On the old railway track

Most mornings we try to keep up the exercise routine and on this particular morning my walk was along part of Hadleigh railway walk.

But, before even stepping out of the door, this little creature came to view. It is an Orange Swift or Triodia sylvina in latin. Photo taken against an almost white background.

Having started my walk at this stage, I was entering the wood leading to a footpath that I wanted to follow and took a peek into one of my favourite trees on the route. The sun was just catching the branches and combined with the texture of the trunks, it made an appealing shot. I was pleased with the result. Like two people embracing maybe?

After an enjoyable walk I took this unusual signpost at the entrance to the walk. Rather different, I thought.

So, a few details of the railway:

The Hadleigh Railway was a 7 1⁄2-mile (12.1 km) long single track branch railway line in Suffolk, England that ran from Bentley Junction on the Great Eastern Main Line to Hadleigh via two intermediate stations, Capel and Raydon Wood.

In June 1846 both the Eastern Union Railway and Hadleigh Junction Railway were authorised to construct the line. The Eastern Union Railway bought out the Hadleigh Junction Railway and started construction on 5 September 1846 and the line opened on 20 August 1847.

The initial service was five weekday returns and three on Sunday, but the Sunday services were soon withdrawn. Some through coaches to London were available, which were slipped on the return. In 1848 two direct services to Ipswich were included in the schedule each weekday, but the northern section of the triangular junction to the mainline was closed in 1875. From that time, any services to Ipswich were required to reverse at Bentley.

The level of service fluctuated until the takeover by the Great Eastern Railway in 1862 brought some stability. In 1889 there were five trains per day with some working through to Manningtree. Passenger services on the line peaked in 1920 when the number daily had reached seven, but competition from bus services reduced this to five by 1924, which was the level maintained until passenger services closed.

In common with so many branch lines which were later deemed redundant, the goods facilities at Capel and Raydon Wood were used extensively during World War II handling supplies for a nearby United States Army Air Forces base, later known as RAF Raydon.

The line closed to passengers on 29 February 1932 but remained open to freight serving local manufacturers. The line closed completely on 19 April 1965. The track was removed soon after closure.

And so to home and an attempt at photographing a rose against the sky. Not bad I suppose!

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Do horses play?

While out for a walk today (a rather dull morning), I came across these horses chasing around a field and then stopping to engage in what looked like playful activities, before galloping away again.

I suppose they are playing as they were watched, and followed by the two horses in the background.

Anyway, it made for some good images I thought.

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Pigs Gone Wild

The local news announced the appearance of Piggies in Ipswich like this: 

A herd of pig sculptures is to go on display in Ipswich as the town becomes the latest place to host an art trail for charity. Forty models will be dotted around the streets and waterfront as part of the "Pigs Gone Wild" art trail in summer 2016, in aid of St Elizabeth Hospice. The animals, chosen to "celebrate Suffolk's rich agricultural heritage", will be decorated by local artists.

The first thing, as grandparents, that crossed our mind was `What a great idea for some fun with Izobelle.` Sure enough the idea appealed and over the course of the summer we explored Ipswich with Izobelle and to be honest great fun was had by all, including grandparents! So, here goes with images of some of the pigs. Not all of them, but a large selection.

Let's mark off - Pinata Piggy.

Ed Sheer-Ham - say no more. A nod to our local pop idol.

Hamlet of Ipswich

Little Sewn Sow

Piggy The Sailor

Izobelle with Pigs Go Wild

Foodie Pig and Izobelle

One of the best puns I thought - Sir Bradley Piggins

Pig N Mix

Great Piggish Bake

I wonder where this one was situated? - Porkman Road

Someone made a - A Pig`s Year of it

Frankenswine

One of the smaller Piggies in the shops - Albert Einswine

Great fun just finding and photographing, and with Izobelle the added pleasure of watching her reaction, especially when she spotted one for the first time. Very popular with the general public with families out hunting with their children. And all for a Great cause.

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Fun with the grandchildren

Grandchildren are a great source of joy as you watch them change and grow before your eyes. Sometimes a source of trepidation as you wonder about the world they are growing up in, certainly different to our one. I guess it's a case of `just enjoying` the moments and protecting them where necessary.

Anyway, some images on a day in Thetford Forest with Izobelle and her mum.

Actually Izobelle, that is a musical instrument. You are supposed to hit it!

Yes, the right idea this time!

We all were surprised when Izabelle said `I want to go on a horse`

Now, do I touch this sleeping monster?

Yes!

I might need Mum`s help here.

Now I am brave enough on my own.

Top rung.

Emily showing no fear as she swung from the willow tree.

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Lavender fields and Kirkham Priory

Another beautiful spot we visited was Yorkshire Lavender, a 60-acre hillside farm featuring lavender gardens, specialist plant shop and a sculpture park.

The patterns formed by the Lavender were just waiting to be photographed. 

A great place to visit with it`s herbs and other plants. To cap it all, a great place to have a mid morning coffee and cake. What more could you want. 

