Thatched Roof Thursday #16 - Easenhall....

...at dusk.

This is a tad of a salvage job.  I apologise.  I should have taken my photos of this cottage on the way to the cinema yesterday, rather than waiting until afterwards on the drive home.  Below is the full view of The Thatched Cottage (a listed early 18th century rendered brick cottage).  I filled in the light just a little to brighten the picture.

Easenhall is a lovely village with a variety of homes and a pub too :).  More from here soon (but not a dusk).

PS:  The snow is gone.  Mixed feelings.  

C Is For Contender...

...for my favorite tree.

This tree stands along side a historic medieval road known as Coombe Lane (hooray another 'C').  The photo was taken last week.  Inspired by Stefan Jansson's 'That Old Tree' series, many of us have been out searching for 'our tree' to photograph throughout the year.  This is a contender for 'my tree'.  I have others but I do like this one because of its location just outside Coombe Country Park.  For more 'C' photos from around the world, please follow the link to ABC Wednesday.

Thanks, Stefan!!  To view Stefan's collection of photos, please follow the link to: Photos From Haninge.  Find 'That Old Tree' photos in the index to the right.

Peaceful Playground

Normally, this play area at Coombe Country Park is filled to the brim with children from all over the area.   Last week we did see children in the Park but they were feeding the ducks or playing in the snow on a big field behind me.

To my left is a view I will use for ABC Wednesday tomorrow....letter 'C'.

School's Out - Or Is It?

Here is the evidence (last Saturday) that the children at a local primary school had a fun week in the snow.   It almost looks like those massive snow balls are playing their own game of soccer before they melt...ha ha!

Today - More clear skies in Coventry!  Snow is nearly gone.

Update: 1pm - Raining :(

CDP National Theme Day - Australia Day

These are a few photographs taken on our trip to Australia in 2010 to visit our family living to the South West of Melbourne. They are celebrating Australia Day to the full and we are looking back on a super visit with them.

As part of our trip we travelled down The Great Ocean Road.  These photos were taken with a small basic camera but they will give you an idea of the coastline.  If ever you visit Melbourne, be sure to take in The Great Ocean Road to see sights like these.

City Daily Photo is celebrating the National Day of Australia. CDP bloggers have been invited to share photos of an Australian theme. For worldwide contributions, please follow the CDP Link - Australia Day.

Skywatch Friday - Landscape Architecture

View from Coombe Abbey Hotel on a frosty day last week.  The gardens were redesigned by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown in 1771 to incorporate Coombe Pool lake.  The blue sky sets the scene.

For more photographs from around the world, please click on the Skywatch Friday link.

Have a super weekend.  I am bracing myself for a bit more snow followed by heavy rain and wind.  Good grief!

Thatched Roof Thursday #15 - Snow Delay

That was Tuesday!  So it isn't quite done yet.  The roof line intrigues me. Wonder how they are going to finish it off. And, see to the left of the sign?  Is there supposed to be a window there?  I went back and had a look at my first visit to this cottage when they were removing the old thatch.  I can't tell.  A mystery :).

Did you say you wanted to see some icicles?  Here you go.

I don't know about you.  I am not used to all this snow.  I am going to have a look for something that includes a little greenery for tomorrow!

One more thing.  Most important.  We went to see the film, 'Quartet', directed by Dustin Hoffman.  It was filmed in Buckinghamshire, England.  Excellent!

B Is For Bulrush

Yes, the plants are Bulrush but it is the swans that initially caught my eye yesterday.  Coombe Pool was frozen, and I could not believe seeing so many swans sitting on the ice.

Here is the full shot with more Bulrush plants, ice, snow and more snow.

Oh, one more thing.  Just about got these swans flying by.  I want to have a go at capturing this sort of sight again.  They are majestic.  Oldly, their wings make quite a lot of noise. (Cue - get the camera ready quick :)

Apologies that I have deviated slightly on the ABC Wednesday theme.  It isn't 'S' today.  For more from those who have loyally stuck to 'B', please follow the link - ABC Wednesday.

Oh My...A Fox

We went back to Coombe Country Park this morning to take some final pictures with the snow.  It will be melting by the weekend.  This is the first time I have seen a fox there.  No telephoto lens in my kit as yet but that is definitely not a cat. (Click on the image and see if you agree.)

A Patch Of Blue

I went out for a very long walk today with Mr. LOL.  The snow is everywhere and for the most part the sky and the ground blend together.  The trees appear black and are mostly defined by lots more snow.  Happily, I saw some blue sky.  I am ready to see a whole bunch more.  Maybe tomorrow.  

Still Snowing!

Merry Christmas!!!  I always wanted to use that strike-through tool :).

PS.  9pm - Not the usual for me to post on Sunday but I just couldn't resist opening the back door and taking this shot.  It just keeps snowing.

Skywatch Friday - Frost At Dusk

These were taken in a real rush on Wednesday at about 4.30pm near home.  In Coventry, it is nearly dark at this time of year. It was cold and that is frost on the trees with a bit of snow on the ground at Copsewood Grange Golf Club.  I have shown you this view with golf course under water.

At this very moment in time, it is snowing.  That slope above is covered in about 5 inches of snow and schools are out.  I am off in a minute to see if how many kids are sledging down that hill.

More photos featuring the sky can be found by following this link - Skywatch Friday.

Have a wonderful weekend.  Have fun in the snow, if it is about.  But be careful!

PS. I wasn't joking...ha ha!  Just got back. (4.30pm today)

Thatched Roof Thursday #14 - Chipping Campden

Recently, I used the cottage above in my Thatched Roof Thursday series.  I am just popping back to show you more of that hedge.  It is amazing and sets off that great home in Chipping Camden a treat and goes all the way around the corner.

