St Michael's Church, Hernhill, Kent

Hi folks,

Reverting back to last week and the visit to the church, I had to stop posting whilst away and process the images once I had returned home hope you like them.

The Rood-Screen, only the lower part of this 16th century screen remains. The lady behind the screen was setting up the wonderful display of flowers for Easter.

One of the fantastic flower arrangements.

The church organ once pumped by hand now electric.

In the west wall of the south isle is the Warton Window in memory of Charles Warton the engineer in charge of the construction of the Faversham to Thanet Railway.

The Lady chapel with a model of the Virgin Mary with Jesus standing on the window ledge.

Thanks for looking,

Luv, Mike

Mount Ephriam, Kent.

Hi folks,

Well they say a picture is worth a thousand words so here goes.

Jack frost is still about.

This was not staged by me, somebody picked it and planted it there.

Note the Fungi in the trunk.

And the star of the show, our Daisy.

More to come, thanks for looking.

Luv Mike

St. Alphege Church, Whitstable

Hi again folks,

Today I am taking you on a visit to St. Alphege in Whitstable High Street, the Saint in question was Archbishop of Canterbury and killed by the Vikings in 1012, the church was completed in 1845.

Looking towards the altar showing four of the eight beams made from solid lengths of Memel Yellow Fir.  On the right hand side of the altar is the statue of St. Alphege, more about that later.

The Eagle Lectern is just over 100 years old and stands proudly near the choir stalls and banners.

A closer look at the statue which was made of Papier Mache by one of the congregation.

The organ was installed in 1862, before that the music came from a Flute, Violin and Cello.

Choir stalls.

Showing the gallery above and below are sandblasted and acid etched glass windows totaling 12 metres long by 1.4 metres high, designed and created by Sonia McNally.  She had worked with children to draw pictures showing the life and martyrdom of St. Alphege and then collaged them together.  

Close up of one of the windows which unfortunately had reflection due to the lights.

More can be found at the churches website

Thanks for looking.

Luv, Mike

Herne Hill, Kent.

Hi folks,
well today we had a trip to this tranquil part of the world. Nice and quite, no cars or traffic jams.

We looked in the church but that's for another day.

The pub looked inviting though.

Look how old it is.

The crooked lamp post caught my eye.

Lunch was a bucket of chips, yummy they were too with Adrianne and Sue. (we know how to live)

To finish some new tulips with the daffodils finishing of in the background.

Thanks for looking, will save the church interior till I get home.

Luv, Mike

Art Deco Lunch

Hi folks,

Today we took a trip into nearby Whitstable and had lunch in this splendid restaurant.

Thanks for looking, Luv Mike

Close Up of Wildlife at Leeds Castle

Hi folks.

Yesterday we took a trip to the Castle to get close up to the wildlife and plants.

First of the famous Leeds Castle Black Swan.

Whopper Swan on the nest.

Coot with her very young, look closely at the chicks they look really strange.

Mute Swan on the castle lake.

Greylag Goose enjoying the sun.

Not many Bluebell about but I found a couple.

Thanks for looking and enjoy your Easter break.

Luv, Mike

The Crypt

Hi folks, now to go down below....

This area is made of Portland Stone to house the interned. A great job was made of restoration if you look at the link in the last blog.

This area was set aside for the Earl

These pillars were just painted to look like marble.

Outside on the wall is this image of two torches upside down symbolizing the end of life

Last look at the building from a different angle

Oh, I nearly forgot, the dead trees. The land around the Darnley Estate and the Mausoleum is very old and the dead trees that are now standing are going to be allowed to decay and give the goodness back to the soil and help to maintain the beetles, insects and fungi in the area. The National Trust are also going to introduce cattle onto the land at a later date.

Last shot of the South Lodge the Rangers cottage at the beginning of the trail with a barn next door that shows an interesting video whilst you have a cup of tea.

Hope you enjoyed the images and the ling to the history of the Darnley Estate.

Luv, Mike