Ferret Fun

Hi folks, I'm back again with a few images of the ferret show staged at Harrietsham in Kent today.

Friends of ours, Eileen and Ken showed there ferrets for the first time and Sue, Daisy and I went along to enjoy the day, this is what I captured.

The hall was full of cages with lots of different ferrets of all different shapes and sizes.

This is Kens first ferret called Snowflake waking up after yet another snooze.

Followed by Mr Brambles licking his lips.

Of course we must not forget the Stars of the show, Daisy and Holly who were ever so good all day in there cage but given a walk every so often. Of course the had a fuss made of then all the time.

Various other ferrets were being handled by there owners.

Of course we cant forget Daisy our granddaughter who is getting in the Christmas spirit already.

To finish is a few of the competitors in there cages and other odd items.

Love this one, the owner had a ball kicking around the garden and decided to cut a hole in it which his Ferrets love.

Eye eye, give me a treat.

Sleep time again.

Last close up, ready for another sleep.

Thanks for looking.

Best regards, Mike

St Bartholomews Church, Goodnestone, nr Faversham

Hi folks,

Another church, this one built by the Normans in about 1100 and not far from the All Saints church that we visited last week in Graveney, near Faversham,

This quaint church ceased having regular services in 1982 and since 1996 has been looked after by The Churches Conservation Trust, it is only opened in the Spring, Summer and Autumn on a Wednesday apart from an occasional service or event.

The Chancel window.

The nave window with its vertical Crown post roof support above.

Close up of the window and its foliage.

New seating fitted to replace the original box pews as in All Saints in the last blog in the 19th century.

Foliage designs in the window.

The windows cast a light across the church wall.

Outside in the field next to the church were these two lovely horses.  I owe the driver of Sainsburys supermarket home delivery van my thanks because the horses were not interested in us and just kept munching the grass at a distance.
He reversed the van by their field to make a delivery in the narrow lane, making that distinctive beep beep sound and over they came to see what was going on.  There you have it two very attentive horses, maybe I should record the sound and carry the recording around, might come in useful!

Thanks for coming with us to visit this lovely old church.

Best regards, Mike

Faversham Creek

Hi folks,

at this famous spot in Faversham is a creek which houses numerous Thames Barges in the winter. On our recent trip I took some close ups of the barges showing some details of the vessels.

Of course the boats attracted some messy passengers as well.

More Starlings enjoying the sunshine.

Thanks for looking.

Best regards, Mike

All Saints, the conclusion.

Hi folks,

Welcome back to Graveney Church, an extra touch of colour as we were just past Remembrance Sunday, we thought the altar looked rather regal.

Just a wider aspect to show more detail of this lovely scene.

I liked to look out for the big candle depicting the year, soon be time for a change, yet another year is coming to a close!

There is always so much that I like to photograph in a church this rood screen for instance, it is difficult to select a few but the carvings are always so noteworthy because they are true craftsmanship not like todays moldings.

Here is the extra "shelving" that was added in to the 1823 box pews to give all round seating but in 1925 the Archdeacon recommended replacing them with chairs so the congregation would be more comfortable.  As you can see the pews remain, chairs were £1. 4s. 6d. (£1.23 in todays money), far too much to spend in 1925.

Crown with fleue-de-lis emblem glistening in the sunshine on the side of the Pews.

How did they build roofs, just amazing without modern machinery!

Another touch of the Remembrance from the candelabra over the pulpit.

A shining Bishops Mitre on the edge of the Pews.

Well that's the end of your visit to All Saints Church, I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

Thanks for looking.

Best regards, Mike

All Saints, Graveney, Faversham, Kent

Hi folks,

from Sunday at the seaside we continued on to this lovely medieval church on the way to Faversham set in the marshes and returned on Wednesday when it was open.

Grandeur old oak wooden door as you enter the church. The construction and the use of materials sets it in the mid 12th century.

The pews on the south side are 15th century and were very uncomfortable.

This old English plaque gives some idea how old the church is and how our spellings have changed.

Fragments of surviving glass from 12th century made into this window.

This Church has it's original boxed pews and later added seats so that the congregation could face away from the altar when they had entertainment at the font end of the church.

These small fragments of glass were found in the church safe and were original 15th century glass made into a section of the window. They were refitted into the plain window in 2009 by "Friends of Graveney Church".

The Pulpit came from Faversham Parish Church with carvings of fruit and leaves.

A few more to come of this fascinating church, thanks for looking.

Best regards, Mike