on Beblowe Crag close to the south-east point of Holy Island. The castle was build in the 16th century to protect the area from the Scottish :-)

Basically, Carry on Round Here...

2011-06-08T23:40:00.000+12:00

I spotted this strange sign on Eastgate in Louth:

“...Basically, carry on round here, it curves to the right (don't deviate), turn right down the side of the town hall (it's a typical Victorian looking town hall), then over the crossroads...”

It's one of thirteen signs created by artist Rupert Clamp for the Lost in Louth art project. Rupert pretended to be lost in Louth, asking for directions. He created the signs from the directions people gave him.

Oakham Buttercross & Stocks

2011-06-06T08:35:00.003+12:00

A 17th century buttercross stands to the side of Oakham's market square. Originally locals would've gathered here to buy milk, eggs and butter.

Oakham's stocks are sheltered by the cross. Can you spot anything weird? :-)

Looking up into the roof of the buttercross...

Anne Brontë's Grave

2011-06-01T23:37:00.001+12:00

“Here lie the remains of Anne Brontë, daughter of the Revd. P. Brontë, Incumbent of Haworth, Yorkshire. She died, Aged 28, May 28th 1849”

Anne Brontë is buried in Saint Mary's churchyard, Scarborough and whether right or wrong the grave has become something of a tourist attraction.

Wrangle Show

2011-05-21T21:49:00.004+12:00

Over the past few years we've been regularly visiting Wrangle Show. The village show has been running since the 19th century. I wonder what the Victorians would make of today's attractions!

Despite the stunt show, acrobats and RAF flyover my favourite feature is always the fruit and veg competition. I keep promising myself I'll enter one year :-)

Whitby Harbour Lighthouse

2011-05-19T03:20:00.000+12:00

Whitby harbour is home to two lighthouses. The west lighthouse was built in 1835 and is the tallest at 25m. For a small fee it's possible to climb the 81 steps to admire the view :-)

Seagulls are Aggressive

2011-05-09T23:57:00.014+12:00

“Seagulls are agressive. Do not feed them.”

I spotted this sign by Bridlington harbour. Are seagulls really aggressive? Have you ever been attacked by one? :-)

Sunset Across North Bay

2011-05-08T06:26:00.000+12:00

We returned to our B&B just in time to watch the sun set across Scarborough North Bay :-)

Scarborough North Bay

2011-05-07T23:54:00.000+12:00

Our B&B in Scarborough overlooked the North Bay a short walk away from the main attractions.

Flamborough Old Lighthouse

2011-05-06T23:27:00.000+12:00

Flamborough Old Lighthouse is a 24m high octagonal tower built in 1669 by Sir John Clayton. On a clear day the top of the lighthouse is visible in Bridlington.

Ghost Signs of Whitby

2011-05-05T23:54:00.002+12:00

Ghost signs are old hand painted signs for businesses that are long gone. Arthur Sawdon was a seller of beds and carpets while Thomas Bryan was a wholesale jet merchant. Are there any ghost signs in your area?

Whitby Abbey

2011-05-04T22:19:00.000+12:00

The lighthouse of Whitby Harbour offers a fantastic view towards the ruins of Whitby Abbey.

Scarborough Harbour

2011-05-03T06:31:00.000+12:00

This morning we spent a couple of hours wandering around Scarborough harbour which looks beyond the lighthouse into South Bay.

Whitby Harbour

2011-05-02T21:47:00.007+12:00

From the top of Whitby lighthouse there's a view of the harbour wall. The sea is to the right and the calm water of the harbour to the left.

45407 - The Lancashire Fusilier

2011-05-01T21:17:00.018+12:00

Last weekend we spotted locomotive number 45407 the Lancashire Fusilier in Whitby. The engine was built in 1937 for the LMS Railway.

The Caldey Stone

2011-04-24T21:37:00.000+12:00

The Caldey Stone dates for the 5th or 6th century and features two inscriptions, one in Latin, the other in Ogham. The Ogham is inscribed as a series of lines following the edge of the stone. Ogham was first used in Ireland before spreading across the Irish sea into Scotland, Wales and Cornwall.

Art in the Priory on Caldey Island

2011-04-12T20:12:00.000+12:00

The scene above is etched on the wall of the 12th century Saint Illtyd's Church on Caldey Island. How old do you think it is?

