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Friday 7 November 2014

Autumn has Arrived in Church Woods on our Dog Walk


Almost every day, Ann, Digby Dog and I go off to Church Woods in the village of Hedgerley for our Dog Walk.

The woods itself has many facets and vistas but taking my camera today was inspired by the golden carpet of Beech Leaves that brighten the walk where a large group of Beech Trees were planted many years ago.

While we vary our route from time to time, this weeks direction takes us across the Churchyard through an old metal Kissing Gate


It is but a short walk down the hill before entering the woods.

Despite the recent negative report on the RSPB by Ian Botham, the woodland and wild animals here in Church Woods are largely left alone. 

However there is some strange policy regarding the trees where seemingly dangerous trees are left alone to fall over and other strong trees are felled.

Just inside the gate to the woods were some Cherry Trees which were recently felled and it inspired me to add to my personal quirks.

I found this Large Heavy Slice of Cherry Tree and placed it high on one of the Stumps. It has been there for some weeks now but occasionally some killjoy knocks it off. 

Another idea was to place the original cut as a 'Chip off of the Old Block' . Again most of these wedges disappeared. I can only assume onto someones log burner.

 The path is quite dark and overgrown and suddenly there is the area that I wanted to photograph, The Golden Beech Leaves. I have left it a bit late as two days of rain have darkened the golden orange. 

 Digby spots the dreaded camera and make a bee line for some cover. 

 Ann took over the camera and spotted this old chap heading up the hill.

 Oh. It was me.

 Suddenly the sun is out and the whole hillside looks even brighter,


Half way up this Power Line Cutting may be seen the one and only RSPB 'Hide' with its Commemorative Seat. 
I have never seen the Hide open save for a few volunteers using extra seats stored inside.   

 As a special treat for my daughter, I have added what she calls The Weighing Tree from a previous visit, featuring our two grandsons.  

 Along the next path is another of our use of discarded logs. 
They were the perfect size and quantity for us to set up these four seats. These have also been vandalised a few times.

 Here is another recently felled tree stump where I have gathered two of the wedges. 

At this point we go off road road and follow a Deer Path. For a while we have had to duck under this large branch until I found this perfect 'Prop'   

 These Cages have been erected by the volunteers to prevent the Deer from eating the thicket. The RSPB are hoping to grow back a new habitat for nesting. 

In this cutting made by one of the Winter Streams can be seen the Roots of one of the many fallen trees.

 The power of a Falling Tree can be seen clearly where this smaller Silver Birch tree has twisted and bent the much larger tree trunk.


 Forever the Explorer with my bramble swishing stick in hand.



 Hers Truly, complete in Deer Stalker Hat and Waxed Jacket  

 In this tree can be seen two more of the many British Airways Peanut Bags which have fallen from above.

 One of the advantages of using the deer paths keeps us out of the mud on the main paths churned up by heavy boots and mountain bike riders.

 Climbing the last hill on our walk passes the only other formal seating area. in the foreground is the last of my Tree Stump Wedges. 

 We cross under the Power lines at the top of the hill. To the left, the Hide can just be seen in the distance. Our route to the right also follows under the lines. 



 This stump, surrounded by brambles, may look natural but is another of my 'seat' structures made from a log.. I don't suppose anyone has ever sat on it, other than me.



 This side path leads to a small meadow enclosure who's upkeep is sponsored by Aviva.

 Nearing the end of the walk we exit the woods through a gate at the back of the Churchyard.

 The Brick Path takes us around the Church to the Main Gate where Digby waits trying to escape my camera again.. 



 I cannot resist taking another photo of the church. The colours strengthen and change with the seasons. 

 In the meadow, next to the new Orchard, are the three English White Cows recently located here from Burnham Beeches, can be seen enjoying their winter resting place. Look carefully for the two heads on those two lying down

 Ann and Digby are way ahead of me at the main gate.

 Ann's Chariot awaits us in the road outside.

Even more important. Out watering hole at the White Horse next door where we will enjoy a tasty cup of coffee.

Frank

Friday 31 October 2014

I Cannot Understand Why This Charity Event does not Inspire Anyone to Participate ?

THUMBS UP for HEROES
The Tale So Far

.......................................................................................

