 |
I spent some time poking around the
churchyard of Barford St. Michael. It was a very romantic place in a
gothic sort of way. This headstone with its dramatic lighting is a case
in point.
|
| |
|
On a less morbid note, I saw a kingfisher
by this stream. I've seen one before on a pre-digital camera walk in Essex.
But then I just saw a blue gem flit past under the footbridge that I was
standing on. This kingfisher obligingly flew slower so this time I saw
a blue and orange jewel flit past. It made all the difference to me.
|
 |
| |
 |
I've been trying to photograph oaks now
that they have leaves but usually they come out looking like black holes
in the landscape. It's probably going to take a bright, sunshiny day before
I get a good picture of one. This, however, is an ash. It has a much lighter,
almost feathery appearance.
|
| |
| Crossing a stile, I found this
elder, partially hiding in the hedgerow. In Sweden a very fine squash is
made from the flowers mixed with lemons. Do try it if you're offered some,
it's very refreshing and more of an adult taste than most squashes. |
 |
| |
 |
Further along the hedgerow,
I found this picturebook example of a common dog rose, Rosa canina. I love
their subtle scent. It's miles away from any rose scent you get out of a
bottle. |
| |
| This is a popular way of making
a view more interesting, framing it. This view really needed it because
it is just green with some darker blobs of green in it. |
 |
| |
 |
This view didn't really need
framing because it is interesting in itself. But you've got to admit that
the frame of leaves improves it. |
| |
| As I was walking through the
fields I took pictures of the grain. Here we have a shorthaired grain. |
 |
| |
 |
And
here we have longhaired grain. I prefer this texture although the colour
of the shorthaired type is very appealing. |
| |
| Flax is not a cereal but it
is grown in the Cotswolds as can be seen from the blue flowers at the bottom
of this picture. The view is westwards from just above South Newington.
The sun suddenly burst through the clouds as I was taking this picture.
That's what caused the "altar image" light effects. |
 |
| |
 |
In South Newington there is
a church called St. Peter ad Vincula. It has some cute gargoyles. This ape-like
one is on a corner above the front door. |
| |
| This horned one is placed in
a more protected corner. That's probably why it's better preserved. |
 |
| |
 |
Back in Barford St. Michael,
I spotted this grand gate in front of the rather diminutive manor. I could
hear children playing happily in the garden behind the walls. |
| |