The Lighthouse on Caldey Island

2011-04-09T02:12:00.000+12:00

The lighthouse stand at the south of Caldey Island and was first lit in 1829. The tower is 17m high and the light can be seen 15 miles away.

So What Was I Taking a Photo Of?

2011-03-13T04:04:00.000+13:00

When I go through my photos I always find several that don't appear to be of anything in particular. What on earth was I taking a photo of?

Is it just me, or do you have exactly the same problem? :-)

Helter Skelter

2011-02-16T09:30:00.000+13:00

A helter skelter is a tower surrounded by a spiral slide and always used to be my favourite ride at the fair :-)

Exploring Castle Rising Castle

2011-02-09T01:38:00.003+13:00

The entrance to Castle Rising leads staight to the impressive main staircase. The door to the left leads to the great hall. Up heads to a room in the tower :-)

Castle Rising Great Hall

2011-02-07T01:38:00.005+13:00

The great hall is open to the elements having lost the roof and floor. Originally the hall spanned the first and second floors with a storage room below.

A Room in the Tower

2011-02-05T01:50:00.005+13:00

A room in the square tower at Castle Rising, viewed from the spiral staircase. :-)

Spiral Staircase at Castle Rising

2011-02-03T02:09:00.001+13:00

The spiral staircase in the tower at Castle Rising. The stairs wind clockwise as you climb, giving an advantage to right-handed defenders. :-)

Castle Rising

2011-01-29T08:47:00.002+13:00

This afternoon we planned to visit Hunstanton but changed our minds en route after spotting a sign for Castle Rising. :-)

The castle was built in the 12th century by William d'Albini (Sir William d'Aubigny “Strong Hand”) and is surrounded by substantial earthworks. The keep is said to be haunted by a woman's scream in the middle of the night, believed to be the spirit of Isabella of France.

I'm Confused!

2011-01-23T10:09:00.001+13:00

Here's something which has me puzzled... Every so often I walk past this field and see a lady hoovering. I've been wondering for a while and just can't figure it! Can anyone explain what's going on?

The Port of Hull

2011-01-12T02:41:00.000+13:00

An early morning view of the Port of Hull :-)

Long Sutton Butterfly Park

2010-12-20T00:25:00.001+13:00

More butterflies from Long Sutton Butterfly Park :-)

Long Sutton Butterfly Park

2010-12-17T00:16:00.009+13:00

Not long ago we visited Long Sutton Butterfly Park for the first time :-)

Oh No! Butterflies

2010-12-13T23:43:00.001+13:00

Strange graffiti spotted in Sleaford :-)

Shipwreck at Hunstanton

2010-12-11T00:46:00.000+13:00

The skeleton of an old boat lies in ruins on Hunstanton beach.

Postbox in Bruges

2010-12-05T00:03:00.000+13:00

We've spent the last couple of days on a trip to the Christmas Market in Bruges to discover more snow than we've had in Boston :-)

Boston Stump in the Snow

2010-11-29T21:22:00.001+13:00

There was a fresh fall of snow overnight. Boston Stump was visible briefly before it disappeared into the mist :-)

The Grave of Charles MacArthur

2010-11-19T09:39:00.001+13:00

"Here lies the remains of Charles Mackarter whose fame as an honest man and remarkable piper will survive this generation for his manners were easy & regular as his music and the the melody of his fingers will..."

The MacArthurs of Skye were hereditary pipers to the MacDonalds. The inscription on Charles MacArthur's grave in Kilmuir Graveyard is incomplete. According to legend Charles' son Donald was drowned at sea, leaving the mason unpaid.

Portree, Isle of Skye

2010-11-12T08:14:00.000+13:00

Despite it's size Portree is the capital of the Isle of Skye. The picturesque harbour is home to a small fishing fleet and a salmon farm. :-)

Guy Fawkes

2010-11-05T00:01:00.000+13:00

Hereabouts lived the parents of Guy Fawkes of Gunpowder Plot fame, who was baptised in St. Michael-le-Belfrey Church in 1570.

Fawkes was arrested in the early hours of 5^th November 1605 after being discovered keeping watch over 36 barrels of gunpowder in the cellars beneath the House of Lords.

The Clock at Belton House

2010-11-01T00:59:00.000+13:00

The Blue Bedchamber

2010-10-29T00:17:00.000+13:00

The bed in the blue bedchamber at Belton House is 18 feet high! :-)

The Orangery

2010-10-26T00:12:00.000+13:00

Looking across the Italian Garden at Belton House towards the orangery and the church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.