My Event Idea


THUMBS UP for HEROES. - Please support Help for Heroes Official by photographing your Thumbs Up and share it with your friends. 
You can also Help our Heroes by making a Direct Donation via the Bmycharity website above, no matter how small.
I have had to change my Campagne Photo as it was in conflict with the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, for which I apologise.
This Photo is with My Hero - My Father (Able Seaman Frank Lomax ) 

who survived WW2 but died young through the dreaded Big C. (he is the person in 

the extreme right hand of the photo (Standing in a Chain Locker) returning from service in the Pacific arena.
The Submarine was HMS Sleuth

Please join us to make this appeal a big success. 
.........................................................................................
The Story Behind the Event.
I originally set up this event when a Facebook Friend posted a new photo of his face Side On. 
I had though of trying an idea in an event called 'Ears for Heroes', so I used his and my photos to kick off the event.
Both of us donated but try as I may I just could not get anyone else interested in Posting their photo and donating.
My comment with the Photo was 'Not a Pretty Sight!' - I need more hair like Richard below.
I posted my Event on both Facebook and on Talk Morgan, a Morgan Car Owners Chat Site.
I then decided to Change the Event to 'Thumbs Up for Heroes'. This was inspired by Christian Nock, a homeless ex Soldier who decided to live the homeless life by Walking right around the Coastal Path of Great Britain.
Christian has raised £182729.00 so far plus a potential £37897.00 in Gift Aid for Help for Heroes. A really http://www.bmycharity.com/christiannock Guy.
http://www.bmycharity.com/christiannock
Christian & his Partner Tracey
Every Time he was Photographed (hundreds of times) he gave a Thumbs Up sign.

This change was more effective in that two TM friends also also donated.
Only yesterday, I received a message from Help for Heroes that because I had included a Poppy, I should fund raise for The Poppy Appeal.
As that was not my point I decided to change the photo to include My Father in his WW2 Submarine as my background and continue my quest for Help for Heroes
Up to the point of writing this Blog Page, not one other person of either the Millions of Facebook users or the rest of the 3862 Talk Morgan Members has participated.
Needless to say, I am most disappointed but such is life!






Monday 27 October 2014

I had to Visit Terminal 4 Heathrow Airport Today !

Visiting Heathrow Today

Every so often I travel to Heathrow to deliver and collect my Son from his travels, usually to the Magnificent New Terminal 5.

It is a long time since I last visited Terminal 4 so was Pleasantly Surprised to find that since my last visit, Etihad Airline, from Abu Dhabi, have built a Fabulous Display on the Entry / Exit  Roundabout.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etihad_Airways


Here I am swinging onto the Infamous M25 from the M4 Motorway with a good clue above that I am getting close to my destination.

Ahead I can see the regular Anticlockwise queue but fortunately, as a visitor to either T4 or T5, I just need to get over to the Nearside Lane Slip Road and cruise past the queue. 


Ahead, as I turn into the Terminal 4 Slip Road, I spy the target of my Camera.


Ahead is the Magnificent Facade of the Hilton Hotel, designed by the Manser Practise, and my Etihad Display, better Photographed from the Exit Road.

http://www.e-architect.co.uk/london/t4-hilton-hotel


On the way out, I managed to take this shot (Cropped) which shows the display in all of its splendour.


At risk of a Knuckle Rapping, as I traversed the Roundabout I managed to get two more close shots, this one into the Sun. 


Just before entering the slip road I manage to take just one last shot of the display from the rear.

I cribbed the next two shots from the internet to show how Fab they look in the dark. 




Those of you like me, who travelled weekly from Terminal 1, entered from the North Side will remember seeing the superb British Airways Concorde Model reaching for the sky as you entered the tunnel under the runways.

 The Concorde Model at Heathrow.

When it was removed from Heathrow it was temporarily relocated to the Brooklands Museum at Weybridge Surrey.

http://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/index.php?/events/


 Also at Brooklands, a Full Size Concorde may also be visited




The Model may now be seen as you travel into the Mercedes World / Brooklands Museum Visitor Entrance of the Brooklands Site.


Back at Heathrow, the Entry Slot has been taken by this Emirates Airways Airbus Model.

http://www.emirates.com/uk/english/

Once I had delivered my son to his office, I made my way to meet Ann at the White Horse Inn at Hedgerley for our Morning Coffee (despite me partaking of a Costa Cappuccino at Heathrow) 


http://www.sawdays.co.uk/pubs/britain/england/buckinghamshire/the-white-horse

It was so warm there we could sit in the Sun in the Garden.

It was a perfect end to the trip when this beautiful Late Flying Red Admiral paid us a visit.

   

So that was my day. Frank.