Busy, busy....

A busy time,

 with the challenge

 of producing photography

 for  a wedding.

When I was first asked to do this,

I thought it was going to be a quiet small affair,

but that was not to be.....

A village church, vingtage car,

7 bridesmaids, 2 flower girls,

2 page boys,

 heaps of ushers & many family & friends.....

But, although a few moments of anxiety

 as to what I had agreed to take on,

I also relished the challenge.

The reception certainly mirrored

 the colour theme of the day

And overall,

I did enjoy the occasion,

 a learning curve but also I think

 I did quite well for

the photography of my first major wedding.



With respect to privacy,

 bridal party or guest are not shown,

but there were many, honest!

Cornish Coastline. . . .

Lobster pots gathered. . . .

The mooring of boats within the harbour boundaries. . . .

The elements exposed to the weather,

 in much evidence that enhances the charm of Boscastle. . . .

At the end of the walk through the village,

leads to a glimpse of the Cornish Coastline. . . .

Rugged & unforgiving. . . .

If only there was time to explore more. . . .

A Coastal Retreat

Recently visited a coastal cornish village nestled in a valley.

Back in August 2004, due to  

sudden weather conditions, flash flooding

 caused utter devastation to peoples lives & their property.

Following years of renovation, & the local famillies rebuilding their lives,

the beautiful village has certainly managed to regain it's unique charm. 

  

A shop owner even showed us how much

 of his shop had been completely washed away,

with photos of the destruction much in evidence.

 

The street's  final destination leds you to the harbour,

 with an array of boats moored in the safe boundaries of the harbour walls.

The above wooden beam is carved with the inscription of,

'Rising river rushes by'

~This was situated outside the visitors centre~

Memories of the flood,

 I'm sure,

 will live on in the memories

of those that live in such a pretty location.

Beyond the Wall

A couple days ago,

I returned to Dunster, a small community,

 which has kept much of its old fashioned charm,

 such as its quaint cottages with cobbled pavements.

 Dunster can boast to having its own castle,

 which dominates as its built on a hill.

Whilst re-exploring the small town/village,

I made my way to  a walled garden,

which is overlooked by the neighbouring church.

The garden is surrounded by a very high wall,

 although fairly open in the centre, its surrounded by flowerbeds,

 and occasionaly,

you stumble across a partly secluded stone bench,

which has been well weathered with time.

The garden has other  similar stonework,

 a pillar supporting a Sundail,

birdbaths, & garden statues.

All, adding to the charm of this sheltered haven.

There are also plenty of benches to just sit & stare,

to take in the tranquility of this lovely place.

 Further character is added with a few ancient trees.

Either knarled & twisted,

or broken down to a tree stump,

 & left to weather the elements.

But, for other interest,

there is plenty of shrubs,

spring flowers.

 The traditional rose beds

still have to flourish,

 but this will wait until later into the year.

Here, I witnessed my first sighting of the season of a Magnolia flower,

 out in full bloom.

I have two of these beautiful trees in my garden,

although well budded, they have not reached this stage yet.

On preceeding through another walled area,

I came out to a round building called the Dovecote,

besides another older building. 

  In ancient times,

I believe this whole area use to be part of a nunnery.

A very enjoyable afternoon,

& most fortunate with the weather,

 as rain stayed away while exploring.

Finally, a perfect end,

a cream tea taken in Tessa's Cafe.

Well recommended!

Age of Steam

The above steam train is called 'Duke of Gloucester',

& the location is Bishops Lydeard railway station.

The start of the Somerset Railway,

 which meanders through the somerset countryside,

 to  the coast & final destination of Minehead.

A journey that takes approx 90minutes,

with stops on the way.

The station feels it is taking you back in time,

especially with the characteristic old signs displayed.

There was even an old fashioned bus

 waiting to take passengers

 to the nearby town of Taunton.

Although this is fairly close to my home,

I have never been on the steam railway here,

but I mean to change this,

particularly as my Mother is keen to make this journey again,

a route she was very familar with when she was a young girl. 

She is now 86 years old.

Changing Landscapes

A woodland walk in the Quantocks. . . .

Tree roots exposed to the elements. . .

And trees even up-rooted. . . .

Moss covered trees. . . .

to moss covered stone walls. . . .

Expanses of water strewn with fallen branches. . . .

Decaying leaves caught amongst the lichen & moss. . . .

Uphill walk leading to an open exposed barren landscape.

But the uphill trek made it worthwhile,

 with magnificant views looking out over fields,

 with the village of Holford,

 & beyond,

 the English Channel.

 Even at the top of the hill though, nature still flourishes,

from sheep gathered on the hillside,

to fungi growing on dead wood,

And  bushes of broom,

 flowering in splendour at the start of the long walk down.