Herb Riddle's photos

The country house and estate of Erddig Hall is a delight to visit. This is the back of the house and like many is in my opinion nicer than the front. It is dated principally from between 1684 and 1687 and was lived in by The Yorke family from 1733 to 1973 when it was given to the National Trust. See last picture (or PiP) for internal view.

A look at one of the principle rooms in the hall. A unique modern feature was a lighting sequence that slowly lit up the chandelier , mirrors and cabinets.

A trip near Wrexham in Wales brings us to the magnificent Erddig Hall and its gardens. Here is the formal avenue of pleached lime trees creating lines of rich golden hues for us. “Pleached lime trees (Tilia europaea or cordata) are excellent winter structure plants, featuring a clear, formal framework of branches and striking red-toned twigs. As deciduous trees, they lose leaves in winter but maintain screening through dense, interlaced branches.” Google Best full screen Enjoy the day ps A winter view of the same by Amelia here: www.ipernity.com/doc/1021409/53279990

As we start to leave Tarn Hows, I look back to the Fells behind me as the road runs down towards the tarn. I have not seen many days with weather like this since that wonderful day in December. From here, in the opposite direction it was only a twenty minute walk back to our holiday cottage. Best full screen Enjoy the weekend. – A short break for me now. I shall endeavour to reply to your comments in due course.

As we walks a round this rather large parkland, our path takes us through old woodlands of typical British Deciduous trees. These woody plants shed all their leaves annually—typically in autumn—to conserve energy and water, surviving winter or dry seasons by entering dormancy. They often display vibrant foliage colours before losing leaves to reveal structural branches. Common examples include oak, maple, beech, birch, and ash. Behind this characteristic dead trunk lies a small lake that the deer herd no doubt takes to at times. Best full screen Enjoy the day

It’s December 2012 and we are participating in a Christmas Cruise around Benelux, Denmark and Sweden. A full day in Amsterdam before heading to Copenhagen. This photo of a popular canal scene with its traditional buildings highligh the number of bikes here. Enjoy full screen Have a good day.

Another photo from our August 2010 trip to Cornwall. Cornwall is well known for its rugged coastal scenery but this proves that looking inland is just as interesting. Whereas we here in the north of England have field boundaries made of stone, Cornwall has natural green hedges but we both share grazing sheep. Enjoy full screen

Another look inside the grounds of this 25,000 acre Norfolk country park. We had actually sat at a nearby bench overlooking the lake where we watched the herd of deer across the water. The PiP –adjacent photo shows a shot of this herd of fallow deer as they rest in the shade of large trees within this grassy parkland. Have a perfect day.

A shot of this herd of fallow deer as they rest in the shade of large trees within this grassy parkland. Best viewed full screen

Another view from inside the Manchester Art Gallery. This is in fact the ornate ceiling and skylight. The PiP gives a clue of its home. Enjoy full screen.

Two hours were all we had here in these splendid grounds of this parkland. We are by the lake having just had our picnic. We see the splendid hall in the distance, our next venue. Alas time did not allow an internal view but it was closed anyway. Best full screen Enjoy the day

Enjoy with me another look at the Fells from here. This I believe to be looking just to the north of Coniston and S/W of the Langdale Pikes. Best viewed full screen

As winter seemingly ends at long last, a shot here to remind us of spring and summer. Seen here on one of our holiday walks from July, a brown hare, and a harbinger of spring. It stands alert that something is not quite right but it then turned away slowly and loped across the field without a care. (Taken in a hurry without checking the focus, hence the lack of sharpness here –sorry!) HFF, enjoy the day.

Another retro look from 2010. A grade II listed building at Hartland Point, Devon. The point marks the western limit (on the English side) of the Bristol Channel with the Atlantic Ocean continuing to the west. Designed by Sir James Douglass, construction began in November 1873. The light was electrified in 1927. The tower was automated in 1984 and controlled from Trinity House Operations Centre at Harwich in Essex. The keepers' dwellings have since been demolished to make room for a Helipad to be constructed. This was necessary due to the precarious nature of the access road which is liable to frequent rock falls and landslips. Vehicular access is now very difficult and the gates tend to remain locked. The fog signal was discontinued in 2010. Having carried out a thorough assessment of the requirements for Aids to Navigation off Hartland Point, Trinity House determined that the light at this location could be reduced to a nominal range of 8 nautical miles. This light can be more economically provided by a modern LED beacon in front of the original lighthouse, with no detriment to the safety of the Mariner. Consequently, the old light was decommissioned in 2012. The Lighthouse was marketed and sold by Trinity House at a £500,000 guide price, consisting of "the former lighthouse, three bedroom living accommodation over two storeys, various stores, a helipad and access via a surfaced road that leads up the cliff to the gated entrance. The site in total amounts to about 16 acres of cliff and coastline, and has the best sea views in the area. Best full screen Enjoy the day

A visit to Vienna in October 2024 lets us experience a walking tour of this great city. Here we are passing the Wiener Musikverein. It is one of the most traditional and prestigious classical music venues in the world, renowned for its exceptional acoustics. Designed by architect Theophil Hansen and opened in 1870, it serves as the home to the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra. The venue is globally famous for hosting the annual Vienna New Year's Concert in its Golden Hall of which my wife and I are fervent followers (from our living room, of course :) . Enjoy full screen HWW. Have a good day.

An unusual view taken whilst on holiday in Marbella, Spain Enjoy full screen

Weeks of torrential rain raises the water level here above the usual shore line, so making the seating here rather problematic. In spite of that, the views are still intriguing and rather satisfying. In the distance we gat a glimpse of The Langdale Pikes one of the Lake District’s most iconic ranges. Have a perfect day.

Another retro look at my past trips here. This time from North Devon near Harland Point, on the edge of the Bristol Channel. Taken in August 2010 with my trusty Olympus E410. – I see the weather was not much better then than it is nowadays. Best full screen Enjoy the day