Heaven Visited

I have recently visited three of the most spectacular homes on earth, here is a tiny glimps for you.

Smedmore House first:

Home with a view of the sea, privately owned still.

Then-

Greenway, Agatha Christie's holiday place on the River Dart.

 National Trust

And now something else!

 And here is the clue for this house below.....

No idea? Try  https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Coleton+Fishacre/

Willow Man Bird Attack

Willow man first appeared near the M5 Motorway many years ago (2001) when that bit of Somerset was just a very flat rather windswept field. We used to admire it as we shot past going North or South at 'around' 70 mph. Made from willow on a steel frame it was remade after an arson fire by the Artist Sculptress Serena de la Hey. At 40 foot high (12 Metres) it must have been fun to make.

I considered doing a horse in Dorset inspired by this work and using glass fibre but the local planners gave it the thumbs down: there is a wind turbine there now!

Willow man is seen here from the other side (non motorway) a little worse for wear again. Birds attack the poor chap for nesting material!

Seasons of sculpture

Here is a very early work. It reminds me of summer. 

And this to remind us of what may come this winter.

Autumn, Hey Look At Me.

(Spring will be added when my new website becomes live.)

Killer Whales off the Devon Coast

Yesterday we saw a pod of Killer Whales (orca) off the Devon Coast, they were in a hurry and took little notice of us as we sailed by. They had an amazing presence which I felt quite in awe of. Powerful wild animals forging past us no more than 20 yards away and the camera was down below in the cabin. Another magic moment at sea I shall never forget.

St Oswald's Bay Split in Half

A larger than normal land slip is reported to have split my favourite beach in half. These things happen quite often but this is bigger than usual reminding us to tread carefully but the sea will mop it up in a jiffy! See here before:

 And now:
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-22355538

He has been visiting us and he left the taps on! I hope the water companies will save some of it. I will let you know when they declare a drought again!

Beautiful Dorset

"Summer goes so quickly was it something that you said..... in the windmills of your mind"……

These is hardly representative of the summer of 2012 but to prove it was not all bad here are a few shots of the Dorset Coast from the sea. This was within a few miles East of the Olympic sailing area, a beautiful place and still largely unspoilt for a moment or two.

Just out to sea, from here to the Needles off the Isle of Wight, there are plans to build huge wind turbines on a massive scale. This World Heritage site will soon be home to our attempts at curbing global warming. From the Artistic standpoint, I do not find them aesthetically interesting in groups! More detail at http://www.navitusbaywindpark.co.uk/project.aspx where I got this map and more can be found at the Crown Estates Website.

Wet And Windy Weather

A national obsession....my little companion hates getting wet, so walking in the rain and boating are low on her list of priorities! The weather has been interesting. A drought was declared not so long ago and almost instantly it rained, and rained and blew, and blew etc.: well we know all that but two of my friends boats have recieved serious damage because of the unexpected weather and they are not the only ones I understand.

Raining? Refusenick!

Better weather last summer with a very old friend and returning from an evening stretch ashore!

Four Legged Ghosts

I still hear them calling me when I let the dog out morning noon and night, slightly bazaar as I don’t believe in ghosts, but it is strange. My little spotted pony was 35 years old last month and sadly failed to regain condition this summer. The Shetland was deaf and laminitic, he too was of great age; in his late thirties. I miss them dreadfully but the winter is not so far away and I am going to light a fire tonight as it is cold. The field is very empty without my four legged friends or should I say family as we have had them for more than twenty years.

Charlie, or Charlotte, the Appaloosa, came from the circus; she was a wonderful child’s pony, did not suffer fools gladly, was a great jumper and made sorties for charity, pony club and pony camps. She also kept Smokie under control.

He was a dream, pulled wheels with great enthusiasm, carried children through fords, old tanks out of the rough (Eddy Page please note and report back!), a gentle softy with characteristic Shetland mischief which Thelwell illustrated so well. He was an expert escaper and as good as any Rabbit at avoiding capture but always knew when to give up! RIP

St O's Bay Olympic Sailing 2012

A rather special photo, looking West towards Start Point with Weymouth visible in the picture. The olympic sailing will take place here next year, quiet now and nodoubt quiet again afterwards!

A Country house birthday party

I think I must be very lucky to be invited to amazing parties occasionally. House parties still happen as I was to experience recently. Held in one of England’s most beautiful country houses my host, the birthday boy had three things in common with Mr Toad, a generous spirit, a kind heart and a want to sing at his birthday party!

We played tennis, we played croquet, and there were quizzes, dancing, a long walk along the hills by the sea and of course an abundance of food and wine. But of singing we let rip, raised the roof and wow what fun. Thank you David and family; Happy 60^th.

PS I sailed there, and got storm bound again.