A few sights along the A40

Another detour from the M40 on the way to see Mum and Dad. This time I left at Junction 2 as rain was threatened later in the journey.

First stop was Beaconsfield – this has been used as a stopping place to use the facilities before the new Beaconsfield Motorway services opened. Beaconsfield is a typical Home Counties town full of rich architecture down the main street, no doubt hiding some less than splendid estates in the background. St Mary and All Saints Church is quite large but appeared somewhat soulless to me.



The War Memorial was more unusual very elaborate with a permanent light in the top



One of the many drinking fountains provided by the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain Association in and around London.



After Beaconsfield and the nightmare that is High Wycombe comes West Wycombe, a small village on the A40 which must have been hell before the M40 opened. It is full of coaching houses – The George and Dragon being a typical example.



I parked in front of a wonderful timbered framed building called the Church Loft with original Clock dated 1688. It was a pilgrims rest house and lock up, and dates back to the 15th Century.



On the hill overlooking West Wycombe stands the church of St Lawrence and the Dashwood Mausoleum.

They look quite impressive as you approach the village. The church is 18th centuary and famous for its Golden Ball which (I have read) can seat up to eight people giving views over the surrounding countryside. The interior is suppose to be quite impressive but the church was locked when I was there.



The Dashwood Mausoleum.



The Dashwood Mausoleum was built in 1765. It is sited at the summit of West Wycombe Hill (which is also the site of an Iron Age Hill Fort). The mausoleum is hexagonal in plan and constructed of Portland stone and flint. It houses the urns containing the ashes of the Dashwood family. One member of the family was the infamous Sir Francis Dashwood, responsible for excavating the nearby West Wycombe caves for the debauched cavortings of the notorious "Hell Fire Club." a group of fellow aristocrats and men of influence.



The view from in front of the Mausoleum looking south east back along the A40 towards High Wycombe.



Further along the A40 is Stokenchurch which has a small church with foundations dating back to Anglo Saxon times.



.....and then the rains came so I headed back onto the M40!

The first rose of Summer

Well the first rose open in our garden



Update on the tree fern - progress has been slow due to the frosts but the last few days of hot weather have seen some growth at last.




An interesting flower head -I will edit text to add name if I ever find out what it is.



Skye felt left out of the photo shoot

A fur ball in the Garden

Here is the fur ball....



...and here is where it came from - what a dog!



This group of baby starlings were on the willow above the pond. One had tried to land on the pond earlier and got quite a suprise when the water's surface wouldn't support its weight.



A real show stopper at this time of the year - the red/cerise coloured broom

Another morning walk. this time on Reigate Hill

Actually we started on Reigate Hill and walked to Colley Hill. Lots of buttercups but as usual Skye was only inteested in her ball.


The Inglis memorial on Colley Hill was donated to the Borough by Lieutenant Colonel Inglis in 1909. It was originally a drinking fountain for horses.



On the ceiling is a mosaic showing the Sun and the planets around it.



The view from the memorial looking towards Leith Hill.

Early (ish) morning on Reigate Heath

An early morning walk yesterday before it got too hot (Summer is here - it must be exam time). The mist was only just beginning to clear - Reigate Heath Windmill is on the skyline.



On one slope up to the windmill there was a mass of small cobwebs on the ground. Normally you wouldn't see them but the combination of the early morning sunlight and dewdrops made them standout.




A wonderful old oak tree in the woods on the edge of the heath.



Proof Skye came with me!

Views from Westminster Bridge

Less than twelve hours after my stroll on the Golden Jubilee Bridge, I was on Westminster Bridge and able to take another view of the London Eye.



The Houses of Parliament looking splendid in the early morning sunshine.



This couple (Japanese I think) obviously thought the setting was good for a few Wedding photos!

Chinese, Port and The Eye

A very pleasant evening – a Chinese meal in Gerrard Sreet, London’s’ Chinatown’




Followed by a glass of port in the Crusting Pipe at Covent Garden. (A Pipe is a barrel of port usually containing 570 litres. A Crusting Pipe is the barrel used for making crusted port.)



Then a wander on the Golden Jubilee footbridge and a view of the London Eye and Big Ben

Going, Going, Gone.....

Mary Seacole House, Clapham High Street

Scaffold up ready for demolition – a very ugly tower block containing assorted council services is to become ‘Clapham One’ a new library, mini shopping centre and housing unit on the High Street with an entirely new, renovated leisure centre behind

GOING



GOING



GONE!

Cute dogs, Nice flowers .....and Gnomes

Skye in the bluebells on Park Hill this morning.



Time for a rest in the sun after the walk - the clematis is at its best just now.





Another cute dog





The white and blue flowers whose names I don't know are looking particularly good at the moment.





It's about time the Gnomes made an appearence ...

Frosty morning in May!

6:20am and the bird bath is frozen.



There was also frost on the trampoline. You can see my attempt at covering the blossom on the apple tree in the distance.



The bluebells look good



At least the frost hides (most of) the dirt on the car!