This sunken parterre is part of the formal gardens at Hanbury Hall. Archaeological investigation during the winter months of 1992-1993 uncovered remains of the formal garden. The main outline of the garden has now been re-instated, with the Sunken Parterre being the first part to be restored. The garden is being planted with historical accuracy using early eighteenth century publications.
The garden was originally surrounded by tall brick walls but due to the cost of reconstructing them they have been substituted a yew hedge. It was also thought that new brick would out of place next to the softly faded brickwork of the house.
I know this photo was taken last year and it is just a quick snapshot rather than one of my better photos. For me it just captures the mood for this thought on my theme.
I am not sure when I will get the chance to capture another photo with just the right mood because my Dad is about to undertake a course of chemotherapy which will last up to seven months or even more.
So I won’t apologise for the archive shot, but I will say that all the other photos will be taken especially for my theme.
Although it thawed yesterday the snow hadn’t quite finished with us after all. When I got up this morning the world was completely white again and the estate roads looked rather dodgy. I figured the main roads would be fine, they usually are but I was wrong, it seemed like they hadn’t been gritted even though the council claim they had.
I had to avoid my usual route into work because the radio had announced there had been an accident a there was a four mile tail back. There were cars everywhere and it took me 45 minutes to do a 10 minute journey, the wheels on my car lost traction on several occasions. I was late and so were a lot of other people, the car park was half empty when I arrived and lots of people arrived after me.
This I was presented with some other news which had incensed everyone but I think I will leave off commenting about that…
The picture was taken before Christmas but it gives a good impression of what it was like today.
Whilst browsing around various blogs I came across the 100 photos project. It reminded me that for some time I have been meaning to do my own personal list of ‘100 reasons to be glad’ which was inspired by a book by Isabel Losada. I thought it would be a fun challenge to tie the two things in together. I already have a list of about 50 so that just leaves me the challenge of photographing them and thinking of another 50 before the end of this year.
Yesterday evening provided me with an ideal opportunity take a photo of one of the things on my list. So I present you with the first of my photographs portraying 100 Reasons to be glad:
I can’t believe what is happening to me
My head is spinning
The flowers and the trees are encapsulating me
And I go spinning
He was the baby of the class you know
He really didn’t know that one and one was two
Two and two were four
He was the baby of the class you know
He really didn’t know that, really didn’t know that
Oh what a poor soul
Oooh, do we not sail on the ship of fools
Oooh, why is love so precious and so cruel?
I close my eyes and I try to imagine
What you’re dreaming
Why can’t you see what you’re doing to me
My world is spinning
He was the baby of the class you know
He really didn’t know that one and one was two
Two and two were four
He was the baby of the class you know
You were so young and so uncertain
Suffer little children
Oh what a poor soul
Oooh, do we not sail on the ship of fools
Oooh, why is love so precious and so cruel?
He was the baby of the class you know
He really didn’t know that one and one was two
Two and two were four
He was the baby of the class you know
You were so young and so uncertain
Suffer little children
Oh what a poor soul
Oooh, do we not sail on the ship of fools
Oooh, why is love so precious and so cruel?
Oooh, do we not sail on the ship of fools
Oooh, why is love so precious and so cruel?
A recent edition of DefenceFocus featured an interview with Jon Thompson, MoD Director General of Finance, who oversees the MoD’s £35 billion budget. Within the interview he exposes some of the myths portrayed in the media:
DF: How much media coverage about the MoD’s coffers is true? JT: Some of it is not accurate. It’s difficult to pin down a percentage. There was a most interesting front-page in a national daily newspaper recently when I was with my father-in-law. He said: “Look at that, it’s terrible!” I told him that is was completely made-up. I attempted to tell him the real situation and he said: “I didn’t know that.” “No,” I replied, “That’s because it’s not reported in the media.” Some of it is on the verge of being made up, some of it is poorly informed and some is true.
DF: Will the recession put more civilian jobs at risk in 2010? JT: Not next year, no. In 2010/11, we know what our funding is, which was settled in the spending review in 2007. The debating years are from 2011/12 and beyond when a new government will decide about funding for all departments, not just MoD. There are very different views between the political parties about the funding of public services and tackling public sector deficit. Therefore it is very hard to say because it very much depends on who wins the election and what approach they take.
DF: The press claim that Forces’ kit is out-of-date by the time it enters service. Is this fair? JT: No. We strive to provide the best equipment that we can, with the budget we have got. Yes, it’s right that sometimes it takes a long time to develop these things. We are constantly pushing at the boundaries of science and some things are very cutting edge. Very often, we are the first people to do something or we’re just behind other leading countries. My observation is that different countries prioritise in different ways. Some countries might have slightly better kit than us in one area but worse kit in another. There is always debate but how do you judge? It’s a difficult issue.
DF: Do you really believe the MoD offers value for money? JT: To me it’s a pretty good insurance policy for £35bn. I’d much rather we had it than didn’t. There are clearly political differences about the Armed Forces and deterrent. But I think it is good value.
Within the interview Jon points out that that the MoD have reduced civil servants by 45,000 in the last 12 years and that there may still be more reductions.
