Monday, May 05, 2008

Is it really...

... a bank holiday weekend? The weather is stunning. Will it please be like like this starting Saturday? it would be nice if it was lovely when I take Dad away.

So I went to Amwell. There had been some good birds the last few days.... well there wasn't today! Well ok Ringed Plover, Redshank, Common Tern, Warbler's and a singing Grasshopper Warbler but not what i wanted! Nothing came to the feeders so off I went.

673 St Mary, Felmersham.

and its early Gothic west front











and 674, All Saints, Odell









At this point I could have gone to another but instead went to Wrest Park.

Wrest is a tragedy. The A6 cut it from its village and though owned by English Heritage it is leased to the Silsoe Research Institute whose outbuildings are like a gaping wound and whose equipment mars what little you can see of the house.

Surely there is a warehouse in nearby Bedford they could use? The House could be magnificent. Sigh. Annoyingly much of the rear is under scaffold for repair double sigh. Still what little of the house you can see you can take non-flash photos of (according to the lad on reception).







The gardens are fine, and I rather like them. Unlike most stately homes you are allowed to take your picnic in the gardens. The National Trust would have an apoplexy





























On my way back I stopped in again at Amwell and saw my first Hobby of the year.

3 comments:

oldcrow61 said...

That staircase and the picture frames...wow! So ornate. The flowers are wonderful.

Unknown said...

Some fantastic photos there, I love the ones of the close up flowers. You may be interested to know that English Heritage have now taken over full management of the site, and there is a 20 year restoration plan in place to bring the place back to it's former glory. See http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.14485
The scaffolding you saw around the house in May was part of the work starting to take place. Looking a lot better already!

The Quacks of Life said...

thanks natalie espesh for the link.

I do like Wrest Park.

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