Friday 24 June 2011

Photo Friday: Twisted Trees...

Monochrome Tree with a Blue Filter!

Apparently this tree is along the Grantham Canal (a short walk from the Main Gates)... I have to be honest, there are some fantastically haunted looking trees on the grounds as well...

Haunted Tree

Friday 17 June 2011

Photo Friday: The Blue Pig

Blue Pig

Pubs are pretty important in British culture, and Grantham once had hundreds of public houses for thirsty travellers on their way to London. Some of our more famous Pubs include 'The Beehive', with its living bee hive sign, and the infamous 'Goose at the Bank' which Harlaxton students seem to congregate in (despite the fact that locals consider it a bit of an 'old man' pub!)

When I was studying in Evansville, one of my lecturers found out that I was from Grantham. The thing he spoke to me about the most was 'The Blue Pig' pub shown above: he remembered eating their massive sandwiches and drinknig with the locals there the most. A lot fo the pubs in Grantham are 'Blue Pubs' because they were owned by Whigs: do drink in the blue pubs you had to vote blue. In its history Grantham has had pubs named the Blue Pig, the Blue Lion, the Blue Horse, the Blue Dog, the Blue Bull, the Blue Cow, the Blue Ram, the Blue Sheep, the Blue Lamb, and the Blue Man: I wonder how many pubs were left for those who didn't want to vote Whig!

Tuesday 14 June 2011

Sometimes just one photo...

Harlaxton Manor Garden Elevation

... is enough to show this place off right :) Click the photo to see this person's Flickr account: their photos are part of the Harlaxton Manor Flickr Group too.

Friday 10 June 2011

Photo Friday: Gate Stolen!

Gate Stolen

Warning! Gate Thieves in Lincolnshire!

Field gate on Brackens Farm, Raithby, in the Lincolnshire Wolds.


Friday 3 June 2011

Photo Friday: Duckling's Galore

Ducklings

Believe it or not there was actually a 12th duckling just off camera! This extensive family has the run of the bridged lake near the gates at the Manor: I hope they're joined by many other duckings soon...

Wednesday 1 June 2011

The Month of June

well dressing ashford in the water

June marks the official start of Summer!

The first old tradition in June is that of 'Well dressing', where wells, springs and other sources of fresh water are dressed up to honour them and mark their importance to a culture who couldn't just turn on a tap and get a drink.

London Trooping of the Colours

June 13th is the Queens Official Birthday (that's right, she has two!) which coincides with the 'Trooping of the Colour', where the Union flag is paraded through London by palace guards on horse back.

Stonehenge

The 21st or 22nd is generally the longest day of the year: the Summer Solstice. People flock to Stonehenge to celebrate the longest day, as it is one of the only days when there is public access right up to the stones themselves. The Heel Stone, which sits slightly outside of the main circle, marks the path of the rising sun at the Summer Solstice. The next day is Midsummer, followed by Midsummers Eve which we all know is associated with folklore and fairy tales thanks to Shakespeare.

I know I'd like to celebrate at Stonehenge one year...