The B&W Photography Project no. 10

Brewery Door

 

The beautifully crafted door to the old brewery at Lacock sits heavily on its hinges.
Its cold handle hangs still.
The craftsmanship, defying the years, called to me to be captured in black and white; highlighting the wood grain, the metal studs, and the history it holds.

 

x x x

The B&W Photography Project no. 8

Brewery Wall

 

The old brewery at Lacock Abbey holds many surprises.

As the sun shone through the lead paned window, casting shadows on the walls, etchings from the past made themselves clear; names, dates, symbols to ward of witchcraft.

These walls hold history within them.

These walls hold history upon them.

 

 

x x x





Lacock Abbey ~ Spring World

It was only a couple of weeks ago when Lacock Abbey was a Frozen World but now it is definitely heading towards Spring.

Whilst the sun shone this week I took the kiddos for an afternoon stroll around the Abbey Grounds for the children's trail.

Whilst we found out some facts that, despite countless visits, we didn't know, I snapped some signs that Spring is nearly upon us.

In the Botanical Garden the famous Lacock cat sat watching over the Galanthus 'Magnet' snowdrops whilst the Peony buds ever so slowly begin their journey to full bloom. Nearby, the walled greenhouse was bursting with colour, the crocuses in particular catching my eye.

Inside The Brewery we noted inscriptions in the wall alongside etchings to ward off the threat of Witchcraft back in the 1400s to 1700s. The children's trail alerted us to this - it is amazing what you miss when it isn't pointed out to you. The door handle, although nothing of importance to my knowledge, was, for me, needing to be photographed!

Back outside, the grounds continue with their carpet of snowdrops and crocuses. I will never tire of this sight this time of year. Particularly beautiful, to me, were the clumps of crocuses beneath the old tree by the pond. This will always hold a special place in my heart having been proposed to here nearly 15 years ago.

x x x

Lacock Abbey ~ Frozen World

Two Saturdays ago saw some chilly weather, albeit not quite frozen, for our jaunt around Lacock Abbey to see the Frozen World art installations; sculptures from a variety of artists inspired by the icy shapes of Winter.
Lacock is a much visited place for us here and we love to see the changes through the seasons.

The snowdrops did not disappoint and they are beginning to carpet the floor throughout the Abbey grounds.
 

The sculptures themselves were installed all around; in the brewery, up in the trees, on the walkways, in the gardens and in the cloisters. They were all beautiful in their own way with many changing in the light. Unfortunately the sun was behind the clouds for most of our visit so I had to imagine the change to the sculptures with the sunlight doing its bit - we returned the following Saturday but sadly no sun at all came out to play.
As well as looking at the exhibition pieces we kept ourselves busy...
 

As we wandered around in between the talking and walking I got my head behind the camera but I also had a feeling I was being watched!
 

A visit to the Abbey grounds is never complete until the rope swing has been well and truly swung on - I think that has been our favourite installation over recent years!

Linking up with Country Kids...

 

x x x

 

Disclaimer: This is not a promotional post. We are members of the National Trust and love to share our experiences at their properties and events.

Lacock Abbey {National Trust} #HDYGG

Yesterday I spent a lovely hour wandering around the grounds of, local National Trust property, Lacock Abbey.
Regular readers will know it is one of my favourite places and has become a bit of a repeat feature on the blog.
For that I do not apologise!
I never tire of the place and every time I manage to photograph something different.

Autumn was showing that, despite the hints of Christmas and Winter around the corner, it was still the season in charge.
The sun shining through the Beech leaves in the Botanic Garden, Autumn leaves providing a backdrop to the sparkle of the sun and the beautiful reds on the Abbey walls - all a sight to behold.

The contrast of black and white was on show in the Botanic Garden. I loved how majestic the flowers still looked despite nearing the end of their seasonal life and can you spot the bees busying themselves amidst the flowers outside the greenhouse walls?

The greenhouse was open - inside was awash with pots of colour.

The doorways and windows in the Tudor Courtyard caught my eye - not only spotting the plants and flowers creeping around them but having the urge to peek through and think about the history that has taken place behind them over the years.

Inside the medieval cloisters I had to snap my favourite tree, defiantly fighting time with a sturdy prop. I stopped and looked in more detail at the architecture of the walls and windows and questioned how on earth they built such an amazing structure over 800 years ago - it really does put modern housing to shame.

A picnic in the car was calling so we only went halfway around the grounds today.
I'll be back again soon though to walk through the orchards and have a go on the rope swing - as the sign on the way in noted, 'It's not just for children!'

Linking up with Annie at simplewanderlust.com...

x x x

Lacock Abbey & Blood Orange Cake

It's been a busy week with the ever increasing build up to Halloween and all things pumpkin. For the first time we have been frugal with our pumpkins baking the flesh and roasting the seeds - the latter being a very pleasant surprise.
The weather finally improved and we had some lovely days out including a wander around the National Trust's Lacock Abbey...

 

A potion trail, clues all around, growth in the greenhouses, outdoor sculpture and tree climbing - one more thing to tick from our #50things list. There is always plenty to see and do here.

 

Back home potions were made.

 

 

And a cake was baked...

 

This delicious, moist and autumnal cake was made using Yeo Valley's Blood Orange & Caramel Yogurt - unfortunately a limited edition flavour. I adapted this recipe.

___



150g caster sugar
230g self raising flour (I used half and half regular and wholemeal)
70g ground almonds
1 tsp baking powder
250g Yeo Valley Blood Orange & Caramel Yogurt
2 eggs
150g unsalted butter
grated zest of half an orange
glug of milk - if mix is thick and not smooth

Mix all of the above using an electric mixer adding milk at the end if not smooth.
Pour into a 20cm greased and lined tin.
Bake at 180c (160c fan) for 45 minutes until the top is springy.
My tin measured 18cm and the cake took nearly an hour.
Cut and serve.

___





Enjoy!

I'm linking up with the inspiring Country Kids...

And the delicious Tasty Tuesdays...

x x x