Day out in Selborne.
Ben and I went to visit the nearby village of Selborne today, famous for being the home of 18th century naturalist, Gilbert White. We didn't actually explore his house (I confess, I know very little about him, and besides - in the spirit of naturalists everywhere, I wanted to explore actual nature instead!), but we DID visit the little tea shop there instead. Ben had cream tea and I had tuna sammiches. Good times for all.
We had a look round the 12th century church, and I had my heart a little bit broken by the remains of the 1,500 year old yew tree, which came down in a gale in 1990. The trunk was replanted, but it has not survived. It's circumference is 26 feet, and it would have been planted in the year 600 AD - around the time that this part of the world first converted to Christianity. I adore yews, and I was really sad to have not known this one while it was alive.
We also climbed the zig-zag - a path cut into one of the 'hangers' (wooded hills) by Gilbert White and his brother, in 1753 - and explored a little of Selborne common.
Anyway, I have some photos, obviously.
We had a look round the 12th century church, and I had my heart a little bit broken by the remains of the 1,500 year old yew tree, which came down in a gale in 1990. The trunk was replanted, but it has not survived. It's circumference is 26 feet, and it would have been planted in the year 600 AD - around the time that this part of the world first converted to Christianity. I adore yews, and I was really sad to have not known this one while it was alive.
We also climbed the zig-zag - a path cut into one of the 'hangers' (wooded hills) by Gilbert White and his brother, in 1753 - and explored a little of Selborne common.
Anyway, I have some photos, obviously.
The church, founded during the Anglo-Saxon period but rebuilt in the Norman style towards the end of the 12th century. The honeysuckle-covered stump in the centre is the remains of the Great Yew.
Church interior.
A wild
glenatron is sighted!
He's waiting to ambush me at the kissing gate. :|
I never realised how creepy my Rainbow Dash backpack is. "Soon..."
A wild (and freakishly pale) Sari appears!
I just liked this tree. It's oki, tree. I don't tan either.
Ben looking for beasties.
View while climbing the zig-zag.
So, those of you who are friends withclevortrevor may have seen the interview she did with me and, therefore, may have seen me prattling on about Rover: an enormous white balloon antagonist in 60's cult TV show, The Prisoner. OMFG LOOK. IT'S FOUND US. I knew we should never have left The Village. D:
Photographer Ben!
And a view from the top.
Out on the common. I call this: Man Pondering By Pond.
And this one is: Man Is Confused By Pond.
Here's me, looking inexplicably sad while sat on a bench. Maybe it's a Bench Of Sadness. Maybe I'm just depressed by the knowledge that Rainbow Dash will never, ever give up. She will always be watching. Waiting. Waiting...
This was just a big old branch that had fallen down and become lodged ... but it made for an interesting picture, I thought.
Free from the Bench of Sadness! Onwards to the Common of Gurning!
And a little bit of Selborne village. Much thatch. Many cottage.
Church interior.
A wild
glenatron is sighted!He's waiting to ambush me at the kissing gate. :|
I never realised how creepy my Rainbow Dash backpack is. "Soon..."
A wild (and freakishly pale) Sari appears!
I just liked this tree. It's oki, tree. I don't tan either.
Ben looking for beasties.
View while climbing the zig-zag.
So, those of you who are friends with
clevortrevor may have seen the interview she did with me and, therefore, may have seen me prattling on about Rover: an enormous white balloon antagonist in 60's cult TV show, The Prisoner. OMFG LOOK. IT'S FOUND US. I knew we should never have left The Village. D: Photographer Ben!
And a view from the top.
Out on the common. I call this: Man Pondering By Pond.
And this one is: Man Is Confused By Pond.
Here's me, looking inexplicably sad while sat on a bench. Maybe it's a Bench Of Sadness. Maybe I'm just depressed by the knowledge that Rainbow Dash will never, ever give up. She will always be watching. Waiting. Waiting...
This was just a big old branch that had fallen down and become lodged ... but it made for an interesting picture, I thought.
Free from the Bench of Sadness! Onwards to the Common of Gurning!
And a little bit of Selborne village. Much thatch. Many cottage.