Sheffield Park 20 August 2017

Sheffield Park is a National Trust property quite close to home which is also one of those local secrets. Nymans, another NT property is also nearby, quite extensively marketed and very popular, but not Sheffield Park. It should be, or perhaps not, it wasn't very busy but it's absolutely lovely. Definitely one of my favourite NT places.

The garden was originally laid out in the 18th century by Capability Brown (Lancelot actually, but an appropriate nickname). He believed in 'enhancing' nature, so his gardens aren't overly formal. He used vistas and water to lead the eye and his gardens are very distinctive. Subsequent owners contributed to the gardens and arboretum over the years.

 
In 1876 the Third Earl of Sheffield who was cricket mad, laid out a cricket pitch which was used for the first test match between England and Australia in 1884. (Australia won). He even sponsored The Sheffield Cup in Australia, still played for today.

The Gothic Mansion is privately owned, so not open to the public. Imagine the upkeep on this place!

The weather was quite grey to start, but soon brightened and there was even some sun.

Stalker ducks. They are hilarious.

Berries and Acorns appearing - winter is coming. The squirrels are very busy at the moment. 

Dayne, feeling inspired ...

The biggest sequoia I've seen here.

The lovely autumn colours starting.

Hello!

I really hope this isn't part of that mummy ..

And that is that!

Greenwich 13 August 2017

It's hard work persuading Dayne to come with me to London.  I love it and she doesn't, so there has to be a sweetener. This time it was Greenwich market - I'm bleh on markets, but she loves them. Compromise.

It was a bit of a mission getting there, but it was a lovely sunny day with some interesting views from a different part of London.

Quite an interesting market. Spotlights! Something for everyone.

Lunch, pulled pork wraps. I have an idea the stall was South American, but I can't actually remember. There is the most amazing collection of food vendors - international cuisine for all. The usual problem at markets, very limited seating.

Doesn't she look thrilled?  It was pretty hot by this time. Cutty Sark in the background, an expensive little jaunt though - around £20 for adults.

I was having a pretty good time ...

We didn't make it up the hill to the Observatory but just strolled around the gardens of the palace. Definitely not the most adventurous visitors today.

The Greenwich foot tunnel did spark a bit of interest. The tunnel runs under the Thames from Greenwich in the South to the Isle of Dogs in the North. It was built between 1899 and 1902, is 370.2 metres long, 15.2 metres deep and has an internal diameter of around 2.74 metres. It's classed as a highway so has to remain open 24 hours a day. The entrance on each side of the river is covered by a glass dome, referencing the Observatory. The first part of the tunnel is lined with white (pretty grubby) tiles.

Reducing the diameter of the northern end as a result of bomb damage during the Second World War, the tunnel is coated with concrete and thick steel rings. There are steps on both ends, as well as lifts.

Not a good spot for Claustrophobes. It doesn't normally bother me but it was quite oppressive. Happy to be out the other side.

We seemed to hop on and off tubes and trains a lot today. This was Isle of Dogs to Canary Wharf. Quite a different perspective and architectural aspect from the other side of the river.

Canary Wharf tube station and, yes, you're right. It was used in a scene from Star Wars, Rogue One.  The architecture is imposing with the arcing glass canopies that cover it's three entrances drawing light down into the subterranean bowels of the station. Imagine 20 banks of escalators!

Glass walls shut off access to the tracks and doors open in alignment with the train to allow passengers to embark and disembark.

That was fun!

Wakehurst Place 10 August 2017

To refresh your memory, here's a map of Wakehurst. Today I'm venturing around the bottom of the doughnut - which is the top of this picture, if you get my drift. I'll leave the Millenium Seed Bank for another visit. A greyish kind of day but not cold, just a touch of Autumn in the air and lovely to be outside.

I'm in the middle of looking for a job - having to sell yourself, really stressful, so a walk is necessary.

It's quite a steep drop from the entrance down to the lake. Could be slippery when wet I would imagine. The route I took is the Rock Walk with ancient yew tree roots clinging to the bare rock of Ardingly sandstone. The geology of this area dates back to the Early Cretaceous period - 140 million years ago. That'll put job hunting into perspective.

Down into Bloomer's Valley (named for the iron smelting that took place here in Roman times) which has been re-established as a natural wild meadow. In September the Southdowns sheep are allowed into the meadow to graze and complete the natural cycle of re-seeding.

Into the Horsebridge Wood.

Redwoods - such amazing trees. On two of the trees there are plaques stating that one has been grown from seed taken from the General Sherman tree and the other from the General Grant tree - among the largest and most famous of the Giant Redwoods in America. Illustrious roots indeed (literally).

All through the gardens you come across sculptures like this. They are made by Woodland Centre - Chainsaw Sculptures - (http://www.woodlandcentre.co.uk/). Aren't they fantastic? How do they manage that level of detail with a chainsaw?

These awesome mushrooms are by renowed willow artist Tom Hare.

The lakes, at last...

and ducks everywhere!

I think they must be accustomed to being fed, they are incorrigible and insistent.

This poor tree had just toppled over, it's very wet down here.

Then the steep walk back out, through the Himalayan Glade.

Out on the other side is this most amazing living sculpture. It is the head of a Sika deer. This method of carving is known as Tachigi-bori, a traditional Japanese method of carving sculptures into living trees linked with the Shinto belief that the sacred force resides in all things and in particular in ancient trees. This tree was damaged in the great storm of 1987 and the scars will eventually, in the next 20 - 50 years, cover the carving. The Sculptor was Masa Susuki.

And then something completely different ...

A story of a secret underground radio station, dashing Canadian officers and espionage!  It was only in 2003 that these facts came to light, but this was the spot.

You really do have to keep on coming back to see everything there is to see.

Agapanthus - or known here as the African Lily.  Shades of home.

Still lots of colour around.

Doesn't this put you in mind of Christmas?  Yes, I know, too early.