Loseley House – A little gem hidden in the Surrey Hills

I have passed the sign to Loseley House on the A3 countless times – but have never really had any idea of what it signified. At a loose end one bright summer’s day, I decided to join the 130,000 or so other annual visitors to satisfy my curiosity. Loseley House is situated within 1,400 Surrey acres of which…

Country Pub Series: The Bat and Ball, Hambledon

On 31st December 1999, we celebrated New Year’s Eve in style at The Bat and Ball, Hambledon, Hampshire, watching at midnight the first cricket match of the new Millennium as played by members of Hampshire County Cricket Club.  Sitting outside with the Hound one Sunday last summer, a cricket match being played opposite, it certainly…

Spring is here – the rapeseed fields are in full bloom

Living here in Hampshire, you suddenly become aware that spring has, well, sprung, when you are surrounded by fields of the most vibrant yellow flowers – these of course are the blooms of the rapeseed plant that are farmed for bio-diesel, vegetable oil and animal feed. Rapeseed has been farmed across Europe for centuries however it was…

Lamppost series – 2: The London Eye

For the second in my lamppost series, I couldn’t help but link lamppost two with one of my favourite London attractions, The London Eye on the Victoria Embankment.  Continuing the regal theme, this lamppost is crowned! Look at the detailing of this cast iron dolphin at the lamppost’s base, designed, I believe, by G Vulliamy….

Photo of the Month: Blossom

I don’t think there is anything on earth I love more than the sight of cherry blossom in the Spring.  I can fully understand how the Japanese venerate these fragile blooms as I feel exactly the same.  They raise your spirits with their beauty whilst reminding you of the fragility of life – here for…

Lamppost series – 1: Buckingham Palace

The more I look around me via my faithful lens, the more I see … and there are really some cracking lampposts around.  Some of these tireless providers of light are highly decorative.  Such is the case with those lighting up Her Majesty’s London home –Buckingham Palace.  In this Diamond Jubilee year, this was the…

Country Pub Series: The Bird in Hand, Lovedean

After a good walk, climbing the steep slopes of Catherington Down with The Hound, where better to enjoy a quick bite or a glass of wine then at The Bird in Hand, Lovedean … literally a two minute drive away. The staff are very friendly, the service is brisk and considered – but best of…

Four Seasons Series: St Hubert’s Church, Idsworth – 1

St Hubert’s Church, Idsworth, Hampshire – Winter Over the past year, I have been taking photographs of my favourite landscapes or sites at various Hampshire and West Sussex locations – curious to see how they would differ each season. St Hubert’s Church, Idsworth, Hampshire – Autumn I chose this amazing little church for my first set….

Four Seasons Series: St Hubert’s Church, Idsworth – 2

St Hubert’s Church, Idsworth, Hampshire – Winter This is the second set of shots I have taken over the past year of my favourite little church, St Hubert’s Church, Idsworth – the little Saxon church in the middle of the field. St Hubert’s Church, Idsworth, Hampshire – Autumn As soon as I started taking shots from…

Surprising Goodwood

The Goodwood Estate has been on my “hit-list” for some time now so I headed off for a  recee before booking a visit to the house itself.  A lovely hotel, a warm welcome given, gorgeous surroundings … what I hoped to find in fact and it didn’t disappoint.  What I didn’t expect, however, were the monumental sculptures,…