A week ago I went South and found the house I would like to live in!!

Last Saturday I'd arranged to meet up with Pete as he needed to go south of the River!!

We visited a church (Pete's pictures here) in the small village of Clayton in Sussex.. I still haven't mastered indoor photography yet so Pete's pictures can illustrate the church ;)

On our way out we crossed a busy main road, to see what this structure was. Hardly believable but it was a railway bridge and tunnel. I've never seen anything so grand for a railway!

From there we decided to go to Standen House and Gardens. It was a first visit for me although Pete had been before. I was in for a treat!

It is a beautiful house and so intimate and comfortable.

The conservatory was floodlit with sunshine and wonderfully warm... I could easily imagine on a winter's day, retreating with a glass of something nice and a good book with music in the background!! Sigh!

I fell in love with this room!

and a well stock library!

Outside in the lea of the wind, one of the four-legged occupants curled up, dozing on a table.

Wonderful views

and the Acers proclaiming the Autumn colour







Well, if Standen House and gardens is looking for an occupant, I'm first in the queue.

A good day in good company and thanks Pete for the introduction!

Remembering...

For all those that gave their lives, so that we might live and have the life we have today... and, in particular, remembering my father.

Do not stand at my grave and weep;

I am not there, I do not sleep

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there. I did not die.

Mary Elizabeth Frye

Autumn colour at Sheffield Park

The Autumn colours seem to have appeared in a rush this year - wonderful to see.

I had a trip down to Mum earlier on in the week and as the weather wasn't too bad we had a visit to Sheffield Park Gardens. The colours as expected were amazing but the day was rather grey but at least it was reasonably mild and dry....

We'd avoided a weekend visit and the number of visitors at this time of the year can detract a little from the experience. So if you have a choice (and I know some of us don't), a weekday is better! And even on a Monday, the car park was full!!!

The house is not part of the gardens and I've always been curious about it... interesting looking building though!

Another wet Saturday at Barnes (London Wetland Centre)!!

It seems we're destined to have bad weather at the weekend for the moment.... which is somewhat disappointing to put it mildly.

Had my another trip over to Barnes last Sunday, but the light was dull so (mostly) I targeted some of the captive birds for a change.

There were about 4 pairs of Egyptian Geese and all were incredibly noisy!

A Preening Pas de Deux.

The Hooded Merganser were obliging.

As was this American Wood duck.

Now what this is I do not know and I couldn't find any information about it. It looked strictly black and white until, for a brief moment, the light caught the colour in its head. I was very surprised!!

Edit: My thanks to Chris for the identification of a

Male Bufflehead

And that's is for this post... just a brief one for now but some Autumn Colour to follow in the next one.....