High And Dry

It's not everyday that you come across a life saving ring in the middle of the countryside. But this one is  at the farmed at Beauvale Priory.

Maybe it is used for something different other than saving people from drowning. There is a lake on the farm which I think has fish in it. But it's quite a distance away, so hopefully it may never be needed.

Just The Ticket

I took this up at the Open Farm Sunday event at Beauvale Priory on of course Sunday.  He was one of three musicians that were playing some instrumental folk music in the small pub room, which I think was an old stone shed.

I actually took this through a window, as there wasn't enough space for me to take him head on.

I though the little sign on his hat was very apt for today, being the 10th of June. It of course is similar to the one that the Mad Hatter wears in Alice in Wonderland.

You Can Call Me Al

It was Open Farm Sunday around the country today and so I popped up to Beauvale Priory Farm near Eastwood.

I've been there many times, both as a visitor and as an actor, where I dressed up as a monk and we told the story of the people that lived in the priory during the 14th century and how the monastery was closed by Henry the Eighth in about 1537.

Besides the usual chickens that really are free range, as they have the run of the farm, and are often seen hassling the visitors who sit outside the cafe, they have now taken delivery of a couple of alpacas.

Related to llamas, but a bit smaller and a lot more cuter. Just look at this fellow, isn't he adorable?

The Cat With Eight Lives Left

I heard a rather sad story today while I was up at Beauvale Priory, giving guided tours whilst dressed up as a monk.

It concerns this little kitten, and a black one that were happily sitting in cage together. Anne the farmers wife said that the owner was going to drown them, as he didn't want them. But she managed to rescue them before they met their fate. Anne said that she had found the black one a new home, but this little mite was still homeless.

Anne continued to say that they she couldn't keep him, as obviously on a farm he would keep chasing the chickens that roam freely around the place.

He's so adorable, just like a tiny version of Oscar. If we didn't have two cats already, I would be tempted to adopt him.

It's upsetting to know that someone decided that this little cat had no value and was not therefore entitled to lead a life. How cruel and heartless is that.

What should have happened of course is that the kitten's father should have been taken to the vet for a little op so that there's no opportunity for unwanted kittens.

But now that he is here, I hope that he finds a loving home soon, and is looked after as part of someone's family.

You Can't Pull The Wool Over My Ears

I went up to Beauvale Priory this evening for the last rehearsal before the open day on Sunday.

We picked up and put on our costumes and had a go around the ruined priory. It has been a lovely evening, with the sun still shining, and of course it was warm.

Julian the director said that I wasn't needed for about 10 minutes, so I went for a quick walk around the farm, to see what I could find.

There were loads of chickens and their babies running around, but my attention was drawn to a lamb who was munching some grass.

He looked up and saw me coming towards him. I think he knew that I was going to take his photo, so he decided to stick his tongue out at me. Cheeky thing!

A Close Shave

I was up at Beauvale Priory this evening to do some rehearsals, as part of the Eastwood Festival.

I am once again going to be dressing up as a monk and giving guided tours of the former Carthusian monastery.

There was a bit of fun going on when I got there. A load of sheep had escaped as they were being rounded up for sheering. The farmhands and some of my fellow actors were running around a field and waving their arms about, in trying to get the sheep to go into a pen. I was disappointed in a way that I arrived too late to help.

So when the fun was over, we got down to some work, while the farm workers could get on with theirs.

After we had finished the rehearsal, I grabbed my OMD and was lucky enough to capture the last sheep of the night getting their regimental short back and sides for the summer.

There were quite a few sheep still to be done. But the shearer opened the pen gate and let them out. It was like a stampede as they all ran out and up the field to be out of the way.

Yes, you looking sheepish, don't worry, you have a date with the barber tomorrow.

Dark Side Of The Gloom

A bit of tweaking in Lightroom on this photo, which I took tonight when I went over to Beauvale Priory.

I'm going to be involved in the Eastwood Arts Festival again this year, when I dress up as a monk and give guided tours around the ruined monastery at the end of July.

I took my OMD and fisheye lens with me, as I wanted to see what sort of shots I could get. But it was raining, and so I quickly took a few shots of the farmland, rather than the priory, as I didn't want too many raindrops hitting the lens. Due to the shape of the glass, you can't put a filter over it, so you have to be careful, otherwise it can get a bit dirty.

Out In The Country

A bit of an arty shot today. This was taken up at the farm on which stands the remains of Beauvale Priory.

I used one of the art filters in the OMD, and just did a little tweak or two in iPhoto.

Farmer's Fayre

Gail and I popped up to Beauvale Priory this afternoon, as there was a Christmas fayre on in the barn.

There were quite a number of different stalls; including books; jewellery; plants and nic-nacs. There was also a raffle, done on behalf of the Mayor of Broxtowe's charity. I bought a couple of tickets, but alas I didn't win anything.  A shame, as one of the prizes was a lovely chocolate pizza.

I did hear a bit of interesting news, as a photo of the Priory which I allowed the farm to use for their cafe menu, was liked so much by the Mayor, that the council are going to be putting it on their Christmas cards. Apparently they are presently being printed. I should be receiving one for my reference.

By the time we had finished, the sun was beginning to set over the farmhouse. So of course I had to take a photo.

Living History

I went up to Eastwood yesterday afternoon to see the Medieval encampment that had been set up in the farmland surrounding Beauvale Priory.

The weather wasn't particularly brilliant. Windy, cold and spitting of rain. But that didn't put off the visitors walking around and looking at the tents, the people dressed up as knights etc and the demonstrations that the people were doing.

The battle between the knights was quite exciting to watch, and the commentary was amusing. The insults and banter between the men was funny and they managed to keep their language to within the period.

I saw a friend of mine who has been in some of the community plays with me. She was playing one of the monks who lived at the priory and giving tours of the ruins. Very much like I did a few months ago.

Pulchra Vallis

Today, I have been playing a monk again today up at Beauvale Priory, which has part of the Eastwood Arts Festival.

I and eleven others have been in costume and giving guided tours of the ruins and telling visitors all about the place, the inhabitants and what happened to them after Henry the Eighth and the Reformation.

This is the second time that I have done this and the fourth time playing Brother Leyghton; one of the monks that lived in the priory until it was closed in 1539.

It was great to have a sunny day at last, as we were all dreading more rain and wet costumes. Especially as we wouldn't be able to change at at all during the day.

We had quite a lot of visitors during the day and did three tours in all; which I think everyone enjoyed and learnt something about the events of nearly 500 years ago.