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I loved visiting the walled garden at Wimpole during summer, and, of course, I usually have a camera with me when I visit. For sake of variety, I try to think of a different little theme for my photos each time. For my latest trip at the weekend, I used a wide-angle lens, placed the camera below the flowers and shot upwards. The results were a little hit or miss. I was often shooting blind, as the bright sunlight and contorted angles made it hard to see the screen. Shooting wide-angle on a cloudless day, also meant there was a lot of sun flare to deal with. However, I ended up with a small but pleasing set of images.

 

Ickworth - Abandoned Glasshouses

The walled garden at Ickworth is much larger that the one at Wimpole. But much of it isn't in use, turned over to lawn rather than food and flowers. There are several large, disused glasshouses, that are slowly being reclaimed by nature. Lots of peeling paint, stagnant water, rust and brambles. The sort of derelict scene that appeals to many photographers. They certainly did to me.

 

Ickworth- Interiors

As well as my IR camera, I also had my Fuji X100vi, which I used for some shots of the inside of the house. 

Ickworth Infra-red

I used a rare day off to make my first visit to Ickworth House. It was a hot sunny day, conditions that lent themselves to infra-red photography. Lots of subjects to choose from. Apart from the impressive main house, I particularly enjoyed the large walled garden.

 

Dockey Wood

On the last Sunday in April, I visited Dockey Wood on the Ashridge Estate. This is still the best bluebell wood that I know. Despite this I hadn't visited in many years. Not since before the fences went up.

At the height of the bluebell season this small wood can attract large numbers of visitors. This popularity was starting to impact on the bluebells. So a few years ago the National Trust enclosed the wood with a perimeter fence, accessed by a single gate. At peak times visitor numbers are controlled and an entrance charge is made for non-members. Within the wood, low rough wood fences delineate the paths. I fully understand the need for all of this. But the changes have removed what I considered the best viewpoint in the wood. An old cart track, which gave a lovely double lead-line, can no longer be seen.

A Fenman's Cottage

Following a change of plans last weekend, I found myself at Wicken Fen, without my longest lens. Seeking things to shoot, I looked around one of the old cottages, that has been restored to look like an Edwardian Fenman's cottage. I greatly enjoyed the details in each room, but my favourite was the tool shed.

 

Anglesey Abbey Interiors

I had a rare day off yesterday. I decided to visit Anglesey Abbey, in the mistaken belief that on a Friday, at the end of the snowdrop season, it wouldn't be that busy. It was heaving. Most people were in the gardens, so I took shelter in the house. The formal rooms on the ground floor weren't that interesting to me, but I did like the basement kitchens. I love a detail and there were lots to focus on.