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Netley Abbey
Nov13

Netley Abbey

This morning we drove down to Netley Abbey to have a bit of a wander, absorb some history, and – of course – take some photos. Wikipedia tells us that: "The abbey was founded in 1239 as a house for Roman Catholic monks of the austere Cistercian order. Despite being a royal abbey, Netley was never rich, produced no influential scholars nor churchmen, and its nearly 300-year history was quiet. The monks were best known to their neighbours for the generous hospitality they offered to travellers on land and sea. In 1536, Netley Abbey was closed by Henry VIII of England during the Dissolution of the Monasteries and the building was converted into a mansion by William Paulet, a wealthy Tudor politician. The abbey was used as a country house until the beginning of the eighteenth century, after which it was abandoned and partially demolished for building materials. Subsequently the ruins became a tourist attraction, and provided inspiration to poets and artists of the Romantic movement. In the early twentieth century the site was given to the nation, and it is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument, cared for by English Heritage. The extensive remains consist of the church, cloister buildings, abbot's house, and fragments of the post-Dissolution mansion. Netley Abbey is one of the best preserved medieval Cistercian monasteries in southern England." For an austere order of monks they sure knew how to build in style. Very warm November weather and clear blue skies helped to make this a particularly lovely little trip; well worth visiting. For #SacredSunday – curated by +Charles Lupica and +Sumit Sen. In album Netley Abbey (23 photos) Google+: View post on...

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Two Men On A Cigarette Break
Nov12

Two Men On A Cigarette Break

Two men taking the opportunity to look "cool" with their filthy cigarettes as they enjoy their disgusting, stinking habit in the middle of Chichester. I should probably point out that I don't smoke, by the way. I'd hate for my subtlety to be lost on you. For this week's #StreetSaturday curated by +Siddharth Pandit. Google+: View post on...

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Women Wednesday
Nov09

Women Wednesday

It's #WomenWednesday curated by +Lee Daniels, +Niki Aguirre, +Christina Lawrie, and +Athena Carey. Towards the end of my lunchtime – one fairly fruitless in terms of photography opportunities – two women started to chat to one another just in front of me. Knowing one of the themes of the day was women-related I thought I'd get a good chance to take a picture but there always seemed to be someone passing in front or one of the two women was turned at an awkward angle. I almost gave up completely when the two women indicated that they were about to part but just as they did so one obviously made a funny remark that caused the other to laugh; she continued to laugh as she left her friend and, fortunately for me, headed straight in my direction. Google+: View post on...

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Window Wednesday
Nov09

Window Wednesday

Posted for #WindowWednesday, curated by +Jules Hunter and +Simon Kitcher. Not the most practical of windows, but I like them. Google+: View post on...

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Redhead
Nov08

Redhead

A bit of an experiment with a couple of overlaid Topaz Adjust layers; just downloaded it and am not sure yet if I like it or will use it enough to warrant buying the full product. Nothing stands out like a flash of colour against a dull backdrop (except, perhaps, the opposite, and bright things, and dark things, and moving things, and many other things but let's just carry on anyway) and today's backdrop of drizzle under a heavy, grey sky was supremely dull which made this girl – particularly her fantastic, red hair – especially outstanding to my eyes. Google+: View post on...

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Poppy Man
Nov07

Poppy Man

It was very noticeably colder today; for the first time since moving into it about a month ago I didn't have the window open in my office at work. The people out and about were wearing their coats done up tight and there weren't a great many of them. However, I did manage to catch an elderly couple examining the stone structure of Chichester Cross while I was huddled under it. As the gentleman – sporting a long coat and a poppy – gazed up I swung my camera into position and, just before I snapped the shot, he turned to look at me. Usually, in these circumstances, I pretend to take a shot of something else entirely but today the chill had obviously pervaded my cranial grooves and I brazenly took the portrait anyway. For #MonochromeMonday curated by +Siddharth Pandit. Google+: View post on...

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