9.9.11

Seven snippets



I take hundreds of photos a year. Literally hundreds. I know I'm not alone in this; my digital camera has turned into the most efficient sketch book of all. I carry one of those around too, but for instant recording, my camera is my third eye. Quite often I intend to blog something or just post a photo to Flickr, and more often than not I don't, as there is no time. So with some difficulty, I've trawled this year's archives for just seven favourites, starting at the top with a huge Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar - about 3 inches long and a bit cross at being caught by one of the cats. (Also comes in pink and green)



Andy at a very isolated but lovely pub in Shropshire,
the Bottle and Glass pub complete with friendly collie dog, real fire, excellent beer and local sausages on the menu.



Musician from
Eynsham Morris, playing at one of our last cricket matches and beer festivals a few weeks ago.


Divine fragments of Medieval stained glass in
St Laurence's Church, Ludlow. Do click on this for a larger look, they are rare and exquisite; can you find the owl head?


One of the 'golf balls' (actually a radar dome) at Clee Hill, Shropshire - they look so lonely and alien, and when the wind whistles through the wires, it is as if they are singing to each other.





Some of the wonderful topiary at the churchyard of
St Mary's church Painswick; the entire grounds are crammed with these shaped yew trees, some made into covering for the paths, others just standing alone or in pairs.



Less ostentatious but possibly my favourite snippet of these seven; a newly shed robin's egg found on a walk in mid-summer when the earth was dry and cracked.



26 comments:

Anonymous said...

My favourite is the topiary .... closely followed by Andy in the pub!

Charlotte said...

Oh I do love Shropshire, a county of trees and gentleness. You look like you had a lovely time and Andy is the picture of contentedness.

I like the owl and the "dolphin" at the bottom.

Lo said...

Love the robin's egg and the gorgeous stained glass window.

The Pea Pod said...

That caterpillar is massive! What a whopper

Janet Metzger, Artist said...

All lovely photos Gretel. Really love the tone of the pub photo.

The blue robins egg is such a gorgeous color.

Keep snapping away my friend.

Janet xox

Soozcat said...

I love the Morris man. There's something mysterious and wonderful about the bright details of his regalia.

Kathi said...

Everytime I read a post by you, I feel as if I am transported to some fairy tale universe. Your pictures are gorgeous; I so want to live where you live!

Frances said...

Gosh Gretel, I do know what you mean about letting the camera be a sketch book stand in.

I so love those robin's eggs, as they remind me of some long ago childhood discoveries. What a gorgeous color is robin's egg blue!

And...of course, I must compliment the portrait of Andy at a rare moment of rest.

Best wishes to you! xo

Dar said...

The photo with Andy looks 3-D to me...at first glance, I thought it was a painting...perfect!
The caterpillar is fantastic, even angry, and I found the owl.
BlessYourHeart

Cindy Garber Iverson said...

I love the caterpillar. I can see him becoming a character in felt in your talented hands!

Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage

Claire said...

Oh Gretel what a treasure that Robin's egg is and it's so blue, just beautiful.......

The Elephant Hawk Moth reminded me of the time they invaded my garden and ate the Impatiens as I stood there and watched. They have such voracious appetites, I wasn't impressed and haven't grown Impatiens since.... and yes, they do get a little antsy.

The Bottle and Glass pub sounds like a wonderful place, great pic too.

Beautiful stained glass and yes I spotted the owls head.

Morris dancing.........I used to be in a team, in another life back in the 80's, when I was alot younger and fitter......

Wonderful snippets Gretel, you must do this again,

Claire :}

Yarrow said...

Love these pictures, especially the topiary trees, they look like one of your paintings :D

menopausalmusing said...

Elephant hawk moth caterpillars are stonkers, aren't they? I have a passion for those trees at Painswick church, and comment on them every time we drive by....
LOVE the photo of the morris musician............ its a beauty.

Jill said...

Fabulous set of photos Gretel - capturing your world beautifully. I did find the owl's head.

Trailshome said...

Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos. I always think that what we choose to remember by photo or drawing tells us as much about the person recording as it does about the things themselves. Your world is filled with sometimes strange, but always fascinating attention to the details in life.

It reminds me of a hiking partner I shared many long trips with in the past. We'd stand on a mountaintop and she'd glory in the vista while I'd be on my knees, studying the ornate lace of the lichen growing at our feet. It takes all kinds of visions to really see the world. I'm so glad you share yours with us.

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

Nevermind I just noticed your store on the right!

Caroline B said...

They are all terrific photos, but the colours and the lighting in the one of Andy in the pub make it my favourite.
That caterpillar is seriously scary!

Unknown said...

All so beautiful... I could spend hours looking at the details. Thank you so much for taking the time to share them.

Jackie said...

I'm so glad you said that about the camera. I don't do nearly enough drawing but I do take lots of pictures. I have enjoyed this look back through your archive. Especially the birds eggs.

School on the Heath said...

Beautiful photo's. I can't choose a favourite but nostalgia edges me to
the pub and the church window. I had a few memorable visits to Shropshire,
aeons ago, and the beauty is etched on my mind.

Vintage Jane said...

I really love all your photos but it was the one of Andy that caught my eye. At first I thought it was a painting. That caterpillar is amazing too. Have a good week M x

4roomsandthemoon.wordpress.com said...

Those shaped yew trees are amazing! Makes me wish I lived there so I could see them frequently. They look like something from a faerie tale!
Olivia

jerilanders said...

Your Andy is pretty darn cute! But I really like the fat caterpillar, he is just awesome.

ClaireEJ said...

Lovely to see Painswick. Am sure you know the story of the Yew trees where only 99 will grow.
I miss living in the area. I really miss Chalford...badly.

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

I'm so glad you had a link from Flickr to your blog. Your photos are so mesmerizing, they really draw you in.
Best,
Julie