The Boat House

2010-10-23T00:01:00.000+13:00

It's difficult to see how the boat house at Belton could have been used to store boats... The door is only a couple of feet wide.

Belton House from the East

2010-10-20T09:56:00.000+13:00

Belton House viewed from the gardens to the east. The house has featured in a number of films and costume dramas. Do you recognise it from Pride and Prejudice? :-)

The Library at Belton House

2010-10-17T23:55:00.000+13:00

The Library at Belton House is amazing. I found a copy of Whitaker's History of Richmondshire which I'd love to read but is virtually impossible to get hold of. :-(

A Room of Books

2010-10-16T06:45:00.000+13:00

There's something about private libraries that I adore! This room of books at Belton House is home to the overspill from the main library. :-)

Tupholme Abbey

2010-09-28T03:01:00.000+13:00

The picturesque ruins of 12^th century Tupholme Abbey stand in a Lincolnshire field waiting to be explored :-)

Emperor Constantine

2010-09-24T19:05:00.000+12:00

A statue of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great sit outside York Minster with a broken sword. The inscription reads Constantine by this sign conquer.

Bile Beans

2010-09-20T01:35:00.000+12:00

Nightly Bile Beans keep you healthy, bright-eyed and slim.

A sign painted on a wall in York for a business that has long since disappeared, also known as a ghost sign!

Abandoned...

2010-09-18T01:17:00.000+12:00

An abandoned post-war control tower on the disused RAF Manby airfield in Lincolnshire.

Ripon Cathedral

2010-09-12T08:38:00.000+12:00

The High Altar at Ripon Cathedral

We stopped at Ripon on the way home from camping at Bishop Monkton. The plan was to find a cafe for breakfast, but I couldn't resist spending a few minutes exploring the cathedral. :-)

The Library at Ripon Cathedral

Vertical Sundial

2010-09-06T02:52:00.000+12:00

LUCEM DEMONSTRAT UMBRA - The shadow shows the light

I've been looking out for vertical sundials after noticing one on Saint Botolph's in Boston. This one was spotted above the entrance to York Minster. :-)

Stoke Bruerne

2010-08-22T23:46:00.000+12:00

Stoke Bruerne is a picturesque village on the Grand Union Canal and home to Blisworth Tunnel, the U.K.'s third longest canal tunnel at 2.8km :-)

Securing the Perimeter

2010-08-01T22:57:00.000+12:00

The derelict buildings of a local airbase are used for urban combat games. In this skirmish the blue team are defending an abandoned police station.

The Ruins of Whitby Abbey

2010-07-19T01:04:00.000+12:00

Right over the town is the ruin of Whitby Abbey, which was sacked by the Danes, and which is the scene of part of "Marmion," where the girl was built up in the wall. It is a most noble ruin, of immense size, and full of beautiful and romantic bits. There is a legend that a white lady is seen in one of the windows.

Dracula - Bram Stoker

As the cloud passed I could see the ruins of the abbey coming into view, and as the edge of a narrow band of light as sharp as a sword-cut moved along, the church and churchyard became gradually visible. Whatever my expectation was, it was not disappointed, for there, on our favourite seat, the silver light of the moon struck a half-reclining figure, snowy white.

Dracula - Bram Stoker

Inspired by a visit to Whitby, I read Bram Stoker's Dracula closely followed by The Lair of the White Worm. It's easy to see how Stoker found inspiration in the crumbling ruins and the old town legends. :-)

Early Morning by the Grand Union Canal

2010-07-13T21:23:00.000+12:00

Recently we camped near Stoke Hammond alongside the Grand Union Canal. The canal cuts through central England, running from Birmingham to London.

