Thursday 22 October 2009

Golden Days

At ten to four the power was cut to our part of town We were told to stand still as the emergency lights came on. We waited and were eventually told that the HV lines had gone and it would be hours before power would be restored, and we were allowed to go home. We went straight to Tesco and did the shop, and were home before 5 and now having the weekend free to do what we wanted.

Friday evening was spent in 80s nostalgia as the BBC did an evening of Electronic music, Synth Britannia. It was wonderful, and good to see some gravitas into something which was and still is derided for having no or little class. And to hear pioneers talk passionately of their love and their influences.

My new toy

Saturday morning we were up nice and early to head to Canterbury to pick up my new camera! Yes, I have a shiny new camera, due to the fast the one that Jools bought me last year is still not working. They offered to upgrade it for a newer model if we paid the difference; we jumped at it.

The Mayflower Ship, Canterbury

The Canon 50D has many more pixels and a larger sensor, but mostly is the same as the 40, just newer.

Canterbury Skyline

We walked around Canterbury some, walked along the city walls, through the old industrial are, past abandoned pubs, brewery and tannery. We had a coffee and breakfast in the place that the guy who chartered the Mayflower had his shop. There is so much history round here, he said understating the facts somewhat!

Canterbury Cathedral

We found the castle, not that it was lost, but in a historic place like Canterbury its just not signposted or on the tourist trail. We had it pretty much to ourselves. I got a few good shots as per usual.

Canterbury Castle

Before leaving there was time for me to go into the cathedral to grab a few shots of the aisle and tower. And then into the countryside. And back home to do some chores and enjoy the sunshine in the back garden.

Amanita muscaria

Sunday, we headed out into the countryside for a walk in the woods. The colours are not as spectacular as New England, but the dappled sunshine through the tree's canopy is wonderful. Throughout Kings Wood there are statues and works of rustic art, as well as flowers, trees and fungi. We gathered chestnuts and filled our pockets, when we passed people we greeted them with a cheerful good morning.

Coppice Cloud Chamber by Chris Dury

We drove home down country lanes taking turns to villages we liked the names of. But generally heading in the right direction. We found a pub in the middle of nowhere on a crossroads; we stopped and had a splendid lunch of chilli garlic tiger prawns followed by a beef carvery and all the trimmings. It was all rather wonderful.

The Kings Wood

We visited Nan on the way home; she is in a respite home for the time being until she feels strong enough to come home. She is fine and in good spirits.

That night whilst watching the NFL, we had roast chestnuts and for me a beer. Lovely.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Canterbury castle looks great. Would love to visit this castle and cathedral very soon. enjoyed the pictures of the same on your blog. Iflorist.co.uk

jelltex said...

Thank you, Beth, for reading. The history around here is amazing, sometimes we take for granted. To see it as a photographer, and with various projects on the go, a place I love to explore and discover new parts of.