I know, more ruins! The ruins of Kirkham Priory are situated on the banks of the River Derwent, at Kirkham, North Yorkshire, England. 

The Augustinian priory was founded in the 1120s by Walter l'Espec, lord of nearby Helmsley, who also built Rievaulx Abbey. Legend has it that Kirkham was founded in remembrance of l'Espec's only son who had died nearby as a consequence of his horse being startled by a boar. The area was later used to test the D-Day landing vehicles. The ruins are now Grade I listed and in the care of English Heritage. 

The Gatehouse of Kirkham Priory, built c.1290-5, is a specimen of English Gothic medieval architecture. It is a rare survival of such a gatehouse, comparable to that of Butley Priory in Suffolk. It has a wide arch of continuous mouldings with a crocketed gable running up to the windows, with sculptures of S.George and the Dragon on the left, and David and Goliath to the right. Above the arch is Christ in a pointed oval recess, plus two figures below of St. Bartholomew and St. Philip, in niches. 

And the very last ruin is Sheriff Hutton Castle in the village of Sheriff Hutton, North Yorkshire 

The original motte and bailey castle, the remains of which can be seen to the south of the churchyard, was built here in the Forest of Galtres by Bertram de Bulmer, Sheriff of York during the reign of King Stephen(c. 1135–1154), 

The stone castle was built at the western end of the village by John, Lord Neville in the late fourteenth century. 

The castle became the property of Henry VII and, in 1525, Henry VIII granted it to his son, Henry Fitzroy, who had been newly created as Duke of Richmond and Warden-General of the Marches. A survey of this date describes the castle as being in need of repair. 

The castle was acquired by the Ingram family in 1622, and stone from the site was used by them in the building of nearby Sheriff Hutton House. 

The castle remained in the Ingram family until the early twentieth century, by which time the ruins were being used as a farmyard. It was designated a scheduled ancient monument in the 1950s, and has recently undergone some repairs by English Heritage. Today the castle is privately owned.

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The deserted village of Wharram Percy

Wharram Percy is a deserted village in a beautiful, secluded location in the Yorkshire Wolds. The village is the most extensively studied of all deserted medieval villages in England. Excavations at Wharram Percy took place every year between 1950 and 1990 and reveal the rich history of the village and why it was eventually deserted.

The village was first settled in the Bronze Age, though the first dwellings of which we have records date from the Iron Age, when two houses were established. By the Roman period there were five farm sites here, and finds of Roman tiles and tesserae indicate the presence of a Roman villa nearby.

There was further settlement in the Saxon period and a corn mill stood here by the 9th century. A small chapel stood on the site of the current church in the 10th century. 

From the 12th century there were two manors at Wharram Percy, known to archaeologists as North Manor and South Manor, the latter owned by the powerful Percy family. The Percy's later obtained the North Manor as well. 

The village declined after the onset of the The Black Plague of 1348-50, and by 1368 there were 30 cottages and a corn mill. In 1403 the final decline began when the Hilton family of Sunderland bought the manor and began to convert farmland to sheep pasture. This process continued throughout the 15th century and by 1500 the final four families were evicted and their cottages demolished. 

The final stage of Wharram Percy's history came in the late 18th century, when Sir Charles Buck built a new farmhouse and farm buildings. 

The only remaining buildings are the ruined church and the farmhouse built by Buck. On a slope above the church are the foundations of over 30 medieval farm cottages. The outline of the cottages is clearly visible and there are very good information panels which inform visitors about the village layout and archeology. Beside the church is a quiet mill pool. 

The location is superb, set low in a valley with wooded hill on one side and a broad slope on the other. Come in the evening and the only sound you hear is the lowing of cattle from neighbouring fields and the sound of doves cooing in the trees that cluster around the village site. 

St Martin’s Church evolved through six phases between the early 12th and early 17th centuries. Following the collapse of the tower in 1959, the interior of the church was excavated, revealing a smaller, mid-11th-century stone church and a mid- to late 10th-century timber antecedent. 

Four successive vicarages stood nearby between about 1327 and the 1830s. A medieval barn, the outline of which is displayed, was extended to adjoin the earliest vicarage in 1536. When both burned down in 1553, the vicarage alone was rebuilt. It was replaced in the mid-17th century and again before 1764. The outline of the excavated ground-floor rooms of this last vicarage can be seen to the north of the church. 

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York and Pickering

Hayley and Izobelle came to York with us, and we had a great day in the city, just wandering and taking in the sights and sounds.

I like listening to, and photographing Buskers, So, when this melodic voice caught my ear, I made my way a few yard (with Izobelle) to see who it was. I must confess the powerful and very melodic voice seemed to come from a younger person (sorry Busker!). Izobelle was transfixed! So we dropped our coins in and took a photo. 

These are the ruins of Pickering Castle, as are the two images below. Set in the attractive North York Moors-edge market town of Pickering, the castle began life as a simple wooden motte-and-bailey castle founded by William the Conqueror. It was converted to stone under Henry II; later additions included an outer entrance and curtain wall built on the orders of Edward II. 

Some more ruins of Pickering Castle

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