Lightening Strike in Boston

2010-06-21T10:58:00.000+12:00

This has to be my lucky shot of the year! The photo was taken at exactly the right moment to catch a lightening strike and was featured in the local paper :-)

Mute Swan

2010-06-18T18:01:00.000+12:00

I often forget the settings on my new camera. The Samsung always reverted to default while the Olympus stores the most recently used. Usually I take several pictures with weird lighting before I realise! :-)

Shells on Barry Island

2010-06-12T22:08:00.000+12:00

When we visit the beach I head straight to where the tide has left the stones and shells to look for anything interesting. If I'm lucky I'll find a few fossils to add to my collection. Unfortunately I didn't find much on Barry Island. The only fossils were embedded in huge rocks :-(

Gloucestershire: Prinknash Abbey

2010-06-04T20:59:00.001+12:00

Prinknash Abbey is a Benedictine monastery near the village of Cranham in Gloucestershire. The abbey was build in 1520 only to be disbanded by Henry VIII 19 years later. In 1928 the abbey was given to the Benedictine monks of Caldey Island and returned to it's original use :-)

Winnats Pass

2010-05-11T18:16:00.001+12:00

Winnats Pass is a route down to Castleton between towering limestone cliffs. According to legend the gorge is haunted on stormy nights by two young lovers who eloped in 1758. Henry and Clara were murdered my lead miners as they travelled to Peak Forest to be married. :-(

Ruins on Stanton Moor

2010-05-07T21:01:00.000+12:00

There are a few crumbling ruins scattered across Stanton Moor. The remains of this small square building have all but disappeared. :-(

The King Stone

2010-05-04T19:02:00.000+12:00

The King Stone stands a few metres outside The Nine Ladies stone circle on Stanton Moor. Unfortunately the stone has been vandalised. The graffiti reads Bill Stumps. :-( Modern Druids leave regular offerings at the centre of the circle. A pentacle and blood are the most recent.

Derbyshire Lambs

2010-04-30T19:52:00.000+12:00

We've just returned from the first camping trip of the year after staying for a couple of nights near Carsington Water in Derbyshire. These two were watching me as I explored a footpath across the fields :-)

The One Handed Clock at Coningsby

2010-04-24T18:56:00.000+12:00

Saint Michael's church in Coningsby has the largest single handed clock in the world. The clock face is 5 metres across and apparently the time can be read up to two miles away.

The View to Marazion

2010-04-20T19:27:00.000+12:00

The view is from Saint Michael's Mount to Marazion on the Cornish mainland. It's just possible to see the causeway which can be walked across at low tide.

Mural of Saint Michael's Mount

2010-04-17T18:54:00.000+12:00

The mural shows Saint Michael's Mount and the Cornish Coastline and is painted on a house at Saint Michael's Mount. The small island near the peak of the roof is Saint Clement's Isle where according to legend an ancient hermit tended a guiding light.

Originally I though the mural showed Le Mont Saint-Michel. However apart from the island and river the coastline is a poor match. Clare from Saint Michael's Mount kindly set me straight. The compass points in the wrong direction which confuses matters somewhat. :-)

Saint Michael's Mount on Google Maps

The Giant's Heart

2010-04-14T18:54:00.000+12:00

Years ago a giant by the name of Cormoran built Saint Michael's Mount. He would wade across to the mainland to terrorise folk and steal their livestock.

The local people offered Cormoran's treasure as a reward for the giant to be slain. A boy called Jack rowed over to the island at night with a pickaxe and killed the giant at dawn, earning the name Jack the Giant Slayer.

The giant's heart marks the spot where Cormoran was killed. If you put your ear to the heart you can still hear it beating :-)

Arthur at Goonhilly

2010-04-08T21:31:00.000+12:00

Arthur (Antenna One) is a satellite dish at the Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station in Cornwall. The dish measures 26m and relayed telephone calls and live TV from the Telstar satellite.

The site has a visitor centre with an exhibition of the history of satellite communications. Unfortunately the Goonhilly visitor centre closed last week until further notice. :-(

The Heart of the Bunker

2010-04-07T08:34:00.000+12:00

Welcome to the control room at the heart of the Hack Green nuclear bunker. The threat level is at it's most serious, Bikini Alert State Red - prepare for a hostile nuclear strike.

In the Event of a Nuclear Attack

2010-04-05T01:06:00.000+12:00

From the Hack Green secret nuclear bunker:

In the event of a nuclear attack on the bunker, get under your canteen table for your safety and protection. Important notice: food is not permitted to be eaten whilst sheltering under your table

Secret Nuclear Bunker

2010-04-03T03:00:00.000+13:00

Let's hope the enemy can't read English, otherwise they'll have no problem finding the Hack Green secret nuclear bunker. Hack Green was intended to be the government headquarters in the event of war. :-(

Luckily the bunker is no longer in use. Hack Green was abandoned at the end of the Cold War and reopened as a museum in 1998.