Across the street is another.  In fact the whole street is loaded with thatched homes.  (I am not going to show you them all. Come over and see for yourself!)  These photos were taken on January 1st.

As I am sitting here typing away, I am hearing the weather report which includes the dreaded word,  'blizzards'.  Now I love a little snow but there are limitations.  Snow report tomorrow :).

A Is For Angular

I am standing in a bird watching hut at Coombe Country Park (last Sunday).  When I was taking this photo my immediate thought was that this won't work because I am looking directly into the sun. I only took one photo.  I am a tad surprised at what I got and wished I had taken more.

For more photographs from places far and wide, please click this link - ABC Wednesday.

At Last....

....a little bit of snow.

This spot is just around the corner from where I live. Looks a tad bleak. I really do love that oak tree just ahead. The Sowe River runs beside it.  About an hour after I took this photo the sun came out but it was too cooooooold to go back and take this photo again.

Well, that is my world.  Have a look at other contributions on the link for Our World Tuesday and enjoy!

I Can See You

I think we have a family gathering here.   The cygnet (to the left) is almost fully grown and soon to become a swan.  Taken at Coombe Country Park last week.

PS. 7am - Just had a look outside and we had snow overnight.  Hope it lasts long enough for me to get a picture.  Dark out now so back to bed :).

Skywatch Friday - Been Here Before

I used a similar shot on a frosty morning last month.  This photo was taken about three weeks later (just before Christmas).  It is noticeably darker out yet this was taken at the same time of day on Ansty Golf Course.  I am looking forward to longer days with lots of sunshine (please).

For more photographs showing skies from around the world follow the link to Skywatch Friday.

Happy Weekend folks!  Have a good one and stay well.

Thatched Roof Thursday #13 - Another Update

Cruck House, Hinckley Road, Walsgrave, Coventry

Today!  They are making real progress but it takes time. It is a big roof.  The weather hasn't been much help and with snow on the way (says she jumping up and down with excitement), being a thatcher has its challenges.

Have a look to see how the roof looked just before Christmas here.

One more thing.  The photo below was taken a week ago.  Keep and eye on what happens around the chimney on the right and the brick work that is protruding.

I'll do another update in a couple of weeks.  It might be done!

PS.  I went to the dentist today and I lived :).

Z Is For Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay

My, oh my what a wonderful day!

Plenty of sunshine heading my way

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay

The Disney classic song from Song of the South film sums up this day perfectly.  We have plenty of sunshine and a wonderful day after buckets of rain.  This photo was taken at Coombe Abbey Country Park this morning.  

Thank you ABC Wednesday team!  I joined in late in the year.  It has been such fun to take part. I look forward to another round.  

For more photos featuring the letter 'Z', please follow the ABC Wednesday link.

Winter Moorings

I am standing on a bridge near Stretton under Fosse.  The busy Oxford Canal is not far from here.  These narrow boats will soon be on their way when the better weather is here.

Instant Fog

Brandon Hall Hotel

I am definitely an amateur photographer.  Here is proof.

This is were my husband and I go for a swim (not as often as we should).  The other day there was a rare moment when no one was in the pool.  I rushed to our car (fully clothed), got my camera and ended up with only a couple of  photos. Something to do the camera being in a cold car and suddenly indoors in a nice warm environment.  Within in seconds - Instant Fog!  All part of the learning curve :).

PS.  For you local folks.  Brandon Hall offers yearly gym and pool facilities for local residents.  All sorts of memberships available.

Skywatch Friday - Inspiration For Art

I know I have seen a painting or two or three hanging is the great galleries of this world with skies something like this.  This is Coventry.  The rain has stopped and the sun has made an appearance.  Hooray!!!!

There are more photos of sky scenes from around the world to be found by clinking on this link - Skywatch Friday.

Have a super weekend.

Thatched Roof Thursday #12 - Chipping Campden

Pike Cottage

An excerpt from a recent planning application reads:  'A common way to describe Pike Cottage would be as a chocolate box cottage, with its thatched roof, stone mullion windows and general architecture. It is a picturesque typical Cotswold style cottage with its distinctive bobble hedge which runs the perimeter of Sheep Street.'

Well, I couldn't agree more.  Click on the photo to see the great dane dogs by the door and those pheasants on the roof.

When I am stuck for something to post one day, I will show you a bit more of that hedge.  

The plan next week is to get update on the 'work in progress' on that cottage being re-thatched in Coventry. 

Y is for Yesterday

Yesterday, on our drive back from Chipping Campden, we stopped at The Welcombe Hills to see what the view is like.  That is the Welcombe Hotel just below and Stratford Upon Avon town is beyond.  The photo I posted yesterday was taken from a spot in those distant hills.

Follow this link - ABC Wednesday - for more photos from around the world featuring the letter 'Y'.

PS I found a rather nice thatched cottage in Chipping Campden.  I am all set for Thatched Roof Thursday tomorrow :).

Hello 2013

What a difference a day makes.  Yesterday we had buckets of  rain and today we finally have sunshine.  So off to visit family and friends in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire.   Happy New Year !!!!  (This photo is the view looking in the general direction of Stratford Upon Avon from a hill just outside Chipping Campden...about 35 minutes from Coventry.)

PS.  While I am sorting out this post, I am  also watching the Pasadena Rose Parade (Live) from my home town via the internet. So this gal from Pasadena is happy, happy and happy.  And, it is sunny there too.