Canterbury Tales

I seem to be on a my own pilgrimage of historical sites these last few days. Canterbury Cathedral  in Kent is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England. A truly magnificent building.

A walk through historic Greenwich

Although a bitter cold day, the sun finally decided to shine on our London walk arranged by 'Mortal Muses' Kirstin and Kat. A great way to spend a Sunday, exploring the streets of Greenwich with a group of fellow enthusiastic photographers.

With the sunlight shinning through the pillars of the Old Royal Naval College I thought it created a interesting architectural image.

Hellebore Heaven or is it Hell!

It looked pleasant enough outside, but I am easily fooled. It's so cold today, even the pond has begun to freeze over. One plant in my garden that seems to be immune to the cold weather are my Hellebores. I have various kinds dotted around the garden to bring some colour and flowers to the winter months. Although quite pretty some species are poisonous and were used to cure madness amongst other things in the early days of medicine. I suspect it was more common to cause death due to it's side effects. Legend has it the plant was also used in witchcraft to summon demons!

Linking up with Marco Friday over at Blogging from Bolivia and I couldn't resist more textures today!

B&W Wednesday - Reel Time

I converted this image into B&W to link in with The long Road to China  today. I have also experimented with Kim Klassen textures. Currently she is running a Textures and Essentials Photoshop class, which I have been enjoying. I highly recommend it!

Happy Purple Tuesday!

The weather has been miserable all day! I managed to drag myself to the gym this morning, but this afternoon I've stayed cosy and warm indoors!

Here's looking at Ewe!

Yesterday, whilst walking around the area of Brenchley in Kent we came across these sheep. Initially they ran away when we approached the fence. Then after a minute of two of me taking photos they seem to lose their nervousness and became rather interested in having their photo taken!

Cold Tones

I advanced the heating this morning when I got up. After a short while I said "it's not getting any warmer". We checked the boiler and was met by a flashing error sign! Called Mr Fix It man! He can't come round until this afternoon. So we came up with the idea that we should do some work in the garden, as it may be warmer outside than sitting in waiting for the boiler man. I'm not sure there was any difference to be honest. But we did get some jobs done. Yippee Mr Fix It man has just arrived. Here's a shot of my very unhappy cold husband trying to watch the rugby!

Marco Friday - She sells sea shells

Whilst clearing out one of my cupboards I came across a box of shells I had collected many years ago. It's amazing to think they were once home to living creatures in some far distant ocean! I thought I'd use them for my Macro Friday shot for Blogging From Bolivia. There are some great shots this week, take a look!

Here's a Friday tongue twister for you! Have a great weekend!

She sells sea shells on the sea shore;

The shells that she sells are sea shells I'm sure.

So if she sells sea shells on the sea shore,

I'm sure that the shells are sea shore shells. 

St Paul's by Moonlight

Last night met some friends in town and ate at Barbacoa. It's the new Jamie Oliver and Adam Perry Lang restaurant in London. It's such a large restaurant but I was really impressed with the service, food and the price. Be sure to check out the Fleur Royal Prosecco cocktail!

Just across the road you are rewarded with a magnificent view of St Paul's Cathedral.

Goodmorning Mr Darcy

The North Downs Way passes through the charming village of Chilham. The fifteenth century village square was the starting point for todays walk. Off the square is a twelfth century church and Chilham Castle dating from 1616. This pretty village in Kent is also associated with Jane Austen. She often spent time here visiting her brother. The idyllic countryside inspired her, and 'Pride and Prejudice' was written here in 1796.

All that walking through woodlands taking in stunning views across the Kent countryside could only end with a good hearty meal at the local pub!

Macro Friday - Scrubbing Clean

It's the end of the week and it's Macro Friday over at wwwbloggingfrombolivia.com. Friday I generally clean the house either upstairs or downstairs. Today I practically had to both as it seemed so dusty! It's taken me all day so now a trip to the gym and then a well earned curry! Have a wonderful weekend.

The 'Original' Leicester Square ?

Sunday we visited the charming village of Penshurst in Kent. It was most enjoyable to be out and about in the sunshine and enjoy clear blue skies. After a rather muddy 4 mile walk, we ended up at a small square enclosed by timber Tudor cottages. It's the 'original' Leicester Square. Which was named after the Elizabethan Earl of Leicester. In the side of the old Post Office building built in 1850, is this lovely old GR Letter Box.

Macro Friday - As light as a feather

It's Friday and it's Macro time over at www.bloggingfrombolivia.com.

Each year at this point, I have all good intentions of de-cluttering and loosing an inch or two from my waistline. Normally I spend a lot of time thinking about what and how I'm going to do it. Resulting in never getting to the starting point. This year has to be different. Me, my house and I need to lighten our load. Right, now off to the gym!!

Natural or Man Made ?

After reading a 'Mortal Muses' post on 'Opposites Attract'. These two recent photos came to mind. I felt that they were two very different objects but similar in structure and stance. I may experiment with adding a texture layer to liven the photo's up a bit!

Peek-a-Boo

After reading a article in a photo magazine about how best to spend the colder, un-inspirational months around winter. One suggestion that jumped out at me was about reviewing the photos you had taken over the year. In the digital age we take so many photos but never really take the time to go back and look at them. When we used to have film processed and printed, we spent many happier hours carefully putting the photos into albums and writing little captions on where and why the photo was taken. So taking heed of the suggestion, that is what I am currently doing and choosing my favourites to have printed in an Album. What better way to look back on the amazing journey I've taken over 2010.

Kenyan Elephant from June 2010

Corvus Marinus 'Sea Raven'

My husband was able to face the world today. So although it was a pretty grey day we decided to venture out for a walk. Choosing a route around East Peckham in Kent from a book I bought him. It's a small town but they have a number of Hop farms, woodland areas and small rivers that run through the town. Lots of wild birds to spot but the bonus of the day were the eight Great Cormorants sitting in a tree on a narrow stretch of the River Medway.

The Morning After ...

Firstly,  a very Happy New Year to you! I hope 2011 brings you everything you wish for.

Today is a rather grey start to the year, here in Kent. My husband is still in bed feeling ill because of all the whisky he and his friends drank last night. I have no sympathy for him as he's old enough to know better. I on the other hand plan to have a nice peaceful day curled up on the sofa with a good book and cup of tea. I hope you have a pleasant day too.