Wood Carving #2

This is my second attempt at wood carving. The idea was to represent a Dipper standing on rocks with water running either side of it. The wood is a hard wood called Bubinga, which believe me lives up to the name 'Hard Wood'! I've since discovered that one of it's common uses is for knife handles.

NorthenerDownSouth Up North!

I had a great trip up north to visit my family this weekend and took advantage of the opportunity to revisit one of my favourite places, on the edge of the moors. I spent so much time here when I lived in the area, and it still holds a special place in my heart. The rugged beauty is fantastic.



I was reminded of the incredible skill of the dry stone Waller's whilst here. Having tried to build these in the past, I can see the immense skill practised by the nameless craftsmen who built mile upon mile of these walls, in some of the most challenging situations.

A Joy to Be Alive

Today was the first morning that it was warm enough to go walking without coats or jumpers. It was one of those days you wish you could capture and save for when it's the usual dull, cloudy, miserable days. This Blue Tit was in fine voice and was completely unconcerned whilst I fumbled around to get my camera out. I saw my first House Martins of the year too.

Can anybody confirm what this next bird is?


I think it's a female Brambling, but this is the first time I've been able to get a picture of one.

Unfair Advantage

I've spent weeks trying to take a photograph of one of these Greater Spotted Woodpeckers, but could never get close enough to get a clear shot. This one appeared on the bird feeder whilst I was working in Hedgerly. It stayed for about five minutes, having a real good treat. With that beak it has a real advantage over most of the others who feed here. It has been back several times since. This is a great area for birds, with an RSBP Reserve just at the bottom of the village.

Just for a change...

For years I've wanted to have a go at wood carving. So this last weekend I decided to do something about it. For my inspiration, I just looked up in to the sky and saw... a Red Kite! This was so much fun to do. It has a wingspan of 7.5 inches and is carved out of ash. I need to find a good supplier of seasoned woods now, because I can't wait to have a go at something else now!

A Presence Through Time

On Sunday I paid a visit to Stonor Park, approximately 5 miles form Henley. This is the view of Stonor House from the drive. Parts of the house date back to the 12th century, and the house has been in the hands of the same family since that time. The history of the house is fascinating, like the architecture. The earliest parts of the house were constructed out of bricks, local stone and chalk. The flint and stone chapel and brick clock tower were added in the 14th century. In the middle of the 18th century, the Georgian facade was added, unifying the appearance of the whole house.



As a bricklayer myself, it was fascinating looking at how the house has progressed, and how repairs and alterations, as above, were not always carried out in the style of the original building. That said though, there are examples of all the things that exemplify quality building to be seen here.

One of the things that I noticed, that really made me smile, was by the doorway to the oldest part of the house. The brickwork here is covered in marks scratched into the soft bricks, made by some of the tradesmen who worked on the building at various times.