Come away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o
He created a colourful bench for my August post for Jude, and placed it in Parc Guell, in plenty of time for my visit to Barcelona in April.
If you would like to join in visit Jude here, she has a different bench theme every month this year.
In the golden hour
magic light streams brightly through
my clouds of the day
A few days ago Meg posted a memoir of some the amazing walks she has taken so far in her lifetime. She talks of walking on Broken Hill, even the name evokes wonder, casuarinas looking south to Gulaga and a father emu with his nine babies. When she wrote of ‘heathland flowering up to our neck’, I compared the abundance of flora and fauna with here in England.
Then yesterday I went for a short dog walk beside the river and canal, and observing my surroundings I became aware of just how much there was to see. 
Lots of seed heads, Queen Anne’s Lace I believe.
I’ve decided to call this a nature walk and link to Jo’s Monday Walk. The Exeter canal runs parallel to the river Exe for around six miles. The canal is great for walking, or cycling, as long as unlike me, you can stay upright on a bike, and there are several watering holes along the way. I hope it fits Jo!
Back around April I spent the day in Glastonbury for my friend, Lindy’s, birthday. I remember that it was close to Easter because I noticed the cross in the grounds of the ruined abbey. 
Many people believe that Glastonbury is the birth place of Christianity in Britain, Joseph of Arimathea is said to have arrived there on his journeys, spreading the word of Christ. After spending the night on a hill with his followers, Joseph is said to have placed his staff into the ground, it then grew into a hawthorn tree. The tree or its descendant still exists you’ll find it in my Challice Well Garden post. 
I didn’t go around the abbey, the time we had didn’t justify the cost on that day, but I’d like to go back.
Around the town, the sights are always colourful, with interesting shop fronts.
and a town centre,
with interesting characters,
and some rather weird signs.
But here’s a good old Church of England to restore some normality!
So, if you’re looking for something alternative Glastonbury is the place for you, it’s the only place I’ve ever been offered cannabis on the street, it was many years ago, perhaps I looked the part, needless to say I didn’t buy it!
As some of you know I went to the Mid Devon show with my friend yesterday, exhibiting crafts (more hers than mine) and aside from selling a few things it’s a great day out. The highlight of the day for me was the performance by Kalash Tribal, twenty minutes of magic. Here they are,
I took many photos, in an attempt to show the movement, style and how vibrant these women are, click an image to get a bigger view.
What do you think? If you ever get the opportunity, go and see them.
I think Brie-Anne means quite a bit closer than my interpretation for the photo challenge this week, but hey I’m getting ready for this years Mid Devon Show tomorrow, so time is even tighter than usual.
Here are five (quite) close ups for you.
I might see what I can get close up to tomorrow weather permitting. Have a good weekend and if you want to join the challenge it’s here.
On a bright evening
that was nearly abandoned
thank you dear Exmouth
when the day seemed unlikely
you shared heaven with me
You’re riding to visit Jude for her bench challenge !all the way from Knightshayes
Benches with unusual features for July, do you have one?
Leave Knightshayes house through the smoking room and conservatory café and this vista opens out, 
Wicker deer have appeared at several nation Trust properties recently, I think they are the work of Woody Fox and they make a lovely addition to the lawns and woodland wherever they’re placed.
Turn the corner around the front of the house, then stand back and admire,
The garden is beautifully planted, and there were quite a few plants that I didn’t recognise.
.
Family sized benches with a view.
I loved these windows.
and the creatures supporting this curved one upstairs. But lets stroll around the corner now to the rest of the garden.
Isn’t this a lovely path? But look behind you,
This simple elegant planter was a real delight for the eye.
Years ago, when I first visited Knightshayes I feel in love with this tree. It’s a weeping silver pear, pyrus salicifolia, and it still takes my breathe away. I think that bench is a spot that Jude would enjoy.
From the pond, take these steps down and you can either turn left and go to explore the Garden in the wood, where I took you last weekend and turn this gentle stroll into a Monday walk that Jo would like, or turn right and head back to the from of the house.
Spend a few minutes sitting in the summerhouse house, there are jewels to be seen.
Then linger along the long border, where some of these beauties are planted.
We could see heavy rain clouds coming our way, so we had tea and cake in the conservatory and then made our way out through this pretty gate.
Knightshayes, a Gothic revival house was built in the 1870’s, for the Heathcote-Amory family, who made their fortune in the lace and textile industry. Heathcotes is still in existence to this day, they make high tech materials and have a factory and shop in nearby Tiverton.
Ben Huberman says
This week, share an image that has two clear halves, literally or figuratively. You could focus on composition, like me, and take a photo with an explicit dividing line (either vertical, horizontal, or diagonal). Or take the theme in other directions: zoom in on a pair of objects that together form a whole. Show two people whose demeanor or personality complement each other. Or bring into balance two opposing visual elements — light and dark, color and its absence, sharp focus juxtaposed with blurriness.
at this weeks photo challenge. I decided to go with the light and dark, colour and lack of it, which is the same thing really isn’t it?
If you would like to join in go here.
Lucid Gypsy 