Fast-forward 500 years to the present day, and physically things haven't changed that much in Forest Hill (the village where I live). There is still a Lord of the Manor, and the village still has most of it's peasants' houses (albeit they have now been converted to cater for modern day amenities - I know, I live in one of 'em).
'What the bloody hell has all that stuff got to do with anything?' I hear you cry.
Well, it's like this. The present-day Lord of the Manor lives in a
Yep, the great unwashed are allowed unlimited access to the estate gardens for three hours (which was rather a nice idea on behalf of the current Lord of the Manor - top marks), and it just so happened that 'Shotover Daffodil Day' was last Sunday.
Given that the Shotover estate was supposed to be very picturesque, I decided to take Izzy and teach her how to use a camera, and she was heart-warmingly enthusiastic about the idea. Oh yeh, it was looking like we were going to be gadget-buddies.
So this post is a photo-blog. And these are the photographs that we took.......... (with my new Canon Powershot S95...... man alive...... I am still LOVING that camera).
Oh, before I begin, I should mention that when we arrived at the Shotover Estate, they charged £2.50 for entry and I was a bit miffed. But then I found out that they were using the proceeds to fix the roof on the village church, so I wasn't miffed at all after that.
Here goes...... the Shotover House photoblog.............................................
Pic.No.1 That is Izzy standing in a clump of daffodils in the front garden of Shotover House. It looks like she doesn't have any legs and is hovering
Pic.No.2. Some daffodils and blue flowers in the garden. Because the event is called 'Shotover Daffodil Day' you will find that daffodils feature quite heavily in this post. Even though I have done some severe editing
Pic.No.3 This is a picture of Shotover House, where the Lord of the Manor lives. And yep, that is another clump of daffodils in the foreground
Pic.No.4 The Shotover gardens had three ancient (I reckon at least 600 years old) trees in their garden. That is Izzy stood next to them
Vid.No.1. This is Izzy running around in circles
Pic.No.5 This is a view of Shotover House (I don't fancy hoovering yours mate) behind the three ancient trees
Pic.No.6 Bloody hell, she's good-looking! Oh hang on, I just realised that it was me. Izzy wanted to take a picture of me next to ....... yep ................... daffodils
Pic.No.7 One part of the garden was particularly rammed full of wild daffodils. Izzy picked one for me and I had to pretend that it was totally unique and special
Pic.No.7a And then if the daffodils weren't enough, we happened upon a Camellia bush in flower
Pic.No.7b The Camellia bush wasn't just in flower, it was budding too - RESULT!
Pic.No.8 I found this stone statue and I shouted to Izzy "quick, take a comedy photograph of this dog biting my hand." So she did
Pic.No.9 And being a chip off the old block, Izzy quickly realised the value of a comedy shot and shouted, "I want a picture of my hand being bitten by the dog too." That's my gal
Pic.No.10 Even though the stone dog didn't move, or do anything, Izzy declared that she wanted to take him home because he was; "loads better fun than Naughty George." Eh? she probably means 'less nauseating' than Naughty George
Pic.No.11 This was some Spring blossom growing next to the lake at Shotover
Pic.No.12 I tried three different camera settings whilst photographing the foresty bit of Shotover. This is the first.
Pic.No.13 This is the second
Pic.No.14 This is the third. Which do you reckon is the best one then?
Pic.No.15 After tying out the different camera settings in the forest at Shotover, we unexpectedly entered a clearing in which was a hill with a folly on top. The folly was built in 1730AD
Pic.No.16 Inside we found some original statues, so I made out like one. If he was real, I think we would get on really well, and maybe even become lovers
Pic.No.17 This is a picture of Shotover House's back garden. Imagine mowing that bastard!
Pic.No.18 Some more blossomy shit with the lake in the background
Pic.No.19 Finally our trip came to an end as the sun set over the back of Shotover House and its lake
So Izzy and I went back to our peasant's house and had baked potato for dinner. Blimey, maybe things haven't changed so much since the olden days.
P.S. Do you have any ancient places near you?
Beautiful pictures and both you and Lizzy are so photogenic.
ReplyDeleteAs far as old buildings or land marks, there just isn't much "old" in the great plains area of the US.
Lewis and Clark had a camp here in 1804, by 1821 a fur trader set up a depot. (no sense rushing into anything)
There is a debate here which of 2 buildings is the oldest. They were both built in 1850, so let's call it a tie. (Kelly's Westport Inn and Boone's Trading Post) Kansas City was incorporated in 1853, I think. Compared to 1730, seems we aren't all that historical.