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch

2010-04-01T04:31:00.000+13:00

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch on the Isle of Anglesey has the longest place name in the U.K., 58 letters long! There's even a guide to pronunciation on the sign. The name is Welsh for Saint Mary's church in the hollow of the white hazel near the rapid whirlpool and the church of Saint Tysilio of the red cave. :-)

Caving for the First Time

2010-03-30T11:40:00.000+13:00

I still remember my first real adventure. It was October 1991. I'd found two caves on the Ordinance Survey map and decided to explore them, Victoria Cave and Jubilee Cave. Undeterred by the pouring rain I collected a box of candles from the hardware store. :-)

Heading up Constitution Hill and along a footpath I soon reached Clay Pits Plantation. A wild desolate landscape waited for me. Next along a track towards the caves. By the time I arrived darkness had fallen.

I explored the rightmost passage of Jubilee Cave. The candlelight didn't penetrate far, but I could see the cave was far from what I expected. Water trickled down the walls. It was muddy, wet and strewn with boulders. I'd been expecting somewhere warm and dry with a floor of fine sand!

Outside again I found my way through the darkness to Victoria Cave, a huge chasm in the face of the scar. I could only see one side of the cave and the roof was hidden in the shadows. I followed the wall. More water, more mud and two passages to explore - one very low, the other very narrow.

After leaving Victoria Cave I wandered completely lost in a marshy area before I stumbled upon some ruins where I decided to take shelter from the rain. :-)

Setting Up Camp...

2010-03-28T19:55:00.000+13:00

A warm place to sleep and a fire to cook supper. What more could an explorer want? :-)

Prehistoric Cave Painting

2010-03-26T06:48:00.000+13:00

I took this photo of a cave painting a few months ago. Is it prehistoric? Take a closer look and let me know what you think and why :-)

Actually It's Just Up There...

2010-03-23T09:37:00.000+13:00

I spotted this strange sign on Burnt Hill Lane in Louth: ...Actually it's just up there - head up there and it's on your left-hand side, past the doctor's, across the car park...

It's one of thirteen signs created by artist Rupert Clamp for the Lost in Louth art project. Rupert pretended to be lost in Louth, asking for directions. He created the signs from the directions people gave him.

Invisible Lines Beneath Our Feet

2010-03-19T19:54:00.000+13:00

I noticed a curious message in the pavement when I visited Louth in Lincolnshire: - magnetism - the line that runs from pole to pole beneath out feet.

Lights in the Night Sky

2010-03-16T12:15:00.000+13:00

Whenever I see a bright light in the night sky I can't resist taking a picture, even though I know the photo is likely to show just a blur of light. The collage shows pictures of Mars, Venus and a few unidentified celestial lights.

The Victoria Memorial

2010-03-11T22:13:00.000+13:00

The Victoria Memorial stands outside Buckingham Palace and was sculpted by Sir Thomas Brock. The Statue of Queen Victoria looks east across Saint James Park.

The Church of Saint Lawrence

2010-03-09T23:01:00.000+13:00

The church sits on the site of an Iron Age hill fort in the Chilterns, although it's difficult to spot any trace of the fort using Google maps. It's claimed the sphere on the tower was used as a secret meeting place by members of the Hellfire Club. Close to the church is the hexagonal Dashwood Mausoleum build by one of the Hellfire Club's founders, Sir Francis Dashwood.

The Church of Saint Lawrence on Google Maps

The Great Gatehouse at Hampton Court

2010-03-06T20:42:00.000+13:00

The Great Gatehouse is the focal point of Hampton Court's west front. Originally the towers would have been topped with cupola. Hampton Court was built for Thomas Wolsey who later gave it as a gift to King Henry VIII.

How Many Courtyards at Hampton Court?

2010-03-04T06:37:00.000+13:00

Fountain Court was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and is one of the many courtyards at Hampton Court Palace. Sir Christopher is perhaps better known as the architect of Saint Paul's Cathedral.

How many courtyards are there at Hampton Court Palace? As I explored I kept discovering more until I eventually lost track! How many can you see on the aerial photo? After you've counted the courtyards can you find the famous maze?

Hampton Court Palace on Google Maps

The Astronomical Clock

2010-03-02T12:23:00.000+13:00

The Astronomical Clock at Hampton Court Palace was made for Henry VIII in 1540 by the French clockmaker Nicholas Oursian. The clock shows the time of day, the date, the phase of the moon and the time of high tide at London Bridge.