Monday 26 July 2010

Nymans, West Sussex

Just to prove that we are both now really, truly middle-aged, Mark and I recently joined the National Trust (I actually used to be a member in my twenties, but then I was middle-aged before my time!).  We both figured that since we enjoy visiting and taking photographs at the many properties the Trust owns, and given that the average entry cost is around £10 each, that this would be a worthwhile investment.  So on Sunday 25th, we headed down to Nymans Garden in West Sussex for a wander around.  I loved the house, I found it very charming and atmospheric and could easily imagine living somewhere like that, surrounded by books and photographs in a peaceful and tranquil setting.  A very pleasant afternoon out.


Part of the house that was burned down in the twenties

















Fearsomely ugly fountain










I love the pattern and symmetry of these flowers
















A strange find in a mossy corner by a wall


Me



Mark - couldn't decide which of these I liked best ...


.... so I put them all in!

He's SO photogenic (can already hear him
saying "shut it!")




Mark showing me his macro insect shots


The hole in his jeans knee


Map of Nymans


Aaahhhh!


My Handsome Man





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Tuesday 20 July 2010

Afternoon in an Abandoned Girl's School

Last Sunday Mark and I drove to Lillesden Girl's School to meet up with Lensflaredave and insomniac2008 (our buddies from Flickr), for an afternoon of UrbEx and Photography. Traffic was appalling, had to get satnav to redirect us to avoid jams three times! Godsake, haven't people got anything better to do on a Saturday than clog up the roads with their cars?! ;) Anyway, finally arrived, parked up, snuck in through the hedge with our gear and headed towards the main building where we soon found Dave and Rob. Although we've all been on contact and looking at one another's photos for months on Flickr/Twitter, this was the first time that we had actually met in person, so it was really good to finally put faces to the names. Proceeded to spend a very enjoyable afternoon taking photos in the school, all going off in different directions and then occasionally bumping into one another here and there.  The floors were lethal in places, really rotton, and I made sure that I was paying attention to where I was walking the whole time, not wishing to fall through any floorboards, but all contributes to the Full UrBex Experience ;)  Got together at the end for a crew shot in front of the main mirror, took a few takes to get it right, with much larking about, but got a suitably serious pose from everyone in the end.  An excellent explore!





One of the classrooms








A moment of self-reflection





















Insect Graveyard














Inside the main school building




View into the conservatory



































Dave and Mark


























Crew Shot
See large on black background



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