Misty morning on the Thames at Henley

The forecast this past few days has featured early morning mist, but  a new weather pattern is to arrive this evening. So, last chance for some atmospheric photography. So, it's Sunday.... it's 05.45am .....and time to get up. (Can't believe this was my idea!)
We parked near the Flower Pot pub at Ferry Lane, Aston, and walked in the direction of Hambleden Lock. Not  a promising start.... too much mist is not  a good thing. With sunrise due any moment, at 07.10am no signs of any sun breaking through. Should have stayed in bed!

Terrible light conditions as we arrived

BUT...... a few moments later, a change, and although no sun in sight, enough light to get some reflections with a little mist skimming the surface.  these old timbers were ideal for foreground interest.

At Hambleden lock, the mist really was much thicker and almost no light. This was the best I got, slowing down to a 2second shutter speed and hoping the geese did not move too much.

In desperation, I found these cobwebs!

Croissants and cuppa, on a  bench by the lock, then we decided no point hanging around, but instead drove over to Mill Lane to Marsh Lock where the mist was not so thick, and some sign of warmth from the sun.... things were looking up!

Tiny bit of mist left

Back home by 09.30. Could feel like a long day.

NGS open day - Ditton Manor Datchet

First built before 1066, Ditton Manor  in Datchet near Slough sits in a huge acreage, and since 1997 the whole estate has been own by Computer Associates, a software company (CA). The house, on a moated island is  used for weddings, and the grounds are not normally open to the public.

The garden were beautifully kept and an ideal wedding or event location.

The front views, with circular pond set into the lawn area.

Margaret Finch and daughter Rachael selling some of
their home produce.

The clock tower building is where the cakes and teas were served...... very important!

A mirror image of the clock tower building is opposite.

A row of Hornbeam hedging with bare stems add backdrop to the
herbaceous borders.

A very happy Thalictrum Aquilegafolium

The side elevation. 

Ahhhhh. Lots of signets in the moat

Swathes of Echinacea purpurea

The  contemporary building is the tea shop, also a lecture room

Bee doing the back stroke, with another coming in to land on the Cosmos

Wasp on Helenium. The insects do love these coneflowers

Ightham Mote, Kent. (National Trust)

After a nightmare of a journey due to M3 delays from as far back as Bracknell, we finally reached Sevenoaks, Kent to visit NTrust Ightham Mote. (pronounced Eye Tam Mot)

Our first visit here, and really enjoyable. Not vast, but we managed to see most of it in the 3 hours which we had allowed to visit, enroute to see family later in the day.

Built in 14th century, this house was owned by Medevial Knights to wealthy Victorians. To avoid its demolition in 1950's 3 local men bought it for £5,500 but could not afford its upkeep. They soon resold it to a wealthy American for the same amount, but who for tax reasons could not live in it permanently. He paid for its upkeep for 20 years. Following his death he bequeathed it to the National  Trust. It was in a sorry state, and the NT spent £10m to return it to the beautiful building it is is today. WOW!

The Lake with house in the distance

Detail on the bridge,  with the house in the distance

The doors at the entrance to the courtyard across the moat

Inside the courtyard

Inside the courtyard

There are several garden areas, including a couple of walled gardens.

View of the house from within the vegetable garden

In the walled Vegetable Garden. Seen him before somewhere!

The beautiful Lavender edged path leads into the walled garden. 

Alstromeria pick up on the roof colouring

Bright yellow Achilleas with purple Salvia and rust Heleniums

Anthemis

Artist at work on the raised lawn borders

Highly recommend a visit to this lovely property, but be careful if you have young children. There are a few ponds, indeed we witness one 5 year old running from the lawn straight into a pool. She didn't notice it! She was fine, but rather shocked to find herself soaked  from head to toe. Poor kid.

Brompton Cemetery

I had plans to meet some friends in London the other evening, so took the opportunity to visit Brompton Cemetery during the afternoon. It is 39acres in total, so just walked through the main parts.  The light was very harsh mid day, but potential for a revisit sometime in better photographic conditions in winter, or perhaps early spring when the growth is fresh.

The cemetery has been used in many film sets and has some amazing graves and Gothic arches.

The old coffin car

Deep in thought

The grave of a wealthy occupant

Afternoon shadows in the gothic archways.