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.

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?

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!

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.

Fields Of Gold

Well the clocks went back in the early hours, so that means dark mornings and early dark nights for the next few months.

I detest it, even though we get an extra hour to spend in bed and you know that Christmas isn't too far away. But it always makes me depressed, as you know that winter's here and that means bad weather and feels like perpetual darkness.

I do think it is time the idea was scrapped, or at least curtailed for the shortest time possible; say from mid November to early February.

I always look forward to March and the return of the lighter nights, and I can see and be seen as I'm cycling home.

Here is a shot of some farmland up at Eastwood that I shot at the end of September, when I visited Beauvale Priory, as I didn't take any photos today.

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.