Sussex

The trip to Alfriston Sussex was to Consulo's funeral and it was very strange to find oneself among so many people who she had introduced at parties, lunches, dinners, theatre, holidays and so strange not find her there.  She had style and class and was a special person in my life.  The service was in a 14 century church, St. Andrew's.  The Cuckmere River had broken its banks and many fields were flooded. I stayed at  Dean's Place and visited Seaford Head.  I parked at Hangman's Barn from where I walked down to Seaford Head, Seven Sisters Country Park and the Cuckmere River. I then drove to Birling gap where I joined many others watching wind surfers battling with the waves.  The gate to the beach had been locked as the sea was really rough and it was really cold and windy.

 

"Dog with Lizard" Joseph Gott sculptor 1786 - 1860

I was requested and honoured to photograph this beautiful statue, a work by Joseph Gott who was born in Calverley near Leeds and at age 74 died in Rome.  He was apprenticed at the age of 12 to John Flaxman R.A. in 1798, and became a British sculptor and draughtsman, and a leading figure in British and European Neoclassicism. 

(John Flaxman R.A. was a British sculptor and draughtsman, and a leading figure in British and European Neoclassicism.  Early in his career he worked as a modeller for Josiah Wedgwood's pottery) 

Gott arrived in Rome in 1822, armed with a letter of introduction from the painter Thomas Lawrence to the greatest living sculptor, Antonio Canova, though Canova died before he could be of any assistance.  He lived in Rome and had many English Patrons including Earl Cadogan and Earl of Shrewsbury.  

He was a regular exhibitor at the Academy, showing an eclectic range of works including ideas for monuments, statues of classical, biblical and Shakespearian subjects, animal groups, portrait busts and profile reliefs. His most ambitious achievement in funerary art, was the monument to  Colonel Edward Cheney of the Scots Greys. Cheney had died heroically at the battle of Waterloo after four horses had been killed under him. Gott chose to portray the moment when the Colonel’s fifth horse sank beneath him with a bullet-wound in its throat. The alabaster monument can be found in the chancel of St. Luke's Parish church, Gaddesby Leicestershire.

My first attempt was with a flash as it was just so dark but I don't like the shadows.  I intend to try again when I can use daylight!  When I next visit Chatsworth House I must look for Joseph Gott’s greyhounds in the gallery. 

Sheene House, Shropshire

A trip to Dawley to get an estimate for my damaged bumper meant that I was in spitting distance of Sheene House and an opportunity to have a cup of coffee with Caroline. Thinking she had popped out to get some provisions, I wondered about her garden with the camera. What a surprise when I phoned her mobile and she appeared!  

All Saints with St. Michael's Shrewsbury - Diocese of Lichfield

After reversing into a neighbour's car I went to the church!!!! It was very dark and I used Lightroom 6 photo merge on some of the shots

Ludlow, Shropshire

Today it was a great opportunity for me to meet Ann and Phil with their friends Jane and Peter in Ludlow.  We spend time walking from the castle along the river from Dinham to Ludford and then back into the town to find a hearty bowl of soup. Ann spotted a Kingfisher by the Weir but sadly it flew off. It was a lovely day out and time went so very quickly which of course means I was having fun, thank you!

 

Another rainy day in Shrewsbury

Trying to take photographs in the rain and keep everything dry with an umbrella is a bit of a challenge. Some of the shots are not as sharp as I would have liked, so a coat with a hood is a must,  a cover for the camera and lens cloths to remove those frustrating water marks!