Ancient hay rake

We came upon this ancient hay rake next to a collapsing timber-framed barn in an old orchard. It was barely visible in the long grass, weeds and branches but the shape of a steel wheel caught my eye and I began to decipher the other parts. I say it is an old hay rake, the sort that was pulled by a horse or tractor to turn hay to dry and put it into lines prior to the baler doing its work - but I may be wrong.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

Old concrete bridge and house, Axmouth

The nondescript bridge that spans the River Axe before it enters the sea at Axmouth in Devon is the earliest bridge made of mass concrete ("Historically, in Britain, mass concrete (is) designated early concrete with no reinforcement cast in situ using shuttering. It was used mainly between 1850 and 1900 on a variety of buildings, mainly as a walling material"- Wikipedia). The bridge was designed by Philip Brannon and built in 1877. It continues in use by pedestrians today but no longer carries motor vehicles. 

 Nearby is a small, rendered, single storey former toll house, also built by Brannon in mass concrete in 1877. It has an unusual tarred, arched roof and bracketed canopy. It is the oldest surviving concrete house in Britain and appears to be still inhabited today.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Older small yachts, Weymouth harbour

Like many landlubbers I only have a passing acquaintance with yachts, large and small, new and old. And, like many such people, I have a preference for the smaller, older vintage yachts that have minimal fibreglass and maximum varnished wood. Walking round the harbour at Weymouth in Dorset recently we came upon a small group of such yachts and a photograph had to ensue.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Old and young robins

Such is the difference between an adult and a juvenile robin many do not realise the identity of a youngster. Not until autumn comes along does the characteristic red-orange breast replace the flecked brown and buff of the young bird.

These photographs were taken at different times with different cameras: both illustrate the trusting nature of the robin, a quality that endears it to gardeners and others, and which led to it being nominated as our national bird.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10photo © T. Boughen
Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2     2017

The Linton Yew

Yew trees are capable of living to a great age and are notoriously difficult to date with precision. However, several in the UK are recognised to be over 1,000 years old, and the oldest example in the churchyard at Linton, Herefordshire, is thought to be 1,500 years old. That makes it a contender for the UK's oldest tree. It is a female specimen and is accompanied by three more old yews in the churchyard.

Like many such yews the Linton tree is hollow and yet continues to thrive, though some branches require a little support. Hereford has a number of ancient trees and a tree of similar age to the Linton example can be seen in the churchyard of  nearby Much Marcle. This also has a hollow centre which for centuries has contained a bench capable of seating several people.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Library, Wells Cathedral

Dendrochronology dates the time of the cutting of the roof timbers of the library at Wells Cathedral at about 1450, so it is likely that the building was erected shortly afterwards. Like many such libraries had, and still have, a number of chained books that cannot be removed without being unlocked. This practice dates from the time when books were rare and expensive. One of the oldest volumes in the library is Pliny's "Natural History". It was printed in Venice in 1472 five years before Caxton printed the first book in England.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10