The West Country

Swans on the Somerset Levels I have added 'Swans' by Camera Obscura as a link www.youtube.com/watch?v=H378xwnfEKc I have also added Genesis and 'Follow You, Follow Me' from the album 'And then there were Three' www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9zj11gf9Qk

Low tide at Porlock Weir with the light on Exmoor in the background. The boats are left high and dry, stuck until the tide comes in. I have added 'High and Dry' by Radiohead as the link for Sight and Sound www.youtube.com/results?search_query=high+and+dry The second link is 'Stuck' by Norah Jones www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZvuySBCQmk

Erosion, Corrosion and a nice cup of tea. (please see PiPs) Sea Defences (Groynes) at Porlock, Somerset. Time and Tide have played their part and the wood looks ragged and worn I have added 'Ragged Wood' by Fleet Foxes as a link for Sight and Sound www.youtube.com/watch?v=VExmgC0z9U0 and Donovan's 'Split Wood Not Atoms' www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj9Pshcsv4k

Church of St Laurence, Priddy on the Mendip Hills. Originally built in the 13th Century the church was partially rebuilt in the 15th Century and restored between 1881-1888. The churchyard is said to predate the church. The stained glass window was donated in memory of Catherine Gibbons of Eastwater Farm who died aged 19 in 1988. The window shows her beloved horse. (Please see PiP) Priddy itself is steeped in history. Priddy sheep fair has been held on the green from at least as early as 1348. There are also four earthwork enclosures called the Priddy Circles. These are thought to have been the site of henge monuments. There is also evidence of a number of possible Bronze Age barrows said to be associated with the circles. I have added 'In A Country Churchyard' by Chris de Burgh as the link www.youtube.com/watch?v=GivSUKTILUQ

A quiet corner of the Mendip Hills, - with moss on the stone wall and a wire fence I have added 'Corner' by Allie Moss www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TUXZ-obpuI and Tom Waits with 'All the World is Green' www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GIAawSTisE

Taken at Lyme Bay, Lyme Regis, Dorset. The little blue fishing boat is the Gretel K and has featured in paintings and phone cases etc. I have added 'Fisherman's Blues' by the Waterboys www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6cD-0xvgLE&list=RDT6cD-0xvgLE&start_radio=1&t=0

I don't know why these ladies were walking out on the Cobb at Lyme Regis beautifully costumed ike this but the harbour is very old and they somehow did not look out of place, - until they took out their mobiles to take photos! *See PiP) I have added :'Handbags and Gladrags' by the Stereophonics as a link for Sight and Sound www.youtube.com/watch?v=51GuG6N2qHE

Contrails viewed in reflections in a rhyne on the Somerset Levels appear to be going under the fence. The link for Sight and Sound is a little tongue in cheek - this is a song from Men at Work called 'Down Under' www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyHXlE9Z3m8

Taken on a recent day trip to Lyme Regis. As part of the Jurassic coast Lyme Regis is known for being a rich source of fossils, and the ammonite shaped street lights are a nod to this heritage.. Mary Anning, a local fossil collector, dealer, and palaeontologist became known around the world for important finds she made in Jurassic marine fossil beds in the cliffs along this coast. I have added 'Lights' by Journey as a link for Sight and Sound group www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNG62fULYgI&list=RDtNG62fULYgI&start_radio=1 I have also added 'Look for the Light' by Reba MceEntire from the Best Songs from the Land Before Time www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQNk8fD8IRQ

Late afternoon on the Somerset Levels HFF I never tire of this place, - it is always worth another look. The link is Level 42 and 'Take a Look' www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Of7QUmIvr4

The gatehouse to the Bishops's Palace, Wells, Somerset on a lovely sunny day. This beautiful medieval palace has been home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for over 800 years. Crossing the drawbridge across the moat you can see to your right a bell with a cord attached hanging from a window. The swans on the moat pull the cord, causing the bell to ring until they are fed. Grace and Gabriel are the new swans brought in from a rescue centre and trained to ring the bell in time honoured tradition. Please see PiP. I have added Faith's Song by Amy Wadge as a link www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gzZEtiusO4 Best viewed large I think. Thankyou

Taken at the Bishop's Palace, Wells, Somerset. Since the 1850's the swans here have been taught to ring the bell for food. In October 2018 the male swan, Brynn, died and his mate Wynn left with her cygnets. Two new swans named Janet and John were brought in from a Welsh rescue centre and taught to ring the bell in keeping with tradition. An appeal was made to the public for new, more appropriate, names for the pair and they were renamed Grace and Gabriel. (Grace because swans are so wonderfully graceful and Gabriel after the angel and because swans' wings are thought to look like angels' wings. In part it was also a reference to 'Sgt Angel' who chased a swan in the film 'Hot Fuzz' which was filmed in Wells) In this image the two pigeons amused me. It is almost as if they are saying 'You keep him busy at the front and we will sneak in the back door!'

Taken from across the moat at the Bishops' Palace in Wells, Somerset, the view shows Wells Cathedral in the background and a little boy on the left gently feeding the pigeons. I guess that means body and soul are nurtured here! The link is 'Body and Soul' performed by Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OFMkCeP6ok

These willow hares stand on the Steart Marshes in Somerset. Arms wide, I am not sure if the one on the right is explaining social distancing to the other,' this far apart!' With a lock down set to be enforced now I thought this song by the Police might be appropriate:- I have added the song 'Don't Stand So Close to Me' by the Police www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNIZofPB8ZM I have also added 'March Hare' by Jennifer Crook www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu6VfA9M5qI

Taken at Steart Marshes, Somerset. This is Mendip hide and on the left just above it starlings can be seen as they begin their murmuration. Another shot of it can be seen in the first PiP and the second shows part of the Quantock hide and a wicker dragonfly that adorns it. The link is 'The Murmurations Song' by Eric Bachmann www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpl8lnh0ZUM

Rushes on Steart Marshes. I love the wild and natural feel of this place The little white shape in the PiP is a nesting swan. My link is 'Love is a Wild Thing' by Jennifer Rush www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiQENpfXj7k

Swan on the nest at Steart Marshes, Somerset I havea added the song ''Sitting, Waiting, Wishing' by Jack Johnson as a link www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhTvifGShw4 Below swan in hiding on her nest. I have added the Beatles and 'You 've Got to Hide your Love Away' www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8nLraecPRY

Steart Marshes and this hedge seems to go every which way, so I have added the link for the song ' Every Which Way But Loose' by Eddie Rabbit www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3HkfnEXr8Q