Now that I have officially bored you to tears, you can appreciate your lovely old buildings.(and they really are lovely)
Anne.. looks lovely there... I need to comment on your coat though... love it... you look almost fashionable!
ReplyDeleteHmmm....let me think.
ReplyDeleteWell...my area was settled by Scot & Irish immigrants in the 1850's so there's the odd barn, inn & schoolhouse dating back that far - nothing nearly as grand as your Lord of the Manor's estate.
Oh! There's an old Iroquois settlement! They've unearthed & rebuilt the palisade & longhouses. Now that's cool, right? Funny thing is - it only as old as your cottage!
Wow, those are great shots. You guys look awfully good for "the great unwashed"!!!
ReplyDeleteLike the one of Izzy being "bitten" by the dog, and then hugging him.... won't Naughty George be jealous?
These are awesome pics. I agree that you look smoking in that picture. And Izzy is just soooo freaking adorable.
ReplyDeleteyou know what those pictures need? more daffodils ;)
ReplyDeleteI loved this...this is definitely a place I would have liked to go to get pics myself! =) And daffodils really aren't my favorite flower...
ReplyDeleteLove the pic Izzy took of you next to the garden #6...hot stuff!! *wiggles eyebrows suggestively* =)
Love the pic of Iz hugging the stone dog #10...that picture is absolutely priceless! You should print that one out and put it in a frame.
Of the foresty bits...I'm more the au natural type so I tend to lean toward the first one. The 2nd is interesting but it's a bit Blair Witchy. =)
What the f* is a folly? I can't be arsed to look it up =) *snicker* The husband says he thinks it's a stone gazebo...
I think you completely screwed any chance at a copy writing career though with the caption for #18...that made the husband and I laugh our fool heads off *ha ha bonk* *ha ha bonk*
As far as ancient places...I think the word "ancient" in this instance is relative... =)
Great post lovie!! I'm having so much fun looking at your, and Izzy's, picture adventures!! =) Muwah! xo
Great photos, you have obviously got that camera sorted. Rufford Old Hall near us, 16th century. Shakespeare did a stint there, it it rumoured. Although why he came this far North I shall never know.
ReplyDeleteShotover daffodil day sounds a bit sad like past its sell by date...aren't overshot veg like brocolli over their best ?
ReplyDeleteFabby photos I like the third tree one - nice & eerie. Izzy clearly has her mother's talent for making a statue into a comedy photo opportunity.
I would want to take the second dog home too. It wouldn't need much feeding or walking.
Loving the daffs and Izzy's top & matching tights.
The snaps like wot I like
ReplyDeleteI like 11 & 12 the best, nice composition. Plus the pictures with you and Izzy in are superb (Grovel grovel)
Why is it you always look serious on most pictures, you did not appear to be enjoying the day.
Ha ha Robert, no I wasn't miserable! In the first one, I had been posing for about 2 minutes whilst Izzy took the pic, and then in the one with the statue, I was trying to impersonate it!
ReplyDeleteSo, Izzy does a better "I'm getting eaten alive by a dog" impersonation than you do but you totally OWNED that last statue!!! Izzy's outfit was adorable too!!!!
ReplyDeleteDear Anne,
ReplyDelete"And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils" - so many on your pictures (love those especially among the scillas). Though you didn't wander alone like a cloud, but with your beautiful daughter - and you had fun, as one can see.
Have learned the expression of "the great unwashed" and will use it at the next best opportunity I can find :-) , thank you!
I think you should've taken my Goddog to Shotover with you and Miss Izzy. NG could have done some fertilizing to help make the flowers even more beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYet another great post! How do you do it?
ReplyDeleteAbout twenty miles from us is the village of Brightling, famous for it's follies. There are several of them around the village, all built by John 'Mad Jack' Fuller (1757-1834). He was an interesting character, apparently most of the follies he built (as well as a stone wall surrounding his estate), were to give employment to the locals during hard times. He also gave a lifeboat to Eastbourne, and bought Bodiam Castle just to save it from demolition. Yet he was also a supporter of slavery, although as his family owned sugar plantations in Jamaica, maybe that's not surprising.
If you want to know more about Mad Jack, go to http://johnmadjackfuller.homestead.com
Totally impressed with you,Annie, and the photos! Nice job!
ReplyDeleteThose blue flowers are called 'Blue Bells' and they spread like the dickens!....not like you but,you know!
I like the third setting....very mysterious.
Loved this post!
Blenheim Palace is just up the road from here. And the family pile back home is fairly impressive, but relatively modern, being built in 1837.
ReplyDelete