Jakes Sunday Post: Arrangement

http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/ has given us the prompt of arrangement this week and Jake says, ‘The act of arranging or being arranged like Places, living things or collection of things that have been arranged. The condition, manner, agreement, settlement or music result of being arranged.’ I’ve chosen three photos taken on Dartmoor, the result of arrangement by Man, Nature and the Universe or God if you choose.

 

Dry stone wall
Dry stone wall
Wild Bluebells
Wild Bluebells

 

Near Hound Tor
Near Hound Tor

 

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Neighbourhood

I started gathering pics for the weekly challenge but then realised it was the new Phoneography Challenge of Neighbourhood instead. So I got all confused and nearly didn’t post but it seems that Cheri doesn’t really mind if you use your phone camera or not. About half of mine are phone images and the rest my Canon. Don’t forget you can join in at http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/03/08/my-neighborhood/

Weekly Photo Challenge: Lost in the Details 2

Sitting in for a surgeon
Sitting in for a surgeon

I should have thought of this in the first place! The hospital where I work is pioneering new research into robotic surgery and yesterday a demo robot, complete with computer was on display so that visitors could have a go – but not on patients! When surgeons use robot assistance they sit at a computer guiding the procedure on a 3D screen and it is believed that the technology reduces stress for clinicians as well as promoting faster recovery after complex surgery and reduced blood loss. It was fascinating to watch a visitor try it and I would have loved to as well but my lunch break was nearly over. Of course I only had my mobile so the pics aren’t the best quality.

A best of a machine!
A beast of a machine!
Reaching in
Reaching in
The surgeons finger to give me some scale!
The surgeons finger to give me some scale!
Lost in the details, the tiny coloured rings wouldn't have fit on my little finger!
Lost in the details, the tiny coloured rings wouldn’t have fit on my little finger!

Weekly Photo Challenge: Lost in the Details

This week’s photo challenge is guest hosted by Christopher Martin.

Lost in the Details. This challenge is about getting lost in the details. Once you’ve found a subject you want to photograph, challenge yourself to work a little further into the scene.

I’m not totally sure I understand what we are being asked to do this week, but hey here goes anyway! These photos were taken at Chichester Cathedral in West Sussex and I find the detail fascinating, if you click on them you should be able to zoom in. Hope you enjoy.

Chichester 1

Chichester 2

Chichester 3

Join in as usual at http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/03/01/weekly-photo-challenge-lost-in-the-details/

 

Lazy Poets Thursday Poem 4

Valley

Flow of spring beside the tracks.

Bend of river’s shingle bank

occupied by Whooper’s elegant lounge.

Hip like curve sinks to moist valley

then rises to a belly mound hill.

Distant lace edged horizon

naked with late winter oaks

abundant in their twisting forms.

Dull copper bracken awaits

a few degrees swell to break green.

Neat fields sprinkled with new lambs

and a dark dusting of crows.

Sanctuary of Devon hedge banks

South West landscape I’m home.

South West landscape I’m home.

An English Country House Hotel

I went to Rosemoor on Friday and stopped somewhere new for refreshments along the way. Northcote Manor, built in 1716, is a luxury country hotel nestled in the Taw valley deep in north Devon, with stunning views at the top of a long private lane. It would be a lovely place to stay, they offer pamper weekends and award winning fine dining; I would love to spend a week there just relaxing but sadly it is way out of my reach!

My friend had coffee and I had hot chocolate, expecting a cup or mug I was amazed when a huge jug arrived, enough for four cups all for me, and freshly baked shortbread. Our stop off ending up being an hour and a half, it was so peaceful and the staff really welcoming. Most surprising of all was the price, a mere £7 for all that choccy, my friends cafetiere and biscuits for both of us. Needless to say it will be a regular stop.

I hope you like the photos, I only had a macro lens because I was snapping flowers at Rosemoor, but you get the feel. If you ‘re tempted to check it out http://www.northcotemanor.co.uk/