Bodium Castle

After a big day doing the garden, there was enough time in the day to shoot off to one of the nearest castles in the area - and one of my favourite photographic wise - Bodium Castle. 

Its your very romantic type  with the moat and the towers .

I can't believe after the terrible weather we had today that the sun shone for the exact moment we walked around the castle to take these shots.  Unfortunately, the castle was closed today as there is extensive flooding.  I'd been here a number of times in the past, but it was still a thrill to see it in its glory.

Bodium Castle was built  in the 1300s during he hundred year war. I seem to remember it was in the same family for centuries until the line died out, so went on to the crown or something like that.. 

The site was chosen to guard the English coastline against French, and was built as a defensive structure rather than for beauty, but I am sure you'd agree this castle is .. picture perfect.

We will head on over to the castle again next weekend and hope that the flooding is over its worst and its open by then.  Apparently, the museum attached ot it is very good - and it wasn't open when I was there last.

Battle Help X day 1

First day into our job and with the weather so forgiving ( its supposed to be hailing and storming all week) we set of into the yard.

I'm putting some before pictures up first to demonstrate the enormity of the task as we go, but as a record for us too, to see our progress during the days we work here.

There is a few seasons worth of leaves and mud laying on top of paths and across the lawn.  There was nothing else to do, but to start... slowly and methodically.

Lilly is all rugged up and working hard here.

You can't really se the back yard here  but its full of leaves and very muddy. It was very cold today as well - even though the sun shone, that wind just ripped right through us.. straight from the arctic.

This is about an hour and a half into the job. Morgan  and Lilly were fantastic in pulling thier weight.. Here they are.. is still scooping and sweeping away mud and leaves. 

Ta da!! wow - a pathway all the way around to the back to the utility shed.

My next job was to sort out the wood shed and then to split some wood for the fires.  I found two broken chainsaws, broken bits of chairs and tables, general rubbish and a tent... oh and some wood.

Ta da!.. sorted wood into mature dry stuff, wood which needs time to dry out and tiny bits to start a fire. 

Morgan had to go and collect some sticks ready for the fire.  He always looks this impressed.

This is a shot of the side garden I reclaimed and tidied up.  We discovered the path ran down the side of the tree - it was under nearly 10 cm of mud.

So - not bad for about four hours of work. There is still so much to do here  - 10 days is not enough, but will give Penny a good start at least.

My first sketch... In over a year

I know I am beginning to heal and come back into myself... Because I started.. And finished my first sketch.. Just a quick half hour one.. But it felt good to have a pencil in my hand and feel that creative rush.

Its a sketch taken from my favourite photo of a very good friend of mine, Michael. I haven't  *quite* captured his mischievious grin... So room for improvement on a few things.. I'll post the photo and my sketch.. So you can be the judge of it..

Am hoping to sketch some landscapes when the rain eventually stops..