The New Forest and the National Motor Museum

I was in the Winchester area with several hours to fill - so I decided to head down to the New Forest for the day. It's a place that I have always wanted to visit, but was quite different to what I was expecting - less forest and more open bracken. The ponies were wandering everywhere but seemed well used to the 40mph traffic.
Then on to Beaulieu for a visit to the National Motor Museum - which made a change from hanging around air museums. The purpose-built museum was excellent with everything ranging from horse-drawn carriages to F1 racing cars and penny-farthings to the latest racing bikes. Well worth a visit if you are in the area.

Faster than the setting Sun

The sunset this evening was rather grand - maybe something to do with the volcanic ash from Eyjafjallajökull. Took a drive out to a quiet spot to get a better view. Romance is still alive!

Comma basking in the evening sunshine

This Comma butterfly has survived the very harsh Winter and basks in the evening sun to warm itself. I had spent a long time chasing it around until it eventually settled on a tree and I was able to put the macro mode on my Lumix-TZ7 to good use.

Gnome alone

You never quite know what you are going to see when out for a walk... garden gnomes up a tree!

Swan on the Nar

This swan looks serene as it paddles along the River Nar in Norfolk - but - when it decided to get out the river I beat a hasty retreat.

Ford across the Nar

Thanks to my 'navigator' we ended up on the far-side of this ford across the River Nar. After reversing about a mile along a single-track lane we managed to find the correct road and arrived at Castle Acre in time for a nice lunch (homemade pies and chips). Then walked down a lane by the church to the ford - and it was a good call not to attempt driving through, was easily deep enough to water-lock the engine!

O ye Spires of Oxford! domes and towers!

The Sheldonian Theatre, was built from 1664 to 1668 after a design by Christopher Wren for the University of Oxford. The building is named after Gilbert Sheldon, chancellor of the university at the time and the project's main financial backer. It is used for music concerts, lectures and university ceremonies.

The Radcliffe Camera viewed through a window of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin.

SuperGirl Saves Obelisk

Birthday girl out for a walk in Ickworth Park with her new camera.

Onehouse Church

The charming little church of St John the Baptist in Onehouse (near Stowmarket in Suffolk) sits in an isolated position in the middle of fields. More information can be found here.